In this video Mike shows how to use Save Session Copy to preapre a session so that it is saved with all its media and the correct version ready for your collaborator.
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In this video Mike shows how to use Save Session Copy to preapre a session so that it is saved with all its media and the correct version ready for your collaborator.
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Ample Guitar M Lite aims to bring the Martin D-41 Guitar sound to your studio.
Ample Guitar Lite M is a 670MB reduced version of the 5.59GB Ample Guitar M virtual acoustic guitar.
It features:
Ample Guitar M Lite is available in VST, RTAS and AU formats on Mac OS X and Windows 32 and 64-bits. You can download and compare it to the full version at www.amplesound.net.
Or check our FREE plug-ins database for all the FREE Pro Tools plug-ins
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There seems to be a lot of interest and discussion around a the whole issue of Pro Tools users getting the same software features as Pro Tools HD users. Perhaps Avid have made a rod for their own back, this was in fact what CPTK gave users before it was dropped from Pro Tools 11.
However, there are two sides to this argument - on the one side there are those who want the features but don’t want to have to buy what they see as a hardware dongle. On the other side we have those who have invested a great deal in a full HD/HDX system who feel somewhat p*ssed off when they see none-HD users getting the same software. It’s a fallacy to think that HDX users simply benefit from better software, DSP hardware offers lower latency at higher track counts, so there’s more to this debate than simply a software one.
Some suggest that no other company offers tiered systems, not true. Steinberg have several versions of Cubase, as well as Nuendo. Cakewalk Sonar and Studio One have several versions, Reason comes in two versions. Whereas DP and Logic do not, although one could argue that Garageband is Logic Lite. Furthermore, Apple are a unique case, as the software is part of the complete OS package when buying Apple hardware and is often used as a loss-leader to get people to buy Apple computers. Comparing a FREE copy of Garageband with something like Pro Tools Express or Reason Essentials is not comparing Apples with Apples (forgive the pun). One could also argue, as many PC Emagic users did at the time, that Logic does come with a hardware dongle… a Mac!
Given these fact, is it reasonable to expect Avid to give the same features to every user when many competitors don’t? Is it reasonable to expect the same software without making the same investment?
We would be interested in hearing from both sides on this discussion.
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After several (what seem to us unecessary) weeks, Avid have finally decided to revise their CPTK to Pro Tools 11 upgrade pricing.
In an announcment this morning via the DUC they write…
“Hi folks, After considering your feedback, Avid is pleased to announce revised pricing for Complete Production Toolkit customers who wish to upgrade to Pro Tools HD 11 software. The pricing now matches the standard Pro Tools HD 11 software upgrade pricing.
Customers will be able to purchase these upgrades from the Avid store when Pro Tools 11 software is available for sale later in Q2:
Price (US MSRP)
PRO TOOLS 10 + CPTK to PRO TOOLS HD 11 $599
PRO TOOLS 9 + CPTK to PRO TOOLS HD 11 $999
Again, thanks for your input and commitment to the Pro Tools platform. We’re committed to serving you.”
Now, let’s wait to see the arrival of Pro Tools 11.
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Ever wonder what it’s like to record at the world’s most famous recording studio? Or how a Grammy-nominated producer can pull the perfect performance out of any artist, including Katy Perry and OneRepublic?
Follow up-and-coming UK band Strangefruit’s every step—from preparation to the final mix—as they record a song at Abbey Road with multi Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells.
Sign up now to start watching and be alerted when the next episode is available.
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The winner of the Revoice Pro vocal alignment software is Dave Holt from Tampa, Florida, USA.
Pro Tools PC have released a picture and a base price as well as more details…
They have said that US and International pricing to follow. If you are interested then you can sign up on their web site.
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Our friends at Softube have kindly donated a Summit Audio Grand Channel plug-in which is awesome. Click on the image above to see it in all’s it’s magnificent glory!
Not wishing to mess around with long forms and hard questions, all you need is to complete the form below for a chance to grab this uber cool plug-in. No purchase necessary.
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We’ve been getting some info regarding a couple of things about Pro Tools 11 installation software.
The first one is that the installer for Pro Tools 11 is currently around 600mb for Mac (possibly the same for Windows too), previous versions of 10 have averaged around 2.4gb, which shows the new installers are about 25% in size before uncompressing. One wonders where all that extra stuff has gone to.
Secondly, the Mac installer is simply a drag and drop into your Applications folder for installation. Nice.
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Russ shows how to track both clean and effected tracks at the same time in Pro Tools, giving the best of both worlds.
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Synchro Arts are now offering a plug-in rental service for those who just need one of their cool plug-ins for a project. The service covers ReVoice Pro (Mac) and VocAlign Pro v4 (Mac and PC).
A nice touch is that if you rent for 4 periods then you get the plug-in to keep.
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Our friends over at Sonnox have made this excellent video interview with Ruadhri Cushnan of Mumford and Sons and Ed Sheeran fame, to name just two. Check it out.
By the way, check out the audio interface which seems to be in use as part of his Pro Tools HD workflow, an Mbox, it’s good to be able to take large HD sessions mobile like that when not in the studio.
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Russ, Mike, Neil & James are here with a packed Pro Tools Expert podcast that includes;
You can listen here;
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Thanks to a tip off from community member Noir, here’s a sneak peek we’ve grabbed of the new ‘right click’ plug-in preset shortcut in Pro Tools 11. It works for both plug-ins and instruments.
More to follow
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Our friends over at Vienna Symphonic Products are doing some deals at the moment with 25% off selected products.
If you missed our review of VEP5 running with Pro Tools then check it out here.
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Russ takes a look at the Sonnox Oxford Inflator, now available on the UAD platform.
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Got that? Some clever marketer at Native Instruments got all their nines rocking and are offering a bundle of 9 Maschine Expansions at $99 but you only have 99 hours to get them in.
We’re guessing the only thing they don’t want you to say to this deal is nein!
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Last week we reported on the changes at DV247, with the closure of their high street stores and a new global presence being run from a German company. It seems to have sparked some serious online debates with one blogger calling it “almost criminal”. Only those within the company know what really happened, but having been inside a company when insolvency practitioners arrived, I can tell you that they may operate within the letter of the law, but they make bankers look like angels when it comes to exercising moral and ethical judgements.
A few months ago the head of Tesco (for our US cousins read ‘Walmart’) when asked if seeing boarded-up shops made him sad said: “It does but it is part of progress. People are not made to shop in supermarkets, they choose to shop there.” If ever there was an example of a very clever man saying something utterly dumb, then perhaps this was it - talk about a self fulfilling prophecy. People shop in supermarkets because they have no choice!
Now let me be clear, I’m not one of those big is bad, little is good kind of people, however I’m also not one of those people who simply shrug their shoulders and say “it’s progress!”
Is it?
Progress for some seems to be defined as bigger, faster, cheaper. It’s actually thinking which is quite recent and born out of the industrial revolution, which has led us to be relentless global consumers at any cost. Even if that means Chinese workers have such poor working conditions they throw themselves off the roof of factories just so we can get a smart phone or hundreds of people are buried when a factory collapses, just so we can have a cheap t-shirt! If that’s progress then we are all screwed. There’s no such thing as zero cost, what I mean by this is that if something needs to be cheaper, then someone is going to have to pay, even if it isn’t you.
I’m not suggesting for one minute a connection between the recent DV247 situation and the death of workers in the third world, but what I am suggesting is that to get things at a lower price then someone always pays. In the case of DV247 it’s staff, suppliers and possibly customers.
However, let’s imagine that we just don’t care about those costs to others, then what about the cost to you and me?
I’ve made it no secret that I think there are a lot of local dealers who don’t deserve to be in business, they add no value in terms of service and support than me buying it mail order. However GOOD Local dealers matter for a number of reasons, they offer;
Those are just a few of the things you get, but there are more from a GOOD local dealer. They may cost a few pounds/dollars more in the short term, but that’s just for the box, what about all the value added stuff - surely that has a price? I recently saved £50 on a Mac Mini by buying mail order, it worked for 3 weeks and then went back to the dealer - the story from there on out is a painful one, I’m not sure I’ll ever see it again and every day I don’t have it costs me money as it’s part of my workflow - I can tell you right now it’s the most expensive £50 I’ve ever saved.
Should we care if local dealers disappear? Look at that list and you decide and then vote with your wallet.
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Russ shows how knowing some of the fundamentals in Pro Tools get help you become a remix Ninja.
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Following on from our article that HD Native could be the killer system the next question has to be what computer to run it on which got me to thinking about the future for Apple’s Mac Pro. We have all seen the email where Tim Cook replied to one concerned Mac Pro user, saying: “Our Pro customers like you are really important to us. Although we didn’t have a chance to talk about a new Mac Pro [at WWDC], don’t worry as we’re working on something really great for later next year.” There has also been rumours that it will be smaller and less user configurable and that for me highlights a trend in Apple’s designs, which although has some merit in the consumer market, is much more of a pain in the professional market. Let me explain.
The Mac Pro is a classic tower design, yes with an Apple spin on the design which I like. the tower design gives the user the opportunity to open the case, take bits out, put new bits in, like hard drives on nice aluminium sleds, pull a drawer out and add more memory, or put an SSD Drive in in the second optical drive bay, which I am going to doing to my Mac Pro next week, ready for Pro Tools 11.
However if you look at the way Apple have been changing the way they make their hardware, they are becoming harder and harder to get into. Take the MacBook for example, it used to have standard Philips screws to attach the case with. Now MacBooks come with 5 point Pentalobe security screws which make it impossible for most people to get in and upgrade the hard drive etc. Moving onto the iMac, the front panel and LCD used to be held together with magnets but now they are glued together and you need a heat gun to remove the adhesive. Apple aren’t just deterring you from opening it’s products, they are now making them so you end up damaging them trying.
So back to the Mac Pro, the latest rumours are suggesting there may be an announcement at the WWDC event in June. But even if they do announce a new Mac Pro then, will it be so locked down and non user adjustable that it shouldn’t retain the title Pro?
All of which begs he question, where do we go as Pro users, for a Pro computer? For pro users running our machines all day, every day, I do have concerns using the iMac or Mac Minis. They are, as I have said before, made up of laptop components and they are great for the hobbyist and semi pro users, but for the big studios and post houses like Abbey Road and Skywalker, as well as the smaller facilities, also you end up having to add so many extra lumps to them, Thunderbolt to Firewire, Thunderbolt expansion chassis, Thunderbolt monitor adaptor, extra storage and so on. We need a solid reliable tower type solution, one that is designed from the floor up for pros to use, easy to add and upgrade individual components to. It clear with all the iOS products etc Apple is no longer in the pro market, they make nearly all their money from the consumer product ranges, both hardware & software.
So if Apple aren’t going to provide an answer for us, and we will see what comes out of WWDC, then what? For me I am looking forward to Neil’s Pro Tools PC, it will be rack mounted, whisper quiet, totally Pro Tools ready, and compatible and best of all ready to run Mac OSX*. Recently on Facebook Neil posted a picture showing the Pro Tools PC running Pro Tools 10.3.5 and a Digi002 Rack at a 64 sample hardware buffer Size, 32Bit 96K session, Recording to 128 audio tracks at once to the internal second SATA 7200rpm hard drive. I know that Neil is busy testing with the full range of Pro Tools hardware, so maybe like me you will need to consider looking to the Pro tools PC and possibly running it as a Mac to get the ‘pro’ features we need from a computer to host Pro Tools on.
* This would require the user to install Mac OS in a way not approved by Apple. Pro Tools PC do not offer either computers with this installed or a service to do it - this is a user decision and entirely at their own risk.
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This is an excellent video produced by Toontrack and a valuable resource for anyone wanting to craft better songs. Enjoy!
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With Loom, explore one of the final frontiers of sound creation: Additive Synthesis. Loom makes it possible. While familiar to many, the promise of additive synthesis has gone largely undelivered. The creation of rich, swirling, and evocative sounds by combining individual harmonics has proved either too time-consuming for programmers or too calculation-intensive for all but the fastest supercomputers—until now. Loom takes an exclusive modular approach to creating the captivating sounds and unique harmonic signatures that are the trademarks of additive synthesis. The easy-to-use Loom architecture allows anyone to quickly combine any of 30 editable modules into 10 available cells to realize incredible, previously unheard-of sounds. Onboard effects, onscreen pop-up Tool Tips, and the amazing Morph page bring Loom to life for fantastic, accessible sound.
Vacuum Pro starts with two wide-range, sync-able vacuum tube oscillators. Each features Quad Detune controls for a lush, thick sound. Add to that two vacuum tube filters. We’ve included both the traditional Low Pass filter as well as an additional High Pass/Band Pass filter. Choose the filter slope to capture classic tones of the past. Vacuum Pro has it all: Four Envelope Generators; matrix-assignable modulation, and tempo sync’d LFO. The tube-driven mixer offers a drive circuit plus tone-warping ring modulation. For authentic analog behavior, the exclusive Age controls even add dust and drift.
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To coincide with the release of the long awaited AIR Loom synth, Russ has released his latest video tutorial series ‘Loom Explained’. Working in consultation with the creators of Loom, Russ shows how to get the best from Loom. Groove 3 says:
“Untangle the creative possibilities of additive synthesis and produce something amazing with Loom. Synth master Russ Hughes takes you on a journey and helps you unlock the synth secrets of this cool new take on additive synthesis. This series includes a full, in-depth explanation of Loom’s features, as well as some practical sessions on designing sounds from scratch.
Designed for beginner to intermediate users of Loom, the video series guides you through step-by-step, showing you all of Loom’s features and functions, as well as many creative possibilities that this awesome synth has to offer. Russ gives you an introduction to Loom, detailed looks at its interface and menus, as well as all of the windows and fx modules available.
Whether you are a new Loom user, or someone who just wishes to expand their Loom knowledge and skills, this series is going to give you the tools you need to unleash the power and add up your sound of this amazing synth… Get “Loom Explained” today.
The much-loved UK music retailer DV247 has overnight closed all but one of its music stores in the UK after being purchased by Music Store Cologne. DV247 previously operated stores in Barnet, Romford, Clapham, Acton, Bristol, Southampton, Birmingham and Cambridge, and until recently the brand was owned by White Rabbit Records Limited who started trading in 1974. The company is now trading as DV247, a company incorporated at the end of last month.
As far as we understand, the only store that remains is the DV247 Romford Branch; their website seems to confirm this by the lack of any other stores being listed. It is also understood that the buying and distribution of much of their inventory moving forward will be moved to their new owner in Germany.
These closings seems to have come as a shock to both staff and customers alike. DV247 has been part of the music retail landscape in the UK for many years. Although there is no reason to expect a reduction in the quality of their service, it is a sad day for the music retail industry to see so many local stores shuttered. Furthermore, as this site proves time and again, buying stuff mail order may be cheaper up front, but when you need service and support, especially for complex software and hardware, then you should really have a dealer you can visit.
UPDATE from our friends at Pro Sound News, whilst the site proclaims ‘bigger and better’, the reality behind this change is contained at this link: read the story here.
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We’ve been seeing Pro Tools 11 running on a HD Native system this week and we have to say the results have been stunning; remember, this is a pre-release version and not the final shipping version we’ve seen. The machine at hand, a mid-range Mac Pro 2.8ghx Quad with a Pro HD Native card hooked up to an Omni.
Until production copies of Pro Tools 11 are available, we are not able to offer a review or make videos (trust us we’ve asked—and offered bribes!). However, it’s like seeing a different DAW in action.
For perhaps the first time since Pro Tools was released, PT 11 makes a HD Native system a really hot proposition. It also continues to make us wonder who will be buying HDX systems? Our best guess is large music, post and broadcast facilities. What is clear is that many of those who had to have a hardware-dependant chip-based HD systems in the past will be fewer. We’ve seen tracking demos sessions running with plug-ins and VIs that were just a pipe dream on previous incarnations of Pro Tools.
If you own a store, then I’d advise you to create bundles of Pro Tools 11, HD Native and for composers, Vienna Ensemble PRO 5 (Pro Tools 11 ready) - that is a killer system. If you are thinking of buying a new Pro Tools system, then put all that on your shopping list to check out. If you have a laptop, then don’t forget to check out the Magma chassis.
If you think this article is over-zealous fan-boy hyperbole, don’t take our word for it. Wait until PT 11 ships, download the demo, and then see for yourself before you part with your money … just make sure you keep the credit card ready!
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Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 is not a new product, some of our users have been using it for some time. However as Pro Tools 11 looms on the horizon we’ve been looking at possible ways to host plug-ins in Pro Tools that may not run in the short term, or in some cases ever run in Pro Tools 11.
This video was orginally going to simply be a set-up video for those who already own Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 but Russ has been so impressed by it, he decided to include a review.
Watch the video to see it in action with some VST instruments and a Waves reverb.
Conclusion
From the video you will see that the interface and interaction are both elegant and simple to use, yet offer Pro Tools users a viable way of either hosting VIs in Pro Tool 9 and 10 or for hosting none AAX plug-ins in Pro Tools 11. Russ has seen it working in Pro Tools 11 (even though VE have not announced it as working with Pro Tools 11) with no issue and offering amazing performance, even to the point of seeing UAD hosted plug-ins working and offering offline bounce, something not even possible right now in a native format.
It’s not FREE, some would say that £200 ($350) is a lot of money to pay for this, but bearing in mind it ships with the excellent Epic Orchestra, hosts VST and AU plug-ins and effectively either expands usability for those wishing to remain on Pro Tools 10 or future proofs those wishing to invest in Pro Tools 11 without the worry of unusable plug-ins. Even better you can host it on a separate computer like a Mac Mini and have all your VIs and plug-ins running in 64 bit and running back to Pro Tools, even older 32 bit versions.
As you will gather from the video and also from above, I think this is simply brilliant and perhaps the most no-brainer purchasing decision I’ve come across. If you are a Pro Tools user and use a lot of VIs and plug-ins then this is a MUST HAVE product. It gets our Editors Choice Award without any hesitation… if you already own it then you’ll understand why. If you have any doubt about our verdict then check out other reviews and also customer comments on sites like Sweetwater.
One of our sponsors, Mediaspec, who have also provided a superb Pro Tools 11 launch prize bundle, have asked our very own Mike Thornton to be the master of ceremonies at their Pro Tools 11 event on May 30th at The Lighthouse in Glasgow, Scotland.
There will be two demonstrations, one tailored for music and the second for post production.
At the event there will also be a Q&A, with guest appearances from Producer and Engineer, Stuart McCredie (credits include: The Fratellis and Kelly Clarkson) and Kahl Henderson, dubbing engineer from leading Post Facility, Savalas (credits include: Microsoft’s blockbuster game, Halo 4 Spartan Ops and BBC’s Case Histories).
4pm: Music demonstration followed by a Q&A session hosted by Mike Thornton. Guests: Producer/Engineer Stuart McCredie and and a live performance from Georgia
6pm: Post Production demonstration followed by Q&A session hosted by Mike Thornton. Guest: Dubbing Engineer Kahl Henderson, Savalas
If you would like to be there then you will need to register on the Mediaspec web site and remember to choose which session you want to come to, Music or Post, but please don’t register if you cannot be in Scotland on May 30th, as this is not a ‘virtual’ event.
We have also enticed Russ to make the trip north with samples of Scottish whisky so if you are able to make it then it will be great to meet more of the community.
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Following our story on Pro Tools 11 “Exponential Gains” Claims - Marketing Hype Or Real?, a well-known software developer got in touch with a very simple explanation of why the term ‘exponential’ is a valid description for Pro Tools 11:
The reason for “exponential” improvement can be summarized as this: The old engine was a simple design that treats all tracks the same using one audio engine buffer size, but the new engine has two audio engine buffer sizes, one for audio tracks and one for aux tracks. The buffer size for disk tracks is exponentially larger than it was in PT 10.
The developers have been working with Avid through a significant proportion of the four years that Avid have spent working on Pro Tools 11, not just rebuilding from the ground up, but digging out the foundations and starting again, especially with the new Avid Audio Engine. There have been some of the recent improvements which they have been able to set aside and integrate into Pro Tools 11 but largely it is completely new application. This is why it is putting so much less load on the computer and is the reason the differences above are what they are.
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A lesson you learn fast in business is that most customers (however nice they are) don’t want to pay you—either what the job costs, when you need paying, or in rare cases, at all.
Most small business owners, especially the one-man-band, find the money part of business hard to deal with and in particular the part about getting paid. So I want to get this skunk on the table and promise you that asking for money from clients is like learning to ride a bike; once you figure it out, then you’ll never have to learn again.
Rule 1 - Never Apologise. You know the line “I’m sorry but I need paying”? STOP THAT NOW!
You run a business, not a charity; if you don’t get paid, then there will be no business (and probably no home). When it comes to asking clients for money, you need to be matter-of-fact about it. At the end of the job, simply send your invoice clearly stating the job is complete and you need payment … in some cases (e.g., when masters are involved) you may need payment BEFORE they receive the work, so again you simply ask them for payment before that happens. No apology, simply “the policy is that masters don’t leave until the bill is settled”.
Now at this point, most reasonable people will pay you, but some will come out with a whole host of excuses for not paying you—anything from not having a new cheque book to having had the key to their floor safe eaten by a unicorn. These aren’t your problems, and you should say so; you’ll be surprised how many clients suddenly stumped up the money when they realise you ain’t going to budge.
Now I know that some of you are thinking, “Will they come back and use me again if I have strict payment policies”? In my experience, the answer is yes they will. However if they don’t, how long do you think your business is going to survive with clients who are bad when it comes to paying you?
I’m happy to say that most of my clients understand and appreciate the value of my work (and get that I need to eat and pay the rent). Sometimes they don’t pay immediately, and on those occasions I call and find out that they’ve really forgotten or there’s been a minor issue—a quick chat and it is usually sorted.
You’re a professional. If anyone who wants to work with you thinks you are too expensive, then they should try an amateur … they will find out the amateurs cost a lot more!
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Russ from Pro Tools Expert takes a look and listen to the new Ocean Way Studios plug-in from Universal Audio - see what he thinks here.
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