Mike Thornton caught up with Paul Neyrinck whilst he was in London. 

Hear how Paul got into the business, the plug-ins he worked on for Digidesign & Avid, how he came to design the V-Control and much more.

Listen on iTunes

Avid have released a long overdue update of the Eucontol software for the Artist Series of controllers….

What’s New in v2.7

• Provides support for Mac OS 10.8
• Provides support for Windows 8
• Support for Apple Mac Book Pro hardware with HiDPI Retina displays.

Note: Studio Monitor Express is not supported on Mountain Lion and is therefore not part of this release.

Bug Fixes

• Mackie Control and HUI now work with Mac OS 10.7 and 10.8
• “Bank to Selected” now behaves more predictably based on user request
• EUCON System Preferences are now stored correctly on Mac OS 10.7 and 10.8
• Improved stability with Pro Tools 10.3 (we recommend Pro Tools 10.3.3 for the best results)
• Fixed an issue with USB mouse connection when device was disconnected causing loss of mouse control. This also affects KVM support which now functions correctly.

Download here but you won’t see the new version unless you log in.

Russ, Eric, Mike, and Neil are here with another Pro Tools Expert podcast.  

• Competitions
• Web site updates
• Team at BVE
• What the Post community want from Pro Tools 11
• Do plug-ins sound like the real thing?
• Community tips from Michael Wabro, Jon Dearth, Ken Burk & Bob Bronow
• IK Multimedia and AAX
• Problems with PT8LE after installed USB MIDI adaptor on Windows 7
• Advice about getting 2 Apollos together
• Plug-ins expired and plug-in sorting 
• Structure Free doesn’t remember where the WAV files from our libraries are
• Pro Tools SE won’t run after installing
• Pro Tools SE won’t start
• Problem with Pro Tools going into background
• Problems with playback on Windows machine
• CD track ids HOFA CD DDP 
• Advice on Bounce to Track techniques Alternative Bounce Method 

Listen on iTunes

In this video Neil continues to show how to use ASIO4ALL with Pro Tools.

Mike reviews Unveil, the de-reverb plug-in that Zynaptiq have just released an update for. New features in v1.6 include…

• Now also supports 64bit operation as VST on Windows systems.
• For the AAX Plug-In, AudioSuite Preview functionality is now enabled for ProTools version 10.3.3 and above.
• Improved compatibility with Apple Final Cut Pro X.
• The RTAS plug-in now supports EuCon in ProTools.
• Mac: Authorization now valid system-wide.
• Mac: Authorizer app now launches on install.
• Increased time-out and removed nag screens for the free trial version.

You can find out more about Unveil and download the demo.

Russ responds to questions from the community on gain staging and headroom in Pro Tools.

Our friends over at Neyrinck released V-Control Pro v 1.7 with a lot of new features. More here

Preferences - New preferences section is displayed in Setup popover

•     Optionally place transport at top of screen
•     Optionally disable transport controls
•     Optionally disable fader double-tap
•     Optionally set for transparent jog wheel display
•     Optionally set for Cubase +12 dB max gain

Counter Jog Control - Pro Tools and Cubase and some other apps now let you drag across the counter to jog/scrub/shuttle forward or back.

Draggable Multi-Panel - The multi-panel window can now be dragged and placed anywhere.

Transport Controls can be set to show at top in new preferences

Smarter Multi-Panel Display - The multi-panel window now remembers which mode is selected when a user exits V-Control Pro and re-launches.

Jog/Shutte Wheel - All DAW modes have a jog/shuttle wheel.

• Different apps have different functionality with some having Scrub and Shuttle modes selectable at the top of the wheel. If Scrub and Shuttle are not selected the wheel Jogs thru the project. In some apps dragging in the counter also allows Jog/Scrub/Shuttle depending on the setting for the Jog Wheel.  
• Audition, Final Cut 7, and Media Composer have a fixed wheel in the user interface.
• All other DAW modes have an optional wheel.
• Two-finger double-tap the mixer to show/hide the jog wheel for all other DAW modes.
• Two-finger drag to quickly activate and control shuttle mode

Pro Tools Transport Popover Keypad and Automation Popover

Transport Popover - All DAW modes now have a Transport Popover selectable from transport bar

• Pro Tools memory locations and audition controls have been moved from edit panel to transport popover.
• Logic marker controls moved from edit panel to transport popover.

Pro Tools Keypad Improved - The keypad now has modifier keys for additional functionality.

Pro Tools Automation Popover Improved

• The popover now has a “All” button to set mode for all tracks.
• Write Enable controls and Suspend control moved into Automation Popover

Pro Tools Surround Panner Improved - The surround panner better controls panning if a touch moves outside the panner boundary.

More here

In this Video Neil shows how to setup and use ASIO4ALL with a “Built In” Soundblaster type soundcard on a Windows PC instead of having to use a 3rd party Soundcard/Audio interface that ships with a valid ASIO driver Or an Avid/Digidesign proprietary device.

Ever get sent audio to drop into Pro Tools and you don’t know exactly where to put it?

Fear not, there’s a big chance that Pro Tools knows where it should go - Russ shows you how.

Source Elements have announced that Source-Connect Pro v3.7.2 now supports the new Hamachi VPN. This is great if you are travelling or have to work through strict netwroks. Here is what they say…

Hamachi is a free, easy-to-use VPN (Virtual Private Network). It runs on your computer in the background and it enables you to make a secure, private connection to any other Source-Connect Pro user. With Hamachi you don’t need to configure your network or worry about open ports, so it’s the perfect companion for travelling with your Source-Connect Pro setup to connect back to the studio or to an ISDN bridging service.

Need help getting started?  LogMeIn Hamachi is now simpler and easier to use. Download this PDF guide for setup assistance, or contact our support team.

It may be fun to try and compare your existing RTAS plug-ins with their AAX equivalents, it may also be good marketing by some of Avid’s competitors to suggest that AAX offers no real performance gains. However, in both cases, the comparisons may be somewhat pointless.

AAX is around now as Avid prepare to launch Pro Tools 11, that has always been the case. Avid have gone on record several times to say that Pro Tools 10 was simply a bridge to the future - that future is 64 bit. Not only 64 bit, but also a brand new Pro Tools - you don’t design a product from the floor up (which they had to do to take Pro Tools to 64 bit) without giving the whole thing an entire overhaul. Furthermore, it has been no secret that the plug-in architecture of RTAS needed a good revamp, our sources suggest that has been the case on a grand scale.

Therefore, no one is going to see what AAX can really do until we see the next version of Pro Tools, whatever that may look like and whenever we may see it.

Investing in anything using comparisons based on AAX performance in a 32 bit DAW is not a good idea - it may also mean you find yourself regretting a buying decision based on any such comparison. My advice would be to wait and see what AAX does when its in a 64 environment before making your buying choices.

Russ, Eric, Mike, and Neil are here with another Pro Tools Expert podcast. 

• Competitions
• Michael Carnes interview
• Avid Open letter & Russ’s responses
• Plug-in Update app
• Working with free plug-ins - Russ’s series for Groove 3
• Zynaptiq Unveil review and competition coming soon
• Our first recording device
• Problems with Facebook Likes disappearing
• Buying Advice
• Community tips
• Update on Magma Factory 1.5 and VST wrappers
• Latency, HW buffer size and Pro Tools 
• Apollo & delay compensation 
• Can I make Pro Tools work on Windows 8 
• Transferring settings to different sessions
• Suggestions on how to get more I/O with PT10 & Mbox 3
• Can you stop the spacebar stopping Pro Tools
• PT Update alert doesn’t download 10.3.2 - Download 10.3.3 

Listen on iTunes

Ever copied a MIDI part and have missing notes?

Russ shows you why and how to fix it.

Following an issue raised on another Pro Tools forum, I realised that there is now no way to buy Pro Tools HD Native without having to buy a new HD interface as part of a bundle. This is a real pain for any user like me who already owns an HD interface on their HDX system, who might be considering buying an HD Native system for their laptop. 

Alternatively if a user already had a 3rd party interface, they might not want to have to buy an interface to go with their HD Native system.  

I have submited an idea to the Pro Tools Ideascale and if you agree that the interface should be unbundled then please log in and Agree and lets get this up the ranking.

Russ repsonds to a request for some production ideas from the track The Veldt from Deadmau5. Check them out, all done using just stuff in Pro Tools.

This morning they released v1.0.1 for public beta and added a progress meter, and a number of other enhancements. However v1.0.1 crashed for some users, including me, during the scan process with the nice new progress bar.

Hats off to the team at PluginUpdate, they had a fix relased within a couple of hours having emailed me to apologise and let me know others had a similar problem.

They have now released v1.0.2 Mac Beta fixes the crashing behaviour some users experienced during scan with the 1.0.1 release. Again they took the trouble to email me to tell me there was a fix. I have downloaded it and run it and its great. They must have done some work on the database too as that is now reporting much better.

Keep up the good work guys.

If you still have the old Sony Oxford Restoration Tools bundle Sonox are offering you a 60% discount on their Sonnox Restore Suite until February 28th 2013. To take advantage of this special one time offer simply email them

The guys at PluginUpdate have been working hard picking up the issues that the the first beta threw up, as well as fixing things like the lack of a progress bar, that they already knew about.  

It is interesting, that the way they build the database of latest plug-in versions, includes scanning every PluginUpdate user’s plug-in folder. However they are tweaking it because that has thrown up a few problems, especially if a user has beta versions in their plug-in folder.

They are doing a great job and so stand by your beds for the latest version. Existing users will know about it because the app will tell you but also the PluginUpdate team will be emailing you too.

Once you have it, do tell us how it is working for you, we think this is an excellent tool.

If you haven’t tried it yet then hop over to their site and download it.

Russ, Eric, Mike, and Neil are here with another Pro Tools Expert podcast. This week is a bumper question & answer edition…

• Avid’s management changes
• Les Miserables winning BAFTA for best sound
• Facebook Likes and free gift
• The world needs your creativity 
• Plug-in X developments - Facebook page
• Criticising Avid’s marketing policy 
• Error problem with Pro Tools Windows 7
• Internet Explorer compatibility with Pro Tools
• Will Pro Tools SE work on Windows 8
• Latency issues using Nectar for tuning vocals
• Loops and drum software for Pro Tools SE
• Problems with PT10 install on Windows
• Plug-in compatibility in Pro Tools 11
• Bomb Factory plug-in installers V8 Installers
• Should I join your site?

Listen on iTunes

If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here

Avid® (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that its Board of Directors appointed Louis Hernandez as president and chief executive officer, effective today. Mr. Hernandez succeeds former president and chief executive officer Gary Greenfield, who will remain on Avid’s Board of Directors. Mr. Hernandez has been a member of the Avid Board since 2008. Most recently, he was also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Open Solutions, Inc., a technology provider to financial institutions worldwide, which was acquired in January 2013 by Fiserv, Inc.

“Louis is a visionary, inspirational leader with a stellar track record of driving the operations and growth of technology companies in a variety of industries,” said George Billings, speaking on behalf of Avid’s Board. “As lead director, he spent years developing a deep familiarity with Avid’s customers, markets, and products that will allow him to quickly make a positive impact as chief executive.”

“It is an exciting opportunity to lead Avid at this very important juncture in the company’s history,” said Mr. Hernandez. “As the industry leader for more than 25 years, Avid continues to set the standard for non-linear-editing, media management, and collaboration in the audio, video, and broadcast markets. The company is well positioned for growth and global expansion in this fast-moving marketplace. It is exciting to be working with the Avid team, as we drive results and value for our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

Mr. Hernandez added, “On behalf of the Avid community, I want to thank Gary Greenfield for his outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to Avid and our industry.”