Avid doesn’t always update Pro Tools First when they release a Pro Tools update. However, after the dust has settled following the release on Pro Tools 2020.9 for Vanilla and Ultimate users, it transpires that Avid has also released Pro Tools First 2020.9 which adds macOS Catalina and Ableton Link support to the free version of Avid’s DAW software.

Pro Tools First 2020.9 New Features

Ableton Link Support

Ableton Link is a synchronisation tool from Ableton that keeps any Link-enabled applications in time over a local network. With Pro Tools 2020.9 Ableton Link is now supported.

In case you haven’t come across Ableton Link, it synchronises musical beat, tempo, and start/stop commands across multiple applications and multiple devices. Applications across a local network can discover each other automatically even on different devices. You can set up a musical session in which each musician can perform independently and together.

Back in 2016, we wrote in an article asking whether we would welcome Ableton Link in Pro Tools:

“If Audio over IP (AoIP) can change working practices and move multitrack audio onto IP networks as quickly as it has then moving MIDI beat clock onto WiFi networks seems trivially simple but so attractive”.

We’re now going to get the opportunity to try it for ourselves in Pro Tools.

macOS Catalina Support For Pro Tools First

With the release of Pro Tools First 2020.9 Avid’s free DAW software now supports macOS Catalina, the current version of Apple’s operating system.

Here are the complete System Requirements and Compatibility with Pro Tools First Software versions 2020.9

For optimal performance and reliability, Avid recommends that your computer or laptop meets the following system requirements.

Mac:

Intel® Mac with macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), or macOS Mojave (10.14.5), or macOS Catalina (10.15.6).
Note: OS X 10.15.4 is NOT qualified, find out more.
Intel® i5 processor or higher
4GB RAM (8GB or more recommended)
Minimum 1280 Horizontal Monitor Resolution
Internet connection for installation
Minimum of 15GB disk space for installation
USB-port, FireWire-port or Thunderbolt-port for CoreAudio-supported audio device
Supports Marketplace in-app purchased AAX plug-ins in Pro Tools | First
PACE hard disk authorization (no iLok required)

Windows:

Intel® PC with Windows 10 (build 1909 only)
Note: Windows 8.1 and previous are no longer tested or supported with Pro Tools First
Intel® i5 processor or higher
4GB RAM (8GB or more recommended)
Minimum 1280 Horizontal Monitor Resolution
Internet connection for installation
Minimum of 15GB disk space for installation
USB-port or FireWire-port for ASIO-supported audio device OR install ASIO4ALL to use Pro Tools First with your PC's built-in audio I/O
Supports Marketplace in-app purchased AAX plug-ins in Pro Tools | First
PACE hard disk authorization (no iLok required)

Windows 10 Only

For Windows users, it is also worth noting that Pro Tools First has only been supported for use on Windows 10 since the 2019.5 release back in May 2019. For Windows 8. support you have to go back to the 2018.7 release.

Pro Tools First Basics Free Tutorials

Featured

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - Limiting And Bouncing To Stereo

This free video tutorial brought to you in association with Avid is the eighth and last in a series, aimed at people who are new to recording or new to Pro Tools. We've followed the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording. In this video, we look at how to process a recording to control the output levels and bring up the overall loudness of a recording to make it suitable for life outside Pro Tools.

Pro Tools Basics - Edit Selections

In this article, we only look at the selection procedures in Pro Tools. There are many different aspects to be aware of regarding selections. You get the idea that selecting a Clip or any other object in Pro Tools is not as simple as clicking on it. There are many different procedures, variations, and conditions you have to know, not only to avoid mistakes but also to improve (= speed up) your editing workflow.

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - Mixing

This free video tutorial brought to you in association with Avid is the seventh in a series, aimed at people who are new to recording or new to Pro Tools. We follow the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording. In this video, we introduce the process of mixing.

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - MIDI And Virtual Instruments

This free video tutorial brought to you in association with Avid is the sixth in a series, aimed at people who are new to recording or new to Pro Tools. We follow the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording. In part 6, we introduce virtual instruments by recording a Hammond organ into the song. Rather than making an audio recording of the organ we record the MIDI performance. This involves a new track type which records the notes played int the instrument rather than the sound the instrument makes.

M-Audio Now Including Pro Tools First Software With Their Audio Interfaces & Controllers

M-Audio a brand that was owned by Avid but now is part of the InMusic brand, now include Pro Tools First with all of their M-Track C-Series Audio/MIDI interfaces, as well as their CTRL, Code, Oxygen, Hammer and Keystation USB/MIDI keyboard controllers.

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - Fixing Mistakes

This free video tutorial brought to you in association with Avid is the fifth in a series, aimed at people who are new to recording or new to Pro Tools. We follow the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording. In this video, we look at a couple of techniques for fixing mistakes by combining the best bits of multiple record passes or by copying and pasting from within one pass to patch errors.

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - Overdubbing

This free video tutorial brought to you in association with Avid is the fourth in a series, aimed at people who are new to recording or new to Pro Tools. We follow the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording. In part 3, we'd met Jess, a singer-songwriter who has written a song and needed guidance through the process of choosing a setup, setting it up and recording the song. In this fourth part, we layer a high-strung "Nashville Style" acoustic on top of the original recording.

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - Recording

This tutorial brought to you in association with Avid is the third in a series, aimed at people who are new to recording or new to Pro Tools. We follow the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording. In the previous free video tutorial we met Jess, a singer-songwriter who has written a song and needs guidance through the process of choosing a setup, setting it up and recording the song. In this third part we set up a mic and get tracking.

Pro Tools Basics - Nudge

In this tutorial, aimed at both Pro Tools and Pro Tools First users, we will have a closer look at the Nudge feature in Pro Tools. It is as simple as pressing the plus or minus key to move a clip to the right or left. However, it has a ton of variations and hidden features worth exploring and waiting for you to incorporate it into your workflow.

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - Session Set Up

In this free video tutorial, the second in a series brought to you in association with Avid, we follow the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording. In this video we set up a new Pro Tools session, looking at any potential issues and how to deal with them, Import a guide track, set up a click and create an audio track ready for recording.

Free Tutorial - Pro Tools For Beginners - What Do I Need?

In this free video tutorial, the first of a series brought to you in association with Avid, we follow the development of a demo recording from the point of view of someone with no prior experience of recording.

In this video we meet Jess, a singer-songwriter who has written a song and needs guidance through the process of choosing a setup, setting it up and recording the song.

Get Started Fast with Pro Tools First - Mixing, Distribution And The Avid Artist Community

In this series of free video tutorials produced by Avid, you will learn how to get started with Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools. In this final video in the series, you will learn how to use AudioSuite plug-ins to process complete clips, and use Export which is the Pro Tools First equivalent of Bounce To Disk You can choose what output, which file format, sample rate and bit depth to use and don't forget to name the file and where you want to save it to.

Get Started Fast with Pro Tools First - Audio Editing

In this series of free video tutorials produced by Avid, you will learn how to get started with Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools. In this 5th video in the series, learn how the different editing tools work, how to use Elastic Audio to change the tempo of audio in the session and match the tempo of other audio to the session. Finally see how to use MIDI and audio automation to control a wide range of parameters.

Get Started Fast with Pro Tools First - Building The Tracks And In-App Marketplace

In this series of free video tutorials produced by Avid, you will learn how to get started with Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools. In this 4th video in the series, you will learn how to take the basic song and beef it up using instrument plug-ins, maybe replace some of the basic instrument Xpand2 sounds, or add new sounds by renting or buying them from the Avid Marketplace all from inside Pro Tools First.

Get Started Fast with Pro Tools First - Start Creating A Song

In this series of free video tutorials produced by Avid, you will learn how to get started with Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools. In this third video, you will learn how to start creating a song.

Get Started Fast with Pro Tools First - Building A Session From Scratch

In this series of free video tutorials produced by Avid, you will learn how to get started with Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools. In this second video, you will learn how to build a session from scratch.

Get Started Fast with Pro Tools First - Quickstart Your Creativity With Templates

In this series of free video tutorials produced by Avid, you will learn how to get started with Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools. In this first video, you will learn how to use templates to get you going quickly.

Pro Tools Basics - Time Displays

In this tutorial, aimed at both Pro Tools and Pro Tools First users, I will have a look at something very fundamental in Pro Tools, the Time Displays. There are lots of small and big (mostly green) numbers displayed everywhere for various purposes, but they all fall into two categories, "Time Locations" or "Time Durations".

Graphically Enhanced Manuals Release Pro Tools First Manual

Pro Tools | First 12 - How it Works, is the latest book in the “Graphically Enhanced Manuals (GEM)” series by Edgar Rothermich. It is the 1st manual for the free version of Pro Tools, but don't write it off if you use the full version of Pro Tools, as the book's depth and wealth of graphics and diagrams, there is a lot of resources in this book to help any Pro Tools user to get a better understanding of Pro Tools.

Featured

Mike Thornton has been working in the broadcast audio industry for all his working life, some 44 years. Mike has worked with Pro Tools since the mid-90s recording, editing and mixing documentaries, comedy and drama for both radio and TV as well as doing the occasional music project. He was the co-founder of Pro Tools Expert and is now COO of Production Expert Ltd.