Avid Pro Tools Review 2024

Pro Tools, a flagship product of Avid Technology, is widely considered as a top-tier audio editing software in the professional music and audio production industry. This comprehensive Avid Pro Tools review dives deep into the software’s latest offerings, analysing the features, pricing, pros and cons, and shedding light on why it’s considered an industry standard.

What is Avid Pro Tools?

Pro Tools, by Avid Technology, is a prominent player in the realm of professional music and audio production. Long hailed as a staple in the industry, it has seen numerous iterations and enhancements over the years, cementing its status as a go-to solution for audio professionals worldwide. This review delves into the nuances of the software, from its pricing structure and installation process to the wealth of features it brings to the table.

Avid Pro Tools: An Overview

Pro Tools is renowned for its robust and feature-rich audio editing capabilities. Servicing a wide range of audio professionals, from musicians and recording engineers to producers working in large studios, it’s software that exudes familiarity and proficiency. With a proven track record in larger studios and an enviable reputation for its extensive support networks, Pro Tools remains a top choice for professionals across the globe.

Pricing & Plans

In 2022, Avid revamped its Pro Tools offerings, introducing a new line-up aimed at appealing to a broader spectrum of users. This new line-up includes the free ‘Intro’ version and three paid versions: Artist, Studio, and Ultimate. Each version is tailored to different user needs and budgets, offering varying functionalities and resources.

Pro Tools Intro

The ‘Intro’ version of Pro Tools is a stripped-down version that is free of charge. It’s an accessible entry point for beginners, providing the essentials for music recording and MIDI creation.

Pro Tools Artist

The ‘Artist’ version is priced at $19.99 per month or $99 per year. It’s designed for next-generation, entry-level musicians and hobbyists who primarily work with MIDI, samples, and loops.

Pro Tools Studio

The ‘Studio’ version, formerly known as Pro Tools, costs $29.99 per month or $299 per year. It’s a comprehensive toolset aimed at indie studios, producers, and small-house engineers.

Pro Tools Ultimate

The ‘Ultimate’ version is designed for high-end music production, costing $99 per month or $599 per year. It is equipped with advanced features and abilities that make it suitable for professional use in larger studios.

Getting Started with Avid Pro Tools

The installation process for Pro Tools is straightforward, albeit a little time-consuming, due to the software’s extensive features and capabilities. Most versions of Pro Tools require the installation of Avid’s iLink, which then downloads the app. While the initial installation may seem intrusive due to the numerous background changes, it is designed for a dedicated workstation, ensuring seamless integration with your audio gear.

Key Features of Pro Tools

Pro Tools comes packed with an array of features designed to boost workflows and enhance audio production. Some of its standout features include:

Customisable Shortcuts

One of the new features in Pro Tools is the ability to customise keyboard shortcuts fully. This enhancement significantly speeds up workflows, allowing professionals to customise the software to their preferences.

Onscreen Keyboard

The onscreen keyboard is a handy feature, especially for those who primarily work with MIDI instruments. You can use this virtual keyboard to play MIDI instruments without requiring any external equipment.

EuCon Status Bar

The EuCon status bar allows users to toggle the Euphonix Control (EuCon) status on and off in the Edit Window toolbar.

New Instruments and MIDI Recording

Two new virtual instruments have been added to Pro Tools 2022.4, marking the first new additions since the late 2000s.

GrooveCell is a program that emulates a virtual drum machine and sampler. It has a user-friendly interface that allows you to create custom kits by dragging and dropping samples onto pads. Each pad can hold up to three samples, and you can adjust various settings such as EQ, distortion, pitch, and envelope.

You can also choose from preset sound models for drive, dynamics, and even SP-1200 and Korg Super Percussion emulations. GrooveCell also includes a 32-step sequencer that you can use, or you can opt for regular MIDI recording in Pro Tools. With GrooveCell, you can create intricate grooves that have a unique sound. However, note that the default mapping is based on pads and not the usual General MIDI layout. Therefore, if you try to play it with a keyboard controller, you will need to reconfigure the keys to match the pads.

SynthCell is a synthesizer that can create a wide range of sounds. It comes with two oscillators, two filters, envelopes, and an arpeggiator with 16 presets you can customize. It also has 13 reverb modes, six distortion engines, three choruses, a flanger, a phaser, and 22 different delay modes. You can use SynthCell to create warm analog sounds or searing leads, dubstep basses, and more. While there aren’t many presets, you can experiment by adjusting the knobs and dials to get the sounds you want.

Pro Tools software has six core virtual instrument plug-ins – Xpand2, Boom, DB-33, Mini Grand, Structure Free, and Vacuum. These plug-ins have been around for a while and are reliable. They offer a multitimbral workstation, sequencing drum machine, tonewheel organ with a rotating speaker, modelled grand piano, sample-based instrument playback, and a monophonic “vacuum tube” synthesizer. To make it easy for you to save your preferred virtual instrument plug-in chains, you can use instrument track presets. However, Pro Tools no longer includes Falcon and UVI Workstation in its bundle. Two new additions have been included but the overall instrument bundle is not as powerful as it could be.

The Industry Standard

Pro Tools is considered to be the most commonly used audio editing software in the industry. Its compatibility with other apps and systems, coupled with the proficiency of Pro Tools practitioners, gives musicians confidence in the quality of their creations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pro Tools is a robust and full-featured audio editing solution that caters to a wide range of professionals. While it comes with its quirks and may need to be more user-friendly software for beginners, its wealth of features, industry-standard status, and continuous enhancements make it a top contender in the audio production industry. Whether you’re a novice, a hobbyist, or a seasoned professional, Pro Tools offers a version tailored to your needs and budget, making it an amazing investment for anyone serious about audio production.

Frequently Asked Questions