You'll have been eagerly awaiting this update if you're already a Pro Tools user, but if you're not, could it convince you to make the switch?Until now, the choice was fairly clear-cut for pro producers: For MIDI-heavy work, Logic, Cubase and their ilk were the sensible options; if you were primarily concerned with audio, Pro Tools was the way to go. Version 8, however, is set to change that premise with a complete overhaul of its MIDI sequencing elements, as well as a raft of additional features that we'll be hard pushed to do justice to here. To give you an idea of the magnitude of this upgrade, the What's new in Pro Tools 8 HD PDF document on Digi's site runs to over 150 pages in length!
Note that we're looking at the full-on Pro ToolslHD 8 in this review and that the price given is for the upgrade (the HD software is bundled with Pro Tools hardware, so you can't buy it on its own). The HD version requires a Core System DSP card and a high-end Pro Tools rackmount audio interface - we're using the HD3 Accel system here. The Core card is used to power Pro Tools' TDM plug-ins, although it's worth noting that all the new plug-ins (see boxout) for v8 are RTAS format only, and so run on any computer. This means that users of Pro Tools LE (which requires a Pro Tools-compatible interface) and M-Powered (usable with an M-Audio interface) can take full advantage of these additions.
What's more, LE and M-Powered versions can now run a total of 48 stereo or mono audio tracks as standard. If you have a fairly recent, high-powered computer, crafting full-scale Pro Tools productions in the native environment is now a more appealing prospect than ever.
Looking sharp
The most striking change for v8, though, is the new look. It can be comfortably described as a makeover, because the only thing that's familiar is the general layout. The colour palette and fonts are all new, and object shapes and shading look much sharper. The default scheme is perhaps a little dark but can be lightened in the Colour Palette window, where you can also assign different shades to your selections. It looks much more solid now, but also has a more utilitarian look, not a million miles away from Apple's Logic Pro 8 or Ableton's Live 7.
The only new display feature is the Universe view, which sits above the Edit window and enables you to see the whole session in
"Pro Tools 8 sees a giant leap in the MIDI editing area, and now rivals both Logic and Cubase"
miniature. It also shows where the Edit window is currently focused within the session by highlighting that area. It's possible to drag this around to change the content and position of the Edit window but you can't grab the edges to zoom in or out, which is a shame.
MIDI magic
As anyone who's used a previous version will tell you, MI Dl was never Pro Tools' strong point. However, v8 sees a giant leap in this area, and now rivals both Logic and Cubase. The MIDI recording is pattern-based and a double-click opens a graphical editor window, where you can do all the usual note manipulations, as well as open lane views of other MIDI data in parallel below. It's straightforward, simple, intuitive and comprehensive. Why didn't they do this sooner?
There's a new Score editor, too, which works alongside the graphical MIDI editor, enabling similar manipulations. The resultant score can be printed out in parts, as a whole, or exported in Sibelius format for further refinement.
One extra feature that should speed your workflow along is track compiling. With the new 'playlist' track view option, all the layered takes are brought to view. A few simple key commands can now be used to audition and move highlighted segments to a 'comp' playlist. Although the key combos could be improved further, once you've got them under your fingers, it's much quicker and easier than the old mouse-intensive way. Track colour-coding extends to playlists, so when segments are compiled, they retain their original colour.
While we're discussing multiple lanes, automation views can all be dropped into simultaneous display below the main waveform, which is great for getting an at-a-glance grasp of what's going on. Additionally, the area below the automation contours is a darker shade, giving a sort of mountainous appearance that's easier to take in. It would be useful, however, if the exposure and size of the automation lanes was remembered in the Memory Locations window.
Elastic Time was a popular addition to Pro Tools 7, enabling audio to be quantised and adjusted just like MIDI data. In v8, we also get Elastic Pitch, enabling alteration of the pitch of audio by up to +/-24 semitones. You can do this in real time, but only after the segment has been analysed, which can take some time on longer files. Nevertheless, this gives the program the kind of mind-boggling flexibility that at one time seemed like mere fantasy.
Game plan
This upgrade is without doubt Digidesign's best yet, and they've greatly broadened the musical creation and production horizons of their industry-standard DAW. The bundled instrument plug-ins and associated effects from AIR, along with the vastly improved MIDI editing possibilities, bring a whole new aspect to the program. Some Pro Tools snobs might not like the new, more generic look, or the fact that the new plug-ins are RTAS-only, but these will no doubt give Pro Tools 8 far wider appeal and keep it at the forefront of the audio and MIDI production game.
Web: www.digidesign.com
Contact: Digidesign, 01753 655 999
Info: Pro Tools LE or M-Powered upgrade, £92 M-Powered full version, £190
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The intuitive MIDI editor, with its clearer display and useful two-tone backgrounds, is a highlight of PT8≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌≌
The new Vacuum synth has a convincingly analogue sound and warm tube emulationPro Toolbox
Pro Tools 8 comes bundled with the Creative Collection, comprising a number of new plug-ins courtesy of Digi's Advanced Instrument Research (AIR) department. And what a treat they've given us: six instruments and 20 effects, which are all RTAS-only.
The pick of the instruments has to be Vacuum, a vintage analogue-style synth that creates excellent bass sounds, as well as tasty lead and FX patches. Xpand!2 is a multitimbral sample-based synth that can be layered or split for performance - the rather orthodox 1.5GB library does, however, feature some vast pads. The DB-33 Hammond emulation is very realistic, with plenty of dirt and drive, and the Mini-Grand is a workhorse for pianists. Also, the Structure Free sample player and Boom drum machine have a very useful array of electronic sounds.
Among the more common effects -chorus, phaser, delay, f langer, reverb, ensemble, all of which are reassuringly impolite - are some more original jewels. The star plug-in is the Filter Gate that throws a tempo-based tremolo over the audio and adds synced filters. The gate time can be swung and the patterns adjusted with various accents. The Fuzz Wan does something similar with filter cutoff and beat sync, and is thoroughly dirty.
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System requirements
(MAC) 1GB RAM,OSX1O.5.5,
Digidesign-qualified computer
(see website), iLok USB Smart Key
(PC)1 GB RAM. Windows XP/Vista.
Digidesign-qualified computer
(see website), iLok USB Smart Key
Test system
(MAC) Dual 2.5GHz G5 PowerMac,
4GB RAM, OS X 10.5.6, HD3 Accel system
Alternatively
Apple Logic Studio cm119» 10/10 » £312
Comparable on the MIDI side, but Pro Tools has the audio edge
Steinberg Cubase 5 N/A»N/A»£539
It's not out yet, but Cubase 5 looks mighty good - see p9 for more info
Verdict
FOR
- MIDI editing finally comes good
- Creative Collection is exceptional
- Track compiling saves a lot of time
- Very good automation lane system
AGAINST
- New plug-ins are RTAS-only
- Takes a long time to import PT7 sessions
- New GUI may not be to everyone's taste
It could be time to go Pro thanks to this highly impressive update, which finally sees Digidesign shake off their DAW's 'audio good, MIDI bad' reputation
MARK: 9/10
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