Digidesign has announced that in May 2006 it will release versions of Digidesign Pro Tools LE 7 and Pro Tools M-Powered 7 software that are compatible with the new Intel-based MacBook Pro and iMac computers. These new versions of Pro Tools software will enable customers to combine the improved processing power of Intel-based Mac computers with the creative power of Pro Tools.

At the same time, Digidesign will release Intel Mac–compatible versions of all Digidesign and Digidesign-distributed RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins, plus all software options, including the new Music Production Toolkit for Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered systems, as well as the DigiTranslator 2.0 and DV Toolkit 2 options for Pro Tools LE.

Digidesign is working closely with third-party manufacturers to help them port their plug-ins and applications to the Intel-based Mac platform. Visit the websites of those companies for the latest information on availability.

“Creative musicians and audio post professionals who use our industry-standard Pro Tools application want to make use of all of the power they can get for audio processing from the host computer,” says Digidesign General Manager Dave Lebolt. “Apple’s new line of Intel-based Macs is bound to please our customers who want to run large numbers of audio tracks, use innovative signal processing plug-ins, and accomplish heavy-duty MIDI and automation tasks.”

The new software versions will be separate releases, available as free downloads from the Digidesign website for all current, registered users of Pro Tools LE 7 software (version 7.0 or higher) and any version of Pro Tools M-Powered software. To use the Intel Mac–compatible software, owners of Pro Tools LE 6.9 or earlier software will need to purchase a software upgrade to Pro Tools LE 7.

Digidesign will continue to support Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered software on the PowerPC platform as well. Because neither the MacBook Pro nor the iMac offer the PCI, PCI-X, or PCI Express (PCIe) expansion slots required for Pro Tools|HD®systems, Digidesign will not release a new version of Pro Tools HD software for these computers.

More information is available at the Digidesign site.