This is an example of how to smoothly change a loop’s tempo in Pro Tools.

via muzicali:

Follow this example and your loop will conform to any tempo changes you make in your Pro Tools session.

In this example I use Elastic Audio and the TCE Tool.

If you’re a Mac-based Pro Tools 8.0.x user, Pro Tools 8.0.3pr software is provided as a convenience should you wish to begin your transition to Snow Leopard before a fully tested and qualified version of Pro Tools becomes available.

Download the Free Pro Tools 8.0.3pr Prerelease

Pro Tools 8.0.3pr is a free download for Pro Tools HD 8, Pro Tools LE 8, and Pro Tools M-Powered 8 users. Please note that you will need your Pro Tools 8 authorization code (Pro Tools LE) or iLok authorization (Pro Tools|HD or Pro Tools M-Powered) to authorize the software:

• Download the Pro Tools 8.0.3pr prerelease
• Download updated M-Audio device drivers

Avid has introduced three Pro Tools Essentials bundles – three inexpensive “gateway drug” introductions to the world of Pro Tools.

The three bundles, Pro Tools Vocal Studio, Pro Tools Recording Studio and Pro Tools KeyStudio, are entry level offerings aimed at people who want to create and share music, podcasts and narrations.

Compatible with both Mac and PC, the Pro Tools Vocal Studio, Pro Tools Recording Studio and Pro Tools KeyStudio bundles will be available beginning in mid-September for US $129, £79.

Pro Tools M-Powered Essential music software is bundled with M-Audio interfaces, in the following three configurations:

• Pro Tools Vocal Studio turns the computer into a complete vocal recording studio. This bundle includes the Producer USB microphone, a studio-quality mic that lets people capture vocals, as well as record acoustically played instruments. The Producer USB mic lets people record with stunning clarity, whether they’re singing a future hit song or narrating a family biography. And with Pro Tools M-Powered Essential, it’s easy to remix vocals to produce professional-quality soundtracks and podcasts with ease.
• Pro Tools Recording Studio enables people to craft professional-sounding songs and remixes — no experience needed. With the included Fast Track® USB audio interface plugged right into the computer, music enthusiasts can capture pristine digital sound for any recording project, whether from a guitar or a standard microphone. With Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software, consumers can dub, mix, remix, edit, blend, restore, hone and more to create audio projects that will sound like they came from a pro — even if someone’s never recorded a note before.
• Pro Tools KeyStudio features the M-Audio KeyStudio USB keyboard, a simple, yet high-quality 49-note velocity-sensitive keyboard that also functions as a MIDI interface. With Pro Tools KeyStudio, users can record a single keyboard track or create a complete orchestral recording using the KeyStudio to input any of the 60+ virtual instruments that come loaded with Pro Tools M-Powered Essential.

Open Labs has announced that it is now offering Digidesign Pro Tools on their NeKo, MiKo, and DBeat instruments.

Description:

The option to have Pro Tools software fully installed, integrated and supported by Open Labs engineers provides producers and musicians with industry-leading studio recording software running seamlessly on Open Labs gear.

You can produce a track in Pro Tools right out of the box!Now, you may choose to purchase Pro Tools LE 8 with an Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox 2 or a 003 Rack at the time an Open Labs Gen 5 product is purchased.

Eligible Open Labs products include NeKo XXL, NeKo LX5, MiKo LXD, NeKo EX5, MiKo EC5, DBeat and DBeatPRO.

Pro Tools M-Powered software is available with the purchase of the Open Labs NeKo XXL, which includes M-Powered hardware natively with no need for additional hardware or audio interface.

All Open Labs instruments come with either Platinum or Gold Support Services , which include technical support for Pro Tools hardware and software, allowing you to receive all your technical support from one source — Open Labs.

via OpenLabsInc

Digital Music Doctor has published an updated version of their Music Software Internet Popularity chart.

The chart ranks the top 10 music programs, using search engine requests as a gauge of interest.

The Top 10 Music Applications
Q2, 2009, based on search requests

1. Pro Tools
2. Cubase
3. FL Studio
4. Cakewalk Sonar
5. Apple Logic
6. Adobe Audition
7. Ableton Live
8. Apple Garageband
9. Sound Forge
10. Sony Acid

Obviously, there are a lot of other ways you could rank music applications – by sales dollar, by sales units or by registered users, for example. Garageband would probably top the list by those measures.

Leave a comment with your thoughts on this ranking!

This is an overview of making sounds with Vacuum, the cool mono synth bundled with Pro Tools 8.

Digital Music Doctor has updated its chart of the top digital music apps, based on recent Internet search activity on Google, Yahoo, AOL & MSN.

Here’s how they rank:

The Top 10 Music Applications

1. DigiDesign Pro Tools (11.4)
2. FL Studio (10.1)
3. Steinberg Cubase (7.3)
4. Cakewalk Sonar (6.0)
5. Apple Logic (3.5)
6. Adobe Audition (3.5)
7. Apple GarageBand (3.1)
8. Sony Sound Forge (2.3)
9. Ableton Live (2.0)
10. MOTU Digital Performer (1.9)

Do you think this is an accurate reflection of the most popular music applications in the world – or do you think it’s just a sign that you’re going to be seeing a lot more posts about Pro Tools at Synthtopia?

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

via hypebot

Digidesign has announced that it’s now shipping Pro Tools 8.

Here’s what’s new:

Pro Tools 8 features an updated interface, dozens of new plug-ins and virtual instruments, new scoring and MIDI features and expanded editing and mixing capabilities.

New Music Creation Features:

• Fully integrated MIDI and Score Editor windows for enhanced MIDI editing functionality and professional score editing and printing
• 20 new effects and five new virtual instruments—Mini Grand piano, Boom drum machine, DB-33 tonewheel organ, Vacuum tube-modeled synthesizer, and Xpand!2 sample player
• High-quality amplifiers simulation via Digidesign’s guitar amp emulator Eleven Free as well as Tech21 SansAmp amplifier emulator
• An 8 GB bundle of high-quality loops

New Production Features:

• Elastic Pitch, which makes it easy to transpose music in real time right in the Edit window
• 10 inserts per channel
• Enhanced controller integration with Digidesign and M-Audio control surfaces
• ICON integration enhancements that dramatically increase speed and efficiency
• HD QuickTime support on Mac OS X for increased versatility

If you’re a Pro Tools user, let us know what you think about the update in the comments!

Pricing and Compatibility

Pro Tools 8 software is available for Windows Vista- (32-bit Business or Ultimate with Service Pack 1), Windows XP- (Home and Professional with XP Service Pack 3), and Mac OS X 10.5.5 (Leopard)-based Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems.
 

• Pro Tools HD 8 Upgrade: $249 US
• Pro Tools LE/M-Powered Upgrade: $149 US
• Pro Tools M-Powered Full Version: $299 US (available through authorized dealers only)

 
Customers who have purchased a new Pro Tools system or upgrade since October 3, 2008, are eligible for a free software upgrade. Customers purchasing new systems with old software are also be eligible for the free upgrade.

The quality of this video isn’t great, but it captures a “sneak peak” by Sean Halley and Kerry Rose on some of the features of the new version of Pro Tools.

Scott Church from Pro Tools demos the Pro Tools 8 Score Editor. 

“In addition to diving into the details, you’ll learn about some of the lesser known tidbits,” says Church. “I also share some of my thoughts behind why we implemented it the way we did, and some unique aspects to our design. Above all we wanted to create a Score editor that was easy to use as it was beautiful, so hopefully just this brief tutorial is all you need to get scoring.”

Pro Tools guru Scott Church demos the MIDI editor, including “some of the lesser known tidbits and key commands”. I

In this video, Chris Bryant shows you how to create a classic synth sound using the key input on the Digidesign Expander/Gate plug-in, an old Boss drum machine hihat sample and the Xpand virtual instrument.

This video introduces the new user interface of Pro Tools 8 and provides a brief overview of the Pro Tool’s new features. 

Digidesign has introduced Pro Tools 8 — advanced audio creation and production software, featuring:
 

• a new interface;
• dozens of new plug-ins;
• five new virtual instruments;
• new scoring, MIDI, editing, and mixing capabilities;
• deeper controller integration; and
• improved ease of installation and use; and enhanced performance.

Pro Tools 8 is coming soon for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems.

Here’s what’s new.

I’m not sure why you’d want to do this, but ProRemote is an iPhone app that lets you control Pro Tools.

ProRemote has been submitted to the AppStore. The price for the full edition is $149.99 US, the light edition is $39.99.

Here’s a link to a demo with audio.

If you’re a Pro Tools, let me know if you can see spending $150 on a program that lets you control Pro Tools with an iPhone.

Digidesign has announced several mixing and sound processing plug-in bundles.

The new MassivePack 7 and MassivePack Pro 7 bundles offer Pro Tools|HD owners savings on eight  plug-ins from Eventide, TC Electronic, Abbey Road, Brainworx, and more, as well as a choice of eight more plug-ins from Digidesign’s own collection, including Eleven, Digidesign’s new guitar amp emulation plug-in, ReVibe, Reel Tape Suite, and more.

In addition, the upgraded MassivePack Pro 7 includes an HD Accel card (in PCI or PCIe format) and two additional plug-ins from TC Electronic. Both bundles are Windows XP- and Mac- compatible; many of the plug-ins are also compatible with Digidesign VENUE live sound systems.

MassivePack 7 and Massive Pack Pro 7 are available through authorized Digidesign Pro Tools|HD dealers.

Pricing:

• MassivePack 7 MSRP (USD): $1,295
• MassivePack Pro 7 (PCI) MSRP (USD): $3,495
• MassivePack Pro 7 (PCIe) MSRP (USD): $3,495

Digidesign has announced the immediate availability of its Transfuser virtual instrument for Pro Tools.

Transfuser comes with nearly 2 GB of loops and phrases to get users started quickly. By combining a series of modular drum machine/sound generators, dedicated sequencers, loop manipulation tools, and effects with an intuitive drag-and-drop composition/editing interface, users can easily create, manipulate and perform loop- and rhythm-based music on the fly.

“Transfuser is an incredibly fun and creative way to quickly make and manipulate music right in Pro Tools,” says Digidesign’s Dusty DiMercurio. “Many people today rely on audio loops and phrases to create music. Transfuser offers user-friendly tools and a simple workflow that enables anyone to easily remix grooves and create original music from these building blockss.”

Transfuser is available now in RTAS format for both Mac OS X and Windows at a price of $295 / €282.

ProRemote lets you control Pro Tools from your iPhone.

Because you can.

Structure LE provides many of the same powerful and creative features as its big brother for a fraction of the price, while Structure Free offers a great introduction to Structure sample playback at no charge.

Structure LE is an advanced RTAS sample player that provides many of the same key features as Structure, allowing users to quickly and easily integrate a wide range of sounds into their Pro Tools sessions and tweak them for sound customization. Structure LE comes with a professional 3 GB sound library from the A.I.R. group, offering a wide variety of acoustic and electronic instruments and sounds.

Structure Free is a free RTAS sample player that provides a great way for users to get a taste of Structure, and offers a simplified feature set for sample playback and patch adjustment. Structure Free comes with a high quality 600 MB sound library* from the A.I.R. group, which offers an assortment of instruments and loops, including drums and percussion, bass, acoustic guitar, piano and organs, and various synth sounds.

Structure LE and Structure Free both support playback of native Structure files (all versions of Structure can play any file created with any version of Structure). Both also support playback of unencrypted SampleCell (1 and 2), Kontakt (1 and 2), and EXS24 sound libraries, and feature an integrated REX player that plays REX 1 and 2 files. Like Structure, Structure LE and Structure Free work on all Pro Tools platforms—Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered, and Pro Tools Academic.

Features:

• Structure: Premium factory sound libraries from A.I.R. and EastWest (nearly 20 GB), plus a 30-day trial of EastWest’s 40 GB Goliath—Structure Edition library; integrated database and browser, 128 channels multitimbral support; unlimited maximum polyphony per structure resistance; stereo/surround main outputs; 31 stereo auxiliary outputs; integrated fully resizable sample and mapping editor; $499.
• Structure LE: Professional sound library from A.I.R. (3 GB); integrated database and browser; 8 channels multitimbral support; 256 maximum polyphony per structure instance; stereo/surround main outputs; 3 stereo auxiliary outputs; $149.
• Structure Free: Starter sound library from A.I.R. (600 MB); integrated browser; 4 channels multitimbral support; 64 maximum polyphony per structure instance; stereo main output; free.

*Only the Structure Free sample player is available for download. To get the Structure Free sound library, customers must visit their local Digidesign dealer to pick up the completely free Structure Free installation disc, or order the free disc online at the DigiStore.

HowAudio.com, a subscription-based, on-demand music and audio software training website, has announced the release of its first four how-to Foundations Series DVD titles on music production software: Pro Tools LE 7.0, SoundForge 8, GarageBand and MOTU Digital Performer.

SoundForge 9 and Finale 2007 are currently in production and more titles will follow monthly.

The site offers a $19/month option for access to the videos, or a $199 annual option.
Here’s the descriptions for each of the new training series: