Digidesign AudioSuite Plug-Ins Go Real Time in Pro Tools LE

September 25, 1999 -- Digidesign announced the Real Time AudioSuite (RTAS) plug-in format for Pro Tools LE, Digidesign's new host-based software version of Pro Tools. Pro Tools LE provides the Pro Tools software interface to the new Digi 001 digital audio workstation, and to Digi ToolBox XP, an Audiomedia III-based workstation. With RTAS, Pro Tools LE continues the Pro Tools tradition of performance and value, delivering real-time host-based mixing and effects processing to the home studio.

Instant Plug-In Power

"Similar to TDM, RTAS speeds the production process by letting you instantly hear and adjust the effect you are after in real time," says Digidesign's Wendy Abowd, Pro Tools product line manager. "You don't have to wait for a process to work its way through a file, and then wait again while you undo and reprocess the file." Up to five RTAS plug-ins may be used as inserts on a given track, and RTAS allows processing parameters to be changed over time, both manually and with precise automated control. Plug-ins may also be controlled from supported MIDI hardware control surfaces, such as the Mackie HUI, the JL Cooper CS-10 family, or the Peavey PC-1600.

Because Digidesign supports session interchange between the TDM-based Pro Tools v5.0 and Pro Tools LE v5.0, the user interface of RTAS plug-ins are identical to their TDM counterparts. A built in "gas meter" display showing CPU activity has been included to help users monitor how much host processing power is available on their system at any given time. (Unlike the hardware-assisted TDM environment, host-based DSP means that available processing power depends upon CPU speed, track count, edit density, and concurrent CPU activity.)

Digi 001 and Digi ToolBox XP systems include RTAS versions of several popular DigiRack plug-ins, including EQII, Dynamics II, Dither and Mod Delay. For a limited time, D-Verb is included as an introductory offer. Digidesign plans to release its Maxim and D-Fi plug-ins in RTAS format shortly after Pro Tools LE availability. RTAS plug-ins from such well-known Digidesign Development Partners as Waves, Wave Mechanics, DUY, GRM Tools, Bomb Factory and Arboretum are expected to be shipping soon.

For more information, visit Digidesign at www.digidesign.com.