Digidesign releases New Family of Pro Tools Products

January 18, 1996 -- World's Best Selling Audio Editing Software Now Available at Every Price Point; Pro Tools 3.2 Software Provides Easy Upgrade Path to Pro Tools III

Digidesign debuts at NAMM a new, comprehensive Open Audio Solution, announcing that Pro Tools software is now available for Digidesign's Session 8 Mac and Audiomedia II. These products will be renamed to include the Pro Tools designation.

Digidesign also released Pro Tools PowerMix(TM) - the Digidesign audio engine (DAE) technology that allows Pro Tools software to run as a stand-alone application on qualified PowerPC-based Macintosh computers - with no additional Digidesign hardware. Rounding out the new product family offering is the release of Pro Tools Project, a new 8-track system that offers project studio owners the power of Pro Tools, at an affordable price.

These options allow audio professionals unprecedented flexibility with the entire digital recording, editing and mixing process. Additionally, all Pro Tools software sessions are compatible, whether created on a high-end Pro Tools III system, or on a PowerPC Macintosh running the stand-alone Pro Tools PowerMix application. Audio production facilities can now use a full-featured Pro Tools III system with TDM (Time Division Multiplexing), the virtual digital environment, for recording and mixing, and then divide editing tasks among many smaller systems.

"Our goal is to make Pro Tools available to the widest possible range of users." said Peter Gotcher, president of Digidesign. "Now we can supply remote editing capabilities and lower cost systems to these users."

Pro Tools' core recording, editing, and mixing remains the same no matter which hardware platform is used. The obvious benefit of this approach is that users need only become familiar with a singular interface - Pro Tools. So as their work venue changes, whether it be for remote editing on a smaller system at home, dividing work among several Pro Tools systems, or moving a project to a larger Pro Tools system in the studio, the working environment remains consistent.

No other workstation manufacturer offers so many configuration options while retaining a common software interface from low cost entry level systems, to the featured packed, high end of the product line.

Introducing Pro Tools Project

Pro Tools Project is a new digital audio workstation designed to provide Pro Tools functionality at an affordable price. The new Pro Tools Project Core System includes Pro Tools 3.2 software bundled with the Pro Tools Project Audio Card. I/O choices include the 888 I/O, 882 I/O and the 882 Studio I/O. Pro Tools Project is a complete digital audio workstation that provides 8 tracks of recording and many sophisticated editing and mixing tools and will be available in early 1996. The suggested list price is $2,495 US. Choice of I/O is additional. Pro Tools Project users also have an available upgrade path to Pro Tools III, allowing them to build on the value of their initial investment, for $4,495 US.

Upgrade to Pro Tools 3.2 for existing Session 8 Mac users

Pro Tools 3.2 greatly enhances the capabilities of existing Session 8 Mac systems and brings those users up-to-date by providing them with the latest Pro Tools Project system. Among the enhancements is additional functionality such as scrubbing, automation, real-time bounce with effects loops, and ADAT Interface support. Until April 30th, Session 8 Mac owners can upgrade their software to Pro Tools software for $249 US.

Pro Tools PowerMix

Pro Tools PowerMix is a software-only system, using the Power Macintosh's PowerPC chip for 2-track recording and up to 16-tracks playback. It will allow Pro Tools to run on qualified PowerPC-based computers with no additional hardware required. This inexpensive system offers users the opportunity to work remotely - greatly increasing their productivity and enhancing creativity.

For more information, visit their web site at www.digidesign.com.