HD features on 2018 LE?

[caldorisio]

Hello all!

I just graduated from school, where they had a few rooms that had PT 12 LE, but it had HD features, including surround sound and different automation features. (Other rooms were HD, but most were not.)

I know they stopped making the Production Tool Kit. Is there any way for me to be able to get some HD features without buying an HD interface? If not, what would be the most cost efficient way to go about this? HD Native Thunderbolt?

I need to be able to have 5.1 tracks in the session, that way I can edit and send along to someone else to mix.

Thanks in advance!!

[BScout]

12 LE? There was never such a version. “LE” ended at version 8. Double check with your school.

As for HD features: software is separate from hardware now. Get ProTools HD software and run it with whatever CoreAudio/ASIO Audio interface you like. No need for Avid hardware there.

[caldorisio]

When I said "LE", I just meant non-HD. Sorry for the confusion.

Sorry for the noob question, but what do I actually need if I'm just editing post audio and not recording or mixing?

I know the HD software is like $1900. Do I need extra hardware? Will it still work with my cheap Scarlett 2i2?

I have non-HD right now and I'm running into problems. I can't have 5.1 tracks and I can't have multiple video clips in one session. I really wish Avid still had the Production Tool Kit.

[BScout]

You can use Pro Tools HD software with any audio interface including your Scarlett.

And FYI, the production toolkit was about US$1K. That combined with the base ProTools you needed to buy put you at near the same price as software HD only today.

[reichman]

Do I need extra hardware? Will it still work with my cheap Scarlett 2i2?

PTHD will automatically downmix 5.1 paths to 2.0 if you're monitoring on hardware that doesn't have 6+ outputs. Makes editing surround sessions on laptops easier. You'll see an arrow in the mix window indicating on-the-fly downmixing.

And I have a dim memory of paying $2k for the Complete Production Toolkit. Everything is cheaper and better today.

[Reckless Erik]

Originally Posted by reichman

PTHD will automatically downmix 5.1 paths to 2.0 if you're monitoring on hardware that doesn't have 6+ outputs. Makes editing surround sessions on laptops easier. You'll see an arrow in the mix window indicating on-the-fly downmixing.

Really? When was this implemented? I have been using the downmixer plugin.

[reichman]

Really? When was this implemented? I have been using the downmixer plugin.

It was added in 12-something. The down mix settings aren't user-adjustable, so if you're picky, you can do it the old way with a plug-in. I believe the arrows that I'm talking about are indicated in the IO page, too.

For the young engineers reading this, please note that this is not a substitute for owning a 5.1 (or above) monitoring system. It's all too easy not to notice super-important things like center-channel percentage when listening to the downmix.

[TVPostSound]

Originally Posted by reichman

PTHD will automatically downmix 5.1 paths to 2.0 if you're monitoring on hardware that doesn't have 6+ outputs. Makes editing surround sessions on laptops easier. You'll see an arrow in the mix window indicating on-the-fly downmixing.

Ha!!
I just discovered that, this morning, had a surround session loaded on my Quartet system, and heard a mix down from the Surround Master!!!

[melloj]

OP, you only have one option. Pro Tools HD Native. The software you saw at your college would have been Native versions of the software. I managed to pick up a copy for £1000. I'd suggest eBay. There are many sellers undercutting Avid on price. Don't be sucked in to super bargains though they're probably not genuine licences. You could buy a used ilok with HD licence on it and save several hundred dollars, I wouldn't recommend this though as the licence isn't yours and not upgradable.

For 5.1 you'll need a new interface with 6 analogue outputs.

[originalscottyg]

Originally Posted by TVPostSound

Ha!!
I just discovered that, this morning, had a surround session loaded on my Quartet system, and heard a mix down from the Surround Master!!!

This is an unintended consequence of the new "features" of the PT12+ I/O setup "improvements", which persists in PT2018. Going from a surround session to a stereo session, PT will usually pop up a dialog when opening the session that the I/O Setup has changed, allowing you to open the I/O Setup window, "Restore From Session", and load your stereo I/O setup. However, going from a stereo session to a surround session, often PT will not inform you of a change, and just activate the automatic downmixing in the I/O setup. If you then save the session before you notice, the only way to get your surround I/O setup back is to import the settings from an older session or a session backup.

They should bring back the "Sessions overwrite current I/O setup when opened" setting as an "Always Restore I/O Setup From Session When Opened" option.

DUC thread here:
http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=380398

Ideascale topic here:
https://protools.ideascale.com/a/dtd...a-tab-comments

Please vote. Thanks!