Using HDX with other software

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I have two lynx aurora n converters. I currently use them with tb3 cards with Pt ultimate 3.2024. If I get a hdx card and swap out the lynx tb3 to digilink. Will other software will with them? Like Steinberg Nuendo, Wavelab etc?


Also, is hdx really even worth it these days? I work on a SSL console so I mix on that not and really too much on PTs. I wish Fabfilter q3, sound radix auto align was aax dsp.



If you run mostly aax dsp and a few native plugins does the system still run all native at that point? Or do they have to still be all aax dsp to take full advantage of the hdx system?

[Darryl Ramm]

What specific problem are you trying to solve by using HDX?

You can use the HDX connected DigiLink boxes via CoreAudio (provided when you install the Avid HD Driver) with other DAWs or other Audio apps but you don't get to use any of the HDX processing power, only the Pro Tools mixer (when running in classic HDX mode) and HDX capable plugins get to do that. When you use the hybrid engine the mixer runs native and you get to choose what plugins run on HDX/DSP. The HDX connected boxes in this case also may not have the lowest latency out there, you should check before assuming they do and compare numbers to what you get on Thunderbolt.

In either case how well plugin processing happens, and with what latency, depends on the order you place native and HDX plugins (since moving between those worlds requires going though a hardware buffer). All this, how native plugins in recording chain get deactivated, how voice counts work, etc. are all well described in the Pro Tools Reference Guide and discussions you'll likely find by searching DUC or the web.

Be aware of how much DSP processing power, and voices, you may need, a single HDX card is not a lot of power, hybrid at least allows you to only use that power where you want it. But there have been some stability and latency bug issues with hybrid.

My attempt at pithy advice with HDX is you will know if you need it, and if you don't know you don't need it.

[LDS]

You can use other software with HDX through the included ASIO/Core audio drivers in the HD Driver installer. There are two caveats with it. The first is Pro Tools takes captive control over HDX hardware when it uses it - if Pro Tools is open and using HDX, HDX will disappear entirely as a hardware choice for other applications. The second, you probably doesn't need mentioning but I'll toss it out anyway - third party software never has access to AAX-DSP plugins or DSP monitoring.

HDX is really only worth it if you need to run high sample buffers in your sessions and plan to record/monitor through Pro Tools during takes. One example would be recording live instruments and vocals in a session that has lots of virtual instruments that require your sample buffer being set to 256, 1024 samples, etc.

How are you finding the latency/tracking experience with the TB3 cards in the Auroras?

[DetroitT]

“How are you finding the latency/tracking experience with the TB3 cards in the Auroras?“

[rickstar44]

The latency is only really issue as stated. After initial tracking (band recording) then adding tracks (overdub) the playback tracks route through a mix bus and If the overdub tracks route same there is latency per time to travel in then out aux (mix bus). I have to route any new takes out the monitor straight can’t blend with the rest. It’s okay Ive been doing it this way for years but just want seamless workflow without extra steps to solve the issue.