Avid Pro Tools

What do you like best?

I like that the interface of ProTools, and functionality of it is good and easy to use. The PlugIns to use are good, and easy to operate such as the compression/Eq. It is also very easy to navigate, edit, mix, and master the audio when using Pro Tools. The ProTools Avid website is also very good, when you are needing to troubleshoot problems that occur when using Pro Tools. Its easy to mix and master audio through the Maxim master. There a lot of good short keys / edits that make it easier to edit, mix and master the audio that I am working on. I also like the fact that there is a good support network, with the AVID troubleshooting team online who can help with anything if needed. I also like the fact that I can cancel my subcription and resubscribe to Pro Tools at any time.

What do you dislike?

The fact that when using ProTools it stops me from being able to view other videos, and sounds on websites, or open up videos and are not functional. Even when I quit the software, I still cannot play the audio or videos, the only way that I have found to troubleshoot this is by restarting my computer. Also the software lags when multiple stems are added into the project that I am working on. This often slows down the computer or stops the program completley when in playback, and comes up with an error message. I also dislike the monthly subscription cost for what it is, yes the software is great, but for the return on investment it is hard for Freelancers to get by when they have to pay over fifty New Zealand dollars a month. I also dislike the amount of CPU meamory that ProTools uses to function as it slows the rest of my computer down alot. I also dislike how you can open new projects on older versions of ProTools, I think the projects should all be able to open no matter what version of the ProTools software you have, it should be easy to use cross platform projects. Another downside of ProTools is that it is more of live sound recording, editing, mixing and mastering software as opposed to a beat making software, it is difficult to create music, beats or sounds in the software I would say the software involves more editing. Another dislike of mine when using Pro Tools.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

Pro Tools is a great audio editing, mixing, recording and production software if you are looking at using the software for voice recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. Or if you are looking at editing, mixing, and mastering stems then Pro Tools is a great software to use, however if you are looking at using the software for beatmaking or music production, it is a little more difficult to operate. Although there is the possibility of using MIDI instruments that connect into the software, to create music, and do music production.

If you have a computer that has a big CPU, then that will help when using the software and playing back the audio, however you may run into issues if your computer or the device you are using has a low CPU you may experience a lot of issues with playback, and editing and the software may either stop completley or slow down.

The cost for ProTools is significant so if you are going to use it a lot, it is a great return on investment so make sure that you weigh up the pros and cons before using the software. However the best way to see if ProTools is a good option for you to use, would be to use Pro Tools First, it is a freeware version of Pro Tools that will give you the basics of editing, mixing and mastering that Pro Tools has to offer.

It is great as well to troubleshoot problems with the online Avid website, they have a community of people to help if you need it if you are experiencing issues with the software. They can also help find you plug-ins that will help work on your projects.

If you want to collaborate with others, and work together then Pro Tools is good, as it allows you to collaborate live together and work on the cloud.

Whilst Pro Tools is the more expensive option, it is definitely the industry standard for almost any all audio production. Think Abbey Road who produce great music albums, as well as Freelance Podcasters, and radio commercial audio engineers. Pro Tools is also great as when you have completed the project, you can bounce down the audio faster than real time.

Pro Tools is definitely by far a better audio editing, mixing, and mastering solution as it doesn't over compress or squash the sound of your dynamic audio, like the likes of software such as Audacity, where Audacity crushes the audio, and removes alot of the dynamic range, and headroom of the audio in Audacity. Pro Tools keeps the dynamic range of the audio, and ensures that the quality of the audio is perfect.

When using Pro Tools, it uses a range of different plug ins, you can use multiple different compressors when working on a project, and most are very simplistic to use. This is the same for all other plug ins including equalizers, and master compressors.

The newest version of ProTools has a link that allows you to link up to Ableton. ProTools standard allows you to have a maximum of 32 inputs/tracks, so this is ideal if you are mainly working with vocals doing editing, mixing, and mastering. However if you do alot of music instrument / music production the Pro Tools Ultimate subscription may be more worthwhile, as this allows you to record, edit, mix, and master with an unlimited amount of tracks and plug ins.

My suggestion would be before jumping straight into purchasing ProTools Ultimate, is trying out ProTools First, and then seeing if you can easily operate the software/like it, then trying the standard ProTools versions too see if that is all you need.

Because, whilst ProTools gives you a lot of benefits, and unlimited use of tracks,and plug ins, it definitely comes at a costly price.

Another issue to consider when it comes to price, is the cost off Pro Tool Plug in add ons, these add ons can become very costly. It is also sad, because ProTools doesn't coperate with third party plug ins / or softwares making the functionality, and capability of what you can work on a bit more limiting.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

I use ProTools for a lot of Freelance work, podcast editing, mixing, and mastering, as well as radio production / advertising. The benefits are I can bounce down the audio as both Wav, and MP3 files, as well as bounce down and send as seperate stems, or full mixdowns. Pro Tools is also helping with the efficiency what I am editing, mixing and working on in general. I have been using ProTools for the last five years, and it is very easy to use.

Another issue that I am facing when I use Pro Tools is the lack of functionality, with other third party softwares, and the cost of using other plug ins or downloading plug ins on top of the NZ $55 dollars I spend a month on the subscription. If I was to get the ultimate subcription then I would need to spend an additional $40 a month meaning that my monthly subscription would be around about $90 NZD a month.