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Avid Launches Pro Tools | Carbon

Pro Tools | Carbon is Avid’s screamingly fast new hybrid audio production system.

Burlington, MA (November 12, 2020)—Avid has introduced Pro Tools | Carbon, a new hybrid audio production system intended to create an improved tracking experience as it integrates Pro Tools with HDX DSP acceleration and the native CPU of the user’s computer.

Using Carbon’s onboard HDX DSP, the new Pro Tools Hybrid Engine simultaneously allows users to access on-demand, low-latency channels to record through AAX DSP plug-ins in real time—with sub-1 ms latency monitoring performance. Going between Native Mode and DSP Mode requires only a single button press per track in Pro Tools, allowing users to simplify their workflow for recording and mixing.

AAX DSP, at the core of the Hybrid Engine, delivers the same sound quality in both native and HDX DSP Acceleration domains, enabling users to toggle in and out of DSP Mode while maintaining sound quality. This also enables music creators to disconnect Carbon and physically take their mix elsewhere or collaborate with others who don’t have the interface.

Carbon features double resolution clocking, and what Avid says is its most transparent mic preamp design to date. With four headphone outputs to send individual monitor mixes, eight preamps combined with 16 channels of ADAT inputs and an onboard talkback mi, the unit can handle tracking a full band. Carbon requires an Ethernet connection to the host computer, aiming to preserve the highest possible sound quality from input to output, as well as ‘futureproof’ the unit.

In addition, Pro Tools 2020 introduces a much-requested ‘Dark Mode’-style UI, as well as a new ability to analyze audio and render it as MIDI notes. For audio post professionals, Pro Tools 2020 includes native integration to export ADM files for Dolby Atmos, a new space clips function that lets users arrange a multitude of clips in a fraction of the time, and a reintroduction of the ability to bounce sessions to QuickTime formats in macOS Catalina.

Pro Tools | Carbon is available now, starting at $3,999 USD—that includes a one-year Pro Tools subscription and partner plugins from Arturia, McDSP, Plugin Alliance, UVI, Native Instruments and Embody.

Pro Sound News reviewer, Rich Tozzoli, has put Carbon through its paces for weeks—don’t miss his Real-World Review for the full lowdown!

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