Thursday afternoon, in a worldwide pre-AES convention press/user event at the W Hotel in San Francisco, Avid released the latest version of Pro Tools that fulfills the wish lists of users and then some. Completely re-written and compatible with Windows 7 and Apple OS X Snow Leopard (exclusive), the next generation of Pro Tools software offers more capability and flexibility than ever before. The new version replaces Pro Tools LE and spans upwards to Pro Tools HD TDM (Pro Tools M-powered remains untouched for now.)

Features include:

Compatibility with any audio interface including ASIO and Core Audio compliant devices (yes you can run PT9 without an audio interface by simply plugging in the new iLok interface)

Complete EuCon integration

ADC (Auto Delay Compensation)

Timecode OMF/AAF/MXF and MP3 export support

96 stereo tracks, 256 buses, 64 instrument tracks

If Pro Tools 9 for $599 is not enough for your workflow, you can step it up with the Complete Production Toolkit for an extra $1,299. This enables you to do virtually everything that Pro Tools 9 TDM can do, excepting HEAT and TDM plug-in integration. One of the questions that came up at the event was, “can you ‘freeze’ the effects of TDM/HEAT and port it down to non-TDM systems and the answer was “we’re working on it”.”

Prices are as follows:
Pro Tools 9 (stand alone SKU) $599
LE to Pro Tools 9 crossgrade $249
MP to Pro Tools 9 crossgrade $349
Pro Tools HD 9 upgrade $349
DVTK to CPTK2 $299
MPTK to CPTK2 $1,599

Click on the thumbnail to see Pro Tools system comparisons

The only hole in the boat I can see is that Avid failed to bring 5.1 integration down to the basic system as does their competition (Logic, DP etc…) Other than that, the pricing and packages are competitive and once and for all proves that Avid is listening to and responding to the requests of its users.