A Long Time Ago
In 1988, I starting teaching music. I was known as the "Musicman." Now don't get the wrong idea! It was a small town in Troup County. I taught music at an elementary school starting at the kindergarten grade level and all the way through 4th grade. Then I went to the middle school and taught band and chorus grades 5-7. Then I finished up my day at the high school teaching band and chorus grades 8-12. Using music recording software was not at the top of my list beginning as a teacher but that didn't last long!
Pro-Tools had a free music recording software version back then that was amazing. It had more features and abilities that were far beyond my needs or abilities. But it did have what I needed. I do remember that, at that time, the maximum number of audio tracks you could record on was two. Well lucky you! That number has changed to 8 in the up-to-date free version of Pro-Tools. Let's see how Pro-Tools stacks up today!
The Product
Avid Pro Tools is a top industry-standard digital audio workstation (DAW) software used to record, edit, and mix audio. Although Pro-Tools is made primarily for professional music and audio producers, mixers, and editors working with high-resolution audio, Avid has created a free-version for beginners and hobbyists just getting started with making music and sounds.
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The Beginnings
Pro Tools first launched in 1991 as a new platform for multi-track audio recording and editing on computers. The software was originally developed by UC Berkeley graduates Evan Brooks and Peter Gotcher as a low-cost complement to expensive analog studio equipment. Over the years with advances in computer processing power, Pro Tools evolved to facilitate more sophisticated editing and mixing. Avid Technology acquired Digidesign, the makers of Pro Tools, in 1994 and has released many new versions over the past 30+ years - introducing better capabilities and technology integrations.
Features
- Plugins included: 36/100+/100+/100+
- Audio/Instrument Tracks: 8/32/512/2048
- Midi Tracks 8/64/1024/1024
- Video Tracks 0/0/1/64
- Simultaneous recording inputs: 4/16/64/64+
- Tech Support: Forum only/online-24-hour response/same online/phone
Cost
From the Avid site, you can purchase the Artist version geared towards solo creators) for $99/year, the Studio version for $399/year and the Ultimate version for $599/year. Monthly rates are also available. If you are a student or educator, the Studio-version is available for $99/year! A great deal! If you have minimal needs, dont be afraid to start with the free version. It has most of the features of the paid versions, just more limitations. Go get started and enjoy!!!!
Summary
As an industry leader for professional audio recording, mixing and sound design for over 30 years, Pro Tools continues offering top-of-the-line tools today. With its detailed editing, flawless mixing capabilities and synchronization with video, Pro Tools undoubtedly remains a critical production platform across music, film, TV and gaming.
Avid Pro-Tools Recording/Editing Software
