With AES getting closer and all the talk about Pro Tools killers, I decided to post a roundup on the rumored new features in Pro Tools 7.4, rumors on new Digidesign hardware and a new Pro Tools.

Pro Tools 7.4

It is no secret that Pro Tools 7.4 will happen, it has been beta tested for some time and will most likely be out at the end of the year. For once Digidesign haven’t been so quiet with what’s going on. Here’s some of the features that have been talked about either by Digidesign, media or just crazy loons.

Elastic audio. This can be killer feature. Depending on how Digidesign have implemented this this could turn out to be a major selling point for Pro Tools. If it’s like Ableton Live on stereoids, then I have no doubt that Digidesign will see a great increase in sales. If it’s another one of those “look! we now support REX” then it will most likely piss a lot of people off.

This is definitely mainly an audio feature. Other than this it looks like Digidesign have focused on the post market. Not surprising at all. People are talking about satellite service, and a Mojo SDI compatible Pro Tools IT version.

What else? I would expect it to be Vista ready at this point. I have also heard rumors about a new workspace and multi-language versions.

New hardware

Some say that Control 24 is lying on its deathbed and that we could see a replacer as soon as AES. I certainly hope that they will replace it as it is STILL a rather unique piece of hardware. DAW controller consoles at that size and price is not exactly common. Alongside this we might see a hotter Command 8 as well, probably more resembling the 003 fader unit, complete with the jog wheel and mushroom knobs.

Mbox stick or hidden. This will happen, one of them. Despite what some people are saying on forums, Mbox hidden wouldn’t be the first dongle-free Pro Tools if they decided to go with that, as Pro Tools FREE didn’t need any particular hardware.

HD Light. Ah yes, what the prosumer market is screaming for. Or so they say. I admit, it could be an interesting turn of events, but I still find it somewhat unclear exactly what would make the HD Light different from the regular HD. It has been hinted at from Digidesign that they are indeed looking into something along these lines. If it was just nonsense to calm the angry sea of people who was disappointed at the 003 or if it had any substance is still up for debate. I would much rather see HD becoming modular and priced more aggressively instead of this. I think it would be way better for both the consumers and Digidesign.

TDM II. Something will happen in the HD card field, no doubt about it (if they present it at AES or not is a whole other thing). The question is if it’s going to be a step as big as Mix to HD, or like when they introduced Accel. The HD cards today are getting old and with everyone bragging about how great native is Digidesign have two ways to respond: 1) Go native (don’t expect that to happen) and 2) make new kick ass DSP cards that smokes native.

“Coffee house”. Not really a rumor, just something I want to happen. A smaller sized affordable Venue!

Wow… The Digidesign is looking rather bright, isn’t it? But remember, these are all just rumors.

For rumors on other products, read the AES rumors post on Slapdelay.com.