You might have seen the rumors floating around the web lately regarding the possibility of a new Avid release. It’s true, Avid has today introduced both new hardware and software for the HD platform.
New HD interfaces
HD MADI.
With the HD I/O, HD OMNI and HD MADI Avid is presenting something new for pretty much every HD user and potential customer.
From the Avid press release:
HD I/O: Enables customers to achieve the highest-quality audio record and playback with the option of three space-saving configurations—16×16 analog, 16×16 digital and 8x8x8 analog and digital—in a 2 RU rack mountable interface.
HD OMNI: Frees up customer workspace by integrating the functionality of numerous costly outboard components into an all-in-one premium sound solution for recording, mixing and monitoring. Features include state-of-the-art conversion, two world-class mic pre-amps, headphone outputs, a full-featured surround monitor section and a 14×26 channel persistent mixer that functions even when the computer is off—letting users listen to CDs, MP3 players, keyboards and drum machines without the need for an additional mixer.
HD MADI: Opens up workflows and speeds production time for broadcast, live sound and post production sound professionals by offering the ability to easily connect Pro Tools|HD systems to industry-standard MADI infrastructures, without the need for a format converter. Built-in sample rate conversion on all inputs and outputs allow customers to integrate into workflows with multiple sample rates (upstream and downstream) using a single, 64-channel 1 RU rack mountable interface.
HD I/O.
There’s more under the hood actually, including new converters and a soft limiter (Curv) among other things. The converters are supposedly better than those found in the 192. When asked about if Avid had tried to match any of the competitors converters, the response was a “no”. The focus was to create a converter that is as true to the source as possible.
The new converters will supposedly have lower latency as well, down to 0.2 ms, which is claimed to be three times better than the closest competitor.
HD OMNI (pictured at the top), in particular should do very well. At $2995 it’s likely to attract the single professional, indies and more than one semi-pro home studio. Expect to see bundles with HD2 and HD3, saving somewhere between $1500 and $2000. This will be a ‘cheap’ way into the HD world, especially if you don’t already own preamps and such. It would serve as a killer portable rig as well if it wasn’t for the not-so-little detail that you somehow need to use a core card with it.
Price for HD I/O will be $3995, HD MADI will be $4995.
HEAT – software saturation
HEAT in action. See details about the clip further down.
HEAT stands for ‘Harmonically Enhanced Algorithm Technology’ and is a new direction from Avid. Basically it’s just two knobs – tone and drive. As far as I understand, it lets you dial in even harmonics as well as even and odd harmonics together. It was made by Dave Hill of Cranesong (who besides hardware also made the Phoenix plug-in). At this time I’m not sure if the algorithms are similar to those in Phoenix or not.
The big thing about HEAT is that it’s not a plug-in, neither is it a separate mixer you have to deal with. It shows up straight in the mixer! For the first time that I can recall, you’re actually buying an add-on to the mixer.
Personally I think this is a great addition. In fact, I’ve been telling it to Avid for years. However, I do feel, that they should’ve taken it one or five steps longer. Why not have the possibility to change between different characteristics in the entire mixer? Tubes, tapes and the like is more than just even and odd harmonics. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could switch between different types of ‘consoles’?
Sadly, HEAT is HD only. It will be available for $495.
Regarding the clip. The song source files are recorded in Pro Tools HD at 96k/24 Bit with all acoustic instruments, voice and one virtual instrument. It was mixed (not by me!) in Pro Tools HD with ICON D-Command, bussed to internal STEM tracks and then to a final Stereo Track with McDSP ML1 on the Master. It was then dithered to 16 Bit and Sample Rate Converted to 48kHz for the movie until finally crumbled in the hands of Youtube. It is called “Ninja,” by Nimble Tailors.
What to make of this?
While most rumors that have been floating around are way off (no Pro Tools Native or anything like it) I think some of this is exciting news to HD users, and perhaps even more so to potential HD customers.
A Pro Tools Native would, if done wrong, jeopardize not only HD but also LE and M-Power. Like it or not, with this release Avid sends a strong message that Pro Tools HD is still the platform they will support and sell for years to come.
It’s worth noting that these are the first interfaces carrying the Avid brand. It won’t affect the sound quality, of course, but it will be interesting to see if there will be a revamped LE lineup soon as well, making use of better converters and preamps… And the fancy new logo of course.
[...] Pro Tools HD interfaces… http://www.protoolerblog.com/2010/08…madi-and-heat/ … as well as a cool PTHD-only mixer add-on developed by the guy behind Cranesong (called HEAT). [...]
[...] http://www.protoolerblog.com/2010/08/17/major-news-from-avid-hd-io-hd-omni-hd-madi-and-heat/ [...]
Dang, interfaces still too expensive for me (a 002 console LE user), and to pay additionally for a core card on-top… Not good!!
Love it!!!!
Ashley, I bet there will be sweet upgrade offers from the 002. Digi/Avid has always been good when it comes to that.
[...] Major news from Avid: HD I/O, HD OMNI, HD MADI and HEAT 3 stiff, Wiz, Ashley Smith [...]
Where’s the new cards? Thats what we need. More DSP from chips from produced in this decade! The Omni looks great, but I won’t trade in my 003R for it until they update the cards. Boo hiss Boo
stiff, you should be more critical of avid on this newest debacle. again they show themselves to be completely tone deaf to their customer base. i’m a long-time PT user who is moving closer and closer to reaper. and i know i am not alone. far from it. avid is losing the plot and their stock price is just one sign that this is true…
Just downloaded the HEAT Trial. AMAZING!!!!!
Will post a YouTube vid later today
Phoenix seems to sound the same as heat imho.
kassin,
>> “again they show themselves to be completely tone deaf to their customer base”
While I occassionally like to speak those words myself (Eleven Rack comes to mind, even if it’s a pretty cool unit), I think this time it’s different. You got to keep in mind that there are more than one group of people working with Pro Tools.
The MADI interface is something that has been requested for quite some time. The OMNI is a unit that will make it easier for a lot of people to move to HD and I can definitely see houses where it’s ideal. HEAT (or something along those lines) have been discussed by many for the last few years at least (I’m a fan of the idea, just a little too simple for my taste).
I think there’s a lot that should be done with the software but at the same time don’t feel these interfaces are off what parts of the community want/need.
Wiz,
Cool, post the link will ya.
It’s hard being a blogger and wanting to be on the inside to stay ahead. It works like this, if you say the stuff that Avid want you to say and remain uncritical then you are allowed to stay on the inside loop and get early press releases etc.That’s not supposition, I was told that by the Head of Marketing at Avid about 6 months ago. Play nice you can stay in the gang – otherwise you’re on your own/
I love Pro Tools, think a lot of the people at Avid are stars, but have real issues with both Avid’s style and their strategy, silence for me was too high a price to pay.
Are you saying that I’m playing the role of Avid bitch just because I happen to think that this release will actually be a good one to parts of the community? Classy…
Took a real good look and a long think. If Avid tries to get to (let’s say) prism quality and lowers the price a little (which it looks like they have done now) I think they’re on the right track. Let’s see what it brings. But for g*d’s sake please give us a laptop HD option….
>> “But for g*d’s sake please give us a laptop HD option….”
YES!
Was looking for updated DSP firmware or new cards entirely and bug free software, never had a problem with the 192 converters TBH. I will say if they update the DSP cards, I’d definitely consider upgrading my LE homestudio to a HD Omni for a compact, TDM capable Post editing setup.
Protools Native doesn’t look so certain now with this commitment to the HD platform and no sign of firewire/USB3/Expresscard options.
What about a little firewire 800 box that allows you to hook up one of these new interfaces?
@RussUK aka AIR Users Blog,
you’re kidding, right? you are the pot and the kettle! please just stick to making videos, that’s what you’re good at. your commentary i’ve done without for quite some time.
marco
What HEAT can do, Metric Halo user can do for over 3 years now…. And the sound is by far more “colored” – if you want it that way.
I think it doesn’t really matter who did what first. The thing is: who will give us the best DAW overall. Avid’s problem is the LE market; people want HD power and features at an LE price (me too
). I mean; prism doesn’t make a 300 euro breakout with the worlds most used DAW thrown in.
Not sure why, but if the new I/O is as good as AVID says, I think I like the road they’re on.
FWIW I got it confirmed from Avid that HEAT uses new algorithms, developed by Dave Hill together with Avid.