Avid has just released the next evolution of audio production system, Pro Tools CARBON. Designed to streamline the creative process, CARBON merges the power of Pro Tools DSP directly into the audio interface. To access the full power of CARBON, comes the introduction of NEW Pro Tools 2020.11 software. With an enhanced interface, all now look, and direct connectivity to CARBON, Pro Tools 2020.11 ushers in a whole new era.

PRO TOOLS | CARBON

With the introduction of Pro Tools | Carbon, Avid has released the first audio interface with built-in HDX DSP technology. The same DSP chips found in the all-mighty HDX cards are now available built directly into the audio interface. This allows you to achieve maximum performance from your system, record through plug-ins in real-time, switch between Native or DSP modes, all in a convenient 1-rack unit.

With 8 built-in HDX DSP processors Carbon introduces an all new Hybrid Engine that allows you to seamlessly switch between your computer's Native CPU and the DSP processors at the touch of a button. A big advantage to this is the ability to have track's you're recording be in DSP mode, while the rest of the playback tracks are running from the CPU. All this power means you can record with sub-1 ms of latency, even when recording through plug-ins!

Along with the DSP capabilities, Carbon also introduces a first for Avid, direct connection to your computer via AVB connection. Instead of using a USB, or Thunderbolt cable, you will now use an Ethernet cable. This type of connection is known as AVB (Audio-Video Bridging | IEEE 1722.1), which uses a Cat5e, or CAT6 ethernet cable, has been used in the pro-audio industry for many years by other manufacturers. A benefit of AVB is you can mix Network and A/V communication on the same cable without interference. Also, you can patch through a Network Switch to connect multiple devices in a larger network.

Mic Preamps and I/O

You can't have all that DSP power without a proper Input/Output section. Carbon introduces a newly designed I/O section featuring a total of 25-inputs, and 34-outputs, 8 all-new Mic Preamps, and even a Talkback Mic. You also get 4 independent headphone outputs, 16 channels of ADAT I/O, and support for multiple monitor speaker outputs and surround sound. The 8 Mic Preamps even feature a variable impedance feature allowing you to optimize for different microphone or instrument settings, such as Ribbon Mic's, Dynamic Mic's, Guitar, Bass, etc...

The audio converters on Carbon featuring 126dB of Dynamic Range via 4 ADC's per channel, which allows the entire gain structure to work at uniform 32-bit precision, providing astounding amounts of headroom without any distortion.

Pro Tools 2020.11

In order to access all this power, Avid has released a brand new version of Pro Tools, 2020.11. With a complete makeover to the GUI, as well as engine changes, this is the first "all new" Pro Tools I've seen since version 6! The team at Avid has completely redesigned the look of the software to be more modern, streamlined, and less visually tiring than previous versions. You can change between UI themes, allowing you to switch to Classic View (Legacy).

While the visual changes are nice, the real change happened under the hood. This is the fist version of Pro Tools to integrate directly with Pro Tools Carbon, to give you Hybrid workflow capability. There is a new track feature which allows you to quickly switch between Native and DSP modes of Carbon. There is a small Lightning Bolt found above the Pan knobs in the Mix Window. This allows you to quickly change processing state on that track, or put the track into a DSP "safe mode".

Convert Audio To MIDI

FINALLY! After all these years Pro Tools has integrated Audio to MIDI! Pro Tools now uses Melodyne to allow for conversion to MIDI from audio data. Expect more content on this feature as we dive into the software over the next few weeks.

New Software Included

To complement all these new features Avid is rolling out new software bundles that come with Pro Tools Carbon. Pro Tools Carbon come with plugins from McDSP, Plugin Alliance, Arturia, and more. It also includes 150 total plugins, with 70 available as DSP or Native, as well as HEAT.

More To Come...

We will be bringing you much more content in the weeks to come. Keep an eye out for tutorial videos on the new Pro Tools 2020.11 software, as well as product demos of Carbon.

Now we wait for the boxes to arrive.

Mihai

Author: Mihai Boloni
Avid Expert Certified Pro Tools Instructor
www.protoolstraining.com

888-277-0457

Mihai BoloniCreative Director & Avid Expert Pro Tools instructor

Mihai has made it his life's work to help others in the audio industry. Mihai gained experience as an audio engineering Full Sail Instructor in early 2000's and joined ProMedia in 2002. Since then, he has become one of Avid's Top Leading and most experienced and in-demand Instructors Worldwide, with clients who come to him form all over the world. Corporate clients include MTV, PBS, NBC, Telemundo, The Voice's Chief Engineer Mike Bernard, Atlanta Public School System, countless professors from leading Universities, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and the top producers, artists, and engineers in leading studios and record labels. For over 20 years, Mihai has continued to work as an Audio Engineer, Record Producer, Songwriter (ASCAP), Dog Lover, Record Label Owner, and Expert Level AVID Certified Pro Tools Instructor.