Avid has just released the latest version of Pro Tools: 2022.9. Amongst the many changes, the most anticipated change is the addition of Melodyne ARA directly in your Pro Tools session. You no longer have to use Melodyne as a separate plug-in, and can now be accessed directly on your audio tracks allowing you to make changes to pitch,tune vocals and fix timing as part of your editing workflow.

Melodyne In Pro Tools- Vocal Tuning Now In Edit Window

The latest update to Pro Tools brings a host of new features, most prominent among them is the addition of Melodyne directly into your editing workflow. You no longer need to "transfer" audio into Melodyne as a plugin, you can edit pitch and timing of your audio directly in your timeline. This is a major time saver for vocal production and turning. Let's take a look at how you can start using this new feature:

• The easiest way to access Melodyne is to select a clip on a track, right-click and choose Melodyne > Edit
  You can also right-click on the Track Name to access the Melodyne function

• Once you select Edit you'll see the Melodyne view appear at the bottom of your Edit Window:

• When Melodyne has been activated on the track you'll notice that it appears in the Elastic Audio selector.

• Since Melodyne is running in real-time, you can Bypass, or Clear the changes you've made. Once you're happy with the changes you can render the clips directly in place by right-clicking the clip and selecting "Render" in the Melodyne sub-menu:

Needless to say, this change to Pro Tools is one of the most anticipated changes in years. Melodyne integration will make it easier for those of us who do a lot of Vocal Production and Tuning. In the past we would go through a 2-step process: Edit, then Tune. Now we can tune vocals as we are working on the edits and creating composites. Plus, since Melodyne is running in real-time, we can try out changes even during the recording process as soon as the singer finishes, no need to wait until after the edit process.

Melodyne with Pro Tools

To fully understand Melodyne's overall functions, we recommend first reviewing the Quickstart Manual Guide links below to get 2022 updated information.

Melodyne Quickstart Manual Guide Pro Tools 2022 Updated:

 Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Other Updates

New Quantize Function

Another great workflow improvement is the addition of a new Quantize feature that is easy to access. You can now show the Quantize Controls in your Edit Window:

You can quickly apply Quantize changes to MIDI, or Elastic Audio Events, by clicking the Q button. You also have access to Quantize Grid setting, Strength & Swing directly in the view. If you need more advanced controls you can click on the setting button to see the traditional Quantize window:

AUX I/O

Another new feature that will help many of us is the addition of AUX I/O, which allows you to add any Core Audio device as extra Inputs / Outputs to your existing Playback Engine. You have you "preferred" Playback Engine, but now you can add other audio applications to stream audio between. The only caveat is that AUX I/O only works on Apple Computers running OS Big Sur or Monterey, there is no support for Windows yet. Check out the video below for an overview of how AUX I/O works:

32,000 Memory Locations In Pro Tools

You read that correctly! 32,000 Memory Locations is now standard. Increased from the prior limit of 999, you now have an endless amount of Memory Locations for Markers, Zoom Setting, Track Show/Hide, etc...

Pro Tools Intro Software

Building upon the change in Pro Tools "versions" introduced earlier this year, there is now Free version of Pro Tools called "Intro".  This new version is built upon the same architecture as the regular version of Pro Tools, so there is no issues with transfering sessions from Artist, Studio, or Ultimate. The biggest difference is in the capabilities of how many tracks you have access to, how many plugins are included, and certain advanced features that are locked out. Below is a list of the capabilities of Pro Tools Intro:

• 8 Audio Tracks (Stereo or Mono)
• 8 Instrument Tracks
• 8 MIDI Tracks
• 4 Aux Tracks (shares with Routing Folders)
• 1 Master Track
• 4 Routing Folders (shares with Aux Tracks)
• 2,000 Basic Folders
• 4 Simultaneous Inputs and Outputs
• 32-bit floating point processing
• Up to 192 kHz sample rate recording and playback
• 1,024 Voices
• 35 Core Avid Plugins
• Xpand!2 Virtual Instrument (with over 2,500 presets)
• Avid Loopmasters Sample Pack
• EUCON Control Protocol Support
• Clip FX (playback only)
• Support for any Core Audio, ASIO, or WASAPI-compatible interface

If you're a current Pro Tools subscriber you can download this update from Avid Link, or by logging into your avid.com account.

Mihai Boloni

Author: Mihai Boloni
Avid Expert Certified Pro Tools Instructor
ProMedia Training, LLC
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, in-demand Instructor and Pro Tools technical consultant. 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, and Expert Level AVID Certified Pro Tools Instructor.