 |
|
|
What’s New in Seven-Point-Two?
Announced last April at NAB 2006, Digidesign is now shipping
Pro
Tools HD 7.2,
an update that is only for HD systems. There are actually
quite a number of new features and changes in this update
(why it wasn’t Pro Tools 8 or 7.5 I am not sure).
Having spent the last couple of weeks with the new version,
I wanted to share my favorite new features and enhancements
(I realize my list may not be everyone’s top picks,
so I encourage you to download the What’s New in
Pro Tools 7.2 PDF file and explore for yourself).
Before we jump in, it’s a good idea to keep compatibility
in mind when working with clients who are using Pro Tools
7.1. If you work on their session, or create a brand new
session in Pro Tools 7.2 that finds its way back to a 7.0-7.1
system, here is what you can expect:
Tracks
- VCA Master tracks will be removed and any uncoalesced VCA
automation will be dropped.
- Any uncoalesced Trim automation will be dropped.
Groups
- All groups beyond the first 26 (Bank 1, Groups a–z)
will be dropped.
- Mix Groups will keep only Main Volume information.
- Mix/Edit Groups will keep only Main Volume and Automation
Mode information.
- Automation overflow information for grouped controls will
not be preserved.
- Group behavior of Solos, LFEs, Mutes, Send Levels and Send
Mutes will not be preserved.
- Solo Mode and Solo Latch settings will be dropped.
Video
- Only the main video track will be displayed.
- Only the first QuickTime movie in the session will be displayed
or played back.
- If the session contains QuickTime movies in the Region List
but no video track, the session opens with a new QuickTime
Movie track containing the first QuickTime movie from
the Region List.
- The Timeline will display and play back only the video playlist
that was last active. Alternate video playlists will
not be available.
- Video regions and video region groups will not be shown or
saved.
Edit Video Like Audio
Pro Tools finally bring its ease of recording and editing
audio, to video. Although the new version does not find
Pro Tools a replacement for your favorite full-featured
video editor, such as those by Avid and Apple, it does
go a long way in providing basic video editing for audio
engineers working in postproduction. It is now possible
to:
- Record video into Pro Tools using supported Avid video peripherals.
- Work with multiple video tracks in the session.
- Edit video regions as you would with audio regions.
If you work with video, this little blurb doesn’t
do it justice, and working video in Pro Tools
can now be taken seriously. Groups: VCA-Style and Beyond
Not only can you now work with up to 104 groups, (that is
4 banks of 26), but groups have been completely overhauled
and expanded. Select a few tracks to group, press Command
+ G (Mac) or Control + G (PC) and wow – check out
the new Groups dialog, it’s chalk full of new options.
New Dialog For Creating Groups
New Dialog for Specifying Group Options/Behavior
In addition, Pro Tools HD 7.2 now features VCA-Style
groups, which we will take an in-depth look at next week
(teaser!).
The Right Way to Click and Scroll
Perhaps this should have been added to the Little Things
below, but to me – this is a b-i-g little thing,
because it affects how I interact with Pro Tools. Having
better right-click functionality and scroll wheel supports,
just makes life easier in Pro Tools.
There are a number of new right-click commands identified
in the What’s New in Pro Tools 7.2 PDF file – definitely
worth printing out and doing through. I have listed a
few that I think are particularly good, but so much can
be right clicked on, that you should just start right-clicking
away and just see what happens when you do:
- Right-click on a volume/send fader, pan
slider or solo/mute/record enable/track input button
of an actively grouped track to temporarily adjust
that parameter without affecting the other members
of the group (clutch).
- Right-click on a plug-in, IO or track to make it active/inactive.
- Right-click on a track name in the Edit or Mix window
for many useful commands.
- Right-click on a Track, Region or Group list item for
many useful commands.
- Right-click on the Transport buttons for playback,
record and automation commands.
If your mouse has a scroll wheel (and it should), you
can also do some very nice maneuvers with the help of
a few modifier keys:
Editing and Fades
Previously one of my biggest Pro Tools gripes has been
resolved – you can now trim a region that has
a fade on it, and the fade will be preserved. No longer
will I be embarrassed by the dialog that tells me how
stupid I am for trying to trim a region with a fade
on it, and that I must first remove the fade in order
to trim the region. You know, when you have a short
fade on a region that is zoomed out quite a bit, it’s
hard to tell, but I always had that dialog to yell
the reminder at me. I can’t tell you how pleased
I am with this addition – try it, and love it.
In addition, fades can now be moved and nudged, independently
of regions. In general, working with fades is much
more elegant.
It’s The Little Things
Some of my favorite improvements to Pro Tools are the
subtle changes, that may not be sexy enough for Digidesign
to promote, but make a positive difference in my workflow:
- There have been many additions to automation.
- We have new Signal Tools and Time Shift plug-ins.
- The Preferences have been reorganized, and are even
more succinct than with the 7.0 update.
- The Shuffle Lock Mode (Disable Shuffle Mode) has been
added.
- A new option to automatically create fades for imported
REX and Acid files has been added in the preferences.
- The option to specify a default plug-in for EQ and
dynamics saves a lot of time when reaching for
my favorite EQ and dynamics plug-in (great when working on an ICON
control surface as well).
If I didn’t highlight your favorite new cool thing
in Pro Tools, I apologize. There really is so much going
on with the update, that each session I spend with it I discover
a new hidden gem. So I will continue to keep spelunking,
and should you discover something really want to share, let
me know about it, as I find myself just as excited about
7.2 as I did with the release of 7.0!
Pro Tools Tidbits
- Apple has released Logic Pro 7.2.2 that includes
support for the new Mac Pro and Mac Pro Quad computers,
which includes
optimized support for the built-in audio ports. Logic
Pro 7.2.2 is a free update for Logic Pro 7.2 owners,
available via Software Update. (HD)
If you have a Pro Tools related question that you would
like me to take a shot at answering or have any feedback,
please send it to scott@audioMIDI.com. I will do my best
to select the questions that seem to stump the most people.
As always, stay tuned to the audioMIDI.com eNews for the latest reviews and new product info.
|
|
