IBC 2012: Avid announces new Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface

Avid has today (Friday September 7th) announced its new Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface, designed to deliver the lowest latency and the highest sound quality of any host based audio workstation for Thunderbolt technology equipped CPUs.

The Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface aims to bring the Pro Tools HD toolset and the conversion of the Pro Tools HD Series interfaces to a wider group of customers who use a laptop or other computer with Thunderbolt technology.

With its implemented Thunderbolt connectivity, the Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface is designed to offer producers, engineers, and mixers the same qualities found in the Pro Tools|HD Native system in a mobile-based hardware solution, while connecting with Pro Tools HD Series interfaces (such as HD OMNI and HD I/O) for capturing and monitoring audio. Furthermore, users are now able to monitor mixes via the interface’s built-in headphone output, which provides sufficient power to drive headphones with high impedance loads.

“Pro Tools|HD Native makes it easy for professionals to get top quality sound and performance in an affordable, host-based solution,” commented Chris Gahagan, senior vice president of products at Avid. “With Avid’s new solution, pros now can choose from two Pro Tools|HD Native designs: the new Thunderbolt interface for Thunderbolt-equipped laptop and desktop computers, or the original PCIe card.”

Pro Tools|HD Native is sold as a system that includes a choice of HD Native core -Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card – Pro Tools HD software, and a choice of Pro Tools HD Series audio interface. System prices are the same for both core systems. Meanwhile, customers who own a Digi 002, 003, or Mbox Pro can trade in their hardware towards a new Pro Tools|HD Native system and make a saving.

System prices are as follows:

• Pro Tools|HD Native (Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card), Pro Tools HD software, and HD OMNI system: £3,299
• Pro Tools|HD Native (Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card), Pro Tools HD software, and HD I/O system: starts at £3,999
• Digi 002, Digi 003, or Mbox Pro exchange to Pro Tools|HD Native (Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card), Pro Tools HD software, and HD OMNI: £2,599

For more information visit: www.avid.com/US/products/Pro-Tools-HD-Native

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