Digidesign has introduced three expandable digital-audio recording systems, with new ancillary hardware devices, in several configurations. The Pro Tools HD system is available in three configurations: HD 1 ($7,995) consists of a single HD Core card; HD 2 ($9,995) adds the HD Process card, which handles mixer and plug-in tasks; and HD 3 ($11,995) gives you the HD Core card and two HD Process cards. The Pro Tools HD system offers as many as 128 tracks of 24-bit, 196 kHz audio with no toll on the host computer. Digidesign is shipping the new systems with Pro Tools 5.3 TDM software.
The HD Core card is a 64-bit PCI card that is compatible with 33 and 66 MHz system buses. You can build a system with a single HD Core card and as many as six HD Process cards.
You can choose one of two digital-audio interfaces. The 192 I/O audio interface ($3,995) offers eight channels of analog I/O and eight channels of AES/EBU, S/PDIF, TDIF, and ADAT I/O. You can add eight additional channels of analog input with the AD expansion card ($1,295) or add eight channels of analog output with the 192 DA card ($1,195). The 192 Digital card ($995) allows you to add eight more channels of ADAT, TDIF, and AES/EBU I/O. A port at the rear of the unit lets you link an additional 192 I/O, and the Legacy Peripheral port allows you to link earlier Pro Tools interfaces. Additional features include real-time sampling-rate conversion and a Soft-Clip Limiter, which lets you record at hotter levels without digital distortion.
The 96 I/O ($1,995) gives you 8 channels of analog I/O and supports as many as 16 channels of recording. The eight channels of ADAT I/O can be used simultaneously with the analog inputs, and you can configure the digital I/O for S/PDIF. As with the 192 I/O, you can link an additional 96 I/O or link older Pro Tools interfaces. The SYNC I/O ($2,095) supports all industry-standard clock sources and time-code formats and offers near-sample-accurate lockup to time-code or biphase/tach signals with a 192 kHz capable, low-jitter word clock. The unit simultaneously generates LTC, VITC, MTC, Super Clock, word clock, and AES Null Clock.
The front panel has a seven-segment LCD that displays time code and lights for displaying sources and time-code status. The unit can burn time-code windows to video signals. You also get a pair of dedicated 9-pin ports for Digidesign's MachineControl units.
Two additional peripheral units to be released soon are the MIDI I/O ($595), a ten-port USB MIDI interface, which boasts 160 MIDI channels and MIDI time stamping. Digidesign claims that the MIDI I/O can provide timing accuracy of less than a millisecond. The interface features a hardware MIDI Thru capability that lets you route incoming MIDI data to connected devices without the computer. The unit will support Open Music System and WDM drivers.
PRE ($2,495) is an 8-channel preamp with remote control capabilities. Each preamp can accommodate a variety of input sources and levels; you can change preamp settings from the front panel, the computer, or a hardware controller. You can change the impedance loading for any channel to accommodate mic, line, and direct injection (DI) instrument signals. Using Pro Tools to control the software lets you store settings and routing as a mix template.
In case you want to use outboard processing, eight of the mic-pre channels support inset points. The preamp includes a built-in oscillator for calibration. You get MIDI In, Out, and Thru ports for remote control, and the PRE supports all features as a standalone unit. Digidesign; tel. (800) 333-2137; e-mail prodinfo@digidesign.com; Web www.digidesign.com.