- Pro Tools 7 is a software package made by Avid (formerly Digidesign) that enables users to record and mix audio. It comes in three varieties, Pro Tools HD, Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered. Each package requires a compatible audio interface to convert audio signals into digital samples used by the computer. Often audio interfaces have MIDI compatibility built in, but Pro Tools 7 will work with most USB MIDI interfaces.
- Pro Tools HD is a high-end system used in professional recording studios. Six interfaces can be used with a Pro Tools HD system. The 192 Digital I/O allows 16 channels of digital input and output. The 192 I/O allows 16 channels of expandable analog and digital input and output. The 96i I/O and 96 I/O are similar to the 192 interfaces but operate at lower sampling frequencies. There is also the PRE, an eight-channel mic preamp, and the SYNC HD for locking to timecode.
- Pro Tools LE is aimed at the home recording market. Several interfaces work with Pro Tools LE 7. The FireWire-based 003 control surface/interface provides flying fader controlled mixing and a built-in interface, while the 003 rack provides the same audio and MIDI facilities in a rack unit. The Eleven Rack is a combined interface/effects unit designed for guitar players. Four Mbox interfaces are designed to be portable and connect via USB. The Mbox 2 is a 24-bit, two-channel interface with two mic preamps. The Mbox 2 Micro is a flash drive-size interface for two-channel output only, and the Mbox 2 Mini has two ins and outs and one mic preamp.
- Pro Tools M-Powered is designed specially to work with M-Audio (now Avid) interfaces. Pro Tools M-Powered 7 works with a range of M-Audio FireWire interfaces, including the NRV10 interface mixer and the ProFire Lightbridge. Delta and Audiophile PCI cards work, as do the Fast Track and Transit USB interfaces. Some interfaces, such as the ProFire 610, require Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.4 or higher, however.
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