Digidesign ships Pro Tools LE Toolkits

Digidesign today began shipping two new options for its Pro Tools LE systems, including the New Music Production Toolkit and DV Toolkit 2 options. Building on the first version, DVD Toolkit 2 provides an even larger collection of tools for producing high-end sound for film or video, offering a cost-effective entry to the world of sound for film. DV Toolkit 2 includes three plug-ins that are ideal for working with sound for picture: the TL Space Native Edition convolution reverb, DINR LE intelligent noise reduction tool, and the Synchro Arts VocALign Project for Pro Tools time-alignment tool. It adds the DigiBase Pro file management tool for working with the large number of files and volumes on post projects, the DigiTranslator 2.0 option for importing and exporting projects to and from video editing applications (e.g., Avid Xpress), and the Pro Tools MP3 Option for exporting mixes as MP3 files.

"DV Toolkit has been tremendously popular, and as our users have been working on post projects of increasing complexity, they've come to rely on the steadily increasing sophistication available from Pro Tools LE," commented Digidesign senior director of product marketing David Gibbons. "DV Toolkit 2 allows their system to grow with their needs, and offers an ideal package for those entering the world of post production, or for professional post houses who want more capable editing suites to feed into their Pro Tools|HD-based main rooms."

With DV Toolkit 2, users can expand Pro Tools sessions to up to 48 mono or stereo tracks at up to 96kHz for accommodating larger, more complex post-production projects. In addition, DV Toolkit 2 adds a wide selection of post-specific Pro Tools functions, many of which were previously available only with Pro Tools HD software, including: DigiBase Pro, "Replace Region" and "Fit to Marks" commands, Scrub Trim tool, Export Session as Text, Continuous Scroll mode, Universe window, Automation snapshots, and Enhanced Import Session Data features.

DV Toolkit 2 is $1,300; owners of the original DV Toolkit option can upgrade to DV Toolkit 2 through the online DigiStore for $300.

New Music Production Toolkit Option

Digidesign is also now shipping the Digidesign Music Production Toolkit software expansion option. With the Music Production Toolkit, users can take advantage of a collection of plug-ins and enhanced editing tools, increased track count, and the ability to easily export mixes as MP3 files -- delivering full range of professional music tools for Pro Tools LE or Pro Tools M-Powered system.

The Music Production Toolkit includes a host of powerful plug-ins ideal for creating and producing music, including: Hybrid, a versatile high-definition synthesizer; TL Space Native Edition, a flexible convolution reverb; Smack! LE, a professional compressor/limiter; SoundReplacer, a time-saving sound replacement tool; and DINR LE, an easy-to-use noise reduction plug-in.

With the Music Production Toolkit, users can also expand their Pro Tools sessions up to 48 mono or stereo tracks at up to 96kHz for more complex mixes. In addition, the Music Production Toolkit features a multi-track version of Beat Detective, which allows users to perform automatic groove analysis and correction across multiple audio and MIDI tracks at the same time. This multi-track capability was previously available only with Pro Tools HD software. The Toolkit also provides the Pro Tools MP3 Option for exporting mixes as MP3 files. The Music Production Toolkit requires Pro Tools 7 software (sold separately) and includes an update to Pro Tools 7.1.

"Our Pro Tools LE and M-Powered customers have always dreamt of having more tracks," relates David Gibbons, Digidesign's Senior Director of Product Marketing. "We're thrilled to offer 48-track capability and $2,000 worth of additional plug-ins and software for just a fraction of the price. Now, more than ever, Pro Tools LE and M-Powered are a compelling choice for total music production on both Mac and PC."

The Music Production Toolkit is available now for $500.