One Stop Digital

Progress on the development of AAX plug-ins

Mike Thornton — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:55:39 +0000

Our AAX plug-in database on the Pro Tools Expert site continues to grow, I have added 3 more entries in the last 24 hours BUT it seems that developers are in no hurry to produce AAX Native plug-ins and even less hurry to produce DSP versions.

Matt from iZotope has said “While I know this is something we’d like to do, I have not been made aware of any timetables for such features in any of our plug-ins.”

Eventide when asked on their forum “will the AAX license be only AAX-native or will there be AAX-DSP as well? Would be nice to know while thinking about HD->HDX card upgrade.” – Their response was “We can’t make any announcements regarding AAX-DSP support at this time. We’re looking into it, but I would not purchase it with the expectation that AAX-DSP support is coming soon.”

Antares in response to an email question on the subject said “Antares is currently formulating our AAX strategy for the release of AAX plug-ins. Please check our website for coming news about AAX plug-ins. We are sorry to not be able to give you a more concrete answer at the moment.”

Now that said, Avid and all the 3rd party developers would say ask the problem is? - You still have access to all your plug-ins through RTAS. This is true for most plug-ins that were available in both RTAS and TDM, but obviously not for those TDM only plug-ins. Also RTAS will use my computer processors and have to come out of the Pro Tools mixer with the appropriate latency hit (yes I know I can use Delay Compensation to cover this), where as my TDM plug-ins (and presumably the AAX DSP ones will too) keep the audio path in the Pro Tools mixer.

In being an early adopter, I feel that a lot of my HDX investment is sitting idle at the moment. Maybe I was being too hopeful in expecting developers to re-code their plug-ins overnight to the new format, maybe the statement from Avid saying they had 30 plus developers ready to release AAX plug-ins convinced me that the transition would be reasonably quick. Either way the reality after the buzz and glow of all the new features is that this transition is going to be a slow affair probably more like 6 to 12 months.

I just wish Avid had been more up front about the timescale of the transisition and Avid had explained it, early on, as clearly as Bobby Lombardi did in the interview with Russ Hughes at NAMM. I might not have jumped so quickly, but then again if I and others hadn’t jumped so soon would Avid’s figures been as good as they were? A difficult call to make, but despite the confused Pro Tools 10 launch, I do feel a lot more loved by Avid and a lot of that is down to Bobby Lombardi. There is no doubt that Pro Tools 10 is the best yet and all the features, many under the hood like the disk caching, which makes Pro Tools so much less depend on super fast drives etc is SO good. When I go back to clients systems that haven’t upgraded to PT10 I really miss a number of features, like clip gain and being able to integrate the Pro Tools mixer to establish how the routing is configured in your session.

So would I have upgraded to HDX if I knew then what I know now? Probably not, I would have definitely upgraded to Pro Tools 10 HD but probably got a little more money out of my HD2 cards and my 192 interface and made the jump in 6 months time when hopefully there will be many more AAX plug-ins.

Digital Production Partnership unveils new Standards for File-based Programme Delivery

Mike Thornton — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:39:44 +0000

The Digital Production Partnership (DPP) – a partnership between ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC – has unveiled its new Technical and Metadata Standards for File-based programme delivery in the UK.

Through the DPP, seven major broadcasters (BBC, ITV, C4, Sky, Channel Five, S4C and UKTV), have all agreed the UK’s first common file format, structure and wrapper to enable TV programme delivery by digital file. These new guidelines will complement the common standards already published by the DPP for tape delivery of HD and SD TV programmes.

Working closely with the Advanced Media Workflow Association (AWMA) in the US, the DPP has been the driving force behind the creation of the organisation’s ‘AS-11,’ a new international file format for HD Files. The new DPP guidelines will require files delivered to UK broadcasters to be compliant with a specified subset of this new, internationally recognised standard.

By implementing one set of pan-industry technical standards for the UK, the DPP aims to minimise confusion and expense for programme-makers, and avoid a situation where a number of different file types and specifications proliferate.

The new DPP standards aim to remove any ambiguity during the production and delivery process. A key aspect is the inclusion of editorial and technical metadata, which will ensure a consistent set of information for the processing, review, and scheduling of programmes, as well as their onward archiving, sale and distribution.

As part of the file-based guidelines, the DPP’s member broadcasters have agreed a minimum set of common metadata to be delivered with a file-based programme. And, in a bid to encourage international adoption of its metadata standards, the DPP has worked closely with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), mapping its minimum set of common metadata to existing ‘EBU-Core’ and ‘TV-Anytime’ metadata sets.

Alongside these new standards, the DPP is currently building a free-to-use, downloadable, metadata application to enable production companies to enter the required editorial and technical metadata easily. The new application is due to launch in spring 2012.

The agreement of these new file based technical standards does not signal an immediate move to file based delivery. Instead, the DPP seeks to provide clarity around digital delivery that will become the expected standard in the future.

During 2012 BBC, ITV and Channel 4 will begin to take delivery of programmes on file on a selective basis. Production companies wishing to deliver by file should discuss this at the point of commission, and seek formal agreement with their broadcaster at the outset of production. After a period of selective piloting, file based delivery will be the preferred delivery format for these Broadcasters by 2014.

Gobbler are open for business and taking paying customers

Mike Thornton — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:06:49 +0000

Well Gobbler after a very long beta test cycle have finally opened for business and are taking paying customers.

It is really heartening that in these financially hard pressed times a company has taken the time to develop a product with the help of the community before asking people to pay for it.

I am using their service and at last have an off site backup service that already understands Pro Tools sessions to a point as well as offering a file delivery service.

I look forward to further developments of the service and if you have any thoughts there is an excellent community forum where you can post your thoughts, feedback and ideas on how to make Gobbler better.

Don’t forget you an with a free 5 gig account too

Pro Tools 10 version of ProTools Prefs & Database Helper released

Mike Thornton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:53:45 +0000

“>Jean-Charles Deshaies has just released v2.5 of his excellent “ProTools Prefs & Database Helper” free application for Pro Tools 10 which is so much better than the “command line” application from Avid that has no graphical interface.

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Gobble up a special offer from Gobbler before Monday

Mike Thornton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:41:04 +0000

The Gobbler Team is launching monthly pricing on Monday morning. Monthly accounts will start at $8 per month for a 25GB storage/monthly transfer account. They will continue to have 5GB freemium accounts for new signups.

So up until Monday morning, they will be offering our super-sweet reduced annual pricing, which is up to 70% off the monthly subscription price (if you were to purchase through the whole year). Please reach out to anyone who might be interested in snatching-up this deal.

Interview with Bobby Lombardi on Pro Tools 10

Mike Thornton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:12:24 +0000

My Pro Tools Expert colleague Russ Hughes has done an extended interview with Bobby Lombardi from Avid that you really should watch. It is over 16 minutes long but I wish this video had been around when Pro Tools 10 was launched.

Bobby explains that HD users aren’t going to abandoned that they will support the HD platform for another 3 years including bringing out fixes and updates. He also has gone a very long way to restore my confidence in Avid and that they do care about the user and especially the pro user.

If Avid had gone on camera at the Pro Tools 10 launch and explained things as Bobby has done on this video I don’t think we would have had half the problems and bitterness that has been banded about.

Also top marks to David Gould for getting the feature that came out from the Pro Tools in house ‘hackerthon’ so we could easily see where our routing is coming from and going to, a little talked about feature in Pro tools 10

If I had seen this video I am sure I would have waited to jump to HDX knowing that as an HD user I wasn’t about to be abandoned that the cross grade deals would hold and so I could have better chosen the time scale for my transition to HDX when everyone had reworked their plug-ins to AAX etc.

Don’t forget if you want to the latest on where all the manufacturers are up to on AAX plug-ins then you can go the database on our Pro Tools Expert site.

Russ Hughes Talks To Bobby Lombardi About Pro Tools 10 from AIR Users Blog on Vimeo.

Russ Hughes talks to Bobby Lombardi from Avid about Pro Tools 10 development, the pain of upgrade costs and much more in this extended interview.

Nugen Audio add Loudness processor application to product range

Mike Thornton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:46:00 +0000

The Loudness Management Batch processor is an application that can analyse, correct and log baches of audio files and audio embedded in video files and correct them to your desired loudness spec.

Supporting multiple format audio and video LMB can batch analyse and automatically correct to LKFS/LUFS and true peak criteria with drag and drop interface and ‘hot folder’ facility.

Integrated loudness correction
True-peak limiter
Optional script-driven automation
Detailed custom configuration
LRA Targeting
Short-term loudness correction
Hot-folder auto fixing
Supports multiple standards

System Requirements

LMB is available as a stand-alone program for PC and Mac.

Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 Pentium 1.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM or Mac OSX 10.4.x, G4 1.4 GHz or Intel® Core™ Duo 1.66 GHz, 512 MB RAM

Supported formats

WAV	AIF	OGG	WMA	ACC	AU	FLAC	M4A
MXF	MOV	AVI	MPEG	3GP	MPEG	WMV	3GP
ASX	M4V	MKV	MP4

Video formats automatically demuxed to wav for processing

Apple only manufacturer to increase UK computer sales

Mike Thornton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:42:45 +0000

Apple was the only major computer manufacturer to ship more machines in the UK PC market during the final three months of 2011. Figures from Gartner, a market watcher, showed declining sales for the four others in the UK top five. Apple’s shipments rose 17.2 per cent from 228,000 units in Q4 2010 to 267,000 in Q4 2011. and note that these figures don’t include iPad shipments. If Apple continues to grow, it is likely to pass 4th placed Toshiba, but it’s unlikely to pose much of a threat to Dell, let alone HP.

United Kingdom: PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 4Q11 (Thousands of Units)

Vendor	4Q11 Shipments	4Q11 Market Share (%)	4Q10 Shipments	4Q10 Market Share (%)	4Q10-4Q11 Growth (%)
HP	618	21.0	847	23.1	-27.0
Dell	408	13.8	601	16.4	-32.2
Toshiba	296	10.0	313	8.5	-5.4
Apple	267	9.1	228	6.2	17.2
Acer	230	7.8	610	16.7	-62.4
Others	1,127	38.3	1,065	29.1	5.8
Total	2,946	100.0	3,665	100.0	-19.6

Note: Data includes desk-based PCs and mobile PCs. Media tablets are excluded.
Source: Gartner (February 2012)

Lets hope this encourages Apple not to drop the business market and continue to support the professional sector with a new Mac Pro for example.

2 days left on iZotope $50 discount offer

Mike Thornton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:54:51 +0000

Only two days left to save $50 on any iZotope product priced over $100.

To redeem, use coupon code ZFF2-NU93DAV3 at their online store through February 8th

Coupon code valid once per customer. Requires minimum purchase of $100 USD. Offer expires 2/8/2012.

Pro Tools 10.1 plug-in installers for 10.0.1 users

Mike Thornton — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:12:03 +0000

In my post about the 10.0.1 update from Avid for all non HDX users, I asked if the new plug-ins had been included in the upgrade installer and thanks to Ole E. Flaten and Claus it would appear that Avid haven’t included the latest plug-ins in the installers. However good news for non HDX Pro Tools 10 users I have found urls for several of the 10.1 AAX plug-ins….

Classic Compressors Bundle 10.1 Installer	36.9 MB
HEAT 10.1 Installer	6.6 MB
Impact 10.1 Installer	9 MB
Pultec Bundle 10.1 Installer	32.7 MB
Reel Tape Saturation 10.1 Installer	14.9 MB
Reel Tape Suite 10.1 Installer	36.4 MB
Reverb One 10.1 Installer	12.3 MB
ReVibe 10.1 Installer	14.4 MB
Smack 10.1 Installer	35.6 MB

Hope these help…..