Avid have announced that their Pro Tools 2024.10 update is now available, delivering a range of new features that cater to both music and post-production users. Headline additions include ARA2 support for Steinberg’s SpectraLayers and WaveLab, Kontakt 8 Player content courtesy of a partnership with Native Instruments, and a range of new MIDI plug-ins and functions.
Steinberg ARA2
With the latest update installed, Pro Tools users now benefit from ARA2 integration with SpectraLayers and WaveLab, which join the existing ARA2-capable plug-ins from the likes of Synchro Arts, Celemony, iZotope and Sound Radix. Additionally, customers with active subscriptions and active perpetual Upgrade Plans will automatically receive Steinberg SpectraLayers Go and WaveLab Go as part of the 2024.10 release. See What is ARA2?
Native Instruments Kontakt 8 Player Included
The recently released Kontakt 8 Player from Native Instruments introduces some significant new functionality, including wavetable synthesis and integrated MIDI tools, along with Leap, a new feature that offers an innovative way to play and manipulate loops and samples.
All Pro Tools versions now include Kontakt 8 Player (a very sensible move we think) and the Pro Tools Factory Essentials instrument library. Customers with Avid active subscriptions and perpetual Upgrade Plans will also receive Native Instruments Hybrid Keys, and active Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate customers will benefit from access to Native Instruments Soul Sessions.
MIDI Updates
Many of Pro Tools’ recent releases have introduced some significant new MIDI features, and 2024.10 is no exception. Two new MIDI plug-ins are included: SEQUND Lite by 510k and BLEASS Arpeggiator. The former is an intuitive sequencer while the latter is, unsurprisingly, an arpeggiator, but both are designed to help users break away from traditional patterns and easily explore polyrhythms.
Both MIDI and Instrument Tracks now benefit from the Playlist system found on Pro Tools’ Audio Tracks, making it simple to capture multiple takes on a single track before auditioning, editing and combining them into a single, final part. A new Focus view has also been added which allows the MIDI Editor to display only notes that are present throughout a user’s selection — Avid say it can be handy when programming drums and in other cases, such as seeing only the notes of a specific string section, or notes that handle articulations.
Crucially, Input Monitoring is now available on Instrument Tracks, making it possible to listen to their output in real time for live performances, or when checking the output of a plug-in with MIDI Out functionality. Users can also now activate or deactivate MIDI Delay Compensation for recording and Input Monitoring separately for each track.
Pricing & Availability
Pro Tools 2024.10 is available now, and is a free update to all users with existing Pro Tools subscriptions or active Upgrade Plans.
