Avid Pro Tools|HD Native Available in Thunderbolt Interface

Avid Technology, Inc. announced the Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface, delivering lowest latency and highest sound quality of any host based audio workstation for Thunderbolt technology equipped CPUs.

The Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface brings the Pro Tools HD toolset and conversion of Pro Tools HD Series interfaces to a broader group of customers who use a laptop or other computer with Thunderbolt technology.

With its implemented Thunderbolt connectivity, the Pro Tools|HD Native Thunderbolt interface gives producers, engineers, and mixers the sound quality, low latency, and sheer power of the Pro Tools|HD Native system in a mobile-based hardware solution, while connecting with Pro Tools HD Series interfaces (such as HD OMNI and HD I/O) for capturing and monitoring audio with clarity.

In addition, customers can monitor mixes using the interface’s built-in audiophile-grade headphone output to drive headphones with high impedance loads.

Pro Tools|HD Native enables customer to:

• Harness the power of desktop or laptop computer with choice of Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card
• Attain highest performance and lowest latency of any native DAW
• Achieve pristine audio clarity with Pro Tools HD Series interfaces
• Get the advanced tools and workflows of Pro Tools HD 10 software
• Monitor every mix detail with the built in audiophile-grade headphone output

"Pro Tools|HD Native makes it easy for professionals to get top quality sound and performance in an affordable, host-based solution," says Chris Gahagan, SVP of products at Avid. "With Avid’s new solution, pros now can choose from two Pro Tools|HD Native designs: the new Thunderbolt interface for Thunderbolt-equipped laptop and desktop computers, or the original PCIe card."

Pricing and availability
Pro Tools|HD Native is sold as a system that includes a choice of HD Native core – Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card – Pro Tools HD software, and a choice of Pro Tools HD Series audio interface. System prices are the same for both core systems. In addition, customers who own a Digi 002, 003, or Mbox Pro can trade in their hardware towards a new Pro Tools|HD Native system and save $1,000 off GRP.

System prices are as follows:

• Pro Tools|HD Native (Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card), Pro Tools HD software, and HD OMNI system: $4,999
• Pro Tools|HD Native (Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card), Pro Tools HD software, and HD I/O system: starts at $5,999
• Digi 002, Digi 003, or Mbox Pro exchange to Pro Tools|HD Native (Thunderbolt interface or PCIe card), Pro Tools HD software, and HD OMNI: $3,999