AVID NAMM NEWS: PRO TOOLS 12.5, S6 UPDATE, SIBELIUS 8.1
25 January 2016
AVID PARTIALLY OPENS CLOUD
Avid released three software updates at NAMM: Pro Tools 12.5, a 2.1 firmware update for Avid’s S6 control surface and Sibelius 8.1.
For the Pro Tools users out there, the 12.5 update continues the stream of Tools updates promised to subscribers. It’s the fifth in the last year. 12.5 looked to make good on the central promise of the Avid Everywhere scheme, namely to make cloud collaboration ubiquitous. Not so fast though, it’s only for select customers. Those lucky ducks on the ‘Early Access’ beta program will be able to share live projects from anywhere in the world. Too bad if your colleague isn’t on the beta program though. For those not on the beta, Avid has announced that the walls have come down on its Artist Community, which is now available to everyone.
If you’ve forgotten what Avid’s Cloud Collaboration promise was, here are the key points.
- Post projects to cloud storage space and invite others to collaborate.
- Work on projects with others in real time, or create offline and share updates directly.
- Share audio and MIDI tracks, edits, mix changes, automation, and more.
- Communicate with collaborators through text chat.
S6 GETS JOYSTICKS & PADDLES
There are now over 1000 S6 control surfaces out in the wild, and all of them will get a shot in the arm with the 2.1 firmware. The new update gives a new level of customisation flexibility, so you can personalise the S6’s workflow even further. It also allows you to more easily take that personal customisation with you.
On the hardware side, two new modules — Master Joystick and Master Post — give post production mixers more hands on control. The Master Joystick Module includes dual, non-motorised, touch-sensitive joysticks ergonomically placed so users can control both with one hand. It’s all about surround panning with this module; it includes 16 panning mode switches, two colour-coded encoders for dialling in pan settings, and panning control switches.
The Master Post Module adds traditional paddles to help post mixers match levels and punch in and out of record without taking their eyes off the screen. It also provides a more customised film/TV monitoring switcher where they need it. And the paddles can also be assigned object tracks — over 200 of them — for Dolby Atmos mixes.
These two new modules deliver more of Avid’s vision for the S6 — showing off its modularity and filling gaps that users identify without having to develop an entirely new surface.
SIBELIUS DELIVERS DEEPER COMPOSITION
For those at the composition end of the spectrum, and also on an All Access Plan, you can now update Sibelius to version 8.1. The update to your scoring platform of choice now includes:
- Read and write music faster and easier with intelligent rests that automatically align with note flow.
- Create concise first, second, and third time bars for playback accuracy, eliminating manual correction.
- Export compositions as an MP3 audio file for faster file transfer that will not hit email size limits.
Avid also announced updates to Sibelius Cloud Publishing technology, including a new transpose feature and streamlined documentation for music publishers. These enhancements make it easier for publishers to implement the technology into their webstores, so they can offer customers an enhanced online experience. With a Sibelius Cloud Publishing-enabled site, publishers can allow their customers to view, play, transpose, print, and purchase scores online using any current web browser or mobile device.
More info:
AVID: www.avid.com
Australian Distributor: www.sound-music.com
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