Compare audio mixing, creation, and music editing software
Compare Pro Tools music editing software to other versions of Pro Tools and decide which one is right for you.
Pro Tools | Ultimate
The ultimate toolset for any music or post production
from
$79.99 USD/month
Pro Tools is always getting better with new features and improvements. And with your active plan, you get them as soon as we release them. See what's new in Pro Tools 2020.
Key features
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Pro Tools | First
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Pro Tools
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Pro Tools | Ultimate
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Key features |
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Simultaneous voices/tracks What is a voice?A voice is a single audio stream that roughly equates to one mono audio track. A mono audio track will use one available voice. A stereo track will use two available voices. The voice limit is Pro Tools' capacity to play back a multitude of simultaneous voices. The higher the voice limit, the more tracks you can play back in Pro Tools to work on bigger, more demanding sessions. |
16/16/– |
128/64/32 |
Base software |
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Maximum inputs (hardware dependent) |
4
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32
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192 More information
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| MIDI tracks | 16 | 1024 | 1024 |
| Instrument tracks | 16 | 512 | 512 |
| Auxiliary tracks | 16 | 128 | 512 |
| Video tracks | n/a | 1 | 64 |
| Included plugins | 23 | 115* | 115* |
| Included sounds | 3.1 GB | 5.4 GB | 5.4 GB |
| Maximum sample rate supported (hardware dependent) | 32-bit, 96 kHz | 32-bit, 192 kHz | 32-bit, 192 kHz |
| Busses | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
* Get access to the Avid Complete Plugin Bundle (a $49.99 USD/year value) and HEAT (a $495 USD value) with Pro Tools and Pro Tools | Ultimate subscriptions at no additional charge. Pro Tools perpetual licenses with an active 1-Year Software Updates & Support Plan get access to 80 plugins. Pro Tools | Ultimate perpetual licenses with an active 1-Year Software Updates & Support Plan get access to 114 plugins (HEAT not included).
Create, edit, produce
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Pro Tools | First
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Pro Tools
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Pro Tools | Ultimate
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Create, edit, produce |
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| Automatic plugin delay compensation | + | + | + |
| Nondestructive editing | + | + | + |
| Elastic audio | + | + | + |
| Soundbase | + | + | + |
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Retrospective MIDI recording |
+ | + | + |
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Track Presets |
+ | + | + |
| QuickPunch | + | + | + |
| Time signature changes | + | + | + |
| MIDI Editor | + | + | + |
| Sibelius Score Editor | + | + | |
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Loop record track comping |
+ | + | |
| Beat detective | + | + | |
| Input monitoring | + | + | |
| In-the-box dubbing |
+ (Requires HDX) |
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| TrackPunch / DestructivePunch | + | ||
| Advanced audio editing | + | ||
| Field recorder workflows | + | ||
Mix, master, deliver
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Pro Tools | First
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Pro Tools
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Pro Tools | Ultimate
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|---|---|---|---|
Mix, master, deliver |
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| Supported plugin formats | AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite | AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite | AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite |
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Automate volume, pans, sends, solo, mute, plugin parameters, and more |
+ | + | + |
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Offline bounce |
+ | + | + |
| Track Freeze, Commit, and Bounce | Freeze only | + | + |
| Clip FX | Playback only | + | |
| Clip Gain | + | + | |
| Variable stereo pan depths | + | + | |
| Advanced metering with gain reduction | + | + | |
| Timecode ruler | + | + | |
| VCA mixing | + | + | |
| Solo bus AFL/PFL | + | + | |
| AAX DSP support | + | ||
| Surround mixing | + | ||
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Dolby Atmos mixing |
+ | ||
| Ambisonics VR mixing | + | ||
| Advanced automation | + | ||
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Single file multi-stem bounce Deliver multiple mixes in a single fileAccelerate mix delivery between audio post-production teams and organizations with the ability to bounce multiple Pro Tools stems into a single file for easier delivery. Recipients can then open the stems in separate Pro Tools tracks on file import, preserving the mixes. Watch the video |
+ | ||
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Netflix Post Technology Alliance participant Mix for Netflix with confidencePro Tools | Ultimate is now part of the Netflix Post Technology Alliance. We've worked closely with Netflix to ensure that Pro Tools solutions support Netflix's technical and workflow requirements today, and into the future. |
+ | ||
Usability
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Pro Tools | First
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Pro Tools
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Pro Tools | Ultimate
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Usability |
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| Workspace | + | + | + |
| ReWire | + | + | + |
| Ableton Link Support | + | + | + |
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Folder Tracks—NEW! |
+ | + | |
| Revision history | + | + | |
| AAF/OMF/MXF file interchange | + | + | |
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Batch renaming |
+ | + | |
| Full import session data | + | + | |
| Extended RAM/Disk Cache | + | + | |
| Satellite Link | + | ||
Video
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Pro Tools | First
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Pro Tools
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Pro Tools | Ultimate
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Video |
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| Video tracks | n/a | 1 | 64 |
| Avid Video Engine | + | + | |
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4K/UHD support—NEW! Edit sound to picture with greater precisionWork with 4K/UHD video, H.264 media, and higher frame rates with new Avid Video Engine improvements that smooth the collaboration between editorial and sound mixing. Not only does this eliminate time-consuming transcoding or conversion, it enables more accurate audio work, so you can edit with confidence and deliver the perfect mix. |
+ | + | |
| Advanced video editing | + | ||
Collaborate and connect
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Pro Tools | First
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Pro Tools
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Pro Tools | Ultimate
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|---|---|---|---|
Collaborate and connect |
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| Cloud collaboration | + | + | + |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Number of cloud projects | 3 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Selective project sync | Requires Cloud Plan | + | + |
Compatible hardware
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Pro Tools | First
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Pro Tools
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Pro Tools | Ultimate
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Compatible hardware |
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PRO TOOLS | HD SYSTEMS |
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| Pro Tools | HDX | + | ||
| Pro Tools | HD Native | + | ||
| Pro Tools | MTRX | + | ||
| Pro Tools | MTRX Studio | + | ||
| Pro Tools | HD I/O | + | ||
| Pro Tools | HD OMNI | + | ||
| Pro Tools | HD MADI | + | ||
| Pro Tools | SYNC HD | + | ||
THIRD-PARTY HARDWARE |
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| Core Audio compatible interfaces | + | + | + |
| ASIO compatible interfaces | + | + | + |
AVID CONTROL SURFACES |
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| Avid Control (iPad app) | + | + | |
| Artist Mix | + | + | |
| Avid Dock | + | + | |
| Avid S1 | + | + | |
| Avid S3 | + | + | |
| Avid S4 | + | + | |
| Avid S6 | + | + | |
THIRD-PARTY CONTROL SURFACES |
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| HUI-compatible control surfaces | + | + | + |
AVID A/V INTERFACES |
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| Avid Artist | DNxIQ | + | + | |
| Avid Artist | DNxIV | + | + | |
| Avid Artist | DNxIO | + | + | |
AVID STORAGE |
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| Avid NEXIS | PRO | + | + | |
| Avid NEXIS | + | ||
System requirements
| Pro Tools | First | Pro Tools | Pro Tools | Ultimate |
| Full System Requirements | Full System Requirements | |