June 21
Pro Tools 5.0.1 LE Update Includes First DirectConnect RTAS Support

by David Nagel
Executive Producer

Digidesign has shipped the first upgrade to its Pro Tools 5 LE audio suite. The software, in addition to adding support for Windows 98, includes a Mac-only beta of the first RTAS version of the DirectConnect Plugin. DirectConnect provides a direct path from host-based audio software directly into the Pro Tools mixing environment. Several software developers have announced DirectConnect-compatible versions of their host-based synths and samplers, including Studio 9000 by Koblo, Reaktor by Native Instruments, Alkali by Audio Genetics and Retro AS-1 and Unity DS-1 by Bitheadz, with ReBirth by Propellerheads expected soon, according to Digidesign.

Pro Tools LE is a limited version of Digidesign's Pro Tools. It supports up to 24 tracks of 16- or 24-bit audio and introduces the Real-Time AudioSuite (RTAS) plug-in architecture, delivering real-time, host-based mixing and effects processing. With the 5.0.1 release, Digidesign also adds a low-latency monitoring feature for both Digi 001 and Digi Toolbox XP systems.