Avid has unleashed Pro Tools | Carbon, a new hybrid audio production system intended to create an improved tracking experience as it integrates Pro Tools with HDX DSP acceleration and the native CPU of the user’s computer.
Using Carbon’s onboard HDX DSP, the new Pro Tools Hybrid Engine simultaneously allows users to access on-demand, low-latency channels to record through AAX DSP plug-ins in real time—with sub-1 ms latency monitoring performance. Going between Native Mode and DSP Mode requires only a single button press per track in Pro Tools, allowing users to simplify their workflow for recording and mixing.
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Pro Tools | Carbon
ProTools | Carbon:
Hybrid Engine
AAX DSP, at the core of the Hybrid Engine, delivers the same sound quality in both native and HDX DSP Acceleration domains, enabling users to toggle in and out of DSP Mode while maintaining sound quality. This also enables music creators to disconnect Carbon and physically take their mix elsewhere or collaborate with others who don’t have the interface.
Double Resolution Clocking
Carbon features double resolution clocking, and what Avid says is its most transparent mic preamp design to date. With four headphone outputs to send individual monitor mixes, eight preamps combined with 16 channels of ADAT inputs and an onboard talkback mi, the unit can handle tracking a full band. Carbon requires an Ethernet connection to the host computer, aiming to preserve the highest possible sound quality from input to output, as well as ‘futureproof’ the unit.
Dark Mode
In addition, Pro Tools 2020 introduces a much-requested ‘Dark Mode’-style UI, as well as a new ability to analyze audio and render it as MIDI notes. For audio post professionals, Pro Tools 2020 includes native integration to export ADM files for Dolby Atmos, a new space clips function that lets users arrange a multitude of clips in a fraction of the time, and a reintroduction of the ability to bounce sessions to QuickTime formats in macOS Catalina.
Premium Plug-ins Included
In addition to the 116 AAX plug-ins that come with Pro Tools, which include the Avid Complete Plug-in Bundle, HEAT, and UVI Falcon, Carbon comes with a collection of premium plug-ins and sounds to get you started. Produce with virtual instruments from UVI and Native Instruments. Emulate mix environments with spatial audio processing from Embody. Dial in polished sounds with premium AAX DSP dynamics, EQ’s, and reverbs from McDSP, Arturia, and Plugin Alliance. And get three free months of Auto-Tune Unlimited. Then when you’re ready to take your sound further, there are thousands of AAX plug-ins and over 250 more AAX DSP available.
Sub-1 ms Latency Monitoring
With HDX DSP acceleration under the hood, Carbon is a powerhouse built on our industry-leading technologies. It’s finely tuned to process audio at blazing speed, so you can record with rock-solid sub-1 ms latency monitoring. Which means you’ll always hear yourself in perfect sync with the music as if you were playing live.
Thermal Design
A high-performance audio interface generates a lot of heat. That’s why we innovated a thermal design that quietly keeps Carbon cool – even when stacked with other gear in your rack. A single axial fan gently pushes air from the front of the interface to the back, modulating its speed to dissipate heat. Plus, it’s quiet, so it can stay in the same room with you as you record.
Mic Preamps
With a padless design, 126 dB dynamic range, and support for 32-bit / 192 kHz audio conversion, Carbon features the best preamps to date. Capture performances without coloration. Bypass any preamp to use your own outboard gear. And with Variable Z built in, you can adjust input impedance to optimize or alter the tone of any microphone or instrument—from dynamic and ribbon mics, to guitar and bass.
ProTools | Carbon Technical Specifications:
Combo Mic/Line Inputs
8 balanced XLR/TRS with Variable Z (impedance) on inputs 5–8
DB25 Line Inputs
8 balanced via 25-pin D-sub
Instrument (Variable Z) Inputs
Two unbalanced 1/4-inch TS
Digital Inputs
ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–96 kHz | ADAT: 8 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz
Mic Preamps
Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -105 dB (0.00056%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
EIN: -129 dB (A-weighted)
Line Inputs
Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -106 dB (0.0005%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
Line Inputs (True Bypass)
Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -113 dB (0.00022%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
Instrument Inputs
Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -103 dB (0.0007%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
DB25 Line Outputs
Eight balanced via 25-pin D-sub
Monitor Outputs
2 balanced 1/4-inch TRS
Headphone Outputs
Four stereo 1/4-inch TRS
Digital Outputs
ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–96 kHz
ADAT: 8 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz
Line Outputs
Dynamic Range: 120 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
Monitor Outputs
Dynamic Range: 120 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
Headphone Outputs
Power: 100 mW into 300 ohm; 200 mW into 32 ohm
Dynamic Range: 116 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N (32 ohm): -87 dB (0.0045%)
THD+N (300 ohm): -100 dB (0.001%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
HDX DSP Acceleration
Eight HDX DSP processors
(2.8 GHz aggregated processing)
