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Pro Tools 8 on Windows 7: A Review
Posted By PinnellProductions on Dec 04 2011 07:10 AM
I've used Pro Tools 7 & 8 on Mac for three years, but after having recently bought myself Windows and trying Adobe Audition, I resorted back to Pro Tools 8, but this time, on Windows. I spent yesterday working with Pro Tools 8 on Windows after having produced imaging for a client. Here's how I found it.
Interface and First Load:
The interface is much more differnt to that on Mac. It's not as sleek, but the principle design is just the same, even if it ls slightly more clunky. When setting up new tracks, it does take some time to remember the windows version of the keyboard shortcuts, but they are exactly like they are on Mac, just remember the Windows keyboard and how different it is.
On first load, the screen does look a little cluttered with the mix window, edit window and player controls being in full view. You can change what views you have by simply closing or moving the views, and the usual ctrl+= can switch between the edit and mixer windows with ease.
Editing, Mixing and more:
Adding tracks and importing files to the edit screen is also the same and as easy as if you were using a Mac, however you do notice the difference in the 'Import File' screen with your files on the left, when selected in the middle, then when you go to convert on the right. Sometimes when importing files, the importer froze, but this was only for a few seconds and the option to have it in the region list or a new track appears as normal.
Editing is as simple as ever, all the same functions work and all the shortcuts work as per usual. For my client yesterday, I had to use compression, and this was as simple as always and this function worked at the same speed as always. Changing from the edit to mix window was also effortless and using compression in this way was also done with ease, as was EQ and other functions.
Saving and mastering:
Bouncing tracks was all round okay, there were just a couple of times during playback when I would get a DAE error, but these soon passed. For the client yesterday, I had to bounce tracks at various lengths, ranging from 10 seconds, 2 minutes to 10 minutes. I found occassionaly during the bouncing process of all of these lengths, that it would occassionaly not bounce and error. I put this down to the first time I had properly used the programme on here. Another thing I noticed when bouncing was the countdown clock would freeze, but the audio would still play out. Again, I'm not sure whether this was because it was the first time I had used the software on here, or if it was a genuine bug. So long as the tracks bounced down properly, which they did, this did not bother me.Conclusions:
Overall, Pro Tools 8 on Windows is just like having Pro Tools 8 on Mac. It might not look as sleek as it does on the Mac counterpart, but it still produces the same high quality audio, which as a radio imaging and audio producer, is all I need it to do.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Pro Tools 8, whether you use it on Mac or Windows. Share them by commenting below.
This article was taken from 'Ian Pinnells Blog'. Ian is a Radio Imaging and Audio Producer. Find out more here.
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