Specifications

Chapter 1: Introduction 1
chapter 1
Introduction
Plug-ins are special-purpose software compo-
nents that provide additional signal processing
functionality to Pro Tools.
The DigiRack plug-ins included with Pro Tools
provide a comprehensive set of digital signal
processing effects that include EQ, dynamics,
delay, and other essential functions.
Plug-In Formats
There are three formats of plug-ins:
• TDM plug-ins (real-time, DSP-based)
•RTAS plug-ins (real-time, host-based)
• AudioSuite plug-ins (non-real-time, file-based
processing)
TDM Plug-Ins
(TDM Systems Only)
TDM plug-ins function as track inserts, are ap-
plied to audio during playback, and process au-
dio non-destructively in real time. TDM plug-
ins are designed for use on TDM-based Pro Tools
systems, and rely on the processing power of
Digidesign DSP cards.
The number and variety of TDM plug-ins that
you can use simultaneously in a session are lim-
ited only by the amount of DSP available. You
can increase available DSP by installing addi-
tional DSP cards in your computer. On HD-
series systems, use HD Core, HD Accel, or
HD Process cards; on MIX-series systems, use
MIX Core, MIX Farm, or DSP Farm cards. This
power-on-demand aspect is a significant advan-
tage of TDM-based systems.
RTAS Plug-Ins
RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite) plug-ins provide
features and functionality similar to their TDM
counterparts, but unlike TDM plug-ins, they rely
on and are limited by the processing power of
your computer. The more powerful your com-
puter, the greater the number and variety of
RTAS plug-ins that you can use simultaneously.
Because of this dependence on the CPU or
host
processing
, the more RTAS plug-ins you use con-
currently in a session, the greater the impact it
will have on other aspects of your system’s per-
formance, such as maximum track count, the
density of edits possible, and latency in automa-
tion and recording.
RTAS plug-ins can be used on both Pro Tools
TDM and LE systems.
MIX Farm and DSP Farm cards are not
supported on HD-series systems.