Zoom Partners With Avid (Link To News Release)

[Jim_Fogle]

Zoom has entered into a partnership with Avid to offer a free version of Protools named "Protools First". This offer is available when purchasing the Zoom LiveTrak L-12 Digital Mixer + Recorder or Zoom’s Handy Audio Interfaces (U-44, U-24, U-22). https://www.zoom.co.jp/news/ProToolsFirst_for_L-12 and https://westlakepro.com/product/avid-pro-tools-first/.

The second link details what is included with Protools First. The link on Zoom's site sends you to a japanese language webpage.

[stubbsonic]

That's interesting news. I'm a MOTU DP user, but occasionally want a different editor for MIDI which has become a bit more clunky over the years in DP. Still DP has best-in-class editing features, just clunky things about selection that get on my nerves.

I was considering one of the "Handy" audio interfaces, for live gigs, mobile recording and for as a general back-up interface. The reviews seem pretty positive mostly.

This inclusion of ProTools First is pretty nice. Is it generally a FREE app anyway? It looks like you get more plug-ins when you get the bundled version.

[Jim_Fogle]

Avid introduced a free version of ProTools about two years ago. That version didn't have any effects, a limited number of channels and no master file export other than saving projects to their cloud storage. I don't think many people jumped on the ProTools bandwagon after using that software.

I'm not 100% sure but I believe the Zoom free package includes a few more effects. I imagine there is a control surface template that assures a good match up between the hardware and software.

Personally I really like the Livetrack L-12 ($599 US) and Livetrack L-20 (Pricing not released yet). I imagine they will replace the R16 and R24 once existing stock is sold.

Overall it looks to me like Zoom is trying to upscale all their product line.

[stubbsonic]

They do look like cool and useful products. And adding in a fairly high functioning version of ProTools is a smart move-- making it a smart purchase for consumers.