Pro Tools | First is a forthcoming free version of the flagship Pro Tools digital audio workstation software by Avid, expected for release in the first quarter of 2015.
This is certainly an exciting announcement, considering the reputation of Pro Tools and the fact that this will be the first ever free version of Avid’s flagship product. Although Pro Tools | First hasn’t been released yet, we already have access to the official feature list. Let’s take a closer look at the limitations of the forthcoming free version of Pro Tools and try to figure out how excited should we really get about this forthcoming freebie release.
The most notable limitation of Pro Tools | First is the fact that the users of the free version will be limited to three projects. Also, it won’t be possible to save the projects on your local hard drive. Instead of that, the projects will need to be stored on Avid’s cloud storage service, which also means that constant access to a decent Internet connection will be one of the requirements for using the application. Additional project slots will be offered as an add-on purchase to Pro Tools | First users.
Using cloud storage for saving projects is not a bad idea at all, as it makes it possible to work on your music from different locations, as well as to collaborate with other people. On the other hand, being limited to using cloud storage as the only way of saving your projects can be a serious deal breaker in many situations. Constant access to a broadband Internet connection will be an absolute must in this case and I don’t really consider myself eager to risk losing my projects due to server crashes or other unforeseen circumstances. Even more notably, being limited to only three saved projects is a very serious drawback.
On the positive side, the free version of Pro Tools will include many of the features seen in the full version of the application and it seems like it will be a very powerful music making platform on its own. With all of this in mind, I’m still looking forward to the release of Pro Tools | First and I’m hoping that it will prove to be a good solution for music makers on a budget. We’ll still have to wait for a couple of months before the software is officially released, though.
If you’re looking for a free music making platform to use in the meanwhile, take a look at Studio One Free, as well as Zynewave Podium Free which still remains the undisputed champion of freeware DAWs. More free alternatives are available in our round-up of free VST host applications.
Video Demo
Check out the Pro Tools | First intro video:
More Info
Get more info about Pro Tools | First via Avid.
13 Comments
Dvae
onSorry it’s not actually “the first ever free version”, there was a Pro Tools Free back in the Digidesign days.
cync
onI hear a lot of talk about people making music on different DAWs then importing the final mixdown to protools for mastering, it is supposedly better for post production. It looks like I will get to find out soon if this is true.
Only three projects? Bummer :\
Got all excited, then read about 3 projects, and storage via cloud. Not for me. I don’t have my music computer anywhere near the internet. Seems too restrictive, even for a freebie.
Paul D.
onWithout VST support is not very usefull.
abztractbeats
onBy three tracks, do they mean three tracks saved at any one time? Or you can only ever create three tracks? I mean you could use one or send it to somewhere and free up another slot right? Hope you get what I mean…
Bedroom Producers Blog
onI know what you mean! We’ll have to wait for the release to make sure, but I think that we will be able to have three projects saved in the cloud at the same time. In other words, you’ll be able to create more than three tracks, but only keep three saved at the same time.
Stepaan
onOf course they’re not giving anything for free. They’re just gathering new customers for their paid products. And this should be considered as a free sample, nothing more. I’m never gonna give them 900 bucks for the full version so I will stay with Reaper :-) And happy. :-)
JG
onF*** u AVID!
roon
onMicrotransactions aren’t something that one would expect to find in a DAW…
Bob
onWelcome to Music Production: The MMO!
Holly
onAll that requirements are not cool at all! Well, still a good news, Storage Earlsfield Ltd.
Mark
onPro Tools First has been discontinued.