Update: Avid Pro Tools 2023.6 adds Track Markers, More

The latest update for Avid Pro Tools, 2023.6, is here and it includes several new features. The update introduces track markers. It supports new track widths up to 9.1.6 and 7th Order Ambisonics. In addition, it includes enhancements such as an improved Event Operations window, 96 kHz Dolby Atmos® ADM support, Pro Tools | Carbon surround monitoring, and Scripting SDK updates among others.

What’s new in Pro Tools 2023.6

Below is a quick overview of what’s new. To learn about the new features in-depth, visit the Avid Resource Center. The information below is paraphrased from the release notes.

Track Markers

Users have been requesting marker improvements for several releases and they’re finally here! Track markers allow users to notate in time on a track. This can be used for referencing dialog or lyrics contained in the audio, and notating edits. Users can even attach them to a clip while editing.

Working with Media Composer? Pro Tools now supports Media Composer Track Markers!

New Track Widths (Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate only)

Pro Tools 2023.6 introduces new track and bus widths to Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate, which now add support for:

• Pro Tools Studio adds 5.0.2 through 7.1.6.
• Pro Tools Ultimate adds 5.0.2 through 9.1.6 and 4th through 7th order Ambisonics

Avid wanted to simplify the monitoring of Dolby Atmos mixes through Pro Tools. They improved the workflow for the pass-through signal from the renderer, or to import and playback re-renders.

They also wanted to make allow manufacturers to make better creative tools for 3D spaces. “While sending a format larger than 7.1.2 to the Dolby Atmos renderer bed is impossible, you can now use statically panned objects to break the 7.1.2 barrier. This concept may feel a little abstract at first, so we’ve included new track presets to help you get started. We’ve also created some tutorial videos, so please check those out. These new track formats allow you to use reverbs and instruments that take full advantage of the 3D space. A number of developers have already taken advantage of these wider audio paths in their plugins,” explain Chris Winsor and Daisuke Naito in the release notes.

Pro Tools 2023.6 includes updated Ambisonic formats to stay current with modern video game and virtual reality requirements. Pro Tools now offers higher spatial resolution for immersive audio. Get 64 channels of spatial resolution with 7th Order Ambisonics.

Workflow Enhancements

Event Operations window – UI/UX Improvements

Avid is committed to improving Pro Tools MIDI functionality, as they did with the Quantize Controls in the toolbars. While you’ve been able to edit your MIDI notes in the Event Operations window, it has been a bit hidden and underused. The Event Operations has been rebuilt and is easier to use.

• View all functions in a single window with expandable sections
• Apply functions faster with individual Apply buttons for each function
• Logically and consistently reorganized parameters between sections
• Note: All legacy Event Operations shortcuts will continue to work

Dolby Atmos Improvements (Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate only)

The new track formats have opened the door to more re-render formats. It’s now possible to bounce Binaural, 2.0, 5.1, 7.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.4, and 7.1.4 re-renders directly from Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate. In addition, Pro Tools Ultimate is able to bounce 9.1.6 re-renders. Additionally, Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate can deliver higher sample-rate mixes and generate 96kHz ADM BWF files.

Mixed MXF and QuickTime Video (Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate only)

New formats. Pro Tools previously supported only MOV or MXF video on a given video track.

MIDI Editor Improvements

See only relevant track types in the MIDI Editor Track list now. Making a selection in the Edit Window now determines the zoom level of targeted MIDI Editors.

Tab to Breakpoint Preference

In Pro Tools 2023.3, Avid added the ability to tab to automation breakpoints. It works great but it can slow things down. This release offers the ability to turn this feature off or assign the preference to a key modifier.

Pro tools | Carbon Surround Monitoring

Also new, surround monitoring support for the Pro Tools | Carbon audio interface – 5.1 up to 7.1.2 monitor configurations and everything in between. Read the in-depth article at Avid for much more information about these new capabilities.