Digidesign:
DirectConnect, Digidesign’s new host-based audio streaming technology, is helping to open up more creative possibilities than ever for Pro Tools users. DirectConnect is a TDM/RTAS Plug-In that allows audio data from a software synthesizer or sampler to appear on the Pro Tools virtual mixer. The Plug-In is currently available for Mac OS-based Pro Tools|24 MIX and Pro Tools|24 MIXplus systems, with RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite) and Windows compatibility coming soon.

With DirectConnect, sounds and compositions created with a supported third-party application can be brought into Pro Tools for additional mixing and processing. Currently, DirectConnect is supported by Koblo’s Studio9000, with support coming soon for ReBirth (Propellerheads), Retro AS-1 and Unity DS-1 (Bitheadz), and Reaktor (Native Instruments).

Up to 32 discrete channels from the host application will appear as 32 discrete inputs in Pro Tools. The technology is transparent to the user, setup is simple, and no additional hardware is required. Unlike other streaming technologies, DirectConnect supports up to 24-bit resolution for the best audio quality available.