For audio editors, mixers, and producers that want to be able to work remotely but still collaborate with their fellow creatives, technology has come a long way to make the process more seamless than ever before.
If you’re working in Avid Pro Tools, there is a wide range of collaboration tools available to integrate into your workflow. In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of our favorites so you can figure out which tools are perfect for your team’s workflow.
Does Pro Tools offer a native collaboration feature?
Avid has a remote, cloud-based collaboration tool called Avid Cloud Collaboration for Pro Tools. This tool allows multiple Pro Tools users to share audio files and edit within the same Pro Tools session via the cloud. It’s already built-in to the Pro Tools program, so it’s ready to go when you are.
Pros and cons of Cloud Remote
Pros:
- Integrated directly into Pro Tools
- Allows multiple mixers or editors to work on one project
- Integrated text chat helps collaborators communicate in real-time
- Integrated cloud storage ensures nothing gets lost
Cons:
- There are no audio or video communication features to enhance communication between editors
- It only works if everyone has Pro Tools
Honestly, Avid has come a long way in the remote collaboration space, and the Pro Tools cloud collaboration tools are some of the best “baked in” remote work features we’ve seen. However, it still doesn’t really replicate the feeling of sitting in the studio together and brainstorming new ideas for a track.
Now, if you want to expand your ability to cohesively collaborate throughout the post-production process, check out these additional tools available for Pro Tools editors.
Tools that can help your team collaborate in Pro Tools
Tool #1: Evercast
Evercast is a virtual collaboration room that allows creative teams to talk, review, and edit their work all inside of one platform. With Evercast, you and your team can talk face-to-face while you jam, edit, brainstorm, and master.
It works seamlessly with any professional audio editing and recording software, so you’re never tied down to just one application. In fact, think of Evercast more like a virtual collaboration space that you can “rent” from anywhere.
Pros:
- Ultra-low latency (less than 150ms on average) means that you’ll be able to chat in as close to real-time as possible.
- On-screen annotation and timestamped notes help you keep project notes organized and accurate.
- The platform allows for simultaneous video chatting, text chatting/note-taking, and workstation streaming, all under one clean interface.
- No additional software is required for participants just joining a meeting; they simply need to follow a link to join.
- Works with all creative software.
Cons:
- Requires some setup time and configuration for editors and producers who want to stream their workstations (this is just a one-time setup).
- May be slightly more expensive than other tools for smaller teams.
Create together remotely, in real time
Tool #2: Frame.io
Frame.io is a storage, review, and feedback platform that you can custom-fit to your workflow. It allows you to share, annotate, and manage all of your media at each stage of a project and includes tools to help you manage multiple projects simultaneously.
The platform works exceptionally well for sharing new mixes and clips and getting instant feedback. It’s also a popular way to keep external stakeholders in the loop on their own schedule.
Pros:
- One-click comment/task clearing.
- Version tracking.
- Works with any type of media exports.
Cons:
- No video chat integration.
- You need to upload your project files to make comments and notes, which can take time for more extensive projects.
- Not designed for applying edits while notes are given.
Tool #3: SourceConnect
SourceConnect is a remote audio collaboration solution developed by the team at Source Elements. It was one of the first remote collaboration tools released for audio engineers, and allows you to record, edit, and review audio from anywhere.
Pros:
- Ultra-low latency.
- Works with any professional DAW.
- Allows for remote direction as well as recording.
Cons:
- You pay per license to use, limiting the number of people who can join a session.
- Does not include a native video chat feature (requires you to integrate with external clients like Zoom or Skype).
Tool #4: Listento
Listento by Audiomovers is a universal plugin that allows anyone to stream high-quality audio from their DAW. It’s a great option for producers and mixers who want to review track edits as they work and incorporate feedback live, all while the team works remotely.
Pros:
- Works with any DAW, including Pro Tools
- Basic plan allows you to stream to up to 10 people simultaneously
- Boasts up to 32-bit/96 kHz streaming quality, so you don’t miss a detail
Cons:
- No video chat option
- No way to make visual or text notes through the program
- Only allows additional collaborators to listen in, not make direct edits or record inside of Pro Tools.
Now you can collaborate from anywhere
The biggest benefit of all these remote collaboration tools is that you can find audio professionals to join your team and it doesn’t matter where they’re located. You can each weigh in on the audio project from the comfort of your own home. Audio production doesn’t have to take place in the same space.
We could not be more thrilled to see how many tools are now available to help creative teams do better work at a distance, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll enable you to create next.
