Pro Tools | Carbon is a new type of audio interface from Avid. It is a hybrid system for professional audio production with unsurpassed sound quality, which combines the computer's own cpu power with built-in HDX DSP acceleration.
You can use almost all of your computer's resources at the same time when mixing and still recording through AAX DSP plug-ins with close to 0 latency. And you stay in Pro Tools throughout the process.
DSP and native - the best of both worlds
Thanks to the new Hybrid Engine, you can move a track and its associated plug-ins and auxiliary channels to DSP mode at the touch of a button, so you get the super low and completely inaudible latency known from the Pro Tools HDX system. When the track is no longer to be used for recording, you move the track back to native mode, freeing up the DSP for use on other channels. Since all AAX DSP plug-ins are also available in a native version, Pro Tools handles the whole process imperceptibly for the user.
AAX - designed for more than one format
64-bit float double processing and an unsurpassed dynamic range characterize AAX plug-ins. The architecture is born to the hybrid possibilities and delivers the same sound quality in both DSP and native domain. This means you can take your mix around and collaborate with others who do not own a Carbon interface.
HDX DSP acceleration
With eight built-in HDX DSP chips, Carbon is a powerhouse. No matter how big your session has become or how many plug-ins you load, you can always record with less than a 1 ms latency. And you free up your computer's CPU for virtual instruments and mix.
New converters and preamps
With a dynamic range of 126 dB and support for 32-bit / 192 kHz audio conversion, Carbon is also equipped with the best preamps that Avid has ever delivered. With Carbon you can be sure to be able to make the absolute cleanest shots either through the built-in preamps or by connecting your own favorites. With built-in variable impedance, you can get an optimally matched signal from any type of microphone, or from guitar and bass.
Lots of I / O
With 25 × 34 simultaneous in / out, Carbon is ready for any type of session from solo artist to full orchestra. Eight crystal clear preamps, built-in talkback, four headphone outputs and 16-channel ADAT I / O open up a myriad of options for recording, cue mix and monitoring with multiple speaker sets. The super-fast Ethernet connection not only ensures a stable signal path, but is also designed for future expansion possibilities.
Pro Tools and plug-ins included
Carbon is included
1-year Pro Tools subscription with "perpetual parachute" *
115 AAX plug-ins (including 70 AAX DSP plug-ins) i.a. UVI Falcon, Avid Complete Plug-in Bundle and Heat
5.4 GB audio library
Additional plug-ins included:
• Arturia Reef PLATE-140
• Brainworx bx_console N
• Brainworx bx_rockrack
• Brainworx bx_masterdesk
• Brainworx Purple Audio MC77
• Embody Immerse Virtual Studio
• McDSP 6050 Ultimate Channel Strip HD
• Native Instruments Vintage Organs
• UTI Model D
* Carbon comes with a one-year Pro Tools subscription, which must be renewed each year if you want future updates. If you choose not to renew, the license will be changed to a perpetual permanent license, so you can continue to use Pro Tools and the plug-ins that came with it as perpetual licenses. If you already have a Pro Tools or Pro Tools Ultimate license (perpetual or subscription) with an active update plan, you can instead of starting a new subscription choose to extend your current update plan or subscription by one year.
At launch, Carbon can only be used on Mac computers and requires MacOS Catalina and Pro Tools 2020.11. Windows compatibility is expected later.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Avid-qualified Ethernet or Thunderbolt-equipped Mac computer (see details)
INPUTS
Combo Mic / Line Inputs
8 balanced XLR / TRS with Variable Z (impedance) on inputs 5–8
DB25 Line Inputs
8 balanced via 25-pin D-sub
Instrument (Variable Z) Inputs
2 unbalanced ¼-inch TS
Digital Inputs
ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–96 kHz
ADAT: 8 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz
A / D CONVERSION
Mic Preamps
Dynamic Range: 126dB (A-weighted)
THD + N: -105 dB (0.00056%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
EIN: -129dB (A-weighted)
Line Inputs
Dynamic Range: 125dB (A-weighted)
THD + N: -106 dB (0.0005%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
Line Inputs (True Bypass)
Dynamic Range: 126dB (A-weighted)
THD + N: -113 dB (0.00022%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
Instrument Inputs
Dynamic Range: 125dB (A-weighted)
THD + N: -103 dB (0.0007%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
OUTPUTS
DB25 Line Outputs
8 balanced via 25-pin D-sub
Monitor Outputs
2 balanced ¼-inch TRS
Headphone Outputs
4 stereo ¼-inch TRS
Digital Outputs
ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–96 kHz
ADAT: 8 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz
D / A CONVERSION
Line Outputs
Dynamic Range: 120dB (A-weighted)
THD + N: -110 dB (0.0003%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
Monitor Outputs
Dynamic Range: 120dB (A-weighted)
THD + N: -110 dB (0.0003%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
Headphone Outputs
Power: 100 mW into 300 ohms; 200 mW into 32 ohms
Dynamic Range: 116dB (A-weighted)
THD + N (32 ohms): -87 dB (0.0045%)
THD + N (300 ohms): -100 dB (0.001%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
DSP ACCELERATION
HDX DSP
8 HDX DSP processors
(2.8 GHz aggregated processing)