“ProTools” is virtually synonymous with Digital Multi-tracking, and both the TDM (hardware-based, pro versions) and LE versions are very common, but I have found ProTools LE to fall far short of its reputation.

ProTools LE is a full-featured DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), capable of multi-track recording and mixing, MIDI sequencing, automation, and the like. It is certainly a very capable program and has many satisfied users. However, after years of struggle with PTLE, I have finally given up – I did not even bother to install it on my most recent computer. While pro-level TDM versions may be the “industry standard,” I have found that PTLE does not measure up – the interface is much more difficult to use compared to other DAWs, and I experienced constant crashes, hangs, and other stability issues with several versions of PTLE on multiple computers.

Since I have only used ProTools LE on the Mac platform, I cannot speak to either ProTools on PCs or TDM systems. Maybe others with experience with PTLE on Windows can chime in (I don’t think anyone considering a TDM system would be reading this review…). This review is also based on older versions (5.x – 6.92) since I just couldn’t bring myself to spend yet more money on new versions and find out what NEW bugs I would be trading my old bugs for…

Here’s the run-down in a nutshell:

the ProTools LE user interface (v 6.9.2)

Pros:

• very common DAW
• like the software used by the “big boys” (TDM ProTools)
• cheap ($300 for an audio interface, DAW, and bundled software)

Cons:

• Tied to Digidesign hardware – less choice in audio interface
• Only compatible with RTAS plug-in instruments & effects
• UI not as smooth or productive as other DAWs
• Ongoing problems with OS incompatibilities & crashes

Since Digidesign creates hybrid hardware/software systems, ProTools LE only runs if you have one of their audio interfaces (e.g. mbox) attached to your computer. This is very limiting if you want to use a different interface – either you’re SOL, or you need to attach both, in which case the mbox is a very expensive and inconvenient dongle. This becomes a very significant limitation if you’ve outgrown the cheap interface you originally bought with PTLE and want to move up to something other than the next Digidesign model.

In addition, ProTools LE will only host plug-ins (e.g. instruments or effects) that support the RTAS interface, which is Digidesign’s proprietary format. Unlike VST and AU formats, there is less selection among RTAS software. Many excellent high-end effects are available, but they are for the most part quite expensive. There are almost no free RTAS plug-ins and few lower-cost (e.g. less than a couple hundred dollars), which makes it hard to expand your system if you are on a budget. At the time I bought my copy of ProTools, it did come bundled with cut-down versions of Live and Reason, but only had a few built-in and bundled effects, and the built-in effect plug-ins were unremarkable, to say the least. It looks like the list of bundled effects has grown, which is great, but most of the older effects are still on the list and I would rate them as “adequate.”

Digidesign is touting great improvements to ProTool’s user interface, and I hope that’s true, because the versions I have used left quite a bit to be desired. In particular, the MIDI programming interface was so painful that I rarely used it (a tiny black& white grid with very little flexibility). The basic DAW functions (setting up tracks, recording, mixing, automating) can be accomplished pretty easily, but I did not find it a pleasure to use, as I have with other programs.

just another of ProTools LE 6.9.2's fine features

Every version of ProTools LE I tried had major problems with system incompatibilities and/or crashes. Each version had different bugs, but the ongoing parade of problems got old very quickly. These problems persisted through two major version upgrades and numerous smaller updates, and were present on at least two or three different Mac computers using different (Digidesign-approved) Mac OS versions. The last version I used (6.9.2) would cause a kernal panic (the “gray screen of death”) so often when quitting that I ALWAYS closed my project before quitting so the crash would not corrupt my project files.

Sound: 7

Certainly a decent workhorse program, it will get the job done but the bundled effects (in the version I had) were not that good.

Features: 9

ProTools is a full-featured DAW, with plenty of power. It does have some limitations – for example, you can only bounce tracks in real-time, which sounds minor until you have someone in a hurry to get out the door and you’re waiting for the bounce to finish so you can burn them a copy…

Versatility: 8

Limited selection of plug-ins, hardware restrictions

Simplicity: 7

The UI is not as streamlined or fun as I would like

Playability: n/a

Not designed for performance

Reliability: 5

Works, but plagued with serious bugs

Control: 10

Supports ample MIDI and hardware control options.

(Based on ProTools LE 5.x – 6.9.2 on various Mac OS versions, with original MBox and G4 PowerBook)