Plug-In Formats

There are four plug-in formats supported by Pro Tools (AAX, TDM, RTAS, and AudioSuite), three of which can be used as real-time inserts, as follows:

TDM Plug-Ins

Provide real-time plug-in processing using dedicated DSP processing with Pro Tools|HD systems. TDM plug-in files use the “.dpm” file suffix.

AAX (Avid Audio Extension) Plug-Ins

Provide real-time plug-in processing using host-based (“Native”) processing or DSP-based (“DSP”) processing (Avid HDX systems only). The AAX plug-in format also supports AudioSuite non-real-time, file-based rendered processing. AAX plug-in files use the “.aax” file suffix.

RTAS (Real Time Audio Suite) Plug-Ins

Provide real-time plug-in processing using host-based (“Native”) processing. RTAS plug-in files use the “.dpm” file suffix.

AudioSuite Plug-Ins

Provide non-real-time (rendered), file-based processing plug-ins for Pro Tools. AudioSuite plug-in files may use either the “.aax” or “.dpm” file suffix.

For information on using AudioSuite plug-ins in Pro Tools, see AudioSuite Processing.

Depending on your Pro Tools software, real-time plug-ins can be used as follows:

Avid HDX Systems

AAX (DSP and host-based) and RTAS plug-ins can be used on audio, Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, and Instrument tracks.

Pro Tools|HD Systems

AAX (host-based only), TDM, and RTAS plug-ins can be used on audio, Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, and Instrument tracks.

With Avid HDX and Pro Tools|HD systems, Native (AAX and RTAS) plug-ins on Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, and Instrument tracks use additional voices and may introduce extra latency based on the HW Buffer Size. See Voice Usage and Total Latency for Native (Host-Based) Plug-Ins.

Pro Tools Host-Based Systems

AAX (host-based only) and RTAS plug-ins can be used on audio, Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, and Instrument tracks.

For tips on maximizing Native plug-in performance, see Configuring Pro Tools System Settings.