Voice Usage and Total Latency for Native (Host-Based) Plug-Ins

(Avid HDX and Pro Tools|HD Systems Only)

With Avid HDX and Pro Tools|HD systems, the initial insert of a Native (host-based) plug-in (AAX or RTAS) may cause additional latency, and will take up two additional voices per channel (one voice for input and one voice for output) in the following conditions:

When inserted on an Auxiliary Input or Master Fader track

When inserted on an Instrument track that does not contain an instrument plug-in

When inserted after a DSP (AAX or TDM) plug-in on any kind of track

For example, the initial insert of a host-based plug-in on a mono Auxiliary Input track uses two voices (one channel with two voices), while the initial insert of that plug-in on a stereo Auxiliary Input track uses four voices (two channels with two voices each).

Subsequent host-based plug-ins on the same track do not take up additional voices unless a DSP (AAX or TDM) plug-in is inserted between other host‑based plug-ins.

Avoid inserting DSP (AAX or TDM) plug-ins between host-based, “Native” (AAX or RTAS) plug-ins on any kind of track—this causes unnecessary voice usage and may cause additional latency.

Audio tracks that have active host-based plug-in inserts cannot be explicitly voiced. The voice allocation must be set to Dynamic or Off.

Furthermore, one additional voice is used for each occurrence of any of the following conditions when using voices for host-based plug-ins on a track:

When you use the external key side-chain of a host-based plug-in on that track

When you select multiple track outputs for that track (one voice used for each output)

When you select an AFL/PFL Path output in the Output tab of the I/O Setup dialog (one voice used for each channel)