Pro Tools Intro vs First: What’s the Difference?

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Avid has discontinued Pro Tools First and replaced it with Pro Tools Intro as their free beginner digital audio workstation (DAW). In this article, we will look into the key differences between Pro Tools Intro and Pro Tools First so you can see what has changed. Let's explore the recent changes in Pro Tools new beginner app for music producers.

Feature Comparison: Pro Tools First vs Intro

Track Count: Pro Tools First allowed for up to 16 audio tracks and 16 instrument tracks, while Pro Tools Intro has limits of 8 audio tracks, 8 MIDI tracks, and 8 instrument tracks.
Plug-ins: Both versions include a selection of essential plug-ins like EQ and dynamics processing, but Pro Tools Intro offers 36 plug-ins compared to the basic offerings in Pro Tools First.
Compatibility: Pro Tools Intro supports third-party AAX plugins and the option for purchasing additional virtual instruments or effects from the Avid Marketplace.
Session Compatibility: Projects created in Pro Tools Intro can be opened in higher versions like Artist, Studio and Ultimate, giving users more flexibility for future upgrades.

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Pro Tools Intro Limitations

Track Restrictions: Pro Tools Intro comes with a limit of 8 audio tracks, 8 MIDI tracks, and 8 virtual instrument tracks. This poses a constraint for those looking to work on larger projects that require more tracks.
Auxiliary Tracks: Another limitation is the number of aux tracks available in Pro Tools Intro, which is capped at 4. This restricts the flexibility in routing and processing audio signals within your session.
Recording Constraints: Users are only able to record up to 4 tracks simultaneously in Pro Tools Intro. For those who need to capture multiple inputs at once, this can be a significant hindrance to their workflow.

Pricing and Licensing Options

Pro Tools First was free and Pro Tools Intro remains free as long as you have an iLok account and the recommended system requirements.
Pro Tools First allows you to optionally subscribe to the paid versions (Artist, Studio and Ultimate) at any time from your account page.
You can also upgrade your perpetual Pro Tools license (one-time payment, non subscription) if you have purchased a perpetual license in the past.

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Effects and Virtual Instruments

Pro Tools Intro includes 36 plugins and virtual instruments that provide a range of tools for music production. These include EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and all the usual suspects.
With Pro Tools First, users had access to a limited selection of these essential plugins and virtual instruments.

Third-Party Plugin Support

Pro Tools Intro now offers support for third-party plugins.
Access a wider range of options for enhancing your audio projects.
Experiment with new effects and tools to elevate your sound quality.

Saving Sessions: Cloud vs Computer

Pro Tools First only allowed you to to save 3 sessions to the cloud.
With Pro Tools Intro, you can save sessions directly to your computer's hard drive

In summary Pro Tools Intro offers a more comprehensive set of features and compatibility. Pro Tools First provided a great starting point with essential tools for beginners but had too many limitations like only being able to save to the cloud and incompatibility with VST plugins. Both versions maintain the Pro Tools quality and workflow, but the added capabilities of Intro is definitely an improvement.

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