We are receiving the same questions over and over via email (or Facebook) regarding upgrading to Pro Tools 11, so here are the answers to the top 5 questions.

I have installed Pro Tools 11; when I open an older session, there are plug-ins missing.

Pro Tools 11 will only work with AAX plug-ins that have been coded for 64-bit. If your plug-ins are 32-bit AAX they won’t work; if they are RTAS, they won’t work.  This isn’t a surprise or a conspiracy.  Avid were completely up front about this when they released Pro Tools 10.

If there are plug-ins you need to use now that aren’t yet AAX 64-bit, continuing using Pro Tools 10.3.6 which will still work with AAX 32-bit and RTAS plug-ins. When you upgrade to Pro Tools 11, you get a bundled Pro Tools 10/11 license and PT 10.3.6 is the only version of Pro Tools 10 which will work on the same machine beside Pro Tools 11.

When will plug-in Z work with Pro Tools 11?

The release dates for each third-party plug-in are the responsibility of that plug-in developer, and that developer has to make a decision when to produce 64-bit AAX versions of their plug-ins. The easiest thing to do is check our AAX Database and see what plug-ins are listed. The database shows the release date for the AAX 32-bit version and then, when appropriate. a release date for the AAX 64-bit version. In addition, if we have information on projected release dates, those dates are included. Some developers are being very open about upcoming release dates, whilst others are not. If it isn’t on our AAX Database, then we don’t know the answer. If you have (or spot) any new information that isn’t on our database, do let us know please. 

Will interface X work with Pro Tools 11?

With Pro Tools 11 vanilla Avid’s compatibilty chart lists the 003 family, the Mbox 3 family, Mbox 2 family, and the Fast Track family. Avid have listed the 002 family as untested but we are seeing reports they continue to work. Avid doesn’t officially support any 3rd party interfaces.

You should also check the web site for the brand of interface you are looking at for information about that interface’s Pro Tools compatibility. But, as a general guide, if the interface supports Core Audio on the Mac or ASIO for Windows, it should work in Pro Tools 11; but do check for the latest drivers before upgrading to Pro Tools 11.

For Pro Tools 11HD, Avid have dropped official support for blue fronted interfaces like the 192, 96, etc. However, those interfaces are now in the untested category, but they continue to work with Pro Tools 11HD with HD Native and HDX cards. 3rd party HD interfaces from Lynx, Apogee and others are in the same “boat” as the blue interfaces; not officially supported but continuing to work. HD TDM cards will not work with Pro Tools 11.

Do I need a 2nd generation iLok with Pro Tools 11?

The simple answer is yes, you do, so if you haven’t got an iLok 2, then buy one before you upgrade to Pro Tools 11. <ore and more plug-in developers are now using iLok code that only works on a second generation iLok and Pro Tools 11 is in that group. The new PACE iLok License Manager will show it by displaying a greyed out iLok 1 icon.

Can I open and save older sessions in Pro Tools 11?

Yes, you can. Pro Tools 11 will open sessions as far back as 5.1 and by using the “Save Session Copy” option, you can save sessions in the latest version for Pro Tools 10 & 11, Pro Tools 7 to 9 or Pro Tools 5.1 to 6.9. You should have no problems working on a session in PT11 and then opening in PT10. But for earlier versions, you will need to use the Save Session Copy option in the File menu. Pro Tools 10 can go as far back as Pro Tools 4.