Avid has announced Pro Tools | Sync X to replace the Sync HD unit. The Sync X has been designed to be part of the backbone of any audio post or large music production studio, providing reliable low-jitter clocking, near sample-accurate lock, and precision frame edge alignment. But why? We explain…

Do We Still Need A Synchronizer For Pro Tools?

You would have thought that no longer needing to lock a Pro Tools rig together with a tape deck, even a digital one, that we would no longer need a synchronizer like the old Sync HD or the new Sync X.

You can lock multiple Pro Tools systems together very tightly using the Avid Satellite system without needing a Sync HD and common reference as long as video is NOT involved.

However we do still need is to be able to lock multiple digital systems together including Pro Tools, when video is involved. Avid’s Pro Tools Sync X has been designed to be that device.

What Is Pro Tools Sync X From Avid?

Pro Tools Sync X is a master clock and is essential for maintaining precise synchronization across multiple Pro Tools systems, audio interfaces, video playback devices, and other digital gear.

It’s a critical component for dubbing, ADR, Foley, and other complex audio post workflows that work with video. Its extensive I/O and format support have been designed to make it easy to connect with a wide range of devices.

For independent re-recording mixers, sound designers, sound editors, and audio freelancers working with video, Pro Tools Sync X is a vital component for smaller post rooms and with its low-jitter clock and onboard video reference generator, it has been designed to eliminate the need for extra hardware, reducing costs.

The built-in video reference generator supports all industry-standard clock references, video references, pull-up/down rates, and HD/SD formats for film and TV, making Sync X an ideal central reference device for syncing your entire studio. With Sync X, an external video reference generator is no longer needed and everything can be configured and controlled from within Pro Tools.

What Makes Sync X Different?

• Double resolution clocking design enables faster and more accurate lock to external sources

• Onboard video reference generator eliminates the need for an external source

• Automatic video reference detection provides better workflow efficiency

• Temperature-compensated oscillator maintains clock accuracy when temperatures vary

• 10 MHz input enables connecting to atomic master clocks

• High-res OLED front panel display provides more detail and better visual feedback

• Six Word Clock outputs enable more clock signal distribution

How Does the New Sync X Compare With The Old Sync HD?

Pro Tools Sync X Key Features In More Detail

• Get accurate sync and frame edge alignment - Working in concert with all major clock and video reference formats, Sync X is designed to keep your audio and video devices in sync, enabling Pro Tools to automatically align to the video frame edge with complete positional accuracy, which is a critical requirement for dubbing workflows.

• Gain flexibility with the onboard video reference generator - With the new Pro Tools Sync X, there is no need to rely on video reference from an external device. Sync X provides an onboard video reference generator with four outputs to distribute signals to other peripherals, cutting complexity and costs. If you already have an external video reference generator, Sync X can receive video reference too, with automatic format detection.

• Easily sync multiple devices - Sync X supports all industry-standard clock sources (including Word Clock, Loop Sync, and AES3), positional reference formats (including LTC, Serial Timecode, and Bi-Phase/Tach), SD and HD reference formats, and pull-up/pull-down rates for film and video, making it an easy fit into any audio post-production environment.

• Lock to sources quickly and accurately - With exceptionally low jitter JetPLL clocking technology, Sync X locks to external sources faster and more accurately than its predecessor, the Pro Tools SYNC HD. The Sync X master oscillator runs at 100 MHz, which Avid say is twice as fast as typical JetPLL-based clocks and twice as accurate.

• Sync up your entire studio - With six ultra-low-jitter Word Clock outputs, you can distribute clock signal to other Pro Tools interfaces and audio devices to keep everything in sync.

• Get flexibility with 10 MHz and AES3id I/O - Sync X has been designed to make it easy to work with high-end master clocks by locking to them through its 10 MHz clock input. If you require long cable runs, such as across large post facilities, you can send or receive AES3 or AES3id signal to supported devices, giving you greater flexibility.

• Streamline dual operator workflows - Sync X enables multiple Satellite-linked Pro Tools systems to sync in tandem to support multi-operator mixing environments, where dialogue, music, and sound effects are handled by separate systems. This eliminates any possible drift to maintain near sample-accurate lock to frame edge.

• Control Sync X and other devices from Pro Tools - From configuring your clock and video reference sources to selecting pull-down rates and fine-tuning device speeds, all Sync X settings can be controlled directly in your Pro Tools Ultimate software. Sync X also offers a 9-pin connection, enabling you to control other devices from Pro Tools, like a video deck.

• Keep cool when production gets hot - Temperature fluctuations can sometimes affect a device’s musical pitch. With a temperature-compensated oscillator, Sync X has been designed to provide reliable clocking, even as temperatures vary, maintaining frequency accuracy to within ±1 part per million.

• Get peace of mind with minimal downtime - Avid is offering a Pro Tools Sync X Extended Hardware Support Plan that extends the standard 1-year hardware warranty to a 3-year support plan. Available for purchase within the first 90 days of registration, it also provides zero-downtime advanced hardware replacement with overnight shipping, so you can keep working and not be held up waiting on a repair.

Pro Tools Sync X Price And Availability

The new Avid Pro Tools Sync X is priced at $2999 and should be available from an Avid dealer near you now.