Auto Align v2 - Pro Tools workflow (insert VS ARA)

Hi all, just curious if there would be any difference in performance or processing if AA2 is used as an insert on an intended channel, as opposed to ARA processing?
I found the ARA workflow a bit clunky in Pro Tools, unintentional channels were being added, and to remove AA2 ARA processing took some effort. AA2 processing works via each method, but I’m curious if the user choose to use it as an insert, what is the best workflow? And at what point should the plug-in be removed as an insert to free up resources? Post removal of AA2, what happens to phase relationships of processed (+ parallel processed) channels during the actual mix down, as most plugins are mixed phase not minimal phase. Should AA2 be applied again post mix down to verify phase coherence?

I am aware that ARA is the new potential path forward for real-time audio processing, and it’s great that Avid have endorsed Sound Radix to be early participants, I am just not that familiar with the ARA workflow just yet. Just curious what workflow may work better for my needs.

Thanks!

Hi @barton.matt85,

Welcome to the Sound Radix forum!

Choosing between Auto-Align ARA and the insert plugin depends on your workflow preference.
There’s not much difference in CPU usage and the results should be identical as long as you capture the whole timeline into the insert plugin, as recommended.

I prefer ARA because it streamlines the process by removing the need to manually capture into the plugin, which saves time.

I also like the fact that Auto-Align ARA “lives in its own world”, and many times you can forget that it’s there while mixing away. It frees up an insert slot, and still, it’s easy to go back and revisit the alignment at any time.

You can keep AA2 running (ARA or Inset) until the final mixdown. If you choose to, you can render it at any time you prefer.

Auto-Align 2 should be used as the first insert slot or as an ARA plugin for each track you want align. I wouldn’t advise using it again at the end of your chain.

To avoid adding tracks you didn’t want to Auto-Align ARA:

  1. Select the first track by clicking on the track’s name in the Edit Window.
    Hold ‘Shift’, and click on the last track - all the tracks between will also be selected.
    Hold ‘Command’ (mac) / ‘Ctrl’ (Windows) and click to add single tracks to the selection.

  2. Hold ‘Option’ (mac) / ‘Alt’ (Windows) + ‘Shift’, click on the Elastic Audio Properties menu of any of the selected tracks, and select Auto-Align 2.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at support@soundradix.com.

Thanks,
Oran