Avid today announced native support for MPEG-H Audio in Pro Tools Studio and Pro Tools Ultimate, available with the Pro Tools 2026.4 release. Powered by Fraunhofer IIS and developed in close collaboration with Avid, this integration marks a major step forward in enabling immersive, interactive, and personalized audio production within one of the industry’s most widely used digital audio workstations.
The MPEG-H Renderer is available free of charge to active Pro Tools Studio and Ultimate customers via Avid Link and customer Avid Accounts. It seamlessly integrates into the Pro Tools workflow, allowing creators to produce object-based Next Generation Audio directly within their familiar environment – leveraging the new Pro Tools Immersive Panner along with native object and channel routing for intuitive 3D audio control.
“At Avid, we are committed to empowering creators with the tools they need to shape the future of media,” said Chris Winsor, Director of Product Management at Avid. “By integrating MPEG-H Audio into Pro Tools, we are enabling our users to deliver next-generation immersive and interactive audio experiences while maintaining full creative control.”
Bringing Personalization and Immersion into Pro Tools
MPEG-H Audio introduces advanced capabilities such as adjustable dialogue, multiple languages, selectable commentary, and accessibility features such as audio description. Adaptive Background Attenuation (ABA) further enhances clarity by automatically generating metadata-driven gain control for intelligent ducking in voice-over and accessibility scenarios – while preserving the integrity of the original mix.
Fully embedded in Pro Tools, MPEG-H enables efficient creation of object-based scenes, interactive elements, and dynamic metadata – all within a single, streamlined workflow.
Key features include:
- Native MPEG-H Audio Renderer integration within Pro Tools
- Bed and object creation directly from track outputs
- New Pro Tools Immersive Panner, fully integrated with MPEG-H, to use standard Pro Tools panning and automation to control MPEG-H sources
- Advanced dynamic metadata handling, including object positioning and automated creation of metadata-driven ducking
- Import and export of MPEG-H master formats (MPEG-H Production Format, MPEG-H BWF/ADM, MPEG-H MXF/S-ADM)
- Channel-based rendering and export workflows with process queue
- Integrated loudness monitoring and metering
A built-in Setup Assistant accelerates production by automatically configuring tracks, routing, and scene configuration for common use cases such as multi-language broadcast workflows.
One Production, Multiple Experiences
MPEG-H Audio transforms traditional fixed mixes into flexible, user-driven experiences. Creators can define which elements remain fixed and which can be personalized – enabling features such as dialogue control, multiple languages, and enhanced accessibility, all while preserving artistic intent.
With its integrated renderer, MPEG-H ensures consistent, high-quality playback across devices and environments, from mobile and headphones to home theaters and soundbars, meeting the demands of today’s multi-platform content consumption.
By combining immersive authoring, dynamic metadata, and flexible delivery in a single workflow, Pro Tools is now positioned as a powerful platform for Next Generation Audio production, enabling scalable and future-ready content creation.
“Bringing MPEG-H Audio into Pro Tools is a significant achievement for the entire ecosystem,” said Harald Fuchs, MPEG-H Audio Product Manager and Head of the Media Systems and Applications Department at Fraunhofer IIS. “After years of close collaboration with Avid, we’re excited to see immersive and personalized audio now fully integrated into one of the world’s most important production platforms.”
Explore MPEG-H in Pro Tools and learn more about the workflow, watch tutorial videos, and download the installer via your Avid Account or the Avid Link app.
About Avid Technology
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