For artists, bands, and producers, Pro Tools | Carbon is a new breed of audio interface—built to capture brilliance. It’s a hybrid audio production system that features incredible sound quality and combines the power of your native CPU with onboard HDX DSP acceleration. So you can push your computer to the limit when you mix and record through AAX DSP plugins with near-zero latency monitoring. All at the touch of a button. All in Pro Tools.

PRO TOOLS INTEGRATION 

Hardware and software.  Made for each other.

With intelligent Pro Tools integration, you’ll work smoothly all in one creative environment. The Hybrid Engine lets you offload real-time AAX DSP plugin processing to Carbon at will. This means you can record with a polished sound that brings out the best in your performance. No more third-party apps to slow you down. Just focus on the music you’re making—not what you’re making it with.

The best in both worlds. 

The Hybrid Engine maximizes the performance of Pro Tools by using your native CPU and HDX DSP processing at the same time. When you put a track in DSP Mode, Carbon accelerates real-time AAX DSP plugins while your CPU plays back the rest of your mix. And because every AAX DSP plugin has a native counterpart, you can move seamlessly between worlds—just click a button. Record with HDX DSP power for near-zero latency monitoring. And work natively with the same plugins.

Technical Specifications

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 

Avid-qualified Ethernet or Thunderbolt-equipped Mac computer (see details)  

INPUTS 

Combo Mic/Line Inputs 

8 balanced XLR/TRS with Variable Z (impedance) on inputs 5–8

DB25 Line Inputs 

8 balanced via 25-pin D-sub

Instrument (Variable Z) Inputs 

2 unbalanced ¼-inch TS

Digital Inputs 

ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–96 kHz
ADAT: 8 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz

A/D CONVERSION 

Mic Preamps 

Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -105 dB (0.00056%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
EIN: -129 dB (A-weighted)

Line Inputs

Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -106 dB (0.0005%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB

Line Inputs (True Bypass) 

Dynamic Range: 126 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -113 dB (0.00022%) 
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB

Instrument Inputs

Dynamic Range: 125 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -103 dB (0.0007%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB

OUTPUTS

DB25 Line Outputs 

8 balanced via 25-pin D-sub

Monitor Outputs 

2 balanced ¼-inch TRS

Headphone Outputs 

4 stereo ¼-inch TRS

Digital Outputs 

ADAT: 16 channels @ 44.1–96 kHz
ADAT: 8 channels @ 176.4–192 kHz

D/A CONVERSION 

Line Outputs 

Dynamic Range: 120 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB

Monitor Outputs 

Dynamic Range: 120 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N: -110 dB (0.0003%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB

Headphone Outputs 

Power: 100 mW into 300 ohm; 200 mW into 32 ohm
Dynamic Range: 116 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N (32 ohm): -87 dB (0.0045%)
THD+N (300 ohm): -100 dB (0.001%)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0.1 dB

DSP ACCELERATION 

HDX DSP 

8 HDX DSP processors
(2.8 GHz aggregated processing)

WHAT’S INCLUDED 

Pro Tools | Carbon audio interface 

Pro Tools software
1-year subscription with a Pro Tools perpetual parachute*
116 AAX plugins (over 70 AAX DSP plugins), including UVI Falcon, Celemony Melodyne 5 essential, the Avid Complete Plugin Bundle, and HEAT
3 free months of Antares Auto-Tune Unlimited, including Auto-Tune Hybrid
5.4 GB sound library
Standard support

Included premium plugins 

Arturia Rev PLATE-140
Brainworx bx_console N
Brainworx bx_rockrack
Brainworx bx_masterdesk
Brainworx bx_Purple Audio MC77
Embody Immerse Virtual Studio
McDSP 6050 Ultimate Channel Strip HD
Native Instruments Vintage Organs
UVI Model D 

Accessories 

Power cable
Ethernet cable 
Rackmount screws and desktop feet
Registration card

* Carbon comes with a 1-year subscription to Pro Tools software, which includes access to the Avid Complete Plugin Bundle, HEAT, UVI Falcon 2, Celemony Melodyne 5 essential, a 5,4 GB Sound-Library, and Standard support, renewable annually. If you choose not to renew your subscription, your Pro Tools license includes a “perpetual parachute” that allows you to continue using Pro Tools at the last version you downloaded (it won’t ever expire). Please note that you will need to renew your subscription if you’d like to continue receiving access to the latest Pro Tools updates and all bundled items noted above. To learn more, visit avid.com/carbon-faq.