# Real-Time AudioSuite

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**Real-Time AudioSuite** (**RTAS**) is an [audio plug-in](/source/Audio_plug-in) format developed by [Digidesign](/source/Digidesign), currently [Avid Technology](/source/Avid_Technology), for their [Pro Tools LE](/source/Pro_Tools#Pro_Tools_LE_systems) and [Pro Tools M-Powered systems](/source/Pro_Tools#Pro_Tools_M-Powered_systems), although they can be run on [Pro Tools HD](/source/Pro_Tools#Pro_Tools_HD_systems) and Pro Tools TDM systems. RTAS plug-ins use the processing power of the host computer rather than DSP cards used in the Pro Tools HD systems.[1][not in citation given] As the name suggests, the plug-in architecture is designed to be run in [real-time](/source/Real-time_computing), mimicking hardware inserts on traditional [mixing console](/source/Mixing_console). This is in contrast to rendering files out of time with effects applied directly to the audio, which in Pro Tools is facilitated by AudioSuite Plug-ins.[2] Avid's AAX format, which runs on both native CPU and Pro Tools HDX DSP, is the replacement for RTAS.

## Obsolescence

On April 7, 2013, Avid announced [Pro Tools](/source/Pro_Tools) 11. From this version forward, Avid has made the AAX plug-in the only format supported by Pro Tools. At launch, many third-party plug-in developers have yet to port their software to the new AAX format, so Avid will sell Pro Tools 11 with both an 11 and 10 license, allowing users to run Pro Tools 10.3.8, which is the last version that will support RTAS.

## Licensing

Most plug-ins employ some form of [copy protection](/source/Copy_protection), notably the PACE [iLok](/source/ILok) [dongle](/source/Dongle). Though there are some plug-ins available [free of charge](/source/Free_of_charge),[3] [there is no](/source/Gratis_versus_libre) accompanying [source code](/source/Source_code) or programming documentation available to the general public.

Developers must contact Avid for the SDK.[4] There are terms of disclosure on releasing information about Avid's development materials,[5] making official RTAS development incompatible with [open-source software](/source/Open-source_software).

## Virtual Studio Technology Rewrapping

FXpansion Audio produces a [VST](/source/Virtual_Studio_Technology) to RTAS converter which allows the use of plug-ins developed under [Steinberg](/source/Steinberg)'s development environment[6] inside of Pro Tools, expanding the [DAW's](/source/Digital_audio_workstation) processing capabilities.

FXpansion has stated that an RTAS to VST converter can not happen "for both technical and legal reasons."[7]

## Competing technologies

- [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.)'s [Audio Units](/source/Audio_Units)
- [LADSPA](/source/LADSPA), [DSSI](/source/Disposable_Soft_Synth_Interface) and [LV2](/source/LV2) for [Linux](/source/Linux)
- [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft)'s [DirectX](/source/DirectX)
- Steinberg's [Virtual Studio Technology](/source/Virtual_Studio_Technology)

## References

1. ["Avid – Technology and tools that empower media creators"](http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=115&itemid=4765&action=news_details)

1. ["Introduction to Pro Tools Plug-ins"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110927114542/http://www.avid.com/US/resources/introduction-to-pro-tools-plug-ins). Archived from [the original](http://www.avid.com/US/resources/introduction-to-pro-tools-plug-ins) on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2010-10-24.

1. [List of Freeware RTAS Plug-ins](http://www.dontcrack.com/freeware/software.php/id/7037/audio/Plug-ins/plugins/RTAS/)

1. ["Avid Audio Developer Registration"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101029232407/http://www.avid.com/US/partners/developer-program/AudioPlugin). Archived from [the original](http://www.avid.com/us/partners/Developer-Program/AudioPlugin) on 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2010-10-03.

1. [Avid Audio Plug-In Developer Program](http://www.avid.com/us/partners/audio-plugin-dev-program) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100501022737/http://www.avid.com/US/partners/audio-plugin-dev-program) 2010-05-01 at the Wayback Machine

1. [VST to RTAS Adapter v2](http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=15&tab=43)

1. [VST–RTAS Adapter FAQ](http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=15&tab=64#168)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Real-Time AudioSuite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-Time_AudioSuite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-Time_AudioSuite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.