Digidesign DV Toolkit 2.x

Digidesign's DV Toolkit 2 is a bundle of software to use in tandem with Pro Tools LE as an expansion of the software. With the DV Toolkit 2, you can run up to 64 tracks in Pro Tools, when without it you can only run 48. It also comes with a slew of other plug-ins and utilities, including TL Space reverb (one of my favorite reverbs out there), DINR noise reduction, X-Form time/pitch stretcher, DigiBase, DigiTranslator, and the MP3 export option. The process of installing the toolkit took a bit longer than your average software did, as I had to install all the different components of the bundle. Either way, it didn't take very long and I didn't have any compatibility issues since I was already running Pro Tools without a problem. Getting used the individual pieces of software here might take a little while, as there is a lot that this has to offer, but none of it is all that complicated or confusing - at least I didn't find them to be.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

While it varies from plug-in to plug-in in terms of performance, generally the Digidesign DV Toolkit 2 will help your system rather than hurt it. It really all depends on what type of system you're trying to run this on though, because if your system was having trouble running 48 tracks at a time, you surely can't run 64. I'm running the DV Toolkit 2 on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run Pro Tools LE 7.4 with a Digi 002R audio interface. Each of the individual pieces of software and the expansion in Pro Tools in terms of tracks runs just fine within my configuration. How well the bundle will run solely depends on the system you've got it on.

OVERALL OPINION

If you are considering one or more of the plug-ins found in the Digidesign DV Toolkit 2, it is definitely worth while to get the entire bundle, as you'll save a lot of money per plug-in. The DV Toolkit 2 is great for users who are both experienced with Pro Tools and want to expand with it, or who want to get the works right off the bat in their new Pro Tools system. Either way the DV Toolkit 2 is a great way to make a powerful program to begin with even more powerful. The price isn't the cheapest in the world for a bundle, but when you consider the price per plug-in, it is definitely a good money saving deal all in all. While TL Space reverb is my favorite in this collection, there are a ton of useful items in the DV Toolkit 2 that are absolutely worth checking it out for...