Avid released Pro Tools 2026.11 on November 5, 2026. The update introduces Pro Tools Extensions, a new plugin format for session-wide tools, and ships with a local AI Stem Separator that splits audio into up to six stems. It also adds MPE support, High DPI scaling on Windows and automatic colour coding for playlist takes. Stem Separator is included with every version of Pro Tools, including the free Pro Tools Intro.
Pro Tools Extensions
Extensions are a new plugin format for tools that work across a whole session or several tracks at once. You open them from the Edit window. They are separate from AAX plugins, which run on individual tracks.
- Partner Extensions at launch: Pro Sound Effects, Soundly, Forte and Pibox
- The existing Splice and SoundFlow integrations now run as Extensions
Stem Separator
The first Avid-made Extension is an AI stem splitter that runs locally, so nothing is uploaded to the cloud.
- Splits audio into up to six stems: vocals, drums, bass, guitar, keys and other
- Drag audio into the panel, preview the stems, then bring them into the session as tracks
- Included at no extra cost with all versions, including Pro Tools Intro
- According to Production Expert, Avid says user audio is not used to train AI models
MPE support
Pro Tools 2026.11 adds MIDI Polyphonic Expression, which lets you control pitch, timbre and pressure separately for each note. You can set Instrument or MIDI tracks as MPE tracks to record and edit expressive performances from MPE controllers.
Windows and workflow updates
- High DPI support on Windows, with automatic per-monitor scaling
- Improved dark theme for title bars, menus and dialogs on Windows
- Playlist clip colour coding: alternate takes are coloured automatically, and each take keeps the same colour across tracks, so comps are easier to follow
Price and availability
Pro Tools 2026.11 is available now as a free update for Pro Tools Artist, Studio and Ultimate subscribers and for perpetual licence holders with an active upgrade plan. Pro Tools Intro users get it too, and a 30-day trial is available.
Regular annual subscription prices are $99/year for Artist, $299/year for Studio and $599/year for Ultimate. Pro Tools Intro is free. Separately, Avid's Black Friday offer runs November 3–29, 2026: new annual subscriptions paid upfront cost $79 for Artist, $199 for Studio and $399 for Ultimate for the first year. New, existing and returning customers can buy a new subscription. Renewals revert to standard pricing; the offer does not renew or extend an existing subscription or cover Update Plans.
More information: avid.com/pro-tools and the Avid press release.
Why it matters
Extensions give third-party developers a sanctioned way to build session-level tools into Pro Tools, beyond what track-based AAX plugins can do. Stem separation already ships in several competing DAWs. Making it local and free in every tier, including Intro, lets users separate stems without leaving Pro Tools. MPE support fills a long-standing gap for users of expressive controllers.
Image in this article is from Avid.
