The Avid Eleven Rack Guitar Effects Processor was a groundbreaking solution for guitarists seeking studio-quality tone and seamless integration between stage and studio. At its core, the Eleven Rack combined powerful dual-DSP hardware with integrated Pro Tools software, delivering ultra-realistic amp and effects modelling without the latency or processing load typical of computer-based systems. Avid’s unique True-Z input replicated the electrical impedance of real guitar amps, contributing to its remarkably authentic feel and tone response — a major leap forward from earlier digital amp modellers.
In the studio, the Avid Eleven Rack stood out for its professional-grade recording capabilities. Its hardware accelerated signal path allowed players to record dry and processed signals simultaneously, enabling non-destructive re-amping without re-cabling. Embedded settings within audio tracks ensured that amp and effects configurations were saved with each take, offering unmatched convenience when switching between sessions or studios equipped with another Avid Eleven Rack unit. This innovation streamlined the workflow for guitarists and producers alike, making professional-level tone recall easy and efficient.
On stage, the Avid Eleven Rack transformed into a rugged and reliable performance processor. Its collection of vintage and modern effects, high-quality amp models, and flexible I/O made it ideal for live use, whether as a standalone unit or part of a larger rig. The system supported MIDI foot controllers and expression pedals, giving players real-time control over effects parameters, presets, and dynamics. From authentic wah sweeps to syncopated delays, Avid Eleven Rack covered a vast tonal range while maintaining the tactile responsiveness of traditional gear.
The Avid Eleven Rack helped bridge the gap between digital precision and analogue feel, becoming a favourite among recording guitarists looking for a powerful all-in-one solution. It left a lasting impression in the era before software plugins fully dominated the guitar recording space.
The Avid Eleven Rack Guitar Effects Processor marked a significant step forward in digital guitar recording technology. By combining a powerful dual-DSP hardware interface with Pro Tools LE software, Avid Eleven Rack offered guitarists a complete, professional-grade recording environment. Its amp and effects modelling set a new standard for realism at the time, delivering tones that were not only sonically convincing but also highly responsive and inspiring to play.
A key innovation behind this realism was Avid’s True-Z input circuit. Seasoned guitarists understand the critical role that input impedance plays in shaping tone — the interaction between a guitar’s pickups and the input stage of an amp or pedal can drastically alter the sound and feel. Rather than relying on digital approximations, Avid engineered a genuine analogue solution. True-Z replicated the varying impedance characteristics of classic amplifiers and stompboxes, allowing guitars to interact with the Avid Eleven Rack as they would with real hardware.
The result was a uniquely dynamic playing experience that went far beyond conventional modelling. With True-Z, the input responded just like the jack of a vintage amp or pedal, capturing subtle tonal differences based on the guitar and pickup configuration. Players could also manually adjust the input impedance to suit their preferences, giving them even greater control over their tone. This thoughtful blend of analogue circuitry and digital power helped set the Avid Eleven Rack apart, offering guitarists an unprecedented level of authenticity in a digital recording system.
The Avid Eleven Rack Guitar Effects Processor was developed to address a long-standing shortcoming in digital amp modelling: the inability to truly capture the depth, dimension, and dynamic response of a professionally mic’d guitar rig. Rather than settling for approximations, Avid undertook a meticulous and ambitious effort to recreate the real-world experience of playing through some of the most iconic guitar amplifiers ever made.
This process began with sourcing an exceptional collection of vintage and modern amplifiers and speaker cabinets — all carefully selected to represent the best examples of their kind, and all left unmodified to preserve their original character. Each unit was dissected and analysed in detail, with measurements taken at every stage of the signal path. This allowed Avid to model not just the broad tonal qualities, but the subtle behaviours that give real amps their feel and nuance — including power amp sag, ghost notes, and cabinet resonance.
To replicate the unique relationship between guitar and amplifier, Avid developed the True-Z input circuit. Unlike purely digital systems, True-Z is a custom analogue input that automatically adjusts its impedance to match the characteristics of the modelled amp or effect, ensuring an authentic interaction between instrument and processor. This innovation gave Avid Eleven Rack a lifelike response that other modellers simply couldn’t match.
Speaker cabinet tones were captured using convolution processing, preserving the exact sonic fingerprint of real mic’d amps rather than simulating them with EQ filters. Avid brought in renowned recording engineer John Cuniberti — inventor of the Reamp® box — to oversee the mic placement and recording process, ensuring every cabinet and mic pairing was captured with studio-grade accuracy.
Beyond amp tones, Avid Eleven Rack also featured a range of faithfully modelled effects, from essential stompboxes to high-end studio processors drawn from Avid’s own Pro Tools|HD TDM plug-ins. The result was a comprehensive and hyper-realistic system that stood apart in its era, offering guitarists a deeply immersive recording and performance tool with unmatched authenticity.
Features
- Unique True-Z auto-impedance matching guitar input
- Incredible emulations of classic guitar amp tones inspired by Fender®, Vox®, Marshall®, Soldano, and Mesa/Boogie® amps*
- Refined collection of sought-after classic stompbox tones inspired by effects from MXR®, Electro-Harmonix®, Ibanez®, ProCo, Univox®, and more*
- Powerful collection of studio-quality rackmount effects processors
- Convolution-based cabinet emulations deliver unprecedented realism in cabinet tones
- Convolution-based microphone emulations inspired by classic dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mic designs
- Integrated FX loop switchable to incorporate existing mono or stereo rack and stompbox effects
- Controllable via MIDI controllers and expression pedals
- Built-in tuner
- Tap-tempo control of time-based effects
- High-speed USB 2.0 connection
- Supports up to 8 simultaneous channels of high-resolution recording up to 24-bit/96 kHz
- Stereo balanced XLR outputs and dedicated 1/4” outputs
- XLR mic input with 48V phantom power and pad switch
- 2 x 1/4” line-level inputs
- AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital I/O
- Stereo 1/4” headphone jack
- 1 x 1 MIDI I/O
