I think my point has been missed here. Most other programs use a computer's CPU. Protools does also in part but a TDM system has large PCI cards that pack a lot of DSP power. This is a core reason it's so popular among pros. I hear Nuendo is popular in Europe. Common guys, in terms of people who make a living doing audio on DAWs Protools is hands down the winner. Nick you know what I'm talking about now. Don't believe me... ok whip out a yellow pages and call the top 5 recording studios in your closest city. See what they use. Hans Zimmer? I'm sure he uses them all. At the end of the day, someone drops it into Protools.