ProTools?

After 5 years of producing audio for plenty of different clients, I've finally gotten a request for a project that required using ProTools session files.

I don't use ProTools, the industry "standard" for audio editing and production. I've considered it...but don't have it.

Why?

Several reasons.

First, ProTools is just a tool. And there are plenty of other ones. A lot of professional contractors use DeWalt power tools, but other companies make them as well. My Black and Decker cordless drill makes really good holes, too. The "tool" I use for audio production does everything I need (thus far, anyway.)

Secondly, ProTools is dang expensive. Not just the software, but you have to use their approved sound cards and plug-ins, and in many cases you have to use special (expensive) computer hard drives.

Finally, I've found the audio editor I like. Samplitude. It does almost everything I need. Every once in a while, I pull out my old version of Sound Forge, and sometimes even the now-ancient Cool Edit 2000.

Am I missing something? Is ProTools something I NEED? I got the gig I mentioned above, even without PT.