Apple Leopard and Digidesign Compatibility January 29, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Apple, Digidesign, Pro Tools , trackbackFor Pro Tools versions before v.8, see below.
So… if any Pro Tools user is like me and just couldn’t wait to get their hands on a new Mac (which of course now comes with the Leopard OS), you are probably having some compatibility issues.Currently, Pro Tools is NOT supported or even technically compatible with Leopard. On top of that, the new Mac Pro’s are not supposed to be able to run Tiger (although there is a tricky work around… I would be happy to talk anyone through it via email).
I have a Digi003Rack running fairly stable on my new Mac Pro. Here’s what I would suggest:-Install the latest Leopard update from Apple (10.5.1). You can get this by running the system update on your machine (or, the newest computers from Apple will come with that installed already)-If you aren’t already running Pro Tools 7.4, upgrade! Anyone who is having success with Leopard and Pro Tools is running 7.4- Once 7.4 is installed, be sure to visit Digidesign’s page to DOWNLOAD the 7.4cs2 update.That should get you working. I have recorded bands on it without too many problems. You might get the occasional “increase the buffer” error message, but no big deal. Don’t mess around with CoreAudio too much (iTunes, Quicktime, etc.etc) as that has caused a few kernel panics on my computer.
IF Pro Tools will not install, there may be a work around. Backup your files, and do a clean erase and install of Leopard. If you only have a 10.5 disc, go ahead and upgrade to 10.5.1. Some people who couldn’t get Pro Tools to install (“The System extension “/System/Library/Extensions/DigiIO.kext” was installed improperly and can not be used. Please reinstall or contact product’s vendor for an update” sort of error messages) just needed a clean install of Leopard, although I can’t guarantee this will work.
Also, if you are using sample libraries, be prepared for some bugs. I have the whole Digidesign VI Box Set, and only Structure is working properly. The rest of the programs are running, but with funky yellow/red color schemes. There are also known problems with ReWire (Reason, Melodyne is fixed, etc…) and many plug-ins (But Waves has resolved their issues with the latest updates) …Alas! Updates are coming soon. Digidesign has not been able to comment on anything that specific until recently. From my contact with tech support, an announcement on the update should be made withing 1-3 weeks. Please email me about leopard and digidesign problems with any questions, or if you are having trouble getting things to work on your machine.
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I am running protools 6.4 with digidesign 001 hardware. The operating system is windows XP. I recently installed waves mercury and diamond bundles. During install, I directed the plug-ins to common files/digidesign/DAE/plugins. Now, when I attempt a playback in a session, I just get a non-reponsive protools program. I have tried adjusting the H/W buffer size but for some reason I can’t get the green play button to light up and play when I press it. Usually, I run my media play through my monitor speakers which are routed through my digi001 box. I am currently getting no sound when I run my media player (when protools is closed). In my device manager, i have noticed that the DIGI001 is not listed in my audio devices though it is listed in the hardware devices. It only shows the standard Audio97…something (standard) as a playback option. It seems that somehow I have lost the link to my audio output. Any thoughts on how to fix this situation? Thanks!
Hi Pepper –
I apologize, I know literally nothing about the 001…
If it was my setup on Windows, I would probably uninstall and reinstall everything… As much as a big pain that is, it usually fixes things in Windows.
Also, when is the last time you wiped your hard drive and reinstalled the OS? Usually windows machines need that every so often.
Hello, i recently got my macbook (with leopard 10.5.2) along with an mbox 2 mini with PT LE 7.4….. when i installed it it appeared the “….DigiIO.kext…” error……. are you saying that in my case i shouldn’t install the PT yet before Digidesign say something about it….. the fact is that i’m new with mac and PT (i,ve used cubase SX on PC) and i don’t know what to do about it…..
another issue is that my package came with an ilok key but i can’t get it to work…do you know how make it happen for activating the plug-ins?
Thanks
Try deleting your Rewire files (http://thestudiofiles.com/?p=49 will tell you how to do it). If that doesn’t work, let us know. We can offer some other suggestions, but you may be having problems until the next release.
As far as the iLok goes, you will need an account on Digidesign.com to register all your products and software. Then, create an account on iLok.com that will link to your digidesign account. You can Use your Digidesign account (on Digidesign.com) to send authorizations to your iLok account, which you can then download onto your iLok.
Hi Connor. one simple question as i go around and around in my mind , should i up grade , i am on the pro tools console 002 LE 7.3.1 an intel mac. while everybody eles is doing it or getting stuck all i really need to know “does it give a better “sound” in the recording?I have read much of all you wrote in many of the titles but, putting all the upgrade on computer, and more plug ins etc. is there any part of that that gives a higher quality recording sound out of a LE set up.I am always out to take a step into getting close to a larger sounding studio. My set up runs good. once and a great while a lost file but, what i am looking for is if i upgrade will it give me a better sound as if i went and bought a few pieces of outboard gears worth thousands? I have plenty of plugins etc. just looking to step up even more to the tightest ,quality sound out of my LE. I am on an intel i mac.I am happy with what i am running on but will add on outboard pcs over time ,what would i get in terms of higher quality recordings.
unsolvable h/w buffer size problem with pt le 6.4 running in windows pro sp2 partition on apple mac powerbook/ Any ideas [error -9129??]
@paul
Can you be more specific? Are you having constant “H/W buffer” error messages?
Do you have any third party plug-ins/instruments installed?
Did it used to work? If so, when did it stop working?
Have you trashed preferences?