Pro Tools FREE for Mac OS 8.6 & OS 9

Pro Tools FREE For Mac OS 8.6 & OS 9 — System Requirements

Important information

The system requirements on this page are meant for general guideline purposes only. Digidesign cannot guarantee compatibility with any particular computer system, or various components installed on it.

Due to the giveaway nature of Pro Tools Free, this product is not eligible for technical support by telephone, fax or email. If you do have problems or technical questions, check the Pro Tools FREE Technical & Customer Support Information page for resources available to you.

Because Pro Tools FREE is limited to one third of the audio tracks supported by Pro Tools LE, users may find that it is compatible with some older/slower computers which are not included on these pages.

Digidesign Hardware Not Required

Digidesign Software Version
Pro Tools 5.0.1 FREE

Compatible CPU Models

Highly Recommended:

Also Compatible (must be 200 MHz or higher):

  • Power Macintosh Beige G3
  • Power Macintosh 9600
  • Power Macintosh 9500

Not Tested:

  • G4 Powerbook
  • iBook

Additional Computer Requirements

  • System Software: Mac OS v8.6 & v9.x
  • Pro Tools FREE will not work with Mac OS X
  • Classic Mode under OS X is also not supported. If you have a dual-boot system with both Mac OS 9 and OS X, you must choose Mac OS 9 as your startup system either in your Startup Disk Control Panel or by holding down the Option key during startup to use Pro Tools FREE. Systems that can only boot in OS X cannot be used.
  • Total System RAM: 128 MB minimum, 192 MB recommended (Additional RAM required for simultaneous use with MIDI sequencers. Virtual memory is not supported)
  • CD-ROM drive for software install (not necessary for web installer)
  • Monitor or Laptop, color required, minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 (note: early iBook models have a maximum screen resolution of 800 x 600, see also Mbox iBook)
  • Opcode OMS v2.3.8 or higher (supplied on Pro Tools FREE CD-ROM or download here)
  • Apple QuickTime v4.0 or higher (supplied on Pro Tools FREE CD-ROM or download here)
  • Storage: A large, fast, hard drive for audio.
  • For maximum performance, a dedicated ATA/IDE or SCSI disk drive(s), such as those qualified with Pro Tools LE, should be used.

Third-Party MIDI Controllers & Interfaces

Optional Software - Plug-In Finder

Qualified Floppy Drives

Optional Digidesign Hardware

  • SampleCell II Plus
    (requires PCI slot)
  • SCSI64 Kit
    (requires PCI slot)
  • SCSI|128 Kit
    (requires PCI slot)
  • DigiDrive
    (requires SCSI connection)
  • DigiDrive MediaDock
  • DigiDrive FireWire 80
    (requires Firewire port)