Power Macintosh G4 (AGP Graphics) — Pro Tools|HD Requirements

With Pro Tools Version 5.3.1 for Mac OS 9

Apple G4 (AGP Graphics) Computers Supported:

Legend:
QS = "Quicksilver" models from 2001-2002
MDD = "Mirrored Drive Doors" models from 2002-2003
* Early "Digital Audio" 733 with level 3 cache
** "Quicksilver" 733 without level 3 cache.

*** Pro Tools 5.x does not utilize the second processor in Apple Dual Processor CPUs. If problems (such as -6042 errors) occur when using Pro Tools on a Dual Processor CPU, Digidesign recommends the following: Download and install ApplePCI - Apple Multiprocessor and G4 PowerBook Expansion Chassis Fix

The Apple Single Processor 1 GHz, Dual 1.25 GHz, and Dual 1.42 GHz Power Mac G4 "FW800" FireWire 800 models from 2003 will only boot with OS X as the startup system. Pro Tools 5.x will not work with Mac OS X or in "Classic" mode when booted in OS X, so these computers cannot be used with Pro Tools 5.x for Mac OS 9.

Slot Order

For all HD Cards, all testing on the Apple Power Mac G4 MDD (Mirrored Drive Doors) Dual 867 MHz, Dual 1 GHz & Dual 1.25 GHz models was performed with the HD Core card in the lowest numbered PCI slot. This requires re-bending the TDM cable. This was adopted as the supported configuration as it follows the established conventional PCI slot order for Digidesign cards: Core card in the lowest number PCI slot, Process/Farm cards in higher slot numbers. This was also adopted because DigiTest produces a misconfigure error dialog if the card order is any other.

Additional Information

• See Apple's tech archive on how to differentiate between AGP Graphics and PCI Graphics G4 models at: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n58418
• For current Apple computer models and specifications, see www.apple.com
• For other Apple computers and specifications, see www.everymac.com and www.applespec.com

Additional Requirements

Mac OS 9.1 or 9.2.x (Quicksilver models) required

• 5-slot 466 MHz, 533 MHz, 667 MHz, and 733 MHz (733 with level 3 cache) models require Mac OS 9.1 or higher (pre-installed)
• Quicksilver models (2001 & later, listed as "QS" at www.everymac.com) require Mac OS 9.2, 9.2.1, or 9.2.2 (pre-installed)

ATTO ExpressPro-Tools v2.7 or higher required for SCSI Drives

• supplied on Pro Tools CD-ROM or from www.attotech.com/software
• Recommended ATTO ExpressPro-Tools settings for Pro Tools|HD systems

The use of 6 or 7 HD cards with expansion chassis requires Mac OS 9.2.2

• See Expansion Chassis Requirements — Pro Tools|HD Systems for Mac OS for supported expansion chassis and additional information

External Floppy Diskette Drive

Although not required with Pro Tools installation, an external floppy diskette drive may be required for installation of optional software and plug-ins. Please see the list of Qualified External Floppy Diskette Drives for details. See also: Optional Digidesign Software for Pro Tools|HD

SCSI Accelerator Cards

For maximum track count, the PowerMac G4 requires the use of a qualified SCSI HBA card. The following SCSI HBA cards are qualified with the PowerMac G4 models listed at the top of this page.

• Digidesign SCSI64 Kit
• Digidesign SCSI|128 Kit
• ATTO EPCI-DC SCSI Host Bus Adapter (ExpressPCI Dual Channel Ultra/WIDE HBA)
• ATTO EPCI-UL2D SCSI Host Bus Adapter
• ATTO EPCI-UL3D SCSI Host Bus Adapter

Complete details, firmware requirements, and new recommended ATTO ExpressPro-Tools settings for approved SCSI Host Bus Adapters:

• Qualified SCSI HBA Cards - Pro Tools|HD Systems for Mac OS

MIDI Interface

Digidesign supports the following MIDI Interfaces for use with Pro Tools version 5.3.1:

• Digidesign MIDI I/O
• Emagic Unitor8
• Emagic AMT8
• MOTU MTP AV
• MOTU Fastlane MIDI Interface
• Opcode Studio 64XTC
• Roland UM4/UM2 MIDI Interface

Both USB and serial MIDI interfaces work effectively with Pro Tools. Serial MIDI interfaces require either a Mac serial port or a qualified modem-to-serial port adapter. Digidesign currently supports the GeeThree Stealth Port for G4 - AGP Video (Sawtooth), Stealth Port for Dual Processor G4s or Griffin g4Port installed in the modem port (thereby not using a PCI slot).

When using the GeeThree products, version 1.0.3 or higher of the Stealth Port extension is required, available here: www.geethree.com/download.html

Dual Monitor AGP Graphics Cards

• Appian Jeronimo™ 2000 Macintosh (with version 1.4.1 drivers and the included firmware update. additional notes)
• ProMax DH-Max (disable ProMax drivers when using with Pro Tools. Both monitors set to "thousands of colors" instead of 256. Not yet qualified with 13-slot chassis)
• NVIDIA GeForce4 MX (as shipped from Apple — standard on the 933 MHz & Dual 1 GHz "Quicksilver" and Dual 867 MHZ Power Mac G4 "mirrored drive doors" models)
• ATI Radeon 7500 (as shipped from Apple — standard on the 800 MHz Power Mac G4)
• ATI Radeon 9000 Pro (as shipped from Apple — standard on the Dual 1 GHz & Dual 1.25 GHz Power Mac G4 "mirrored drive doors" models)

Note: The NVIDIA GeForce4 Titanium built-to-order option from Apple not yet tested.

* ProMax DH-Max Notes: Occasionally when booting a system with the ProMax DH-Max dual monitor card, the top portion of the monitors are black, the apple menu bar appears in the middle of the screen, the bottom portion of the desktop is unreachable, or the desktop may be offset to one side. A reboot will usually solve this problem. Otherwise, you can open the Monitor control panel and rearrange the monitors.

Known Issues:

Other Digidesign PCI cards are not compatible with Pro Tools|HD Systems

Previous Digidesign PCI cards are incompatible with the new HD system.You cannot combine Pro Tools|HD and these PCI cards, either in the CPU or an expansion chassis. Doing so will cause crashes, or the CPU will simply fail to boot. The following Digidesign cards are not compatible with HD systems:

• MIX Core card
• MIX Farm card
• MIX I/O card
• d24 card (Pro Tools|24 core card)
• DSP Farm card (Pro Tools III/Pro Tools|24)
• Digi 001
• Audiomedia III
• Pro Tools III Disk I/O
• Pro Tools Project card
• Project II card

SampleCell II cards (without TDM module) are the only older Digidesign PCI cards that can be used with HD systems, with certain limitations. For more information, see Other Digidesign PCI Card Options — Pro Tools|HD for the Mac OS

The following Digidesign hardware is not compatible with Pro Tools|HD systems:

• Universal Slave Driver
• Video Slave Driver
• SMPTE Slave Driver
• SampleCell II TDM Module

The use of 6 or 7 HD cards with expansion chassis requires Mac OS 9.2.2

Apple Cinema HD Display (23" flat panel) with Quicksilver Models:

The following problem has been noted with Apple G4 "Quicksilver" models only when used with the Apple Cinema HD Display (23" flat panel) and Pro Tools:

• Edit Window: Waveform overviews, waveform backgrounds, and grid lines are not drawn or are drawn over by gray "boxes", when scrolling down with Apple 23" Cinema Display.

This problem only occurs when using the highest resolution of the 23" HD Cinema Display (1920 x 1200). If you have an Apple G4 "Quicksilver" model and the Apple Cinema HD Display (23" flat panel), download Pro Tools 5.3.1cs4, which fixes this problem.

Note: This problem does not occur on the newer G4 "mirrored drive door" models, and does not occur with the Apple Cinema Display (22" flat panel) or Apple Studio Display (17" flat panel).