Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) — Mbox Requirements

With Pro Tools LE 6.4 for Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther)


The following Power Mac G4 models are compatible, but have not been fully tested and qualified with Digidesign Mbox systems and Pro Tools LE 6.4. These G4 models may be able to provide full track count performance, however, they cannot be guaranteed to do so. Your performance and track count may vary depending on the processor count and speed.

Note – the best performance with Mac OS X and Pro Tools LE is achieved by using fast dual processor Macs. Slower, single processor Macs will work with Pro Tools LE, but at a reduced track and/or plug-in count.

Dual Processor

 

Single Processor

Dual 800 MHz Power Mac G4 QS   800 MHz Power Mac G4 QS
Dual 867 MHz Power Mac G4 MDD   867 MHz Power Mac G4 QS
Dual 1 GHz Power Mac G4 QS   933 MHz Power Mac G4 QS
Dual 1 GHz Power Mac G4 MDD   1 GHz Power Mac G4 FW800
Dual 1.25 GHz Power Mac G4 MDD   1.25 GHz Power Mac G4 MDD
Dual 1.25 GHz Power Mac G4 FW800    
Dual 1.42 GHz Power Mac G4 FW800    

Legend:
QS = "Quicksilver" models from 2001-2002
MDD = "Mirrored Drive Doors" models from 2002
FW800 = FireWire 800 models from 2003

Specifications

The following computers are unsupported for use with Mbox

Additional Requirements & Known Issues

System Software

iLok Authorized Plug-Ins

Audio Storage Requirements for Record and Playback:

SCSI HBA Card for SCSI Drives (optional)

MIDI Interface — USB Only

Dual Monitor AGP Graphics Cards

  • NVIDIA GeForce4 MX (as shipped from Apple — standard on the 933 MHz & Dual 1 GHz "Quicksilver", 1 GHZ & Dual 867 MHZ "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 & Dual 1.42 GHz Power Mac G4 "mirrored drive doors" models)

Note: The NVIDIA GeForce4 TI & ATI Radeon 9700 Pro built-to-order optional graphics cards from Apple not tested.

All single or dual monitor cards which ship as standard equipment with qualified Apple Power Mac G4 models at the top of this page are supported with Pro Tools.

Maximum Performance Guidelines

  • Recording to the system startup drive is not recommended or supported
  • For desktop models, a separate internal (IDE) or external dedicated FireWire drive is highly recommended for maximum performance and track count

Known Incompatibilities

  • The Mbox will not function if any Digidesign PCI cards are installed in the CPU. (Digi 001, Audiomedia III, TDM cards, SampleCell)
  • Pro Tools LE core systems cannot be combined, and multiple units are not supported. For instance:
    • A Digi 002 and Mbox cannot be used together on the same computer at the same time.
    • 2 Mbox units cannot be used on the same computer.
    • Digi 002 faders cannot be used with any other system.
  • Pro Tools 6 does not work in the OS 9 "Classic Mode". You must choose Mac OS X as your Startup Disk.

Download Updates

Additional Information:

See also: Getting Started with Mbox and the Pro Tools LE 6 Read Me documents in the Support > Tech Support > Technical Document Library and included with new systems.


Digidesign Compatibility Documents Index