Apple PowerBook G4 — Mbox 2 Requirements

With Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 for Mac OS X

Apple PowerBook G4 Compatibility Information

• All configurations tested with version 1.38 firmware (available below)
• Your performance and track count may vary depending on the processor speed

* See Compatibility Alert below for information on how to identify these 2 specific unsupported models.

** This varies from one individual PowerBook to another. This means that if the Mbox 2 loses communication on one USB port, you should try it on the other USB port.

Not Recommended

• Processor speeds less than 1 GHz

Specifications

• For more information on Apple computer models and specifications, see the AppleSpec page on Apple's website
• Other resources: www.everymac.com and www.mactracker.ca

Aluminum PowerBook G4 Hi Res Battery Update

If you are using a PowerBook G4 Hi Res Powerbook with an Mbox 2 and receiving -6101 errors, please make sure you have the latest battery update, available from Apple:

• Aluminum PowerBook Battery Update

Also, make sure you have the latest firmware for your Mbox 2:

Mbox 2 Firmware Update v1.38

We have identified a problem with some aluminum PowerBook G4 models that may not provide sufficient power from one or both of the built-in USB ports to establish or maintain communication with the Mbox 2, especially when phantom power is used. A beta Firmware Update for some PowerBook G4 models with this problem is available on the Pro Tools LE 7 CD in the "Additional Files" folder and here:

• Mbox 2 Firmware Update v1.38

Please Note: This Mbox 2 Firmware Update v1.38 may not solve this issue with all PowerBook models. If you have one of the supported PowerBook G4 models listed above, and you are still not able to use the Mbox 2 on either USB port, please Contact Digidesign Technical Support.

Mbox 2 Unit Should be Online Prior to Engaging Phantom Power

Phantom power should only be engaged after the Mbox 2 is connected and Pro Tools is launched. If phantom power is on when the Mbox 2 is first connected to the CPU, it may drop offline. So in these cases, the following steps are encouraged:

1. Connect the Mbox 2 to the USB port with PHANTOM POWER OFF
2. Launch Pro Tools
3. Connect any phantom-powered microphones
4. Turn phantom power on

These steps should keep the Mbox 2 online.

Compatibility Alert

The following 15" PowerBook G4 1.25Ghz and 1Ghz models are not supported with Mbox 2, and failed qualification with or without the above firmware fix:

*Viewable in Tiger only, Machine Model not shown on Panther System Profiler.

Additional Requirements

System Software

• Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 is officially supported on Mac OS 10.3.8 & 10.3.9 (Panther) and Mac OS 10.4.2 (Tiger)
• Mac OS X Requirements, Installation, Updating & Authorizing Plug-ins

iLok Authorized Plug-Ins

Although not required with Pro Tools installation, an iLok USB Hardware Key may be required for installation of some plug-ins and optional software applications.

Control Surfaces & MIDI Interfaces

• Supported Hardware

Hard Drives — Audio Storage Requirements

Although limited recording and playback of audio tracks may be possible using the internal startup drive, a separate dedicated audio hard drive is highly recommended for maximum performance and track count.

Audio Storage Requirements for Record and Playback:

• Hard Drive Minimum Requirements

Firewire Hard Drives

• For best results, follow the guidelines on the FireWire Drive Requirements

Maximum Performance Guidelines

• Recording to the system startup drive is not recommended or supported
• A separate internal or external dedicated audio drive is highly recommended for maximum performance and track count

Pro Tools Does Not Support Sleep Mode

In the Macintosh System Preferences, launch Energy Saver, click the Sleep tab, and disable all Sleep features. Set "Put the computer to sleep when it is inactive" to Never. Do not manually put your computer to sleep when running Pro Tools.

2005 G4 PowerBooks & Sudden Motion Sensor

Apple’s 2005 G4 PowerBooks incorporate a technology called "Sudden Motion Sensor" that detects when the system is being dropped or jarred. Apple has posted a support note that recommends turning off SMS if you see skipped frames when using video applications:

• Sudden Motion Sensor and Video Editing Performance
• Sudden Motion Sensor Advanced Tips

Known Incompatibilities & Issues

• The Movie Offset feature affects both the QT Movie output to DV and the Onscreen movie
• If users want to use Japanese fonts in their sessions, they will not be able to use HFS (standard) drives – only HFS+ formatted drives
• Sometimes when opening a session that was based on a PT 3.2 format session, the following error may occur when Restoring IO paths: Time type mismatch occurred in "Time_Typed.cpp" line 370. A reboot may be necessary if this occurs
• System instabilities and performance issues can occur when using MIDI control surfaces in conjunction with Pro Tools 6 and 3rd party MIDI interfaces. For best multiport MIDI performance, we recommend using Digidesign's MIDI I/O.
• Pro Tools LE core systems cannot be combined, and multiple units are not supported. For instance:
  • A Digi 002 and Mbox 2 cannot be used together on the same computer at the same time.
  • 2 Mbox 2 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.

Additional Information

• Manuals & Documentation — Technical Document Library
• Session Interchange — Pro Tools 6 & Earlier Versions
• Using Pro Tools 6 for OS X and Pro Tools 5 for OS 9 on the same computer
• Mac OS X Requirements, Installation, Updating & Authorizing Plug-ins
• iLok Information for Pro Tools 6 Plug-In Upgrades