Digidesign ASIO Driver v5.3.3b2

For Pro Tools 5.3.x Windows XP Systems Only

Introduction

The Digidesign ASIO Driver v5.3.3b2 is a multichannel, multimedia sound driver that allows third-party audio programs which support the ASIO standard to record and play back through the following systems on Windows XP Professional or Home:

• Pro Tools TDM systems with Pro Tools TDM 6.1
• Pro Tools|HD with Pro Tools TDM 5.3.3
• Pro Tools|24 MIX with Pro Tools TDM 5.3.1
• Pro Tools|24 with Pro Tools TDM 5.3.1
• Digi 002 with Pro Tools LE 5.3.2
• Digi 001 with Pro Tools LE 5.3.1
• Mbox with Pro Tools LE 5.3.3 *
• ToolBox & AudioMedia III with Pro Tools LE 5.3.1

Full-duplex recording and playback of 24- and 16-bit audio are supported at sample rates supported by the hardware and ASIO program used.

* The download on this page from February 14, 2003 is newer than the one included with the Pro Tools LE 5.3.3 CD and download. All other Pro Tools 5.x systems did not include the ASIO driver on the Pro Tools CD or downloads. If you have one of the Pro Tools 5.3.x Windows XP systems listed above and you want to use the ASIO driver, you will need the Digidesign ASIO Driver 5.3.3b2 download on this page.

Pro Tools TDM 6.1 and Pro Tools LE 6.1.1

All Pro Tools 6.1 TDM and LE installation CDs include the Digidesign ASIO Driver Installer. The 5.3.3 and 6.1 versions have the same functionality and support for the same applications.

• Pro Tools TDM 6.1 users should install the ASIO Driver from their Pro Tools 6.1 CD instead of the 5.3.3b2 download version.

• Pro Tools LE 6.1 users should update to Pro Tools LE 6.1.1, then install the Digidesign ASIO Driver 6.1.1

The latest version of the Digidesign ASIO Driver 6.1.1 will work with all Pro Tools LE Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox, Digi 001, and AudioMedia III hardware systems with Pro Tools LE 6.1.1 installed. For more information, see the Digidesign ASIO Driver v6.1.1 Download Page

Standalone ASIO Driver

Owners of Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools|24 MIX, Pro Tools|24, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox, Digi 001, and AudioMedia III hardware systems that want a stand-alone ASIO driver (without any version of Pro Tools software installed), should use the Digidesign ASIO Driver v6.1.1. For more information, see the Digidesign ASIO Driver v6.1.1 Download Page

Compatibility

The following programs have been tested with the ASIO Driver 5.3.3b2:

• Ableton LIVE v2.0
• Arturia Storm v2.0
• Emagic Logic Audio v5.5
• Image-Line Fruityloops v3.5
• Native Instruments Absynth v1.3.2*
• Native Instruments B4 v1.1*
• Native Instruments Battery v1.1*
• Native Instruments FM7 v1.1*
• Native Instruments Kontakt v1.1*
• Native Instruments Pro-52 v2.5*
• Native Instruments Reaktor v3.0.5*
• Propellerhead Reason v2.0
• Propellerhead ReCycle v2.0
• Sonic Foundry Acid v4.0
• Steinberg Cubase SX v1.05
• Steinberg Nuendo v1.5.2
• Steinberg Wavelab v4.0
• STL Vaz2010 v1.0.3
• Virsyn Tera v1.1R1

*Plug-in or AudioMedia III stand-alone only. For more information, see "ASIO Driver and Native Instruments Programs" below and in the included ASIO Driver Beta2 Read Me.

Some third-party programs require a later version for the ASIO Driver to work properly. For example, Steinberg Nuendo v1.5 or higher, Propellerhead Reason v1.0.1 or higher, Vaz2010 v1.0.3 or higher, and VirSyn TERRA v1.1R1 or higher are required.

Download Installer

Pro Tools 6.1 users should install the ASIO Driver from their Pro Tools 6.1 CD

Pro Tools LE 6.1.1 users should use the Digidesign ASIO Driver 6.1.1

Installing the ASIO Driver 5.3.3b2

If you plan to use Pro Tools, Pro Tools must be installed before the ASIO Driver in order for both to function correctly. If the ASIO Driver was installed before Pro Tools, removed both programs from the Add/Remove Control Panel, re-install Pro Tools, then re-install the ASIO Driver.

On Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools|24 MIX, Pro Tools|24, Digi 001, and AudioMedia III systems, the ASIO Driver can be used as a stand-alone driver (without Pro Tools software installed). However, if you previously installed Pro Tools software before installing the ASIO Driver and at a later time remove Pro Tools, leaving the ASIO Driver installed, the ASIO Driver will not function correctly. You will need to rerun the ASIO Driver installer if you plan to continue using the ASIO Driver without Pro Tools.

To install the ASIO Driver 5.3.3b2

1. Verify your hardware is connected.
2. Turn on your system.
3. After downloading and expanding the ZIP encoded folder, locate and double-click "Digidesign ASIO Driver 5.3.3b2 setup.exe."
4. If a "Locked File Detected" message displays during installation, click Reboot when prompted. If you get the "Locked File Detected" message, do not select Ignore or Retry. Selecting Ignore or Retry results in an unsuccessful installation.
5. When installation is complete, click Finish to restart your computer.

Removing the ASIO Driver 5.3.3b2

If you need to remove the ASIO Driver from your computer, complete the following steps.

To remove the ASIO Driver:

1. Choose Start > Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Add or Remove Programs icon.
3. From the Currently installed programs list, select Digidesign ASIO Driver.
4. Click the Change/Remove button.
5. Click OK to remove the ASIO Driver.

How to Change ASIO Driver Settings

Please see the included Digidesign ASIO Driver Beta 5.3.3b2 Read Me

Known Issues

Be sure to read the Digidesign ASIO Driver Beta 5.3.3b2 Read Me carefully for specific instructions. The following sections document known issues you may encounter in using the ASIO Driver, along with workarounds if they exist.

Remember, this is beta software. If you encounter problems with your third-party software program, please contact the manufacturer.

Reaktor v3.05 Cannot Be Exited, then Relaunched

Launching, exiting, and then relaunching Reaktor v3.05 causes Reaktor to shut down without saving, and the system to automatically reboot. If this occurs, let the system complete its reboot, then manually reboot the system again to regain ASIO functionality. To maintain stable ASIO functionality, do not launch and relaunch Reactor.

Loop Points in Propellerhead Reason Cannot Be Adjusted During Playback when Reason is Slaved to Ableton LIVE

When Propellerhead Reason is the slave program for Ableton LIVE, adjusting the loop points in Reason's MIDI sequencer during playback causes LIVE to shut down without saving, and the system to automatically reboot. If this occurs, let the system complete its reboot, then manually reboot the system again to regain ASIO functionality. To maintain stable ASIO functionality when Reason is slaved to LIVE, do not adjust the loop points in Reason during playback. Instead, stop playback first, then adjust the loop points.

Digi 001 and Digi 002 MIDI Ports are Not Supported with the ASIO Driver

The ASIO Driver cannot be used with the MIDI ports of Digi 001 and Digi 002. As a workaround, you can use a third-party MIDI interface (such as MIDIMAN 4x4).

The MIDI ports on Digi 001 & Digi 002 can be used by Pro Tools software, as Pro Tools does not use the ASIO Driver.

Digidesign WaveDriver Not Supported with ASIO Driver

The ASIO Driver cannot be installed on systems which also have the Digidesign WaveDriver installed. The ASIO Driver installer will remove this functionality. If you would like to regain WaveDriver functionality at a later date, remove the ASIO Driver, then re-install the WaveDriver. Also, check back for updates of the ASIO Driver.

Pops using 128 Buffer Size Settings and Moving Windows

You may hear pops and clicks using the 128 Buffer Size setting while moving windows. Should this happen, use a higher Buffer Size setting.

64 Buffer Size Setting is Not Supported for Digi 002

While the smallest Buffer Size for Digi 002 is 64, this buffer setting is currently not supported with the ASIO Driver.

Digidesign ASIO Control Panel is Inaccessible through Steinberg’s WaveLab v4.0

When using Steinberg’s WaveLab v4.0, attempting to access the Digidesign ASIO Control Panel will result in the default driver being set back to the onboard MME driver after a warning message is displayed: "This driver doesn't seem to match any hardware on this machine." In order to access the Digidesign ASIO Control Panel, use an ASIO application other than Wavelab.

Reason Outputs Silence using 128 Buffer Size Setting and High Sample Rates

When using Propellerhead Reason with a 96k or higher sample rate, switching the Buffer Size to 128 will cause the output to go silent. Other Buffer Size settings do not mute the output. In order to reset Reason, switch to a Buffer Size setting other than 128, close Reason, reboot your computer, and launch Reason.

ASIO Driver and Native Instruments Programs

The ASIO Driver cannot support the audio input functionality of Native Instruments programs, except when used with AudioMedia III (as a stand-alone driver), or when used as a plug-in within another program (such as Nuendo) with other Digidesign hardware. This is because Native Instruments Program inputs only work with hardware that reports a 32-bit data path. (All Digidesign hardware except AudioMedia III reports a 24-bit data path.) Audio output is not effected.

Unplugging Mbox while Using the ASIO Driver

Unplugging Mbox while the ASIO Driver is active is not supported. Doing so will cause unexpected errors to occur.

ASIO System Overload with Logic Audio

Should you receive an ASIO System Overload dialog when using the ASIO Driver with Emagic Logic Audio, try turning off the transition effect in your Windows Display Properties.
To turn off transition effect:

1. Right-click your desktop and choose Properties.
2. Choose the Appearance tab and click the Effects button.
3. Uncheck "Use the following transition effect for menus and tooltips."
4. Click OK twice.

Digidesign ASIO Driver Q & A

Q: Is there a Mac version of the ASIO Driver?
A: No. The Digidesign Core Audio Driver is used on Mac OS X. Also, in a joint collaboration with Propellerhead Software, Digidesign has added Rewire 2 support with all Pro Tools 6.1 and higher systems for Mac OS X and Windows XP.

Q: Will the ASIO Driver be included in product boxes?
A: Only Mbox included the original ASIO Driver 5.3.3b1. Other hardware products added the ASIO Driver with Pro Tools 6.1.

Q: Will the ASIO driver work with Windows XP only?
A: Yes, the driver will only work on systems running Windows XP.

Q: What are the primary known limitations of the beta ASIO Driver?
A: Two main issues:

1. The beta ASIO driver cannot be installed on a system with the Digidesign WaveDriver already installed. The WaveDriver will be removed when you install the ASIO Driver. (this is no longer true with the non-beta ASIO drivers for Pro Tools 6.1 and 6.1.1)

2. The beta ASIO driver cannot be used with the MIDI ports on the Digi 001 and Digi 002. For more information on these and other issues, see the Digidesign ASIO Driver Beta2 Read Me (this is no longer true with Pro Tools LE 6.1.1 and the ASIO Driver 6.1.1)

Q: With the ASIO Driver, will it be possible to use non-Digidesign hardware (such as MOTU or RME cards) with Pro Tools software?
A: No. The ASIO Driver can only be used in configurations with Digidesign hardware and software programs that support the ASIO standard.

Q: Can you use Pro Tools and an ASIO program (or more than one ASIO program) at the same time?
A: The ASIO Driver does not support simultaneous use of multiple stand-alone client programs. However, you can use multiple ASIO applications as plug-ins when using a program such as Cubase.

Q: Can you use Digidesign hardware along with the beta ASIO Driver 5.3.3b2 without installing Pro Tools?
A: Yes, with some Digidesign hardware. The ASIO Driver can also be used as a stand-alone driver (without Pro Tools), with any of the systems listed at the top of this page (except Digi 002 and Mbox). Digi 002 and Mbox require Pro Tools LE to be installed first.

Q: Will there be new versions of the Digidesign ASIO Driver?
A: Yes. Check back on this page for new versions of the Digidesign ASIO driver:

• www.digidesign.com/download/asio

Regards,
Digidesign Windows Team

DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. ASIO is a trademark of Steinberg Soft und Hardware GmbH. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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