iconDigidesign CoreAudio Driver

 

Version 6.9 for Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther"

 

Note: The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver version 6.9 for Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" will not work with Digidesign hardware in Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger".

If you are on Mac OS 10.4 "Tiger", please see the Digidesign CoreAudio for Mac OS 10.4 page.

April, 2005

This download is for owners of supported Digidesign hardware on Mac OS X 10.3.x "Panther" that wish to install the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver with or without installing Pro Tools. If used with Pro Tools, Pro Tools TDM and LE version 6.9 have been tested with CoreAudio Driver version 6.9.

Note: Pro Tools TDM 6.9 for Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel systems and Pro Tools LE 6.9 for Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack and Mbox systems include the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver version 6.9 as a default option during Pro Tools 6.9 installation. it is not necessary to download this separate installer, which is identical to the components included with the Pro Tools 6.9 installers.

What is the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver?

The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver is a multi-client, multichannel sound driver that allows CoreAudio-compatible applications to record and play back through the following Digidesign audio interfaces on Mac OS X:

  • Pro Tools|HD Accel
  • Pro Tools|HD
  • Digi 002
  • Digi 002 Rack
  • Mbox

For other systems, see the Q & A at the bottom of this page.

Full-duplex recording and playback of 24-bit audio is supported at sample rates up to 96 kHz, depending on your Digidesign hardware and CoreAudio client application.

The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver will provide up to 18 channels of I/O depending on your Pro Tools System:

  • Up to 8 channels of I/O with Pro Tools|HD or HD Accel systems
  • Up to 18 channels of I/O with Digi 002 and Digi 002 Rack systems (or 18 in and 16 out with S/PDIF Mirroring enabled)
  • Up to 2 channels of I/O with Mbox systems
  • For Pro Tools TDM systems with more than one card and multiple I/Os, only the primary I/O connected to the first (core) card can be used with CoreAudio

Not Tested with Digidesign CoreAudio Driver Version 6.9

  • Pro Tools|24 MIX systems
  • Pro Tools|24 (d24 card) systems
  • Digi 001
  • Audiomedia III systems

See the Digidesign CoreAudio Q & A section below for more details.

About Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.9 for Mac OS X

Version History — Digidesign CoreAudio Driver for Mac OS X

Version 6.9 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • Compatibility update for Pro Tools TDM and LE version 6.9

Version 6.7 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • Fix for large TDM systems where the driver would timeout waiting for the Manager app to auto-launch
  • Fixed a problem where older versions of Avid Xpress DV and Avid Xpress Pro would produce noise out of outputs 5-8

Version 6.5.2 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • The 6.5.1 standalone installer did not install all necessary components on clean systems without any Pro Tools installation. This problem is fixed in 6.7 and higher.
  • Added support for the Japanese OS

Version 6.5.1 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • Fix for audio input #1 incorrectly routed to all tracks when recording

Version 6.5 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • Multi-client support
  • Fix for Mbox crashing BIAS Peak on Peak relaunch
  • Fix for QuickTime not streaming audio at a 128 sample buffer size
  • Fixes for random crashes with various CoreAudio applications
  • Removes "opt-in" list requirement

Version 6.4 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • Fix for Peak software where clock settings could not be changed from Peak's hardware settings dialog.

Version 6.1.2 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • Fix involving MIDI inputs on Digi 001, Digi 002, and Digi 002 Rack

Version 6.1.1 of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver added the following:

  • Support for Digi 002 and Digi 002 Rack
  • Ability to use the MIDI ports with Digi 001, Digi 002, and Digi 002 Rack
  • Support for crossfades in iTunes and other iTunes fixes
  • An "opt in" mechanism to prevent unwanted applications from acquiring Digidesign hardware
  • Single installer for owners of supported Digidesign hardware that can be used with or without Pro Tools installed on Mac OS X

Version 1.2 added the following:

  • Support for iTunes 4

Version 1.1 added the following:

  • Support for Reason 2.5
  • Stability improvements and bug fixes

System Requirements

The following Digidesign hardware systems are supported with this release of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver 6.9:

  • Pro Tools|HD Accel
  • Pro Tools|HD
  • Digi 002
  • Digi 002 Rack
  • Mbox

See the Digidesign CoreAudio Q & A section below for information on other systems.

Mac OS X version 10.3.x software required to use the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver version 6.9.

Pro Tools Requirements:

  • Pro Tools TDM 6.9 for HD or Pro Tools LE 6.9 for 002, 002 Rack and Mbox is required if Pro Tools is installed (must be installed before installing the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver 6.9, or installed during Pro Tools 6.9 installation)
  • Digidesign CoreAudio Driver 6.9 was not fully tested with any older versions of Pro Tools installed (6.0, 6.0.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 6.4, 6.4.1, 6.6, 6.7)
  • Although not fully tested, if using with older versions of Pro Tools, Pro Tools must be installed before installing the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver 6.9.

Installing Without Pro Tools Installed:

  • Digidesign CoreAudio Driver 6.9 can be installed as "standalone" without Pro Tools installed on Mac OS X 10.3.x "Panther". (instructions below)

Documentation:

For more information on installation, usage, compatibility and limitations, please review the version 6.5 CoreAudio Usage Guide and CoreAudio Read Me files provided with the Digidesign CoreAudio 6.9 installer. The CoreAudio Usage Guide and CoreAudio Read Me are installed here:

  • Applications/Digidesign/Documentation/Drivers/

Also available for separate download here:

Digidesign CoreAudio Driver Q & A

Q: What is new in version 6.9 of the Digidesign CoreAudio driver?
A: The Digidesign CoreAudio driver v6.9 adds the following:

  • Compatibility update for Pro Tools TDM and LE version 6.9

Q: Does the Digidesign CoreAudio driver support simultaneous use of multiple client applications?
A: Yes. Beginning with version 6.5 and higher, the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver now supports multiple CoreAudio clients. You no longer have to quit a CoreAudio application before working with another.

Q: Can I use Pro Tools in tandem with other CoreAudio applications?
A: No. Pro Tools requires exclusive access to Digidesign hardware and thus it cannot be used simultaneously with other CoreAudio applications. You will have to quit Pro Tools before using other CoreAudio programs, or vice versa.

Q: Why can't I hear my Mac system sounds through my Digidesign hardware using the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver?
A: The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver for Mac OS X does not support playback of system sounds. Your Mac system sounds will continue to be available through your Mac speaker and regular Mac line out.

Q: Why doesn't the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver for OS X allow the volume output or input to be adjusted in the OS X Sound Preference Panel? The volume sliders are greyed out.
A:This is correct behavior. The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver does not support this function. Playback volume adjustments can be made within the Digi CoreAudio Manager application.

Q: Will Pro Tools|24 MIX systems work? I can't find them listed under supported systems.
A: Pro Tools|24 MIX systems were not tested with CoreAudio Driver v6.9. Pro Tools|24 MIX systems were qualified with CoreAudio Driver v6.5.2 with or without Pro Tools TDM 6.4.1 for MIX systems, and should work the same with CoreAudio Driver v6.9.

Q: Will Pro Tools|24, Digi 001, or Audiomedia III systems work? I can't find them listed under supported systems.
A: The multi-client Digidesign CoreAudio driver has not been fully qualified with Digi 001 systems. While we have not encountered system-specific problems, we cannot guarantee error-free performance. Systems based on Pro Tools|24 (d24 card) and Audiomedia III cards have not been tested.

Q: The system requirements say that if you have Pro Tools installed, you need to have Pro Tools 6.9. I have an earlier version of Pro Tools 6 on Mac OS X. Can I still use version 6.9 of the Digidesign CoreAudio driver?
A: The multi-client Digidesign CoreAudio driver was not fully tested with any older versions of Pro Tools 6.x for OS X installed (6.0, 6.0.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 6.4, 6.4.1, 6.6). While we have not encountered system-specific problems, we cannot guarantee error-free performance.

Q: What about compatibility with Mac OS X 10.2.x "Jaguar", with or without Pro Tools installed?
A: Although you may be able to use Digidesign CoreAudio Driver version 6.9, it has not been tested with Mac OS X 10.2.x and therefore is not officially supported with that operating system. The stand-alone CoreAudio driver version 6.1.2 for Mac OS X 10.2.x can be downloaded here:

Q: What OS X applications work with the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver?
A: With a few possible exceptions, any CoreAudio-compatible application will work with the new Digidesign CoreAudio driver. The following third-party CoreAudio-compatible client applications have been tested with the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.9:

  • Ableton Live 3.0.x
  • Apple DVD Player v4.0
  • Apple FinalCut Pro v4.5
  • Apple Garage Band 1.1
  • Apple iTunes 4.5
  • Apple QuickTime 6.5.1
  • Bias Peak v4.1
  • Celemony Melodyne v2.5
  • Emagic Logic Audio Pro 6.4.1
  • Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer 4.1.2*
  • Native Instruments FM 7 v1.1.2
  • Native Instruments Absynth 2.0.4
  • Propellerhead Reason Adapted*
  • Propellerhead Reason v2.5*
  • Propellerhead ReCycle v2.1
  • RealOne v9.0
  • Roxio Jam v6.0**
  • Roxio Toast v6.0**
  • Steinberg Cubase SX v1.0.52*
  • Windows Media Player v7.1.3

*See CoreAudio Read Me (42 k) for known issues

**See next Q&A for configuration with Roxio Toast or Jam

Q: How do you configure Roxio Toast or Jam to use the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver?
A: In Roxio Toast 5.2 or Jam 5.01, set the Sound Out to Mac OS X Audio HAL. Jam v6 allows either Mac OS X Audio HAL or Digidesign HW. Toast v6 will automatically default to whichever hardware is selected in the Sound control panel.

Q: Is there still an "opt-in" list?
A: No. Because of its ability to work with multiple clients, the Digidesign CoreAudio driver no longer requires an "opt-in" list. To exclude applications from access to the Digidesign CoreAudio driver, press and hold down the Shift key when lanching an application. Please see the Digidesign CoreAudio usage guide for more information.

Q: What are the limitations of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver?
A: As listed in the Digidesign CoreAudio Read Me:

  • Pro Tools is not a CoreAudio application and thus requires exclusive access to Digidesign hardware. You cannot use CoreAudio applications in tandem with Pro Tools. Please make sure to quit Pro Tools before using the multi-client Digidesign CoreAudio Driver, and vice versa.
  • The multi-client Digidesign CoreAudio Driver cannot be used to preview sound files from the Finder. When a sound file is located in the Macintosh OS X navigation window, a QuickTime transport bar is displayed next to it. The QuickTime transport bar lets you audition the sound file. The sound will always play back though the Macintosh's built-in audio controller (through the Macintosh's speaker or headphone jack). However, if you double-click a sound file, the QuickTime application will launch, and can use the multi-client Digidesign CoreAudio Driver for playback.
  • The multi-client Digidesign CoreAudio Driver cannot be used for playback of System Sounds.

Installing the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.9

The download includes a complete installer application. Double-click on the downloaded OS X Disk Image to mount it on your desktop, then double-click the installer.

The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver can be installed on Digidesign-qualified Macintosh systems running Mac OS X 10.3.x or higher with Pro Tools 6.9 installed, or it can be installed as a stand-alone driver on systems that do not have Pro Tools installed.

To install the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver 6.9 With or Without Pro Tools:

  1. From the link below, download and expand the Digidesign CoreAudio 6.9 installer
  2. Double-click on the Install CoreAudio file.
  3. From the pop-up menu, choose the default Easy Install
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver.
  5. When the installation is complete, quit the installer and restart your computer.

The installer places the file named Digidesign CoreAudio.plugin in this location:

  • /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL

The Digi CoreAudio Manager application is installed on your hard drive here:

  • /Applications/Digidesign

Previous versions of the Digidesign CoreAudio.plugin and the Digidesign CoreAudio Setup application are removed by the installer. The CoreAudio Usage Guide and CoreAudio Read Me are installed here:

  • Applications/Digidesign/Documentation/Drivers/

Removing the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.9

To uninstall the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver:

  1. From the link below, download and expand the Digidesign CoreAudio 6.9 installer
  2. Double-click on the Install CoreAudio file.
  3. From the pop-up menu, change Easy Install to Uninstall
  4. Click the uninstall button to remove Digidesign CoreAudio files from your computer

To manually uninstall, remove the "Digidesign CoreAudio.plugin" file from the following location on your hard drive: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL

Download Digidesign CoreAudio Driver Version 6.9 Installer

 

 

Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.9

Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.9

for Digidesign Hardware on Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther)

4.4 MB MacBinary (.bin) encoded format
Decodes to Mac OS X Disk Image (.dmg)

 

Download Help

  • Once the download is complete, double-click the downloaded file to decode if it does not expand automatically. You should then have a mounted disk image with the installer application.
  • If Stuffit Expander fails to do anything with the file and quits immediately, that is a sign that the downloaded file extension has been incorrectly named during the download. Change the extension on the end of the file name from .cfm or Bin to .dmg so that it is recognized as an OS X disk image.
  • To install, double-click on the installer application and follow the prompts.
  • For additional download or decoding problems, see Download Help

Previous versions for Mac OS X 10.3.x "Panther"

  • Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.7 (6.2 MB)
  • Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.5.2 (5.8 MB)
    • The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.5.2 can also be used with systems with Pro Tools 6.4 or as a standalone driver for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools|24 MIX, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox, and Digi 001 systems without Pro Tools installed.
    • v6.5.2 was the first mult-client Digidesign CoreAudio Driver
  • Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.4 (6.0 MB)
    • The Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.4 can also be used with systems with Pro Tools LE 6.4 or as a standalone driver for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools|24 MIX, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox, Digi 001, and Audiomedia III systems without Pro Tools installed.
    • The installer for the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.4 is also included in the Pro Tools 6.4 installer as a choice during the Pro Tools installation process.

Previous versions for Mac OS X 10.2.x "Jaguar"

Digidesign CoreAudio Driver Updates

Check back on this page for new versions of the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver:
www.digidesign.com/download/coreaudio

Regards,
Digidesign OS X Team

DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. CoreAudio is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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