Mac OS X Requirements with Pro Tools



Additional Information — See Also:



Pro Tools Compatibility Grids — With Pro Tools Update & Upgrade Information


Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) — Currently Not Qualified
Please Note: No version of Pro Tools is currently qualified with Mac OS X Snow Leopard. If you’re a Mac-based Pro Tools 8.0.x user, Pro Tools 8.0.3pr software is provided as a convenience should you wish to begin your transition to Snow Leopard before a fully tested and qualified version of Pro Tools becomes available:

To subscribe to the RSS feed of all Digidesign Product News, see the RSS link at the top of the Product News section.


Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Compatibility Information



Pro Tools Software Versions Below 7.4.2 Are Not Compatible With Leopard
With the following exception:

Pro Tools 8.0 — Mac OS X 10.5.5, 10.5.6, 10.5.7, or 10.5.8 Required
Pro Tools 8.0 software requires Mac OS X 10.5.5, 10.5.6, 10.5.7, or 10.5.8, and is not compatible with earlier versions of Leopard. If you have an earlier version of Leopard, you will need to update your Mac OS using one of the following Combo Updates before installing Pro Tools 8.0:

If you do not own Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), you will need to purchase Leopard from Apple or an authorized Apple distributor. Pro Tools 8 is not compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or earlier versions of Mac OS X.

Notes:
  • Digidesign testing has shown no known differences between 10.5.5, 10.5.6, 10.5.7, or 10.5.8; all are officially qualified with Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered version 8.0.
  • Downloading one of the "Combo Update" installers is the recommended method of updating your Mac OS.
  • Updating your Mac OS using the built-in Software Update or smaller incremental "Delta Update" downloads may not install all required components, and is not recommended.

Pro Tools 7.4.2 — Mac OS X 10.5.3 or 10.5.4 Required
Pro Tools 7.4.2 software requires Mac OS X 10.5.3 or 10.5.4, and is not compatible with earlier versions of Leopard. If you have an earlier version of Leopard, you will need to update your Mac OS using either of the following Combo Updates before installing Pro Tools 7.4.2:
Notes:
  • Digidesign testing with Pro Tools 7.4.2 has shown no known differences between 10.5.3 or 10.5.4; both are officially qualified.
  • Pro Tools 7.4.2 is not officially qualified with Mac OS X 10.5.5 and higher.
  • Pro Tools 7.4.2 software is available as a download, and is free for all Pro Tools 7.4 owners. For more information and link to downloads, please see the announcement in the News section:


Compatibility Alert — Mac OS X 10.4.9/10.4.10/10.4.11



Mac OS X 10.4 (and Other Apple Software Updates) & Pro Tools Launch Failure/Bouncing Icon in Dock
Although Mac OS X 10.4.10 and 10.4.11 have not been tested or qualified by Digidesign, the only known issue at this time has to do with Pro Tools failure to launch in some cases due to improper prebinding.

In many cases, downloading and running the Mac OS X Prebinding Script from PACE may resolve the issues described above:
See "Other Apple Software & Pro Tools Launch Failure" below for more information.

June 8, 2007 — Mac OS X 10.4.9 now qualified with Pro Tools 7.3.x
(Note: Pro Tools 7.4 is also qualified with Mac OS X 10.4.9)
If you choose to update to Mac OS X 10.4.9, or your Mac came with Mac OS X 10.4.9 preinstalled, please follow these instructions:
  • Do not use Apple's automatic Software Update or the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Delta Update. Instead, install the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update for Intel-based or PowerPC-based Macs:
  • If you have already updated using Software Update, you should download and install the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update.
  • If your Mac came with Mac OS X 10.4.9 preinstalled, you should still download and install the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update if you are experiencing issues such as Pro Tools not opening.
    • In some late 2007 Macs, such as iMac, MacBook, and MacBook Pro with the new Intel "Santa Rosa" chipset, you may not be able to apply the 10.4.9 Combo update to the existing 10.4.9 preinstallation.
    • If you are not able to run the Combo Update, please try the Mac OS X Prebinding Script below.
      -or-
    • Download and install the Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo Update (Intel)
    • Preliminary reports suggest that Mac OS X 10.4.11 may contain fixes for some of the Mbox 2 USB interface problems such as kernel panics on newer Intel-based Macs.

Please Note: As detailed on the Digidesign website, Software Update should not be used to update your Mac OS, always use the Combo Update:

With Pro Tools and many other software applications, issues with a program not opening or crashing may have to do with prebinding that is not properly handled by using the automatic software update program, particularly programs such as Pro Tools that use PACE-protected software. Both PACE and Apple are aware of this issue and are working to provide updates to remedy the issue.

The following download from the PACE website may help without having to download the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update, or in addition to the Combo Update. The included script resets the prebinding on your Mac OS X system:

For additional troubleshooting, you may need to delete corrupted Pro Tools preferences and database files. The Digidesign Tech Support Utility provides an easy to use program for this. This utility is included in the Tech Support Folder download available from the following page:


Mac OS X 10.4.10 and 10.4.11 (and Other Apple Software Updates) & Pro Tools Launch Failure/Bouncing Icon in Dock

Although Mac OS X 10.4.10 and 10.4.11 have not been tested or qualified by Digidesign, the only known issue at this time has to do with Pro Tools failure to launch in some cases due to improper prebinding. Apple has posted the following information that updating to QuickTime 7.2 can also cause the pre-binding issue:

If you have updated to Mac OS X 10.4.10 or 10.4.11 and/or QuickTime 7.2 or higher, and Pro Tools will not launch, downloading and running the Mac OS X Prebinding Script may resolve the issue:

If you still have problems, you should download and install the correct Combo Update for your system:

Preliminary reports suggest that Mac OS X 10.4.11 may contain fixes for some of the Mbox 2 USB interface problems such as kernel panics on newer Intel-based Macs.


Pro Tools 7



Mac OS X 10.4 Required for all versions of Pro Tools 7.0 through 7.4 on Mac OS X
  • Pro Tools 7 will not run on Mac OS X 10.3.9 (Panther) and earlier
  • After updating either Pro Tools or your Mac OS, always run Disk Utility and "Repair Permissions" on the startup drive
About Mac OS X 10.4.7, 10.4.8, and 10.4.9
  • All versions of Pro Tools 7.4 are officially qualified with Mac OS X 10.4.9 for PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs
  • All versions of Pro Tools 7.3.x are officially qualified with Mac OS X 10.4.8 and 10.4.9 for PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools HD 7.2/7.2.1, Pro Tools LE 7.1/7.1.1/7.1.2/7.1.3, and Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1/7.1.1 have all been officially qualified with Mac OS X 10.4.7 and 10.4.8 (Mac OS X 10.4.9 has only been tested with Pro Tools 7.3 and higher)
  • To use Media Station|PT 1.8.2 on Mac OS X 10.4.7 or higher, an update to the Avid Application Key drivers is required. For download and installation instructions, see the following page:

Pro Tools|HD & Pro Tools|HD Accel Systems
  • Pro Tools HD 7.4 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.9 for PowerPC & Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools HD 7.3 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.8 and 10.4.9 for PowerPC & Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools HD 7.2.1 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.7 and 10.4.8 for Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools HD 7.2 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.6, 10.4.7, and 10.4.8 for PowerPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools HD 7.1 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.3, 10.4.4, 10.4.5, and 10.4.6
  • Pro Tools HD 7.0 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.2, 10.4.3, 10.4.4, 10.4.5, and 10.4.6
  • Pro Tools HD 7 will not run on Mac OS X 10.3.9 (Panther) and earlier
  • Pro Tools HD 7.1, 7.0, and 6.9.2 not tested with 10.4.7 and higher

Pro Tools LE Systems

For the complete Pro Tools LE version grid, please see the following page:
Pro Tools LE 7.3/7.3.1/7.4 software supports the following systems:
  • 003 Factory
  • 003 Rack
  • Digi 002
  • Digi 002 Rack
  • Mbox 2 Pro
  • Mbox 2
  • Mbox 2 Mini
  • Mbox 2 Micro
  • Mbox
Pro Tools LE 7.1.2/7.1.3 software supports the following systems:
  • Mbox 2 Pro
Pro Tools LE 7.0/7.1/7.1.1 software supports the following systems:
  • Digi 002
  • Digi 002 Rack
  • Mbox 2
  • Mbox 2 Mini
  • Mbox
The last version of Pro Tools LE that can be used with Digi 001 is Pro Tools LE 6.4 for Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther). The last version of Pro Tools LE that can be used with ToolBox/Audiomedia III is Pro Tools LE 6.2.3 for Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther). Digi 001 and Audiomedia III hardware cannot be used on a Mac OS X 10.4 system (and also cannot be installed in a Power Mac G5).

Pro Tools LE 7 for Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.4 (003 Factory, 003 Rack, Mbox 2 Pro, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox 2 Micro, Mbox, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack) are officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.9 for Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.3 &7.3.1 (003 Factory, 003 Rack, Mbox 2 Pro, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox 2 Micro, Mbox, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack) are officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.8 and 10.4.9 for Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.1.1 (Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox) and Pro Tools LE 7.1.3 (Mbox 2 Pro) are officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.6, 10.4.7, and 10.4.8 for Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.1.1 and 7.1.3 will not install or run on PowerPC-based Macs, and Pro Tools LE 7.1 and earlier will not run on Intel-based Macs

Pro Tools LE 7 for PowerPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.4 (003 Factory, 003 Rack, Mbox 2 Pro, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox 2 Micro, Mbox, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack) are officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.9 for PowerPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.3 &7.3.1 (003 Factory, 003 Rack, Mbox 2 Pro, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack) are officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.8 and 10.4.9 for PowrPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.1.2 (Mbox 2 Pro only) is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.6, 10.4.7, and 10.4.8 for PPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.1 (Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox, Mbox 2 only) is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.4, 10.4.5, 10.4.6, 10.4.7, and 10.4.8 for PPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7.0 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.2, 10.4.3, 10.4.4, 10.4.5 and 10.4.6 for PPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools LE 7 will not run on Mac OS X 10.3.9 (Panther) and earlier
  • Pro Tools LE 7.0, 6.9.2, and 6.8.1 not tested with 10.4.7 and higher

Pro Tools M-Powered Systems
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 7.4 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.9 for both PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 7.3 and 7.3.1 are officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.8 and 10.4.9 for both PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1.1 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.6, 10.4.7, and 10.4.8 for Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1.1 will not install or run on PowerPC-based Macs, and Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 and earlier will not run on Intel-based Macs
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.4, 10.4.5, 10.4.6, 10.4.7, and 10.4.8 for PowerPC-based Macs
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 7.x will not run on Mac OS X 10.3.9 (Panther) and earlier

Apple Mac OS X Information & Downloads

To update your Mac OS, see the following page:


Pro Tools 6



The initial release of Pro Tools TDM 6.9, Pro Tools LE 6.9, Pro Tools M-Powered 6.8, Digidesign CoreAudio Driver v6.9, and all earlier versions of Pro Tools will not work with Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger", released April 29, 2005.
  • Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel systems require Pro Tools TDM software version 6.9.2 or higher to work on Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger". A free compatibility update to Pro Tools 6.9.2 for Mac OS X 10.4 is available for download for Pro Tools|HD users with Pro Tools TDM 6.4 or higher software
  • Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, and Mbox systems require Pro Tools LE software version 6.9.2 or higher to work on Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger". A free compatibility update to Pro Tools LE 6.9.2 for Mac OS X 10.4 is available for download for Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, and Mbox users with Pro Tools LE 6.7 or higher software
  • Mbox 2 Systems are supported on Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4 with Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 software. Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 was a cross-platform release for Mac OS X and Windows XP that originally shipped with Mbox 2 systems and does not support other Digidesign interfaces. Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 will only work with Mbox 2 hardware. Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 for Mbox 2 is officially supported on Mac OS 10.3.8 and 10.3.9 (Panther) and Mac OS 10.4.2 (Tiger). Note: Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 for Mbox 2 is the ONLY version of Pro Tools that runs on BOTH Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4.
  • The initial release of Pro Tools M-Powered 6.8 does not run on Mac OS 10.4 "Tiger". A free compatibility update to Pro Tools M-Powered 7 for Mac OS X 10.4 is available for download for all Pro Tools M-Powered owners.
The last version of Pro Tools LE that can be used with Digi 001 is Pro Tools LE 6.4 for Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther). The last version of Pro Tools LE that can be used with ToolBox/Audiomedia III is Pro Tools LE 6.2.3 for Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther). Digi 001 and Audiomedia III hardware cannot be installed in a Power Mac G5.

Mac OS X 10.3.9 Not Supported

With ALL versions of Pro Tools 6.x for Panther (other than Pro Tools LE 6.8.1 with Mbox 2 hardware only), the highest version of Mac OS X 10.3 that you should use is Mac OS X 10.3.8. There are incompatibilities with Pro Tools 6 and QuickTime 7, which is installed by Mac OS X 10.3.9. If you must use Mac OS X 10.3.9 for some reason, you should revert to QuickTime 6.5.2, available from the Apple website.

If you have updated to Mac OS X 10.3.9, you will need to do one of the following for Pro Tools 6.x for Panther compatibility:

1. Reinstall Mac OS X 10.3, and update to 10.3.8:

2. Or stay on Mac OS X 10.3.9 and revert to QuickTime 6.5.2:

If you are on QuickTime 7.0.2, you will first need to revert to 7.0.1 before you can revert from 7.0.1 to 6.5.2:

If you have updated beyond 7.0.2, you will more than likely need to reinstall your Mac OS.


Previous Versions



For information on older versions of Pro Tools 6 with Mac OS X Panther and Jaguar, please see the following page in the Compatibility Archives:
Keywords: DigiSupKW DigiSupKW_Compatibility ; PlatformKW_Undefined ; ArticleID 22904 ; OldAnswerbaseID ;