Digidesign promises Mac Pro support

Digidesign has announced that ICON, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered systems will soon be compatible with the new Mac Pro introduced yesterday at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Digidesign says it is expecting to release an Intel-based Mac-compatible update to its Pro Tools HD 7.2 software in September 2006. This free update for all owners of Pro Tools HD 7.2 software will allow ICON and Pro Tools|HD users to build their Digidesign system around the new Mac Pro. Within a similar timeframe, the company expects to release compatible versions of its range of Digidesign and Digidesign-distributed TDM plug-ins, while working very closely with third-party manufacturers to help them port their plug-ins and compatible applications to the Intel-based Mac platform.

The company said that based on preliminary testing, it is also expecting that the current version 7.1.1, a free update for all v7 customers, of Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered software (already compatible with Apple’s existing range of Intel-based computers such as MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and iMac) will function on the new Mac Pro without any problems. Full qualification is expected late in the fourth quarter of 2006.

“The release of professional Intel-based desktop Macs is great news for our customers,” said Dave Lebolt, Digidesign’s general manager. “Pro Tools users in all areas of audio production – professionals and enthusiasts alike – will be able to enjoy maximum performance and audio quality when using their Digidesign system in combination with the cutting-edge technology and robust power of the new Mac Pro. Strong cooperative ties and ongoing technical collaboration with Apple have made it possible for us to deliver Pro Tools versions that are compatible with these new machines quickly, keeping our customers in sync with the fast-paced Mac innovations.”

Digidesign plans to maintain backwards compatibility with PowerPC-based Mac systems for its Pro Tools product line. Pro Tools software – in all its incarnations - will continue to be a cross-platform application, working on either Mac OS X or Windows XP configurations.

Filed under: audio