Big New! Pro Tools Users can finally upgrade to Snow Leopard.  We can now take part in all the 64-bit goodness that Logic Users have had since the OSX 10.6 update was released!

Rejoice.

One last note – This is a pre-release meaning… well.. I’m not entirely sure.  I suppose this is like a Beta… Well anyway, not EVERYTHING works perfectly yet with this version of pro tools (8.0.3r) and some hardware is no longer supported past this version.

Important Information
Please note that the following items have not been fully qualified with Pro Tools 8.0.3pr:

• Certain AIR instrument plug-ins
• Avid video peripherals

The following items are no longer supported with Pro Tools 8.0.3pr:

• PowerPC-based Macs
• Mbox (original version)
• Expansion|HD Chassis
• The following legacy audio interfaces: [link to End of Support page]
  • 888|24 I/O
  • 882|20 I/O
  • 1622 I/O
  • 24-bit ADAT Bridge I/O

Additional Information

Q: The last Pro Tools software update was version 8.0.1 but the prerelease is labeled 8.0.3. What happened to version 8.0.2?
A: Pro Tools M-Powered Essential 8.0.2 is a new software version specifically made for bundles with certain M-Audio hardware [ more info ]. Like Pro Tools 8.0.1, Pro Tools M-Powered Essential 8.0.2 has not been qualified with OS X 10.6.

Q: Will this prerelease run on Leopard OS?
A: While we have not yet qualified Leopard with Pro Tools 8.0.3pr, we intend to release the final version with support for both OS X 10.5.x Leopard and OS X 10.6.x Snow Leopard. At this time we recommend not using Pro Tools 8.0.3pr with OS X 10.5.x Leopard.

Q: Will the final Pro Tools 8.0.3 release be free or a paid upgrade?
A: Pro Tools 8.0.3 will be a free update for all registered Pro Tools 8.0 HD, LE, M-Powered, and M-Powered Essential users.

Q: Do Avid video peripherals work in this prerelease version?
A: Avid video peripherals have not been qualified yet. We intend to support Avid video peripherals with the final release of Pro Tools 8.0.3.

Q: Will all plug-ins work on Snow Leopard, or should I expect a lengthy compatibility transition?
A: At the time of this writing we have found most plug-ins to work without problems except the following AIR instruments which exhibit a yellow user interface:

• Hybrid
• Strike
• Structure
• Transfuser
• Velvet

If you encounter additional issues please let us know by providing your feedback here:

• Snow Leopard Prerelease Forum

Q: Does Pro Tools 8.0.3pr take advantage of new OS technologies such as GrandCentral or OpenCL?
A: While both technology developments are exciting on many levels, Pro Tools 8.0.3 software will not directly take advantage of either one.

GrandCentral allows new software developers to take advantage of many-core processing without requiring complicated and lengthy development work. Pro Tools already employs a modern multi-threaded processing engine that is fully compatible with many-core CPUs.

OpenCL affords additional processing power by taking advantage of the computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) in addition to the CPU. While extremely powerful, GPUs will work best with only certain kinds of calculations and are not well suited for low-latency audio environments. Additionally OpenCL support is only available with certain computers and display cards.

As always, we are in close contact with Apple and will evaluate this and other new developments for future use in Pro Tools.

Q: Snow Leopard provides a 64 bit kernel mode. Will Pro Tools 8.0.3 work in 64 bit kernel mode?
A: We do not intend to qualify 64 bit kernel mode at this time as it does not offer significant performance advantages and may cause compatibility issues with other devices and software.

Q: Is Pro Tools 8.0.3 a 64 bit application?
A: Pro Tools 8.0.3 is a 32 bit application. We are investigating 64 bit support and have no release plans to share at this time.

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