Symphony I/O - Pro Tools HD Quick Start Guide

Pro Tools HD Quick Start Guide

This Quick Start Guide describes how to configure one Symphony I/O with an Avid Pro Tools HD, HDX, or HD Native PCI card (or HD Native Thunderbolt box) to record and play back audio. 

Step 1 - Install Pro Tools HD cards

Install Pro Tools HD cards and Pro Tools software as described in the Avid documentation entitled "Getting Started with Pro Tools HD".

Step 2 - Select Pro Tools HD Audio Interface Mode

  1. Power on Symphony I/O
  2. Press and hold the front panel right hand encoder until the current audio interface mode is displayed
  3. Turn the right hand encoder unti "Pro Tools HD" is displayed on the front panel display
  4. Press the right hand encoder - the unit will re-initialize in Symphony audio interface mode

Step 3 - Connect Symphony I/O to the Pro Tools HD PCI Card

Using the 3 meter DigiLink cable included with the Pro Tools HD card (or an Apogee PC-32 IFC Cable), connect the Symphony I/O’s Main port to the HD Core card port as shown below. If you're using an HDX or HD Native card (or HD Native Thunderbolt box), you will need a mini-digilink adapter to connect the Symphony I/O to the HDX or HD Native. 

Step 4 - Connect Symphony I/O to the Software Remote Mac

Using a standard Type A - Type B USB cable, connect Symphony I/O's USB port to an Apple Intel Mac USB port. Ensure that the cable is certified for USB 2.0 operation.

  • When audio interface mode is set to Pro Tools HD, a USB connection between Symphony I/O and an Intel Mac provides the link between Apogee Maestro software and Symphony I/O, in order to make calibration, meter configuration, digital format and other settings.
  • Symphony I/O's clock source and sample rate are set from Pro Tools software, and don't require the USB connection.
  • The USB connection is only required to make Maestro settings, and may be removed once settings are complete.
  • Note that the audio and USB connections don't have to be made to the same computer, allowing Symphony I/O to be connected to Pro Tools HD cards installed in Apple Mac G5 (use with any Pro Tools version below 9 requires special older firmware for Symphony I/O) or Windows computers while running Maestro on an Apple Intel Mac.

Step 5 - Download and Install Symphony I/O Software

Download the most current Symphony I/O Release package from the Apogee website: Symphony I/O Downloads Once downloaded, the package will open automatically to reveal the following contents:

  • Symphony I/O Software Installer
  • Symphony I/O Uninstaller
  • Symphony I/O User’s Guide
  • Read-Me

Double-click on the Symphony I/O Software Installer icon and follow the onscreen directions provided by the installer program. Following installation, you will be required to restart your Mac.

Step 6 - Connect Headphones, Speakers and Inputs

Connect line inputs to rear panel analog inputs 1-2 using an Apogee AD8-IFC cable or equivalent. Connect speakers to the rear panel analog outputs 1-2 using an Apogee DA8-IFC cable or equivalent.

Step 7 - Configure Pro Tools Software

  1. Once Steps 1-4 have been completed, launch Pro Tools software and open a session.
  2. Once the session is open, choose Setup Hardware. In the Hardware Setup window, click Set to Default.
  3. Choose Setup I/O and click the Input tab.
  4. Delete all paths by Option-clicking the audio paths column on the left side of the window, then click Default.
  5. Click the Output and Insert tabs and repeat step 4.

Step 8 - Playback from Pro Tools Software

Route audio playback to Outputs 1-2 in Pro Tools, and press Play. Using the front panel left hand encoder, select the speaker or headphone icon; use the right hand encoder to adjust the playback level of the selected output. 

Step 9 - Open Apogee Maestro Software

Apogee Maestro software provides complete control of all Symphony I/O settings, from levels to formats to routing. Open Maestro by clicking on the Apogee Maestro icon found in the Applications folder.