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
- Power on Symphony I/O
- Press and hold the front panel right hand encoder until the current audio interface mode is displayed
- Turn the right hand encoder unti "Pro Tools HD" is displayed on the front panel display
- 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
- Once Steps 1-4 have been completed, launch Pro Tools software and open a session.
- Once the session is open, choose Setup Hardware. In the Hardware Setup window, click Set to Default.
- Choose Setup I/O and click the Input tab.
- Delete all paths by Option-clicking the audio paths column on the left side of the window, then click Default.
- 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.