Specifications

Expanded Systems Guide4
Sample Rate and Multiple Cards
Pro Tools|HD supports sample rates of 44.1 kHz,
48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and
192 kHz. However, due to the processing load
required for 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sessions, a
maximum of four Pro Tools|HD cards can be
used at these higher sample rates.
The maximum number of Pro Tools|HD cards
supported in a single system is seven. If your sys-
tem includes more than four Pro Tools|HD
cards, the fifth card (and any additional cards)
will automatically be taken offline when
Pro Tools sessions are set to 176.4 kHz or
192 kHz. You do not need to remove any cards;
Pro Tools automatically deactivates the addi-
tional cards, and reactivates them when the
sample rate is switched to 96 kHz or lower.
Any audio interfaces connected to inactive cards
will go offline and be unavailable. You should
turn off power to offline interfaces connected to
cards 5–7 (if any) and re-connect Loop Sync ca-
bles (bypassing the inactive interfaces) before
starting Pro Tools.
Achieving Maximum Voice Counts
A compatible expansion chassis will provide
maximum voice count for most sessions up to a
96 kHz sample rate, but has a reduced voice
count at 176.4 and 192 kHz sample rates.
Your results may vary depending on the specific
model and capabilities of your computer, the
sample rate of the current session, your operat-
ing system, and the specific model of your ex-
pansion chassis. For current information, visit
the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com).
Adding Cards to Your System
To install Pro Tools cards:
1 Turn off your computer, expansion chassis,
and any peripherals. To ensure proper ground-
ing, connect the expansion chassis to a power
source (such as a power strip or wall outlet), us-
ing the supplied AC cable.
2 Disconnect all cables attached to the com-
puter (such as hard drives, displays, USB and
FireWire connections) except for the power ca-
ble.
3 Open the computer case or expansion chassis.
4 Remove the metal access port cover behind
the slot you want to use by removing the screw
and sliding the cover out from the access port.
5 Install the HD Core (for PCI) or Accel Core (for
PCIe) card in the lowest-numbered slot.
• In a Windows computer, this will be the
slot farthest from the graphics card.
• In a Mac, slot order varies depending on
the computer model. For details, see “Mac
Reference” on page 5.
• For systems with an expansion chassis, re-
fer to Chapter 4, “Expansion Chassis Refer-
ence.”
Before handling any card, discharge static
electricity from your clothes or body by
touching a grounded metal surface, such as
the power supply case inside your computer.
Always refer to your computer’s documen-
tation to verify slot order.