User guide

Here are a two examples, using common configurations: A Pro Tools Mix Plus system, with added Mix cards, DSP
Farms and Sample Cell cards:
13 Slot expansion Chassis
Slot 6: Mix Core
Slot 7: Mix Farm
Slot 8: Mix Farm
Slot 9: Mix I/O
Slot 10: DSP Farm II
Slot 11: DSP Farm II
Slot 12: DSP Farm I
Slot 13: Sample Cell II TDM
Slot 14: Sample Cell II TDM
Slot 15: Sample Cell II TDM
Slot 16: Empty
Slot 17: Empty
Slot 18: Empty
A Pro Tools 24 system (using a d24 card as the core), with Mix Farms (no Mix Core), and Sample Cell cards:
7 Slot expansion Chassis
Slot 6: Mix Farm
Slot 7: Mix Farm
Slot 8: d24
Slot 9: DSP Farm II
Slot 10: DSP Farm II
Slot 11: DSP Farm I
Slot 12: Sample Cell II TDM
* DSP Farm I is the original PCI DSP Farm (serial number starts with the letters "FF"); and DSP Farm II is similar to
the original DSP Farm PCI, except that it went through a manufacturing revision (serial numbers start with "FG").
Both cards are functionally identical and perform exactly the same. The only difference is that some DSP Farm I’s
may need an upgrade of one of the chips in order to work in newer computer models or expansion chassis. If you
have a DSP Farm I and are unsure of wether you need the upgrade, consult the Digidesign Technical Support
department.
Expansion Chassis Index | All FAQ Index
[4285]
Can I install non-Digidesign cards inside the expansion chassis?
For the most part, no. In most configurations only digidesign cards are to be installed into the expansion chassis.
The only possible exception to this is the following: in a 13 slot expansion chassis, the very last slot of the chassis
may be used to install a non-bus master PCI card*. This would be possibly a video card for a second monitor (NOT
a video capture card). However, please be aware that this is not guaranteed to work. The more powerful the card is
(such as a 3D graphics card), the less chances that it will work, as it will take up too much bandwidth from the PCI
bus in the expansion chassis. If you have problems in your Pro Tools system with a non-digidesign card installed
onto the last slot, the first thing you should do is to remove this card.
* "Bus-master" is a type of PCI card that controls more aspects of the PCI slot than regular PCI cards. Usually, SCSI
cards, Video Capture cards, and Network cards are bus-masters. To find out for sure if a PCI card is a bus-master,
consult the card’s documentation or call the manufacturer.
Expansion Chassis Index | All FAQ Index
[4286]
What is the maximum number of Digidesign cards that I can use? Can I install as many cards as I can fit
into an expansion chassis?
The maximum number of Digidesign cards you can have in a system is 10. The limitation on each individual type of
card that make up the 10 cards is as follows:
Mix Core: 1