Specifications

Chapter 2: Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems
3
Expanded Systems Guide
Expansion Chassis Configuration (PCI) Card Type Order
1 HD Core (PCI) card
2 HD Accel (PCI) cards
3 HD Process (PCI) cards
Session 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 system includes
more than four Pro Tools|HD cards, the fifth card (and any additional cards) will automatically be taken of-
fline 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 additional 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 cables (bypassing the inactive
interfaces) before starting Pro Tools.
Adding Cards to Your System
To install Pro Tools cards:
1 Turn off your computer, expansion chassis, and any peripherals. To ensure proper grounding, connect the
expansion chassis to a power source (such as a power strip or wall outlet), using the supplied AC cable.
2 Disconnect all cables attached to the computer (such as hard drives, displays, USB and FireWire connec-
tions) except for the power cable.
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, as
follows:
• On most Windows computers, 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 4.
• For systems with an expansion chassis, see the chapter for your model of chassis.
6 Install HD Accel (for PCI or PCIe) cards in the next slots.
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.
Refer to your computer’s documentation to verify slot order.
Group cards of the same type together (for example, put all HD Accel cards next to each other).