I'm Buying HDX - will I be ok?

[anguswoodhead]

So the time has finally come for me.....
I'm running an old 2010 Mac Pro
It's been great at 48k (Orion 32+ via USB 3)
But I've now moved to 96k and she just can't handle it.
So I'm going to purchase a HDX card, Pro tools Ultimate and the Orion HD interface.

Firstly will HDx run on my system - see specs in attachments - yosemite - Mid 2010 Mac Pro

Secondly - When is Pro Tools 2019 due to release? Pretty keen on that

Also I need more than 128 voices / tracks - I heard a rumour that 'voice packs' will be available...
will they work for me on my system?
256 at 96k would be great.

Thirdly - I'll be holding out for the new 3rd Gen Orion HD - anyone know when it's due? And have you had success with the 2nd Gen Orion HD and HDX card?

thanks in advance

[the.engineer]

Looks like like you've got the basis for a nice system there!

I can't comment about the Orion HD as I have Avid HD boxes. HDX will run fine on your system, I have the single six-core 2010 Mac Pro and I only have 24GB RAM. I have a Raid 0 system with two drives (7200rpm) for my Audio Drive and a PCI based SSD blade for my system drive which has made a HUGE difference.

Regarding the computer though, Avid have stated (and users on here have reported) that 10.10.5 with Pro Tools HD 12.8.1 and an HDX card is very stable. Once you go into and over El Capitan there are CPU errors and GUI lags that can slow down fast editing and you may be limited to high buffer sizes (see HowardK's post) This is possibly to do with the Metal API that Apple introduced in El Capitan, Avid state that Pro Tools isn't optimised for screen resolutions over 1080p.

You'll see from my specs that I run 10.12.6 with 2018.12 with no problems but I've downgraded by 27" 2560x1440 screen for a 1080p screen.

Of course if you now buy the latest Pro Tools tools Ultimate you won't have access to the legacy installers for 12.8.x. So, either upgrade to Sierra or High Sierra (don't bother with El Capitan) If you go to Mojave you'll need a new graphics card (see here) AND you'll need to install High Sierra first to give your Mac Pro a firmware upgrade.

If you're considereing staying at Yosemite I have the installer for 12.8.1 but then of course you'll be playing plugin roulette as Yosemite is now unsupported by a lot of manufacturers.

Bottom line is, and from my experience, if you can handle high buffer sizes (bearing in mind that HDX runs all the audio processing anyway) and the possibility of some screen lag then head over to Sierra or High Sierra and hope and pray that Avid released an update that supports Metal (Appl Graphic API) that fixes all our problems.

[Darryl Ramm]

Voice packs should be irrelevant to you. HDX voices are DSP limited. You should understand that, if not read the reference guide.

[Will Russell]

Darryl is correct, Voice Packs are for standalone PT Ultimate users.

Re: voices and HDX:

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/hom...racks-and-more

For HDX Users - If you an HDX owner then with this new version of Pro Tools the maximum number of simultaneous audio tracks for each HDX card will go up from 256 to 384. If you have an HDX3 system that will bring the maximum number of simultaneous audio tracks to 1152. There will be no extra charge for HDX users. The voice count is dependent on the number of HDX cards you have. If you have 1 card you will get 384 voices, 2 HDX cards will give you 768 voices and 3 HDX cards will give you 1152 voices.

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by the.engineer

Looks like like you've got the basis for a nice system there!

I can't comment about the Orion HD as I have Avid HD boxes. HDX will run fine on your system, I have the single six-core 2010 Mac Pro and I only have 24GB RAM. I have a Raid 0 system with two drives (7200rpm) for my Audio Drive and a PCI based SSD blade for my system drive which has made a HUGE difference.

Regarding the computer though, Avid have stated (and users on here have reported) that 10.10.5 with Pro Tools HD 12.8.1 and an HDX card is very stable. Once you go into and over El Capitan there are CPU errors and GUI lags that can slow down fast editing and you may be limited to high buffer sizes (see HowardK's post) This is possibly to do with the Metal API that Apple introduced in El Capitan, Avid state that Pro Tools isn't optimised for screen resolutions over 1080p.

You'll see from my specs that I run 10.12.6 with 2018.12 with no problems but I've downgraded by 27" 2560x1440 screen for a 1080p screen.

Of course if you now buy the latest Pro Tools tools Ultimate you won't have access to the legacy installers for 12.8.x. So, either upgrade to Sierra or High Sierra (don't bother with El Capitan) If you go to Mojave you'll need a new graphics card (see here) AND you'll need to install High Sierra first to give your Mac Pro a firmware upgrade.

If you're considereing staying at Yosemite I have the installer for 12.8.1 but then of course you'll be playing plugin roulette as Yosemite is now unsupported by a lot of manufacturers.

Bottom line is, and from my experience, if you can handle high buffer sizes (bearing in mind that HDX runs all the audio processing anyway) and the possibility of some screen lag then head over to Sierra or High Sierra and hope and pray that Avid released an update that supports Metal (Appl Graphic API) that fixes all our problems.

Wonderful post
Very helpful
Thankyou

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

Voice packs should be irrelevant to you. HDX voices are DSP limited. You should understand that, if not read the reference guide.

Originally Posted by Will Russell

Darryl is correct, Voice Packs are for standalone PT Ultimate users.

Re: voices and HDX:

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/hom...racks-and-more

For HDX Users - If you an HDX owner then with this new version of Pro Tools the maximum number of simultaneous audio tracks for each HDX card will go up from 256 to 384. If you have an HDX3 system that will bring the maximum number of simultaneous audio tracks to 1152. There will be no extra charge for HDX users. The voice count is dependent on the number of HDX cards you have. If you have 1 card you will get 384 voices, 2 HDX cards will give you 768 voices and 3 HDX cards will give you 1152 voices.

Thanks guys
That’s at 48k yes?
My understanding is that at 96k the voices halve right?
That’s what I worked out from the Avid site.

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

Thanks guys
That’s at 48k yes?
My understanding is that at 96k the voices halve right?

Right.

[ProtoolsLover]

You can also turn that 2010 MacPro into a 12 core, and it will handle just about anything you ever throw at it......Much cheaper than a used HDX card that go for 2k.

Buy a dual CPU tray from either a 2009 or 2010 MacPro, buy 2 six core CPU's, install, and you have a screaming 12 Core, with Geekbench Scores over 31,000.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-P....c100005.m1851

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by ProtoolsLover

You can also turn that 2010 MacPro into a 12 core, and it will handle just about anything you ever throw at it......Much cheaper than a used HDX card that go for 2k.

Buy a dual CPU tray from either a 2009 or 2010 MacPro, buy 2 six core CPU's, install, and you have a screaming 12 Core, with Geekbench Scores over 31,000.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-P....c100005.m1851

It’s already a 12 core
See specs attachment in my original post
Thanks.

[ProtoolsLover]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

It’s already a 12 core
See specs attachment in my original post
Thanks.

Missed that. I'm shocked you are having any issues at 96k. I've never come close to maxing my system out. Could USB3 be an issue? I wouldn't think so...

I'm on HD Native, with Omni, Apogee AD/DA 16's, and 192 I/O 16 in/ 8 out.

On a side note, the new Orion HD looks sweet!!!!!!