No sound PT 8.0 - Windows 7 64 bit - Mbox Pro firewire. Are we fools?

[gbross]

I got PT LE 8.0 to install OK on my Windows 7 64 bit machine. Mbox Pro - firewire.

I start up Pro Tools and load an old PT file and it loads fine.

I press "play". No sound from the headphones. No sound from the monitors.

What gives.

I'm really fed up with Digidesign. They knew for two years that Windows 7 64 bit was coming. What? that wasn't enough time to come up with a solution? Even their website states that they are working towards compatibility with "the upcoming Windows 7". Upcoming????? That's three weeks ago.

And are we the fools for beta testing the software for them and coming up with Klugey answers to get this thing to work?

Come on folks - we paid MONEY for this software. They didn't wait to cash our checks. Why are they making us wait now?

[cwsand]

It's well know that it isn't supported, much as I wish it was. I think it's pretty common though for a period of time to pass after a new OS comes out for software/hardware to be compatible. Personally I didn't expect anything from Digi this soon - I'm guessing early next year. Trust me - we're ALL hoping it's sooner than later! Unfortunately I don't think you'll get much help here since most of us aren't going to try to get PT to work in Windows 7 64-bit. I don't know the reasons why it isn't compatible - it just isn't. Some people may get it to work on some level though. Depends on whether you want to record or experiment with a pc.

[Nexus52085]

Originally Posted by Benoni

go to the "Official Unofficial Windows 7 thread" all is explained there. But, firewire interfaces do not work in a 64 bit OS since we just have the 32 bit driver.

I don't think it's a driver problem as much as it is a firewire problem. I've read on multiple forums that everyone has problems running the firewire Mbox on a 64-bit OS. The USB version works fine. Don't ask me why, but if you want to use PT LE on your 64-bit computer, get the regular Mbox, not the Pro.

[Nexus52085]

As for you, Digidesign, here's some food for thought.

The 64-bit OS is now in its 3rd generation. Let me repeat the previous statement. The 64-bit OS is now in its 3rd generation. Allow me to name them for you. Windows XP 64-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit, and now Windows 7 64-bit. Do not act like your consumers don't know this. You're skating on thin ice as it is.


Now, let's talk about supported music production software which run in 64-bit.

• Native Instruments Kontakt 3 (and yes, Kontakt 4 is out now)
• EastWest PLAY engine
• Steinberg Cubase
• Cakewalk Sonar
• Nuendo
• Fruity Loops Studio

Need I list more apps?

As you can see, you are not leading the industry by any stretch. You can claim that your program is complicated to write in 64-bit, but remember that little piece of information I wrote at the beginning of this comment regarding the three generations of 64-bit operating systems? That's going to keep slapping you in the face until you get the 64-bit drivers out. I'm not going to start calling you names even a kid living in the Bronx would be ashamed of, because I think you already know how shameful your excuses for the past 5 years have been. We all know that tech support is getting paid to cover up your obvious mishaps. So, tech support, Digidesign, whoever, if you really want to impress us, let us know for sure, without elusive wording, when, not possibly when, your 64-bit Pro Tools drivers will be available. DO NOT RESPOND IF YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE US INSULTING ANSWERS. Good day.

[gbross]

Pro Tools is being marketed and sold as a consumer product.

Nowhere in the Pro Tools literature does it mention that you have to fiddle with the OS or device drivers or what have you in order to record your music. All you have to do is buy Pro Tools LE, a Digi approved hardware interface and you can record. And of course, if you have the extra money, Digidesign will gladly sell you the MBOX Pro with Firewire interface.

That being said. Most people buy their computers from retailers such as Best Buy and other everyday electronic stores. All Windows computers sold today (except for Netbooks) are being sold installed with Windows 7 64 bit.

This bit of news did not catch Digidesign by surprise.

Last look... Digidesign is still selling the MBOX Pro with firewire.

[syo66]

I understand your frustration however Digi is hardly alone when it comes to device driver compatibility with a new OS. It is a plain fact that whenever Microsoft releases a new OS it is really a consumer "beta" version. Until at least one service pack is released there are a whole host of issues for new users (and software developers) to wade through.
This is why I would never get a new OS until it has been out for a good year.

Although I generally like my protools set-up I have my own complaints too, so I'm no rabid fanboy. But this really isn't a Digi issue I believe. Not yet anyway...

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by syo66

I would never get a new OS until it has been out for a good year.
...

For other than experimenting with, I fully agree.

[Nexus52085]

Originally Posted by syo66

I understand your frustration however Digi is hardly alone when it comes to device driver compatibility with a new OS. It is a plain fact that whenever Microsoft releases a new OS it is really a consumer "beta" version. Until at least one service pack is released there are a whole host of issues for new users (and software developers) to wade through.
This is why I would never get a new OS until it has been out for a good year.

Although I generally like my protools set-up I have my own complaints too, so I'm no rabid fanboy. But this really isn't a Digi issue I believe. Not yet anyway...

I would usually agree with you on this point. However, Windows 7 was out in beta form free to everyone many months before the official release of the OS, and NO ONE complained about compatibility issues. Windows 7 is probably the most compatable OS ever made especially because of its windows XP mode. So, in this case, I have to disagree with you. Windows 7 was fully compatable from day 1, and because of its pre-release beta version, it is not buggy at all. It is the optimum form of Windows Vista.

[syo66]

Originally Posted by Nexus52085

I would usually agree with you on this point. However, Windows 7 was out in beta form free to everyone many months before the official release of the OS, and NO ONE complained about compatibility issues. Windows 7 is probably the most compatable OS ever made especially because of its windows XP mode. So, in this case, I have to disagree with you. Windows 7 was fully compatable from day 1, and because of its pre-release beta version, it is not buggy at all. It is the optimum form of Windows Vista.

Well Nexus, if you are right that it isn't buggy at all I would be amazed (but certainly happy to hear it). I've been using Windows since 2.1 and every promise of stability since then has been less than impressive.
As for compatibility, that is a two-way street, between 7 and individual developers. If you do a search of driver issues with Windows 7 you will find that it is not "fully" compatibile. Also, in my experience, the longer an OS is out there, the more issues seem to arise. Still by all accounts, Windows 7 seems to be a considerable improvement over Vista.

As for the original point of ProTools compatibility, I hope it comes sooner than later but I'm not ready to blame anyone just yet. Ironically, while I hate Vista generally, Protools actually actually runs better on it for me than it did with XP (an OS I certainly prefer). Go figure...

[Nexus52085]

Originally Posted by syo66

Well Nexus, if you are right that it isn't buggy at all I would be amazed (but certainly happy to hear it). I've been using Windows since 2.1 and every promise of stability since then has been less than impressive.
As for compatibility, that is a two-way street, between 7 and individual developers. If you do a search of driver issues with Windows 7 you will find that it is not "fully" compatibile. Also, in my experience, the longer an OS is out there, the more issues seem to arise. Still by all accounts, Windows 7 seems to be a considerable improvement over Vista.

As for the original point of ProTools compatibility, I hope it comes sooner than later but I'm not ready to blame anyone just yet. Ironically, while I hate Vista generally, Protools actually actually runs better on it for me than it did with XP (an OS I certainly prefer). Go figure...

Yeah, I definitely agree that Windows 7 couldn't possibly be bug free. No OS is, but since it is built off of Windows Vista, and is an improvement over Vista, I can't see it being very buggy. You are most certainly right about compatibility, but being that Windows 7 is the star of this OS generation, I'm sure every developer on the planet is working overtime to get their drivers to work on Windows 7 sooner rather than later.