Compatibility

[propheticwarriorminstrel]

I have out dated PT 2020.12 b- there is no support for this and I'm being forced to upgrade. Which year/version of PT is compatible with my high sierra? The site said anything 12.8.3 or up will work with high sierra and I've purchased lifetime ilok. Which year/version can I install and purchase that will open 2020.12 projects? Please help, aid and advise.

[sw rec]

https://kb.avid.com/pkb/articles/en_...tibility-Chart

[Darryl Ramm]

No support... what do you mean by "support". If you mean customer support and you have questions/problems you can post them on DUC. If you are having some problem I would not just first dive into upgrades without some reason to expectation that will solve the problem, maybe you would be better off do some some troubleshooting first.

Pro Tools compatibility chart here: https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...tibility-Chart

Nowhere does that site say "anything 12.8.3 or up will work with high sierra". It lists versions of Pro Tools that are supported to run on a macOS release, don't sweat the details of minor macOS release updates beyond what is shown, they are not tested and don't normally cause problems if Pro Tools is supported on an earlier minor release.

That chart clearly shows the last version of Pro Tools with official compatibility on High Sierra is 2020.12. What you are running today. Is that what you meant by "support". Maybe you can upgrade Pro Tools beyond this on High Sierra, who knows but you are better working on a officially compatible combination.

Nowhere do you say exactly what model Macbook you have. But you can use that and the info at https://everymac.com to work out what macOS upgrade options you have. If you do I would do a clean new install of macOS on a new volume on the boot drive or an external SSD and do not harm the current running macOS install, reinstall your new Pro Tools and any other apps on the new Mac. Do not use Mac migration assistant to move apps or drivers (moving user accounts/data is OK). Once everything is running you can clone the new image over the old one.

Your profile says you have an MAudio MTrack Solo... if so that is USB Audio Class compliant on Mac so no need to find compatible drivers for new macOS versions.

Any later version of Pro Tools will open sessions created in 2020.12, but the devil is always in the plugin details,... you need to ensure any third party plugins are compatible with the upgraded Pro Tools and macOS. Since you are running 2020.12 you have an Intel based Mac, so you should not have significant plugin compatibility issues. Still a good idea to upgrade them to the latest if jumping forward to current Pro Tools.

By "lifetime iLok" I assume you mean you have a Pro Tools Perpetual license, and assuming you have Pro Tools standard not Pro Tools HD... if so and you want to update it just log into your Avid.com account under "My Products" click on your Pro Tools product listed there and click the big blue "Renewal & Upgrade Options" button and purchase the "Pro Tools Studio $199.00 License Upgrade" do *not* purchase a subscription. That license will let you run all Pro Tools Studio (aka Standard) releases up to the latest. And give you updates for a year, and the ability to contact Avid support. Some additional plugins included will stop working after that one year support/update plan expires (I've posted on DUC many times about that, e.g see this recent thread, if you want to wade into those details). You can renew that plan again (for $199) or not, and if not you can resume it in future again.

[propheticwarriorminstrel]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

No support... what do you mean by "support". If you mean customer support and you have questions/problems you can post them on DUC. If you are having some problem I would not just first dive into upgrades without some reason to expectation that will solve the problem, maybe you would be better off do some some troubleshooting first.

Pro Tools compatibility chart here: https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...tibility-Chart

Nowhere does that site say "anything 12.8.3 or up will work with high sierra". It lists versions of Pro Tools that are supported to run on a macOS release, don't sweat the details of minor macOS release updates beyond what is shown, they are not tested and don't normally cause problems if Pro Tools is supported on an earlier minor release.

That chart clearly shows the last version of Pro Tools with official compatibility on High Sierra is 2020.12. What you are running today. Is that what you meant by "support". Maybe you can upgrade Pro Tools beyond this on High Sierra, who knows but you are better working on a officially compatible combination.

Nowhere do you say exactly what model Macbook you have. But you can use that and the info at https://everymac.com to work out what macOS upgrade options you have. If you do I would do a clean new install of macOS on a new volume on the boot drive or an external SSD and do not harm the current running macOS install, reinstall your new Pro Tools and any other apps on the new Mac. Do not use Mac migration assistant to move apps or drivers (moving user accounts/data is OK). Once everything is running you can clone the new image over the old one.

Your profile says you have an MAudio MTrack Solo... if so that is USB Audio Class compliant on Mac so no need to find compatible drivers for new macOS versions.

Any later version of Pro Tools will open sessions created in 2020.12, but the devil is always in the plugin details,... you need to ensure any third party plugins are compatible with the upgraded Pro Tools and macOS. Since you are running 2020.12 you have an Intel based Mac, so you should not have significant plugin compatibility issues. Still a good idea to upgrade them to the latest if jumping forward to current Pro Tools.

By "lifetime iLok" I assume you mean you have a Pro Tools Perpetual license, and assuming you have Pro Tools standard not Pro Tools HD... if so and you want to update it just log into your Avid.com account under "My Products" click on your Pro Tools product listed there and click the big blue "Renewal & Upgrade Options" button and purchase the "Pro Tools Studio $199.00 License Upgrade" do *not* purchase a subscription. That license will let you run all Pro Tools Studio (aka Standard) releases up to the latest. And give you updates for a year, and the ability to contact Avid support. Some additional plugins included will stop working after that one year support/update plan expires (I've posted on DUC many times about that, e.g see this recent thread, if you want to wade into those details). You can renew that plan again (for $199) or not, and if not you can resume it in future again.

Thanks for your help. Please b patient with me as I'm not tech savvy. I have the MacBook late 2009. I can only run high sierra on it and since there's no update to PT 2020.12, I'm going to have to get a more modern MacBook if I want to keep my 38 songs.

I "think" I know which MacBook Pro to purchase but some where on Avid's site, they've said that the current vesion doesn't run on the M4 chip. Some I've going to have to get a M3 chip older Mac if I need to salvage my work.

Im hear to learn b4 Iv pay all this $$$ for he cuurent verrsion m(upgrade) and a compatible Mac.

Please help, aid and advisem mif I'm pursuing the correct path in salvagine my work!

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by propheticwarriorminstrel

Thanks for your help. Please b patient with me as I'm not tech savvy. I have the MacBook late 2009. I can only run high sierra on it and since there's no update to PT 2020.12, I'm going to have to get a more modern MacBook if I want to keep my 38 songs.

Can you help explain what problems you are having if any? Are you having Pro Tools errors or are unable to do something in Pro Tools? Or is this you just want to get onto a faster more powerful laptop in general--and that makes sense with such an old computer.

Your current 2009 MacBook Pro likely has an old Intel Core 2 Duo processor which is not very fast, and maybe 4GB or 8GB or memory. How much memory is installed in it now?

I "think" I know which MacBook Pro to purchase but some where on Avid's site, they've said that the current vesion doesn't run on the M4 chip. Some I've going to have to get a M3 chip older Mac if I need to salvage my work.

I would not specifically pick Mac models that Avid has "approved", I'd use that as a indication that any similar or especially larger macs are OK. The issue is more (as you are aware) that no m4 based systems are officially supported. There are reports of people having problems with Pro Tools on the m4, and other reports of folks not having problems. There are one understood problem to do with the iLok licensing software and some plugins that use that on the m4. Fixes for that are rolling out now. There are additional problems on the m4 being reported by some users, we (waving hands at the room in general) don't seem to have a great handle on what is going on there and so for non-technical users I'd probably hold off upgrading for now if that is possible for you.

The m4 is a significant and nice increase in performance over previous processors and give the cost of these I'd be tempted to wait and upgrade when the situation with Pro Tools on m4 is better understood.

Memory and the disk in MacBooks can no longer be upgraded so I'd encourage you to purchase a system with at least 16GB of memory and enough SSD space to last you several years. If you want to greatly expand your use of sample based VIs you might want to get more memory than 16GB. You also do not need to use external storage for Pro Tools, in case you are doing that now. If you can afford to I would purchase the MacBook with an internal SSD in the MacBook to be large enough to hold all your apps, any VI samples and your audio sessions. That's often just easier than using an external drive, but ah Apple gets you with their annoying tax on drive prices.

I'm hear to learn b4 Iv pay all this $$$ for the cuurent verrsion m(upgrade) and a compatible Mac.

Please help, aid and advisem mif I'm pursuing the correct path in salvagine my work!

I get a little worried when I see things like "salvaging my work"... is there a problem with losing data or not being able to open sessions etc? I just want to be really sure you are not having some problem there. And either way, before you do anything else make sure you have multiple backups of all your old sessions, and that ideally all the audio content is inside each session folder. I'd ideally have three separate backups, all removed from the computer, some offsite, likely one stored in the cloud.

There might be some things to work though in moving to Pro Tools on a new Apple Silicon Mac. Any new version of Pro Tools should be able to open your current sessions, but if you are using third party or additional licensed Avid plugins you will want to upgrade them to the latest versions that include Apple silicon native support. You can start prepping for that now. Working out if you need to buy any plugin license updates etc. Watch out for plugin vendors who say "apple silicon compatible" that does not mean they have plugins that are apple silicon native, most should by now but there are some laggard vendors who may never get there. Lots of past posts on DUC about this you can search DUC with google search and a site: duc.avid.com qualifier.

You'll likely face a lot less challenges upgrading to a new MacBook than one other recent poster here who has moved from Pro Tools 8LE on Windows to current Pro Tools on a MacBook, but some of that thread might help you. There is a lot of stuff there not all will apply to you. Just have a read through carefully to see: https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=430682.

As mentioned there when you get your new MacBook you can try out Pro Tools Intro for free and see if stuff works OK. If it does not you have the option of returning the Mac... maybe something to do if you do if you really want to buy an m4 based Mac right away.

When you upgrade your Pro Tools perpetual license be very careful not to switch to a subscription. Contact an Avid dealer like Sweetwater or Vintage King for help if you need it.

[propheticwarriorminstrel]

I have 8GB on my MacBook. The "problem" I'm experiencing is that the liscense has expired to PT 1st and I can't use it any more. I've checked around and Seuoia will run the last version of PT with an M3 chip.

My problem is that PT won't run on my Mac any more. It will load but all that liscense stuff happens preventing me from using it like I have in the past.

I'm not experiencing any moveable data problems yet because I don't have the new Mac and PT. It is safely on my current Mac but I just can't get the proper version that will last me years yet.

Yes, I will check Sweetwater and Avid to c what is cheaper on getting the upgrade. I paid $99 for PT 1st under high seirra. I don't currently have the $$$ for all of this but I neede to do some pre shopping so I'll know what to buy.

Thanks for your help with this upgrading situationn. I hate forced pgrades but alas they're necessary. There's no USB 2.0 ports on the MacBook Air so will those converters for USB work?

[Darryl Ramm]

Wait, so all this time you are talking about Pro Tools First? You have been running First not "real" Pro Tools and you have 38 cloud projects in Pro Tools First saved to your local disk? That may be a record! (no pun intended ) If you mean Pro Tools First please stop calling that just "Pro Tools" on posts here you are going to cause nothing but confusion.

If you had a non-First license at one time then: What exactly does the iLok License Manage show for the Pro Tools product name and license Type you have? If it shows "Subscription" what is the expiry date? If it shows "License" (ie Perpetual) and you look in the license details what is the Release Limit Date?

To be sure you *really* mean ProTools First or Pro Tools Intro?

Yes Pro Tools First is a dead, end of life product that was a total mess, it has been killed off by Avid. Pro Tools licenses even subscriptions cannot just expire to Pro Tools First. Pro Tools First requires a separate install of different Pro Tools software from "real" Pro Tools, and it cannot work on traditional Pro Tools sessions on local disk. Pro Tools First and its awful cloud projects are a potential way to lose your work.

By contrast Pro Tools Intro is just a license key activated version of "real" Pro Tools, one single install that can be Intro, Artist, Studio, or Ultimate, it only depends on a license key. If Pro Tools Intro (and what exact version? 2020.12?) is running on your Mac then that shows you simply have a licensing problem and you could upgrade that now and be using Pro Tools 2020.12 (Artist, Studio or Ultimate... depending on your license) on your current Mac. I suspect you should fix that first before any Mac upgrade, certainly if you have a perpetual license.

And if you had a version of First and all these cloud projects you should be able to get a version of Pro Tools 2020.12 running on your current Mac. I certainly expect any 2020.12 up until latest perpetual Artist, Studio and Ultimate licenses to activate 2020.12, maybe others will as well. It may make sense to try to get Pro Tools First cloud session messes if you have them into real Pro Tools sessions on your existing Mac. Again, do you have whatever you have on disk backed up on multiple other drives/locations? If not that is the first thing to do. Nothing is "safe" on your current Mac if you do not have multiple backups.

[propheticwarriorminstrel]

I'm attaching the lock screens so u can c my problems. If I get a new Mac, the 1 I want doesn't have USB 2.0 ports. How do I overcome that?

I have NO cloud. All my songs r on hard disk. I have back ups of them already.

I have PT Intro and r u saying I have 2 upgrade to a higher version to use PT? I don't mind but just so we're problem solving correctly.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by propheticwarriorminstrel

I'm attaching the lock screens so u can c my problems. If I get a new Mac, the 1 I want doesn't have USB 2.0 ports. How do I overcome that?

The Mac's USB type C (aka USB-C) ports fully support USB 2.0.

To use a USB type A connector you buy a Thunderbolt or USB-C hub or dock that has USB type A ports on it, or you use a ~$19 Apple "USB-C to USB" adapter dongle. Most of us have multiple of the dongles laying around, and many folks likely also use a dock of some kind for power and connectivity.

I have NO cloud. All my songs r on hard disk. I have back ups of them already.

Good. I was asking because you said you had Pro Tools First, and Pro Tools First does use cloud storage or a messed up version of what it uses on the cloud for local storage. If you were using Intro instead and/or know you can open your sessions off the local drive with Intro then you are set. But if you don't actually have Intro running on your Mac how do you know you can open the songs on the drive. Be careful here.

I have PT Intro and r u saying I have 2 upgrade to a higher version to use PT? I don't mind but just so we're problem solving correctly.

So I'll recap, because there has never been a clear expiation of what you are trying to do or what problem you have. If anything is wrong here speak up trying to be as clear as possible.

There was a mention of Pro Tools First, not sure why. Not sure if that was running earlier on this computer or not.

You are now trying to run the Free Pro Tools Intro but that won't run on your old Intel based Late-2009 MacBook. It's unclear exactly what model#/EMC# the MacBook is, but it likely supports up to macOS 10.13 High Sierra (from https://everymac.com/systems/apple/m...009-specs.html

Check that applies to your actual computer, and for example you have the MacBook shown and not say a MacBook Pro.

Your profile says the Mac is running High Sierra aka 10.13, so likely already at the latest version officially supported. (It may be possible to upgrade beyond that for very technical users using third party tools, but don't go there).

From the Pro Tools compatibility table the latest version of Pro Tools supported on High Sierra is indeed 2020.12. (https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...tibility-Chart)

It sounds like you have installed Pro Tools 2020.12 on this MacBook and are trying to get that to work using a Pro Tools Intro license. That will never work, Avid added support for Intro in Pro Tools 2022.9. You need to be running 2022.9 or later to use that Intro license, but 2022.9 is just not going to run on High Sierra, I would never even try.

Pro Tools Artist and Studio (a rename of just plain old "Pro Tools") support was added to Pro Tools 2022.4 and then Intro was added in 2022.9. So say buying an Artist license or subscription is not going to help you here.

Now what can help you get going on your current Mac is:

Purchase a perpetual license for Pro Tools *Studio*(i.e. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...petual-license) a current Studio license should open Pro Tools 2020.12 as just Pro Tools aka Pro Tools standard. I'd hope a subscription license would as well but I've never used them. You can try, and worse case it costs you a months subscription. Personally I would never use a Pro Tools subscription, a perpetual license is a much better option.

You should also be able to enroll for the free one month trial of Pro Tools Ultimate, that license I hope will also open Pro Tools 2022.12 as Pro Tools HD, you can just try it and see. You only get one month at this, once so use wisely. In fact do this even if you think you will buy Pro Tools Studio... it makes sure that 2020.12 runs OK on your particular Mac before you spend any money on a Pro Tools Studio license.

And I don't follow what has really gone on here but I'd sure be tempted to make sure some version of "real" Pro Tools can actually open the songs on the local drive. Unless you are getting the new Mac soon I'd be tempted to get Pro Tools running on the old MacBook.

As for buying a new Mac, you are going to be spending thousands on that and the power of that computer is likely to surprise you compared to a Core-2 Duo powered old Mac. Is Pro Tools Intro all you really need?... it's pretty limited in capacity, but heck if you have done all this in the past on First, then hats off to you. If you used an older version of "real" Pro Tools in the distant past to create these sessions then be careful of the track limits in Intro.

If you are going to buy an M4 based Mac, I think it's all just risk aversion and looking for the best deal in time. I expect the M4 to be fully supported by Avid, I hope that is in the next Pro Tools release. May users are using them today without problems, there is a know iLok licensing bug with some plugins that has some fixes rolling out not, and reports of other problems might be getting a handle on, it might be they are plugin related as well. Too early to be confident there. And yes if I was buying a new Mac I'd want it to be an M4. Again I'd go for a minimum of 16GB or RAM and trying to get enough internal SSD to store all my apps, sessions, samples as well as macOS and anything else the Mac is used for.

[EGS]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

... and trying to get enough internal SSD to store all my apps, sessions, samples as well as macOS ...

Yes! On my Windows desktop build, I'm using a single internal 4TB SSD for everything. For organizational purposes, I made three partitions: OS/sessions/samples. I keep only current/active session data on this drive. All backups on externals. Works!