Which M-Audio Interfaces are compatible?

[bilco]

I will buy a FirePro 610 if I can confirm that it will work with PT Essential on a ~ 2004 12" iBook running Leopard 5.5

That would be a great, portable, minimalist songwriter's rig if it works

[Snarf]

I think the M-Audio product info page, states that you need an intel-mac to run Essential..

[bilco]

I missed that, thanks Snarf

[mindnoise]

http://forums.m-audio.com/showthread.php?t=12362

M-Audio Tech Support:
Do not purchase multiple Pro Tools Essentials Bundles; you can only have 1 M-Audio USB Audio interface installed on the computer at a time. You cannot install a Producer USB Microphone and Fast Track USB microphone on the same system. Pro Tools M-Powered Essential is only intended to be used with the hardware it is bundled with.

You cannot add any 3rd party plug-ins to Essential. You can import audio and MIDI, and you could definitely use this to make a demo CD.

[Snarf]

From the Digidesign site:

Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software is included with these products:
Pro Tools KeyStudio
Pro Tools Recording Studio
Pro Tools Vocal Studio
Fast Track
For compatibility information, click on "System Requirements" for each product.
For included hardware and software information, click on "Full Features" for each product.

Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software is also compatible with the following M-Audio products:
ProFire 2626
ProFire 610
Fast Track USB
Fast Track Pro
Fast Track Ultra
Fast Track Ultra 8R
Torq Conectiv
Torq Xponent
KeyStudio 49i
ProKeys Sono 61
ProKeys Sono 88

[bilco]

Thanks Snarf, that gives me a reason to get the Profire 610. I may downsize to just that and my iMac and mothball or sell my other gear

bilco

[Snarf]

You only get essential if you buy the Fast Track, Keystudio or USB microphone. So if you get a profire, Essential will not be included. (though it should be for all M-AUdio hardware, as it would be a great way to get more people into PT. Many young musicians usually start with whatever DAW is included with their first real recording interface.)

If you are spending the extra cash on the profire, go for full version m-powered instead. Or else you`ll have to buy two interfaces. The Profire, AND oen of the Essential ones, just to get Essential software.

One really good thing about Essential, is that it doesn`t require iLok. So you can put it on a notebook and have a portable PT rig with just the small Fast Track interface, and still have a free USB port if you have a macbook or similar notebook.