What are some basic/optimum settings for Pro Tools ? ( TDM Mac )
– Appearance Control Panel > Fonts, change all fonts to Chicago & Disable “Smooth all fonts on screen.”- Under Sound, set Soundtrack to “none.” – In the Energy Saver Control Panel Set sleep time to “Never.” – In the Memory Control Panel Select “Custom” twice under Disk Cache and set it to 512k. You will see a warning regarding system performance. Do Not Panic! This warning does not affect Pro Tools’ performance. 512k is the optimum setting. – Set Virtual Memory and Ram Disk to “Off.” In the Monitors Control Panel:- If using a 9500 or 9600 (or lower) Mac, set colors to 256.- If using a G3 or G4, setting the color to “thousands” should be adequate.- AV users should set the monitor attached to the ABVB card to “millions.”In the Extensions Manager:- Under “Selected Set,” select the OS Base Set (Listed by OS version…ex. OS 8.6 Base Set)- Select “Duplicate Set” and name the set “Pro Tools.” – Add/enable: OMS Preferred Device (control panel) Digidesign DSP Manager (ext) Digisystem INIT (ext) Open Music system (ext) Digidesign Stream Manager (ext)…. if applicable/needed Digidesign Output Drivers (ext)… if applicable/needed Digidesign Direct I/O (ext)… if applicable/needed – v5.01 and higher Digidesign Sound (control panel)… if applicable/needed – v5.01/OS9 and higherPro Tools/DAE- Memory Allocation (Basic settings, based on 128-196 mb of RAM):- In Digidesign folder>Pro Tools, ‘get info’ (Cmd-I)* on the Pro Tools application. Set the Preferred Memory to 30-50 mb (30000k-50000k) Minimum Memory should be left at the default (Enter a ‘0’ if in doubt)- In System Folder>DAE Folder, ‘get info’ (Cmd-I)* on the DAE application. Set the Preferred Memory to 40-60 mb (40000-60000k) Minimum Memory should be left at the default (Enter a ‘0’ if in doubt). NEVER ‘lock’ these “Get Info” windows- These settings are merely a starting point. DAE Playback Buffer setting (DAE > File menu > Set Playback Buffer).- Mix System – 2- D24 System – 2- Pro Tools III System – 0- PowerMix Engine – 8
When you need help, Sweetwater has the answers!
Our knowledge base contains over 28,000 expertly written tech articles that will give you answers and help you get the most out of your gear. Our pro musicians and gear experts update content daily to keep you informed and on your way. Best of all, it’s totally FREE, and it’s just another reason that you get more at Sweetwater.com.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Select manufacturers may require that only the manufacturer’s products qualify towards the minimum purchase amount needed to be eligible for promotional financing. Otherwise, an invoice that meets the minimum purchase amount and contains at least one qualifying manufacturer product is eligible for promotional financing. No interest will be charged on promo purchase balance, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
The estimated required monthly payment shown which excludes taxes and delivery equals the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next cent. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to this rounding. These payments apply only with the financing offer shown. If you make these payments by the due date each month, you should pay off this amount financed within the promo period, if it is the only balance you are paying off. If you have other balances on your account, this payment will be added to any other minimum monthly payments.
Applies only to select items from this manufacturer. Ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.