Expanded Systems Guide

Version 9.0
Legal Notices
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laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part
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003, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 888|24
I/O,882|20 I/O, 1622 I/O, 24-Bit ADAT Bridge I/O, AudioSuite,
Avid, Avid DNA, Avid Mojo, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid
Xpress, AVoption, Axiom, Beat Detective, Bomb Factory,
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DigiDelivery, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign
Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiDrive,
DigiRack, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DINR, DV Toolkit, EditPack,
Eleven, EUCON, HD Core, HD Process, Hybrid, Impact,
Interplay, LoFi, M-Audio, MachineControl, Maxim, Mbox,
MediaComposer, MIDI I/O, MIX, MultiShell, Nitris, OMF, OMF
Interchange, PRE, ProControl, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Tools,
Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, QuickPunch, Recti-Fi, Reel Tape,
Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Sibelius, Smack!,
SoundReplacer, Sound Designer II, Strike, Structure, SYNC
HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum
Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL
MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Transfuser,
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Guide Part Number 9329-65047-00 REV A 9/10

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contents

Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Pro Tools Expanded Systems Without an Expansion Chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Pro Tools with an Expansion Chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Chapter 2. Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Slot Order and Sample Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Adding Cards to Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Connecting Pro Tools|HD Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connecting Audio Interfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Powering Up An Expanded System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Chapter 3. EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Whats Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Installing the PCIe Host Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Connecting Power to the Chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Installing Pro Tools|HD Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting the Chassis to the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Chapter 4. Magma PE6R4 6-Slot Expansion Chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Whats Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Contents iii
chapter 1

Introduction

You can expand your Pro Tools|HD system by

adding Pro Tools|HD cards, either directly in the Pro Tools with an Expansion
computer or using an expansion chassis, as well Chassis
as adding audio interfaces. Expanding your
You can use a qualified expansion chassis to in-
Pro Tools system provides increased track count,
crease the number of PCIe (or PCI) card slots for
adds to the amount of possible plug-in and
your Pro Tools system.
mixer processing, and lets you connect addi-
tional audio interfaces. An expansion chassis consists of a chassis that
provides additional slots for your Pro Tools|HD
For a list of system requirements for maxi-
cards, a host card (installed in your computer),
mum track count, visit www.avid.com.
and a cable that connects the host card to the
chassis. Some chassis also include a controller
card that is installed in the chassis, while some
Pro Tools Expanded Systems newer expansion chassis have a built-in control-
Without an Expansion Chassis ler that does not need to be installed.

It is possible to install as many as five Pro Tools Check with the manufacturer of your chassis
cards in some computers. for details on the cable requirements for your
equipment.
If you require more PCI card slots than your
computer has available, you can use an expan-
sion chassis.

Chapter 1: Introduction 1
 System Requirements and
Compatibility
Pro Tools|HD systems can be used with a
qualified Mac or Windows computer running
Pro Tools HD software.

Avid can only assure compatibility and provide

support for hardware and software it has tested
and approved.

For complete system requirements and a list of

qualified computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility

PCI Compatibility Information for

Windows
For maximum track count with
Pro Tools|HD Accel (for PCI) systems, 64-bit PCI
slots are required. If you are using an expansion
chassis, the 64-bit expansion chassis card should
go in the first 64-bit PCI slot.

2 Expanded Systems Guide

chapter 2

Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems

This chapter covers the following: Computer Configuration (PCIe) Card Type Order
General slot order and sample rate infor- 1 Accel Core (for PCIe) card
mation for expanded systems.
2 HD Accel (for PCIe) cards
Instructions for installing an expanded sys-
tem into slots in your computer (without 3 HBA card (optional)
an expansion chassis).
Instructions for connecting Pro Tools|HD Computer Configuration with Expansion
cards together using their FlexCables. Chassis Card Type Order
These instructions apply to all systems. 1 Expansion chassis host card (PCIe)
Instructions for connecting audio inter-
2 HBA card (optional)
faces. These instructions include DigiLink
and Loop Sync connections, and apply to
Expansion Chassis Configuration (PCI) Card
all systems.
Type Order
1 HD Core (PCI) card

Slot Order and Sample Rates 2 HD Accel (PCI) cards

3 HD Process (PCI) cards

To ensure maximum track counts and trouble-
free operations, it is important that cards are in-
Expansion Chassis Configuration (PCIe) Card
stalled in the appropriate slot locations.
Type Order
1 Accel Core (PCIe) card
Cards and Slot Order
2 HD Accel (PCIe) cards
When installing cards in a computer or an ex-
pansion chassis, group cards according to type Use of a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) card in
and install them in the following order, based an expansion chassis is not supported.
on your Pro Tools system configuration.

For the latest slot order and configurations for

Windows computers, visit www.avid.com.

Chapter 2: Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems 3

 Session Sample Rate and Multiple
Cards Adding Cards to Your System
Pro Tools|HD supports sample rates of 44.1 kHz, To install Pro Tools cards:
48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and
1 Turn off your computer, expansion chassis,
192 kHz. However, due to the processing load
and any peripherals. To ensure proper ground-
required for 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sessions, a
ing, connect the expansion chassis to a power
maximum of only four Pro Tools|HD cards can
source (such as a power conditioner, power strip,
be used at these higher sample rates.
or wall outlet), using the supplied AC cable.
The maximum number of Pro Tools|HD cards 2 Disconnect all cables attached to the com-
supported in a single system is seven. If your sys- puter (such as hard drives, displays, USB and
tem includes more than four Pro Tools|HD FireWire connections) except for the power ca-
cards, the fifth card (and any additional cards) ble.
will automatically be taken offline when
Pro Tools sessions are set to 176.4 kHz or 3 Open the computer case or expansion chassis.
192 kHz. You do not need to remove any cards; 4 Remove the metal access port cover behind
Pro Tools automatically deactivates the addi- the slot you want to use by removing the screw
tional cards, and reactivates them when the and sliding the cover out from the access port.
sample rate is switched to 96 kHz or lower.
Before handling any card, discharge static
Any audio interfaces connected to inactive cards
electricity from your clothes or body by
will go offline and be unavailable. You should
touching a grounded metal surface, such as
turn off power to offline interfaces connected to
the power supply case inside your computer.
cards 57 (if any) and re-connect Loop Sync ca-
bles (bypassing the inactive interfaces) before 5 Install the HD Core (for PCI) or Accel Core (for
starting Pro Tools. PCIe) card in the lowest-numbered slot, as fol-
lows:
In a Mac, slot order varies depending on
the computer model. For details, see Mac
Reference on page 5.
In a Windows computer, this will typically
be the slot farthest from the graphics card.

For the latest slot order and configurations for

Windows computers, visit www.avid.com.

For systems with an expansion chassis, see

the corresponding chapter in this guide for
the supported model of chassis.

4 Expanded Systems Guide

 Group cards of the same type together (for
example, put all HD Accel cards next to
each other).

7 Install HD Process cards (if any) in remaining

slots (PCI only).

Make sure the first card is the core card for

your system. Expansion cards (HD Accel or
HD Process) cannot occupy the lowest-num-
bered slot.

8 Connect all Pro Tools|HD cards using TDM

FlexCables (see Connecting Pro Tools|HD
Cards on page 6).

9 If installing a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) card in

a system or expansion chassis that supports it,
install it in the highest numbered remaining
Installing the HD Accel Core card in your PC slot.
6 Install HD Accel (for PCI or PCIe) cards in the
Run DigiTest after making any changes to
next slots.
your hardware setup (such as adding or re-
moving cards, audio interfaces, sync cables,
and so on) to verify that your system is
functioning properly. For DigiTest informa-
tion, refer to the DigiTest Guide.

10 Secure each card in place with the slot access

port screws you removed earlier.

Mac Reference
On a Mac, the lowest-numbered slot will be the
slot closest to the graphics card.

Mac Pro (PCI Express) The PCI Express-

equipped Mac Pro have three PCI Express (PCIe)
slots (named slots 2, 3, and 4). The PCI Express
slot numbers increase from bottom to top as you
face the open computer case from the side. In-
stall the Accel Core (for PCIe) card into PCI
Installing an HD Accel card in your PC slot 2.

Chapter 2: Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems 5

 Connecting Pro Tools|HD
PCIe slot 4
(hidden) Cards
PCIe slot 3 Each Pro Tools|HD card has two ports along the
top of the card, labelled Port A and Port B. The
PCIe slot 2
FlexCable has two connectors, also labeled
AGP slot 1
(video card) Port A and Port B, to ensure proper connection.
Data communication across cards is achieved by
connecting Port B of the first card to Port A of
the next card with a TDM FlexCable.

The first FlexCable always goes from Port B

on the core card to Port A on the first
expansion card, as described in the follow-
Figure 1. Mac Pro
ing steps.
To Install an HD card into Slot 4 on a Mac Pro:
To connect Pro Tools|HD cards with the TDM
1 Remove all SATA drive trays from the Mac Pro. FlexCable:

2 Place the rear of card into the access port. 1 Shape the FlexCable before installing it on
your Pro Tools|HD cards by grasping the cable
3 Move the front of the card up and line it up
with both hands with its printed side facing you
with the PCIe slot and seat the card in the slot.
and moving the Port B portion of the cable away
4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 for up to two additional from you and outwards, as shown below. Do not
cards (for a Pro Tools|HD 3 system). bend the cable more than you need to, as you
may damage the traces in the cable.
5 Replace the SATA drive trays.

Preparing TDM FlexCable for installation

2 Turn the cable on its side, so that the connec-

tors are facing downwards, and Port A is the
higher side.

Port A

Port B
Orienting the FlexCable

6 Expanded Systems Guide

3 Slide the FlexCable into the notch of the sec-
ond card, so that the Port B connector of the Connecting Audio Interfaces
FlexCable can be aligned with Port B of the first
All Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces require Di-
card; and the Port A connector of the FlexCable
giLink Mini or DigiLink connections depending
can be aligned with Port A of the second card as
on the type of audio interface (for example,
shown below.
HD I/O requires a DigiLink Mini connection; a
192 I/O requires a DigiLink connection).

When using multiple interfaces, you must also

connect Loop Sync between all Pro Tools|HD
audio interfaces.
PORT B

When using multiple Legacy I/Os (Pro Tools

24|MIX-series interfaces such as the 888|24
I/O and 882|20 I/O) you must connect Slave
Clock to all Pro Tools|24|MIX-series audio inter-
faces.
Inserting TDM FlexCable

4 Connect the Port A connector of the FlexCa-

Recommended Ordering of Interfaces
ble to Port A on the second card. Push down
gently but firmly until the cable is fully con- If your setup includes different types of audio
nected to the card. Attach the other end of the interfaces, install them in the following order:
FlexCable (labeled Port B) to Port B on the first
HD OMNI, HD I/O, HD MADI, 192 I/O, or
card.
192 Digital I/O Use as the primary audio inter-
face. These interfaces provide the highest fidel-
HD Accel (or Process) card in PCI slot 3
ity clock source for your system.
Port
Port BB Port AA
Port
If you have at least one HD OMNI in your
Pro Tools system, it should be the primary
Port
Port BB Port AA
Port audio interface and Loop Sync master.
HD Core card in PCI slot 2
96 I/O Use as the primary interface only if an
Top view of TDM FlexCable connections HD OMNI, HD I/O, 192 I/O, or 192 Digital I/O is
5 Verify the connection. Make sure the FlexCa- not installed, or use as an expansion interface
ble ports seat flat against the sockets on the connected to the Expansion port of the primary
Pro Tools|HD cards, and are firmly attached. interface.

6 For systems with more than two cards, con- 96i I/O Use as the primary interface if no other
nect each additional card to its preceding card. Pro Tools|HD interfaces are installed, or as an
Use FlexCables to connect card pairs together, as expansion interface connected to the Expansion
described above, until all cards are connected. port of another Pro Tools|HD interface.
(Each expansion card is packaged with a FlexCa-
ble.) Legacy I/Os See Connecting Legacy Audio In-
terfaces on page 9.
7 Close the computer case.

Chapter 2: Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems 7

 DigiLink Connections DigiLink Mini Cable Length Specifications

Use DigiLink cables to connect Pro Tools|HD There are six different lengths of DigiLink Mini
cards and audio interfaces. A single DigiLink cables:
connection carries up to 32 channels of bi-direc- 18 (0.46m), included with HD I/O,
tional audio information. These 32 channels are HD OMNI, and HD MADI
broken up into 2 groups of 16 channels: Group 12 (3.6m)
A = Channels 116, Group B = Channels 1732.
25 (7.62m)
The maximum number of DigiLink cables sup- 50 (15.25m), the maximum length sup-
ported on a single system is ten (for session sam- ported for 192 kHz sessions
ple rates up to 96 kHz) or eight (for session sam- 100 (30.5m), the maximum length sup-
ple rates of 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz). ported by 96 kHz sessions
Use the 12-foot DigiLink cable included with
each Pro Tools|HD card to connect the card to DigiLink Cable Length Specifications
an audio interface. The primary audio interface, There are six different lengths of DigiLink ca-
which functions as the Loop Sync master for bles:
other interfaces in the system, must be con-
18 (0.46m), included with 192 I/O,
nected to the HD Core card. You can purchase
192 Digital, 96 I/O, and 96i I/O audio in-
optional DigiLink Mini and DigiLink cables of
terfaces
differing lengths (25-foot, 50-foot, and 100-
12 (3.6m), included with each
foot), depending on the needs of your studio
Pro Tools|HD card
configuration.
25 (7.62m)
Use the 18-inch DigiLink cable, included with
50 (15.25m), the maximum length sup-
each Pro Tools|HD audio interface, when con-
ported for 192 kHz sessions
necting a secondary Pro Tools|HD audio inter-
face to the Expansion port of another 100 (30.5m), the maximum length sup-
Pro Tools|HD audio interface. ported by 96 kHz sessions

Use DigiLink cables with a DigiLink to Di-

giLink Mini adapter cable to connect HD I/O,
HD OMNI, and HD MADI to Pro Tools|HD
cards, as well as to 192 I/O, 192 Digital I/O,
96 I/O, and 96i I/O.

8 Expanded Systems Guide

DigiLink to DigiLink Mini Adapter Cables 4 If connecting a Legacy audio interface (such as
the 888|24 I/O), refer to Connecting Legacy Au-
Use a DigiLink to DigiLink Mini adapter cable to
dio Interfaces on page 9.
connect HD I/O, HD OMNI, and HD MADI to
Pro Tools|HD cards, as well as to 192 I/O, 192
Digital I/O, 96 I/O, and 96i I/O.
Connecting Loop Sync

There are two types of DigiLink to DigiLink Mini To connect Loop Sync:
adapter cables: 1 Connect the Loop Sync Out of the primary in-
12 DigiLink female to DigiLink Mini male, terface to the Loop Sync In of the second inter-
included with each interface face with the provided Loop Sync cables.
12 DigiLink Mini female to DigiLink male
When using a SYNC peripheral, the SYNC
For more information about DigiLink Mini peripheral is considered the primary inter-
and DigiLink Mini to DigiLink cables, visit face of the Loop Sync connection. For more
www.avid.com. information, refer to the SYNC peripheral
guide.
To make DigiLink connections to Pro Tools|HD
audio interfaces: 2 Connect the Loop Sync Out of the second in-
terface to the Loop Sync In of the next interface
1 Connect the primary audio interface to the
and so forth.
HD Core card with the provided 12-foot Di-
giLink cable. For HD I/O, HD OMNI, or HD 3 Connect the Loop Sync Out of the last inter-
MADI, also use the provided DigiLink to Di- face to the Loop Sync In of the primary inter-
giLink Mini adapter cable. face.
2 Do one of the following:
Connect a secondary Pro Tools|HD audio
Connecting Legacy Audio Interfaces
interface to the Expansion port on the pri- Each 192 I/O, 192 Digital I/O, and 96 I/O sup-
mary audio interface using the 18-inch Di- ports up to 16 channels of audio to and from
giLink Mini cable included with HD OMNI Pro Tools|24 MIX audio interfaces (Legacy I/O).
and HD I/O audio interfaces (with or with- These include the 888|24 I/O, 882|20 I/O,
out an adapter cable, as necessary) or the 1622 I/O, 24-bit ADAT Bridge I/O, and the orig-
18-inch DigiLink cable (included with inal ADAT Bridge I/O. The original 888 I/O and
192 I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 96 I/O, and 882 I/O interfaces are not supported with
96i I/O audio interfaces). Pro Tools HD.
or
HD I/O, HD OMNI, HD MADI, and 96i I/O
Connect an additional Pro Tools|HD inter-
do not provide a Legacy port, and conse-
face to the DigiLink on the next card
quently do not support Legacy I/O.
(HD Accel or HD Process).

3 Connect additional Pro Tools|HD audio inter-

faces to subsequent Pro Tools|HD audio inter-
faces or cards.

Chapter 2: Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems 9

 The Legacy Peripheral port functions just like 4 If connecting two Legacy peripherals, connect
the Expansion port. the Slave Clock Out of the first Legacy periph-
eral to the Slave Clock In of the second Legacy
The Legacy port and the Expansion port peripheral.
both use Group B: Channels 1732. you
must choose between the Legacy port and Do not connect the Slave Clock Out of the
the Expansion port in the Pro Tools Hard- last Legacy peripheral to the clock input on
ware Setup dialog. any Pro Tools|HD audio interface.

A single Legacy I/O can be connected to the Leg-

acy Peripheral port using any Pro Tools MIX pe- If using an 888|24 I/O, do not power on the
ripheral cable. Two Legacy I/Os can be con- 888|24 until you are ready to declare it in
nected to a single Legacy Peripheral port using a the Hardware Setup dialog, after launching
Y cable (16-channel Peripheral Cable Pro Tools. See the Pro Tools|HD User Guide
Adapter). for more information.

The maximum number of Legacy I/Os that can Identifying Audio Interfaces
be connected to a Pro Tools|HD system is eight;
If you have multiple audio interfaces of the
requiring four Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces
same type connected to your system, you can
and four 16-channel Peripheral Cable Adapters.
confirm the identity of each interface. This en-
The Legacy port is unavailable in Pro Tools sures that you choose the appropriate interface
sessions at sample rates greater than in the Peripherals list when you define its inputs
48 kHz. and outputs in the Hardware Setup dialog.

To connect Legacy audio interfaces: To identify audio interfaces in your system:

1 Connect one end of a Pro Tools|24 MIX pe- 1 Choose Setup > Hardware.
ripheral cable to the Legacy port on a 192 I/O,
2 From the Peripherals list, select an audio inter-
192 Digital I/O, or 96 I/O.
face connected to your system.
2 Connect the other end of the cable to your
3 Click Main.
Pro Tools|24 MIX-compatible audio interface.
4 Select the Identify option, located in the lower
3 Connect the External Clock Out of the pri-
left corner of the Hardware Setup dialog. This il-
mary interface to the Slave Clock In of the Leg-
luminates all the LEDs on the front panel of the
acy audio interface using a BNC cable.
selected audio interface.

5 Make a note of which interface in your studio

setup corresponds to the identified interface.

6 Repeat the above steps for each additional au-

dio interface in your setup.

10 Expanded Systems Guide

Number of I/O Channels in The HD I/O and the 192 I/O can be expanded by
Expanded Systems adding Expansion cards to increase the amount
of available analog and digital I/O. Expanded
You can add audio interfaces to your system to HD I/O interfaces are an example of asymmetri-
increase the number of available channels of cal I/O when they have a different number of in-
hardware input and output. Hardware input and put channels or output channels. For example,
output includes digital and analog connections. when an HD I/O A/D card is installed on a stan-
dard 8x8x8 HD I/O, the audio interface has six-
Number of Channels of I/O teen available analog inputs and eight analog
outputs. On Expanded HD I/O and 192 I/O, the
Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces provide varying
maximum number of simultaneous, discrete in-
numbers of hardware input and output connec-
puts and outputs is always sixteen.
tors and ports, a certain number of which can be
utilized simultaneously. Because of the way in which HD I/O and 192 I/O
interfaces can be expanded, the maximum num-
For specifications of Pro Tools|HD audio
ber of channels of digital or analog I/O possible
interfaces, refer to the Pro Tools|HD User
with an expanded Pro Tools|HD system depends
Guide or the specific guide for the interface.
on whether you use digital or analog connec-
The standard HD I/O, 192 I/O, and 96 I/O are tions, and whether you require a symmetrical or
examples of symmetrical I/O, where there are the asymmetrical number of input and output
same number of input channels as output chan- channels, as explained in the following exam-
nels. For example, for 96 I/O there are 8 analog ples:
inputs and eight analog outputs. Though these
I/Os provides many analog and digital connec- Maximum I/O Configuration Examples
tors on their back panels, they all only support a
Pro Tools|HD supports up to a maximum com-
total of up to sixteen channels of simultaneous,
bination of ten total of the following audio in-
discrete inputs and outputs. This means you can
terfaces:
be listening to or recording as many as 16 chan-
HD OMNI (only one HD OMNI is sup-
nels of input while simultaneously monitoring
ported in a single Pro Tools|HD system)
or sending as many as sixteen channels of out-
put through a single audio interface. HD I/O
HD MADI (up to three HD MADI can be
HD OMNI provides extensive input and output used simultaneouslyrequires six HD
connections, but provides only eight channels cards)
of simultaneous, discrete inputs and outputs for
192 I/O
Pro Tools.
192 Digital I/Os
HD MADI supports up to sixty-four channels of 96 I/Os
simultaneous, discrete inputs and outputs for 96i I/Os (up to five 96i I/Os can be used si-
Pro Tools (requires DigiLink connections to two multaneously)
Pro Tools|HD cards).

Chapter 2: Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems 11

 Digital (Session Sample Rates Up to 96 kHz) Up to 96 simultaneous analog input and output
channels with the following:
Up to 160 simultaneous digital (AES/EBU or Op-
Four 192 I/O interfaces modified for 16 an-
tical) input and output channels with the fol-
alog inputs and 8 analog outputs (requires
lowing:
adding an A/D card to each interface)
Ten HD I/O (16 x 16 Digital configuration)
and
or
Four 192 I/O interfaces modified for 8 ana-
Ten 192 Digital I/O interfaces
log inputs and 16 analog outputs (requires
a D/A card added each interface)
Analog (Session Sample Rates Up to 96 kHz)
With HD I/O and 192 I/O, if you need more an-
Up to 160 simultaneous analog input and out-
alog inputs and do not need all available analog
put channels with the following:
outputs, use more A/D cards and fewer D/A
Ten HD I/O (16 x 16 Analog configuration)
cards. Conversely, to increase output capacity,
Up to 120 simultaneous analog input and out- use more D/A cards instead of A/D cards.
put channels with the following:
For detailed information about installing
Five 192 I/O interfaces modified for 16 an- Expansion I/O cards in HD I/O, see the
alog inputs and 8 analog outputs (requires HD I/O Guide.
adding an A/D card to each interface)
and
For detailed information about installing
Five 192 I/O interfaces modified for 8 ana- Expansion I/O cards in 192 I/O, see the
log inputs and 16 analog outputs (requires 192 I/O Guide.
adding a D/A card to each interface)
HD MADI
Digital (Session Sample Rates Higher than
96 kHz) HD MADI provides up to 160 simultaneous
channels of MADI digital input and output
Up to 128 simultaneous digital input and out- channels at 44.1/48 kHz with the following:
put channels with the following:
Three HD MADI (Note that the second
Eight HD I/O (16 x 16 Digital configura- DigiLink port on the third HD MADI un-
tion) available)
or
HD MADI provides up to 96 simultaneous chan-
Eight 192 Digital I/O interfaces
nels of MADI digital input and output channels
at 88.2/96 kHz with the following:
Analog (Session Sample Rates Higher than
96 kHz) Three HD MADI

Up to 128 simultaneous analog input and out- HD MADI provides up to 32 simultaneous chan-
put channels with the following: nels of MADI digital input and output channels
at 176.4/192 kHz with the following:
Eight HD I/O (16 x 16 Analog configura-
tion) Two HD MADI

12 Expanded Systems Guide

 To shut down your Pro Tools system:
Powering Up An Expanded 1 Lower the volume of all output devices and
System monitors.
This section provides general information for 2 Shut down your computer.
powering up expanded systems. Make sure to
have the expansion chassis cable connected to 3 Turn off Pro Tools audio interfaces.
both the expansion chassis and the computer 4 Turn off any MIDI interfaces or devices.
before powering up. If the cable becomes dis-
connected from the computer while the system 5 Turn off external hard drives.
is powered on, shut down power to the com- 6 Turn off your expansion chassis.
puter and then the expansion chassis before re-
connecting.

Before you connect your expansion chassis

or install cards in it, make sure to turn off
both the chassis and your computer.

Starting Up and Shutting Down

Your System
Whenever you start your system, turn on all of
your system components in a specific order.

To start up your Pro Tools system:

1 Make sure all your equipment is off (including
your computer).

2 Turn on the expansion chassis.

3 Turn on any external hard drives. Wait ap-

proximately ten seconds for them to spin up to
speed.

4 Turn on any MIDI interfaces and devices or

any synchronization peripherals.

5 Lower the volume of all output devices, then

turn on your Pro Tools audio interfaces. Wait at
least fifteen seconds for the audio interfaces to
initialize and the status LEDs to stop flashing.

6 Turn on your computer.

Chapter 2: Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems 13

14 Expanded Systems Guide
chapter 3

EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis

The 7-slot EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis

for Pro Tools|HD system lets you install up to System Requirements and
seven Pro Tools|HD (PCIe) cards for additional Compatibility
plug-in and mixer processing, and for connect-
The EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis can be
ing additional audio interfaces to the system.
used with qualified computers running
Pro Tools HD software.

Whats Included In order to achieve maximum track count with

an expansion chassis, there may be additional
EB7 Expansion Chassis: 4U, 19-inch rack- system requirements beyond those for
mount enclosure Pro Tools|HD systems without an expansion
PCIe Host Card: Dedicated card that is in- chassis.
stalled in the host computer and provides
the connection to the chassis Avid can only assure compatibility and provide
iPass cable: 3-meter cable to connect the support for hardware and software it has tested
host card to the PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion and approved.
Chassis For complete system requirements and a list of
AC power cable qualified computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility

Chapter 3: EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis 15

 Hardware Specifications
Specifications
Host Card
This section provides slot layout and technical
specifications for the PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion PCIe card
Chassis.
Chassis Slots
Seven PCIe slots
Slot Layout
Accepts the following Pro Tools|HD cards:
The EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis has
Accel Core (for PCIe)
slots that are numbered sequentially, right-to-
left when viewed from the front (17). HD Accel (for PCIe)

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Chassis Dimensions
Width: 19 in
Height: 4U (4 rack spaces)

iPass Cable
Cable Length: 3m

Ventilation Requirements
Ventilation space is required at the front and
rear of the unit. Do not block the front or back
of the unit, and always be sure there is adequate
air flow when mounting this equipment into
racks or studio furniture.

Slot numbering for EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis

16 Expanded Systems Guide

Installing the PCIe Host Card Connecting Power to the
Chassis
To install the PCIe host card:
The AC Power connector on the rear panel of
1 Turn off your computer and any peripherals.
the EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis accepts
2 Open the computer case. For additional a standard AC power cable. The chassis is auto
details on installing a card in your computer, power-selecting (100V to 240V) and will auto-
refer to its documentation. matically work with a standard modular cable to
connect to AC power receptacles in any country.
Before removing cards from their antistatic
bags or handling any card, discharge any To connect power to the chassis:
static electricity that may be on your clothes
Connect the supplied AC cable to the AC con-
or body by touching a grounded metal surface
nector on the back panel of the chassis.
(such as the power supply case inside your
computer).

3 Install the PCIe host card in the lowest num-

bered available slot in your computer.
In most Mac computers, this will be the slot
closest to the graphics card.
In most Windows computers, this will be
the slot farthest from the graphics card.
AC power connector

Connecting the power cable to the chassis

Installing the PCIe host card in the computer

Refer to your computers documentation to

verify slot order.

Chapter 3: EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis 17

 4 Install the Pro Tools|HD Accel Core card in the
Installing Pro Tools|HD Cards first PCIe slot of the expansion chassis. (This is
the first slot on the right when the chassis is
To install Pro Tools|HD cards in the chassis: viewed from the front.).
1 Make sure the power switch on the back panel
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
of the chassis is in the off position.

2 To ensure proper grounding, make sure the

chassis is connected to a power source (such as a
power strip or wall outlet), using the supplied
AC cable.

3 Remove the 6 screws from the top cover of the

expansion chassis, and slide the cover toward
the back panel to remove it.

Remove 6 screws

0 4
1 5
2 6
3 7

Top panel screws Slot numbering for the EP7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion
Chassis

5 Install the remaining HD Accel cards in suc-

cessively numbered card slots in the chassis.

18 Expanded Systems Guide

6 Connect all Pro Tools cards with TDM FlexCa-
bles. See Connecting Pro Tools|HD Cards on Connecting the Chassis to the
page 6. Computer
7 After connecting cards with FlexCables, con-
To connect the chassis to the computer:
nect audio interfaces. See Connecting Audio
Interfaces on page 7. 1 Connect the x4 end of the iPass cable to the
iPass cable port on the chassis. Make sure the
8 After connecting audio interfaces, return here
connection is secure.
and complete the installation process.

Example x4 connector
The following table shows one possible configu-
ration of cards (and audio interface connec-
tions), using all slots in the PCIe-to-PCIe Expan- x8 connector
sion Chassis.
Chassis cards with multiple audio interfaces

Slot Card Detail of iPass cable connectors

Slot 1 Accel Core (Interface #1 and #2)

Slot 2 HD Accel (Interface #3 and #4)

Slot 3 HD Accel (Interface #5 and #6)

Slot 4 HD Accel (Interface #7 and #8)

Slot 5* HD Accel (Interface #9 and #10)

Slot 6* HD Accel iPass cable port

Slot 7* HD Accel Connecting the iPass cable to the chassis

* Card only available at 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 2 Connect the x8 end of the iPass cable to the
88.2 kHz, and 96 kHz port on the PCIe host card in the computer.
Make sure the connection is secure.

Only Pro Tools|HD (for PCIe) cards can be

installed in the chassis. PCI cards are not
supported.

For more information on using multiple au-

dio interfaces, see Number of I/O Channels
in Expanded Systems on page 11. iPass cable port

Connecting the iPass cable to the PCIe host card

Chapter 3: EB7 PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis 19

 Starting Up Your System 6 Lower the volume of all output devices, then
turn on your Pro Tools audio interfaces. Wait at
Whenever you start up your system, turn on all least fifteen seconds for the audio interfaces to
of your system components in a specific order. initialize and the status LEDs to stop flashing.

To start up your Pro Tools system: 7 Turn on your computer.

1 Make sure all your equipment is off (including

your computer). Shutting Down Your System
2 Move the power switch on the back panel of To shut down your Pro Tools system:
the PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis to the On
1 Lower the volume of all output devices and
position.
monitors.

2 Shut down your computer.

3 Turn off Pro Tools audio interfaces.

0
1
4
5
4 Turn off any MIDI interfaces or devices.
2 6
3 7

5 Turn off external hard drives.

6 Press the power switch on the front panel of

Power switch the expansion chassis.

Location of the back panel power switch

3 Press the power switch on the front panel of

the PCIe-to-PCIe Expansion Chassis to turn on
the chassis. The Power switch LED lights when
the chassis is fully powered.

Power switch

Location of the front panel power switch

4 Turn on any external hard drives. Wait ap-

proximately ten seconds for them to spin up to
speed.

5 Turn on any MIDI interfaces and devices, or

synchronization peripherals.

20 Expanded Systems Guide

chapter 4

Magma PE6R4 6-Slot Expansion Chassis

The Magma PE6R4 expansion chassis is a six-slot

PCI expansion chassis with a PCIe host card for System Requirements and
Pro Tools|HD systems. The PE6R4 lets you in- Compatibility
stall up to six Pro Tools|HD (for PCI) cards for
The Magma PE6R4 Expansion Chassis can be
additional plug-in and mixer processing, and for
used with qualified computers running
connecting additional audio interfaces to the
Pro Tools HD software.
system.
In order to achieve maximum track count with
A PCI host card is not available for the
an expansion chassis, there may be additional
Magma PE6R4 expansion chassis
system requirements beyond those for
Pro Tools|HD systems without an expansion
chassis.
Whats Included
Avid can only assure compatibility and provide
Magma PE6R4 Expansion Chassis: 4U,
support for hardware and software it has tested
19-inch rackmount enclosure
and approved.
PCIe Host Card: Dedicated card that is in-
stalled in the host computer and provides For complete system requirements and a list of
the connection to the chassis qualified computers, operating systems, hard
Two 1-meter, high-speed InfiniBand cables drives, and third-party devices, visit:
Power supply www.avid.com/compatibility

Chapter 4: Magma PE6R4 6-Slot Expansion Chassis 21

 Configuring the Magma PE6R4
Specifications 6-Slot Expansion Chassis
This section provides slot layout and technical
specifications for the Magma PE6R4 expansion Connecting the Expansion Chassis
chassis.
To install the PCIe host card in the computer:
1 Turn off the expansion chassis, your com-
Slot Layout for Magma PE6R4
puter, and any peripherals. To ensure proper
6-Slot Expansion Chassis
grounding, connect the expansion chassis to a
The Magma PE6R4 expansion chassis has PCI power source (such as a power strip or wall out-
slots that are numbered sequentially, right-to- let), using the supplied AC cable.
left from the front (16).
2 Open the computer case. For additional de-
tails on installing a card in your computer, refer
to its documentation.

Before removing cards from their antistatic

bags or handling any card, discharge any
static electricity that may be on your clothes
or body by touching a grounded metal sur-
face (such as the power supply case inside
Slot 1 your computer).

Slot 6 3 Install the host card in the lowest numbered

PCIe slot in your computer. On a Windows PC,
this will be the slot farthest from the graphics
Slot numbering for Magma model PE6R4 card. On a Mac, this will be the slot closest to the
graphics card.

Refer to your computers documentation to

verify slot order.

22 Expanded Systems Guide

Connect the host card to the chassis: Magma PE6R4
1 Attach one end of each Infiniband cable to the (Example Configuration)
two connectors (labeled x1 and x3) on the host
card. Chassis cards with multiple audio interfaces

Slot Card
2 Attach the other end of each cable to the cor-
responding connector on the expansion chassis. Slot 1 HD Core (Interface #1 and #2)
Each cable should be attached to connectors
Slot 2 HD Accel (Interface #3 and #4)
with the same label (x1 or x3) on both ends.
Slot 3 HD Accel (Interface #5 and #6)
Refer to the expansion chassis guide for
detailed instructions on connecting the Slot 4 HD Accel (Interface #7 and #8)
Infiniband cables.
Slot 5* HD Accel (or Process)
(Interface #9 and #10)
3 If using a SCSI HBA, do one of the following:
On Mac computers, install the SCSI HBA Slot 6* HD Accel (or Process)
card in the highest numbered remaining * Card only available at 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz,
slot. 88.2 kHz, and 96 kHz
or
On Windows computers, install the SCSI Connecting Audio Interfaces
HBA in the 64-bit slot closest to the graph-
See Connecting Audio Interfaces on page 7.
ics card.

Installing Pro Tools|HD Cards

To install Pro Tools|HD cards in the chassis:

1 Install the Pro Tools|HD Core card in the first
slot of the expansion chassis.

2 Install the remaining cards in successive PCI

card slots in the chassis, in the following order:
HD Accel
HD Process

Only Pro Tools|HD (for PCI) cards can be

installed in the chassis. PCIe cards are not
supported.

3 Connect all Pro Tools cards with TDM FlexCa-

bles. See Connecting Pro Tools|HD Cards on
page 6.

Chapter 4: Magma PE6R4 6-Slot Expansion Chassis 23

Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information
2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Visit the Online Support Center at For company and product information,
Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA www.avid.com/support visit us on the web at www.avid.com