Optimizing a Mac System for Pro Tools | First
To ensure optimum performance with Pro Tools | First, configure your computer before launching Pro Tools First.
For a complete list of recommended optimizations for your operating system, visit www.avid.com/optimize.
Before configuring your computer, make sure you are logged in as an Administrator for the account where you want to install Pro Tools | First. For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, see your Apple OS X documentation.
Do not use the Mac OS X automatic Software Update feature, as it may upgrade your system to a version of Mac OS that has not yet been qualified for
Pro Tools | First. For details on qualified versions of Mac OS, visit www.avid.com/compatibility.
Turn off the energy saver:
1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Click Energy Saver.
3. Set the Computer Sleep setting to Never.
4. Set the Display Sleep setting to Never.
5. Deselect “Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible” option.
Disable or Reassign Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Used by Pro Tools | First:
1. To have the full complement of Pro Tools | First keyboard shortcuts, you need to disable or reassign conflicting Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts in the Apple System Preferences. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Click Keyboard.
3. Click the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.
4. You can disable or reassign Mac OS keyboard shortcuts that conflict with Pro Tools | First keyboard shortcuts. The following list includes several common Mac keyboard shortcuts that, depending on the make and model of your Mac, may also be used by Pro Tools | First:
- Under Launchpad & Dock, select Turn Dock Hiding On/Off
- Under “Mission Control, select the following: Mission Control, Show Dashboard, Mission Control > Move left a space, Mission Control > Move right a space, Mission Control > Switch to Destop
- Under Keyboard & Text Input, select Turn keyboard access on or off, Move focus to the window drawer, Move focus to the Dock, Move Focus to active or next window
- Under Services, select Send File to Bluetooth Device, Search with Google, Spotlight
- Under Spotlight, select Show Spotlight search field, Show Spotlight window
- Under Accessibility, select Zoom, Contrast
- Under Application Shortcuts, select Show Help menu
Enable Journaling:
1. To yield higher performance from audio drives, enable journaling. Launch the Disk Utility application, located in Applications/Utilities.
2. Select the volume in the left column of the Disk Utility window.
3. Select Enable Journaling in the toolbar.
4. Set the Display Sleep setting to Never.
5. Deselect “Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible” option.