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Home | Support | Tech Notes | Can I use my MOTU hardware with the 64-bit Mac OS X kernel? Is there a 64-bit version of my software? Can I use my plug-ins in 64-bit applications?
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Can I use my MOTU hardware with the 64-bit Mac OS X kernel? Is there a 64-bit version of my software? Can I use my plug-ins in 64-bit applications?

To use 64-bit applications, plug-ins, or device drivers on Mac OS X, an Intel-based Mac with a 64-bit processor running Mac OS X v10.6 or later is required. (To see if your Mac has a 64-bit processor, please refer to the Apple support document, "How to tell if your Intel-based Mac has a 32-bit or 64-bit processor.")

Mac OS X v10.6 supplies 32- and 64-bit kernels; by default, the 32-bit kernel is used. Using the 64-bit kernel is not required to run 64-bit applications or plug-ins; an Intel-based Mac with a 64-bit processor can run both 32- and 64-bit applications and plug-ins while using the 32-bit kernel. (To see if your Mac can use the 64-bit kernel, please refer to the Apple support document, "Mac OS X Server v10.6: Macs that use the 64-bit kernel.")

Hardware

When using the 64-bit kernel in Mac OS X v10.6 and later, 64-bit hardware drivers must be used. MOTU FireWire/USB2 audio interfaces, PCI-424 audio interfaces, and USB MIDI interfaces can be used with the 32- or 64-bit kernel. The minimum driver versions required for use with the 64-bit kernel are:

  • FireWire/USB2 Audio 1.5 (37320)
  • PCI-424 Audio 1.5 (38352)
  • USB MIDI 1.5 (37320)
  • FireWire/PCI Video 2.32

Software

The following software versions (and all subsequent versions) provide native 64-bit support:

  • Digital Performer 8
  • MachFive 3
  • BPM 1.0.5
  • Ethno Instrument 2
  • Electric Keys 1.02

MOTU Symphonic Instrument is not yet available as native 64-bit. Registered Symphonic Instrument owners have access to a downloadable 64-bit version of the Symphonic Instrument library, which can be opened in a 64-bit sample player such as MachFive 3 or UVI Workstation2. Please refer to the following tech note on How to install and authorize the 64-bit MOTU Symphonic Instrument sound library.

To download the latest MOTU updates, go to our Mac downloads area.