Pro Tools 2019.12 - macOS Catalina Support Is Here - With Some Restrictions
One of the most popular feature requests in the comments to our article on new features for Pro Tools 2020 was support for macOS Catalina 10.5.1. We have good news for you all. Avid has made one more upgrade of Pro Tools 2019, with a December release, which provides macOS Catalina support. However, this is an ‘initial support’ release with some limitations to some video related workflows. In this article, we have all the details of what will and won’t work in this initial Catalina supported version of Pro Tools.
What Will And Won’t Work In Pro Tools 2019.12 With macOS Catalina
As we explained in our article Getting Ready For macOS Catalina - Rooting Out All Your 32 Bit Applications even though Pro Tools is a 64-bit application, there were still a number of 32-bit components including software that handles import, export, and playback of certain file types, such as QuickTime MOV files.
Avid is working on replacing all this functionality as soon as possible. But rather than wait until it is all done, Avid has chosen to release this interim version with Catalina support for all audio workflows and some video workflows and then to release updates to cover the remaining functionality as it becomes available.
The simple answer is if video does not form part of your workflow, then Pro Tools 2019.12 is fully supported with macOS Catalina 10.15.1. If video forms part of your workflow and includes anything QuickTime or .mov related, irrespective of what codecs you are using including Avid DNxHD, then Pro Tools 2019.12 may not be an update for you unless one of the solutions below will work for you.
Avid has told us that while they will not be replacing every file type and codec, previously supported in Pro Tools 2019.10 and earlier, they will be supporting the most common file types and codecs. Consequently, if you use video in your workflows then we recommend that you study this article carefully before deciding whether you should upgrade to Pro Tools 2019.12 or whether the limitations of this initial Catalina release make it better for you to stay on Pro Tools 2019.10.
The only caveat we are aware of for audio-only workflows with Pro Tools 2019.12 and macOS Catalina is that you will not be able to import AAC files directly into Pro Tools, with this initial Catalina release.
Pro Tools Would Like To Access Files On A Removable Volume
macOS Catalina introduces a new dialog that controls application access to external volumes. You may encounter this dialog when launching Pro Tools or when mounting a new volume with Pro Tools open. Clicking OK lets Pro Tools see the media on this volume for use with sessions, as well as an available volume in the Workspace. It is recommended that you click OK, but even if you click Don't Allow instead you can still allow this later in the macOS System Preferences > Security & Privacy settings.
Supported Functionality With Pro Tools 2019.12
In this table, we identify the supported and unsupported functionality for Pro Tools 2019.12 with macOS Catalina
Avid have produced this video, which demonstrates some of the limitations there are with Pro Tools 2019.12 with macOS Catalina…
Pro Tools 2019.10 and earlier will not work with macOS Catalina.
Note that all these restrictions are for macOS Catalina. If you are on Avid supported versions of Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier, then Avid tell us that you will have normal QuickTime related functionality with Pro Tools 2019.12.
Pro Tools 2019.12 System Requirements
Mac:
Intel® Mac with macOS 10.13.6, 10.14.6 or 10.15.1
Pro Tools - Intel® Core i5 processor
Pro Tools | Ultimate - Intel® Core i5 (specific models only) or Intel® Core i7 processor
16GB RAM (32GB or more recommended)
Internet connection for installation
15GB disk space for installation
PCIe slot for HDX or HD Native card (incl. one power connection on the motherboard), Thunderbolt port for supported PCIe-chassis or HD Native Thunderbolt
USB port, FireWire port or Thunderbolt port for CoreAudio-supported audio device
Pro Tools Ultimate requires a Pro Tools DigiLink I/O license to access HD hardware. For more information see this article.
This means that Pro Tools 2019.12 is now not supported on macOS Sierra (10.12.x) computers. You will need to upgrade your OS to High Sierra, Mojave or Catalina.
Windows:
Intel® PC Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Enterprise 64-bit Editions
Windows 10 for Workstations supported on Intel® Xeon processor-equipped machines
Pro Tools - Intel® Core i5 processor
Pro Tools | Ultimate - Intel® Core i9 or Intel® Xeon processor
16GB RAM (32GB or more recommended)
Internet connection for installation
15GB disk space for installation
PCIe slot for HDX or HD Native card (incl. one power connection on the motherboard)
USB-port, FireWire-port for ASIO-supported audio device
Compatible NVIDIA graphics card (see machine-specific Slot Order & Configuration pages linked below for tested NVIDIA card models)
Pro Tools | Ultimate requires a Pro Tools DigiLink I/O license to access HD hardware. For more information see this article.
Pro Tools 2019.12 brings support for Windows 10 (release 1909).
You will find please find version-specific and machine-specific qualifications in the Avid Compatibility Grid.
Alternative Workflow Solutions
If working with QuickTime related workflows on a macOS Catalina based system with Pro Tools is important to you then there are a number of tools on the market to help with the various workflows. Note that Avid has not tested or qualified these solutions.
QuickTime Video Playback with Pro Tools, as well as QuickTime Export
Check out Non-Lethal Applications Video Slave 4. This can be synced to Pro Tools using MTC via the IAC bus on macOS.
Once the audio mix is completed, you can bounce the mix, import it into Video Slave, and then export a QuickTime movie. In addition, Video Slave supports timecode overlay.
If you are interested in learning more about Video Slave 4 from Non-Lethal Applications then check out some of our articles…
QuickTime Video Transcode to MXF OP-Atom Video and Audio
If MXF OP-Atom fits into your workflow then check out the free Shutter Encoder. This free application can convert QuickTime movies (up to 1080p) into MXF OP-Atom video and audio that you can then import into Pro Tools. Here are some guidelines from Avid on how to use Shutter Encoder to do this…
Browse to the target QuickTime file that you’d like to play.
Choose DNxHD as the Editing Codec in the Choose Function section.
Set “Generate OP-Atom format files” in the Advanced Features section.
Click the “Start function” button
Import the resulting audio and video MXF files into Pro Tools. The audio will need to be imported into Pro tools separately from the video.
In this exclusive free video tutorial, Mike shows how to use the free macOS application Shutter Encoder to convert QuickTime .mov Avid DNxHD media into MXF formatted media suitable for Pro Tools 2019.12 on computers running macOS Catalina.
QuickTime Video Transcode to MXF OP-1A Video
If MXF OP-1A video fits into your workflows then the following applications can create OP-1A MXF files that contain both video and audio. Note that Pro Tools can only import the video portion from these files, but Avid tell us that they do offer a wider codec and raster range.
Shutter Encoder - To get MXF OP-1A video you will need to use the output codecs XDCAM HD422 codec or AVC-Intra 100 codec and in the Advanced Features check the ‘Generate AS10 format option as we understand that the AS-10 format is basically media wrapped in an OP-1A wrapper.
Apple Compressor - You can buy this from the Apple App Store for $49.99. If you are on macOS Mojave and above you will also be able to update the Apple Pro Video Formats to v2.1.1, which amongst other features includes the following MXF support…
Play MXF files in QuickTime Player and other supported macOS applications
MXF plug-in and presets for use in Compressor 4.3 and earlier
For more information on Pro Video format and MXF, see Apple’s Knowledge Base article About Pro Video Formats and MXF.
Adobe Media Encoder - Note that you cannot get Adobe’s Media Encoder beyond a 30 day free trial on its own. It is included an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for one of their video applications like Premiere Pro or After Effects, either of which cost $20.99 per month to rent on subscription.
Standalone MXF Players
It can be helpful to have a lightweight player to view incoming or finished video content outside of Pro Tools. Here’s a list of players that Avid recommend which can import and play MXF files.
AAC Import
if you need to import AAC files into Pro Tools 2019.12 running on macOS Catalina 10.15.1 then you will need to use Apple Music or iTunes, to convert your AAC files before you can then import the WAVs into Pro Tools.
Conclusion And Summary
Reviewing all the information here are our conclusions and options for what we recommend is the best way forward depending on your circumstances…
Not Running macOS Catalina
If you are running an Avid supported Windows operating system or macOS, except for macOS Catalina then Avid recommend you take advantage of the Pro Tools 2019.12 update.
Running Or Need macOS Catalina
If your workflows are audio-only and you want, or need to, run macOS Catalina, then once you have checked our searchable macOS Catalina database that all the software and plugins you need are macOS Catalina compatible then Avid recommends that you upgrade to macOS 2019.12.
if you are running Pro Tools on an Apple Mac computer and your workflows include video and you can work with MXF media and you too have checked our macOS Catalina searchable database that all the software and plugins you need are macOS Catalina compatible then Avid recommends that you upgrade to macOS 2019.12.
if you are running Pro Tools on an Apple Mac computer and QuickTime and .mov media are key parts of your workflow and converting to MXF media won’t work for you then currently we recommend that you do not upgrade to macOS Catalina and Pro Tools 2019.12. You could consider upgrading to macOS Mojave, if you haven’t already, as Mojave still supports QuickTime and other 32-bit applications. However, if you really need to go to macOS Catalina and you still need support for QuickTime and .mov media then consider switching to Video Slave Pro from Non-Lethal Applications.