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Digital Audio Workstation & MIDI => Audio & MIDI Hardware => Topic started by: smilesdavis on November 12, 2024, 12:12:36 PM

Title: PCI Local Bus Digital Audio Cards — Timeline
Post by: smilesdavis on November 12, 2024, 12:12:36 PM

PCI AUDIO TIMELINE · POST 1 OF 5
Quick reference and year index

PCI DIGITAL AUDIO CARDS
A Classic Mac timeline · 1996–2004

A year-by-year index followed by hardware, driver and revision notes. Placement follows the supplied chronology; exact dates and qualifications are retained in the detailed entries.

How to read this reference

Classic Mac OS and Mac OS X are separate driver branches.
? = unknown. ~ = probable. — = none, external, unsupported or not applicable, according to the field.
Bold converter part numbers retain the supplied confirmation marking. An unmarked or probable part is not promoted to confirmed.
PCI format: revision · bit width / MHz · signaling voltage · bus mastering · size. BM = bus mastering; var = varies by revision.
PCI-X compatibility does not make a card native PCI-X. Hardware revisions, PCI revision IDs, firmware versions and driver versions are distinct.
The overview and later research notes are preserved as separate layers. Where they differ, read the dated notes; this layout revision does not settle the discrepancy.

Navigation
Year index (#post_timeline_top) · Research addenda (#post_research_notes)

YEAR INDEX

1996

Digidesign — Audiomedia III (#post_audiomedia_iii)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.2–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2–10.2.8
Digidesign — PROJECT / DISK I/O PCI ("Pro Tools III, PCI / Pro Tools Project PCI") (#post_pro_tools_iii_pci)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.2–9.0.4 | Mac OS X: —
Digidesign — DSP FARM, PCI ("Pro Tools III, PCI") (#post_dsp_farm_ii)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.3–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.2.8
Symbolic Sound — Kyma/Capybara PCI (#post_symbolic_sound)
Classic Mac OS: ?–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: —
Digidesign — SAMPLECELL II ™ PCI (#post_samplecell_ii_pci)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
Lucid — PCI24 (#post_lucid_pci24)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.5/7.6.1/8.0 | Mac OS X: ?

1997

Sonorus — STUDI/O (aka SEK'D Prodif Platinum) (#post_sonorus_studio)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.5–9.x | Mac OS X: —
Korg — 1212 I/O (#post_korg_1212)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.5–9.2 | Mac OS X: —
Emagic — Audiowerk8 (#post_audiowerk8)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6.1–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2–10.2.8
Digidesign — D24 (d24 (sticker) of "Pro Tools|24" (system) / "MIX I/O" / "Project II") (#post_pro_tools_24)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.2.8

1998

E-MU / ENSONIQ — PARIS EDS 1000 (#post_ensoniq_paris)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5–? | Mac OS X: ?
Digidesign — SampleCell II ™ PLUS (#post_samplecell_ii_plus)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.2–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
Alesis — ALESIS IP MAIN ("ADAT/Edit") (#post_alesis_adat_pcr)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6.1–? | Mac OS X: —
MOTU — PCI-324 Audio System (#post_motu_pci324)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6.1–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2–10.4
RME — DIGI32/8 (aka SEK'D ProDIF Gold) (#post_rme_digi32)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6–8.x | Mac OS X: —
Digidesign — MIX Core (#post_pro_tools_mix)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.3.4
Digidesign — MIX Farm (#post_pro_tools_mix)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.3.4
RME — DIGI32 (aka SEK'D ProDIF 32) (#post_rme_digi32)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6–8.x | Mac OS X: —
RME — DIGI32 PRO (aka SEK'D ProDIF 96) (#post_rme_digi32)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6–8.x | Mac OS X: —

1999

Lexicon — Studio/Core-32 (#post_lexicon_studio_core32)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6.1–? | Mac OS X: ?
RME — DIGI96 (#post_rme_digi96)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2.8+
RME — DIGI96/8 (#post_rme_digi96)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2.8+
RME — DIGI96/8 PRO (#post_rme_digi96)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2.8+
Digigram — VX222 (#post_digigram_vx222)
Classic Mac OS: 8.1–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.1+
Echo — Gina 20 (#post_echo_gina20)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5–9 | Mac OS X: 10.2+
Echo — Darla 20 (#post_echo_darla20)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5–9 | Mac OS X: 10.2+
Echo — Darla24 (#post_echo_darla24)
Classic Mac OS: ?–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2+
Echo — Layla 20 (#post_echo_layla20)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5–9 | Mac OS X: 10.2+
Midiman/M-Audio — DMan 2044 (#post_dman_2044)
Classic Mac OS: 7.5.5–9 | Mac OS X: ?
Yamaha — DS2416/DSP Factory (#post_yamaha_ds2416)
Classic Mac OS: ?–9 | Mac OS X: ?
Yamaha — SW1000XG (#post_yamaha_sw1000xg)
Classic Mac OS: 8.1–9 | Mac OS X: —
Digidesign — Digi 001 (#post_digi_001)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.3.4
Gadget Labs — Wave/424 (#post_gadget_wave424)
Classic Mac OS: 8–9 | Mac OS X: ?
Gadget Labs — Wave/8.24 (#post_gadget_wave824)
Classic Mac OS: 8.1–9.1 | Mac OS X: —
RME — DIGI96/8 PAD (#post_rme_digi96)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2.8+
Emagic — Audiowerk2 (#post_audiowerk2)
Classic Mac OS: 8.5–9 | Mac OS X: 10.2–10.2.8
Korg — OASYS PCI (#post_korg_oasys_pci)
Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1–9.2 | Mac OS X: —
Frontier Design Group — WaveCenter/PCI (#post_frontier_wavecenter)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.2 | Mac OS X: —

2000

CreamWare — Pulsar (#post_creamware_pulsar)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
Gadget Labs — Wave/496 (#post_gadget_wave496)
Classic Mac OS: 8–9 | Mac OS X: ?
RME — DIGI9636/Hammerfall Light (#post_rme_hammerfall)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.2.8+
RME — DIGI9652/Hammerfall (aka Steinberg Nuendo 96/52) (#post_rme_hammerfall)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.2.8+
CreamWare — Pulsar II (#post_creamware_pulsar2)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
RME — DIGI96/8 PST (#post_rme_digi96_pst)
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2.8+
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta 44 (#post_delta_44)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta 66 (#post_delta_66)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta 1010 (#post_delta_1010)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
Lexicon — Core2 (#post_lexicon_core2)
Classic Mac OS: Mac ASIO v1.20 · OS minimum ? | Mac OS X: ?
CreamWare — SCOPE/SP (#post_creamware_scope)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
Lynx Studio Technology — LynxONE (#post_lynxone)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: —
Midiman/M-Audio — Audiophile 2496 (#post_audiophile_2496)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
TASCAM — PCI-822 (#post_tascam_pci822)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: ?
Echo — Gina24 (#post_echo_gina24)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: ?
Echo — Layla24 (#post_echo_layla24)
Classic Mac OS: 8.1–9.x | Mac OS X: ?
Echo — Mona (#post_echo_mona)
Classic Mac OS: 8.1–9.x | Mac OS X: ?
CreamWare — Elektra (#post_creamware_elektra)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
CreamWare — PowerSampler (#post_creamware_powersampler)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta DiO 2496 (#post_delta_dio2496)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+

2001

SEK'D/Marian — ARC88 (#post_sekd_marian)
Classic Mac OS: 9.x | Mac OS X: ?
CreamWare — Luna II (#post_creamware_luna2)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
Roland — RPC-1 (#post_roland_rpc1)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.x
Creative — Sound Blaster Live! for Macintosh (CT4875) (#post_soundblaster_live)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
Echo — Mia (#post_echo_mia)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.1.3+
Echo — MiaMIDI (#post_echo_miamidi)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x audio | Mac OS X: 10.1.3+
TC Works / TC Electronic — PowerCore PCI (#post_powercore_pci)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2+
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta TDIF (#post_delta_tdif)
Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta R-BUS (#post_delta_rbus)
Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
Edirol — DA-2496/DA-PCI (#post_edirol_da2496)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.x
SEK'D/Marian — ProDIF 96 Pro (#post_sekd_marian)
Classic Mac OS: ? | Mac OS X: ?
SEK'D/Marian — ProDIF Plus (#post_sekd_marian)
Classic Mac OS: ? | Mac OS X: ?
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta 1010LT (#post_delta_1010lt)
Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+

2002

Digidesign — HD Core (#post_hd_core)
Classic Mac OS: 9.1–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
Digidesign — HD Process (#post_hd_process)
Classic Mac OS: 9.1–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
Midiman/M-Audio — Delta 410 (#post_delta_410)
Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.x
RME — Hammerfall DSP PCI (#post_rme_hdsp_pci)
Classic Mac OS: 9.x | Mac OS X: ?
Universal Audio / Mackie — UAD-1 PCI (#post_uad1)
Classic Mac OS: 9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2+
Creative — Sound Blaster Live! Value (CT4870) (#post_soundblaster_live_ct4870)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
Digigram — VX442 (#post_vx442)
Classic Mac OS: 9.1+ | Mac OS X: ?
Lynx Studio Technology — LynxTWO-A (#post_lynxtwo_a)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
Lynx Studio Technology — LynxTWO-B (#post_lynxtwo_b)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
Lynx Studio Technology — LynxTWO-C (#post_lynxtwo_c)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
MOTU — PCI-424 (#post_motu_pci424)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x

2003

M-Audio — Revolution 7.1 (#post_revolution_71)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.1.5+
RME — HDSP 9652 (#post_rme_hdsp9652)
Classic Mac OS: 9.x | Mac OS X: ?
Lynx Studio Technology — L22 (#post_lynx_l22)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
Frontier Design Group — Dakota (#post_frontier_dakota)
Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.2 | Mac OS X: ?
MOTU — PCIX-424 (#post_motu_pcix424)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x

2004

Lynx Studio Technology — AES16 (#post_lynx_aes16)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
Lynx Studio Technology — AES16-SRC (#post_lynx_aes16src)
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
M-Audio — Revolution 5.1 (#post_revolution_51)
Classic Mac OS: 9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.6+

PCI-X compatible ≠ native PCI-X.* Kyma PCI=photographed Rev 990707 only · ‡ Echo: later 5/3.3V+PCI-X host support · Digidesign 5V cards ≠ G5; MIX=3.3V-compatible. compat (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/older-digidesign-hardware-work-new-apple-g5/)

Overview-only entries — no matching detail block supplied

Frontier Design Group — WaveCenter/PCI
PCI: ? · ?/? · ? · ? · 4.7″
Converter ICs: —
SEK'D/Marian — ARC88
PCI: ? · 32/? · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ?
SEK'D/Marian — ProDIF 96 Pro
PCI: ? · 32/? · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ?
SEK'D/Marian — ProDIF Plus
PCI: ? · 32/? · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ?

PCI audio timeline · Post 1 of 5 · Back to year index (#post_timeline_top)

Title: Re: PCI Local Bus Timeline: Digital Audio Cards
Post by: smilesdavis on September 04, 2026, 02:58:11 AM

PCI AUDIO TIMELINE · POST 2 OF 5
Hardware reference · 1996–1998

1996 · HARDWARE & DRIVER NOTES

Digidesign Audiomedia III
Timeline placement: 1996-05-11

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5.2–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2–10.2.8
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · 7″
Converter ICs: ADC ('96): 5330AKS · DAC ('95): 4331-KS

Driver note: Panther/PT LE 6.2.3 retained AMIII code but Digidesign did not qualify it.
Released at AES Copenhagen.
Audio: 2×2 analog · 18-bit AD/DA · 11.025–48 kHz · 24-bit coax S/PDIF · 7" (#post_s2).
Converters, photo-confirmed: CS5330A-KS ADC (9638;1996 W38; overview year='96) · CS4331-KS DAC (9639;1996 W39; overview year='95). Oct '97 CDB5330A/CDB5331A documentation is later evidence, not the CS5330A introduction date.
PCI controller/compat: AMCC S5933Q (https://www.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/168846/AMCC/S5933/94/1/S5933.html) · QC+ required for B&W G3/G4; older=before 18 Mar '97/Rev E; Q→QC→QE (https://archive.digidesign.com/support/compat/compatodocs53.pdf).
Photo-confirmed support ICs: Motorola DSP56002FC66 · 24-bit/66 MHz (https://www.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/88732/MOTOROLA/DSP56002FC66/326/1/DSP56002FC66.html) · CS8412-IS digital RX · CS8402A-CS digital TX · IDT71256SA15Y SRAM · PI74FCT2244TQ · QS3390 · ADG211AKR · 74AHCU04D · HCT123 · ACT157 · ACT273 · PALCE16V8H-15JC/4 · PALCE22V10H-7JC/5.

Sources: compat (https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=14270) · BG01 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Music-Technology/Music-Technology-Buyer's-Guide-2001.pdf) · BG99 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Music-Technology/Music-Technology-Buyer's-Guide-1999.pdf)

Digidesign PROJECT / DISK I/O PCI ("Pro Tools III, PCI / Pro Tools Project PCI")
Timeline placement: 1996-06

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5.2–9.0.4 | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · 32/33 · 5V · ? · full
Converter ICs: —

Physical family: full-length PCI board silkscreened “digidesign PROJECT / DISK I/O PCI”. Project and Disk I/O share the base PCB family, but they are different ROM/system configurations; the PCB revision and the fitted controller/chip revision must be tracked separately.
Photographed Project specimen: ASY 915003867-02 · FAB 941003867-01 REV C · ©1996 · serial FE01196 · single 5V PCI key · 32-bit conventional PCI edge · full-length. The small handwritten role code beside the assembly marking is “02”; Digidesign/Sweetwater identifies “01”=Disk I/O and “02”=Project.
PCI/controller: photographed controller=AMCC S5933Q. It is the earlier Q device, not the S5933QC-or-newer revision Digidesign requires for PCI-2.1/B&W-G3/G4 compatibility. Therefore the card itself must not be labelled PCI 2.1 merely from the S5933 family name. The S5933 architecture is 32-bit/33 MHz and supports PCI bus-master DMA, but use of that bus-master facility by Digidesign on this card is not established→overview BM remains ?.
SCSI: Symbios/NCR 53C710 SCSI I/O processor · 8-bit Fast-SCSI · up to 10 MB/s synchronous on the SCSI side · on-chip SCRIPTS processor. Its local DMA capability does not by itself prove PCI bus mastering by the Digidesign card.
DSP: Motorola DSP56002FC66 · 24-bit fixed-point DSP · 66-MHz speed grade · up to 33 MIPS · 56-bit accumulators. “24-bit DSP” describes internal DSP architecture and must not be used as evidence of 24-bit recording/conversion.
Memory fitted on the photographed board: 2 MiB DRAM + 512 KiB SRAM. DRAM=4× NEC 424400. SRAM=3× Samsung KM681002J-15 + 4× Motorola MCM6206BAEJ15. Exact assignment of the individual memory banks/functions remains unresolved.
Further logic: QuickLogic QL12X16B-0PF100C (100-pin package)+QL8X12B-2PL44C · Digidesign ELVIS ASIC · Digidesign TDM ASIC · Altera device with type obscured by label. Oscillators: 66/60/30 MHz.
Connections: VHDCI50→SCSI storage;60-pin Digidesign peripheral connector→audio interface/DSP-system path. The 60-pin peripheral connector is not SCSI storage.
Converters: — on the PCI card. A/D and D/A conversion resides in the attached Digidesign 882/888-family interface.
Project ≠ Disk I/O: Project and PT III/Disk I/O are not made equivalent by the presence of the shared TDM connector. Project is the 8-voice/8-track configuration; Pro Tools III with Disk I/O provides 16 voices. System/ROM configuration determines the role.
Software identity: Project Audio Card · 8-track · 882/888 I/O (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Electronic-Musician/1996/Electronic-Musician-1996-08.pdf);PT 3.4 identifies Project separately (https://manualzz.com/doc/53738850/avid-digidesign-pro-tools-3.4-user-s-guide);PT 4.0 documents PCI/NuBus Project as 8-channel direct-to-disk (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/90s/97/Mix-1997-07.pdf).
Driver note: Project DATa 3.1 uses DigiSystem INIT 3.01+; Disk I/O OS 9.1 untested; Pro Tools 5.1+ drops Pro Tools III core hardware.
Timeline: Pro Tools III PCI announced 1996-05-11→Disk I/O shipping 1996-06; Pro Tools Project PCI shipping/documented later in 1996.

Sources: Digidesign PCI compatibility (https://archive.digidesign.com/support/compat/compatodocs501.pdf) · AMCC S5933 data book (https://ftpmirror.your.org/pub/misc/bitsavers/components/amcc/PCI_Products_Data_Book_1998.pdf) · 53C710 manual (https://www.bitsavers.org/components/ncr_symbios/scsi/53C710/NCR_53C710_53C710-1_SCSI_IO_Processor_Data_Manual_Jun92.pdf) · DSP56002 datasheet (https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/data-sheet/DSP56002.pdf) · DSP56002 reference (https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/user-guide/DSP56002UM.pdf) · Project vs Disk I/O (https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=106839) · Project spec (#post_s44) · manual (#post_s46)

Digidesign DSP FARM, PCI ("Pro Tools III, PCI")
Timeline placement: 1996-06

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5.3–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.2.8
PCI: 2.1* · 32/33 · 5V · BM · full
Converter ICs: —

Naming: NuBus=DSP Farm/DSP Farm I; PCI=DSP Farm II. Card says DSP Farm, PCI.
FF: AMCC S5933 Q/QC/QE; QC/QE required for B&W G3/G4+later chassis. Older group <FF09226/pre-Rev-H/pre-1997-07-09.
FG: later rev; AMCC S5933QC; B&W G3/G4+later chassis compatible.
Hardware: 4× Motorola DSP56002 · 60-pin I/O+TDM; FF/FG are mfg variants of the same PCI DSP Farm II.

Sources: card · compat (#post_s40) · I/II (https://manualzilla.com/doc/7403515/digidesign-1622-o-user-guide)

Symbolic Sound Kyma/Capybara PCI host interface
Timeline placement: 1996-09-01

Architecture
Power Macintosh PCI
↓ Symbolic Sound PCI host card
↓ interface cableCapybara-66/Capybara-LS/Capybara-320
↓ DSP synthesis+processing+audio I/O

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: ?–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: —
PCI: 2.1* · 32/33* · ? · BM* · ?
Converter ICs: —

Driver note: Kyma 4.5 period req=System 7.1+; PCI-specific Classic floor still ?; OS X requires Flame FireWire; PCI/PC Card remains an OS 9 path.
Host=GUI/structure/disk I/O; Capybara=real-time DSP/audio; PCI=host interface, not converter (https://archive.symbolicsound.com/zzz/pub/Learn/KymaOldDocumentation/Kyma4.5Manualbody.pdf).
Capybara-66/PCI:
- 1996-05-16—Capybara-66: external rack; motherboard+8 expansion slots.
- Expansion: 1× 56002 @66 MHz+3 MB RAM/card; max 8 DSPs.
- 16-bit stereo AD/DA; optional AES/EBU+S/PDIF;24-bit internal arithmetic.
- 1996-09-01—PCI card $225; systems: ISA/NuBus/PCI.
- 1996-11—PCI shipping since Sep; ISA/NuBus/PCI confirmed.
Kyma 4.5/PCI:
- 1997-08 shipping; Sep AES unveiling (https://archive.symbolicsound.com/press-AudioDemo_noPict.html).
- PCI/NuBus/ISA/PC Card host options (#post_s48).
- manual: host work≠Capybara DSP execution (#post_s47).
Capybara-LS/320A:
- 1998-only transitional system: refurbished Capybara-66 motherboard/case upgraded for Capybara-320 expansion cards;320 front panel; PCI/PCMCIA/ISA/NuBus host card (https://archive.symbolicsound.com/cgi-bin/bin/view/Products/CapyLuckyStudent).
- 4 processors+96 MB;2×16-bit/48k analog I/O; up to +6 DSP cards; I/O channels not expandable; optional digital I/O;$1995 (+$200 digital); last sold 1998 (#post_s49).
- Current Kyma software compatible; OS X requires Flame FireWire interface (#post_s49).
Capybara-320/PCI: 1998-09-26
- Base: 4×56309 @80 MHz+96 MB+12 slots (https://archive.symbolicsound.com/press-AES98.html).
- Expansion: 2×56309+48 MB; max 28 DSPs/672 MB (#post_s50).
- 4–8 ch · 24-bit · 32–96 kHz · balanced analog+AES/EBU (#post_s50).
- Word Clock · House Sync · VITC/LTC I/O (#post_s50).
- PCI · PC Card · ISA · NuBus; DSP external (#post_s50).
- 66→320 card exchange or full-system trade-in (#post_s50).
- Base:4-ch analog+digital I/O+sync+host; optional +4 I/O (#post_s50).
PCI sample: SSC 41801BPCB · Rev. 990707 · PLX PCI9060ES at U2 · Microchip 27LV256-20/P at U1 (https://tonetweakers.com/products/symbolic-sound-kyma-capybara-320) · dual-keyed 32-bit PCI edge (https://www.pcisig.com/faq). PCI9060ES: PCI 2.1-compliant 32-bit bus-master interface; PCI clock up to 33 MHz;5V ±5% (https://datasheet.octopart.com/PCI9060ES-PLX-datasheet-181126583.pdf). 27LV256: 256 Kbit (32K × 8) low-voltage CMOS EPROM (https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/11020g.pdf). Sep 1996: PCI interface shipping; Rev. 990707 shown here, so original PCB/controller ?.
Identity: PCI host-card line spans Capybara-66→LS→320; OS9 continuation in Part 2.

Sources: compat

Digidesign SAMPLECELL II ™ PCI
Timeline placement: 1996-11-22

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: 2.1* · 32/33 · 5V · BM · full
Converter ICs: ? DAC

PCI generations: early photographed production hardware carries AMCC S5933Q; later cards carry S5933QC+. Digidesign explicitly requires S5933QC or later for PCI 2.1 compatibility and for Blue & White G3/G4 operation; older group <HH02001/pre-Rev-D/pre-1997-05-20 uses the earlier AMCC revision.
Photographed production examples: FAB 941004130 Rev C · ASSY 915004130 · single 5V PCI key · full-length PCB. One supplied specimen shows AMCC S5933Q; another photographed Rev-C specimen shows S5933QC. S5933=32-bit/33 MHz PCI master/slave (https://www.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/168846/AMCC/S5933/94/1/S5933.html);FIFO DMA/bus-master transfers (https://www.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/168846/AMCC/S5933/194/2/S5933.html).
D/A: four identical ~20-pin DAC ICs at U11/U21/U29/U34 serve the four stereo output pairs/8 analog outputs; package markings are unreadable in the available photos, so exact DAC type remains ?.
Hardware visible in supplied card photos: Motorola DSP56002FC66;8×30-pin SIMM sockets; four stereo 1/4″ output jacks.
Memory: 8/16/24/32 MB Mac-II-type 30-pin RAM.
Optional TDM daughterboard photographed separately: silkscreen “SAMPLECELL II ™ TDM, PCI” · FAB 941004129 Rev A · Digidesign TDM ASIC; mounts to the SampleCell II PCI card rather than being a second sampler card.

Sources: product (https://web.archive.org/web/19970516061503/http://www.digidesign.com/Newdigiweb/Digiprod/samplecell/index.html) · spec (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/specifications-for-samplecell-ii-pci/) · drivers · compat (#post_s40)

Lucid PCI24
Timeline placement: 1996

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5.5/7.6.1/8.0 | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · ? · BM · 7″
Converter ICs: —

Identity: PCI digital-audio I/O/host card; no onboard ADC/DAC. A/D and D/A conversion is external via the Lucid ADA1000 or other AES/EBU/S/PDIF-equipped converters/devices.
Photo-confirmed PCB/ICs: “LUCID TECHNOLOGY COPYRIGHT 1996 PCI24 REV 1 MADE IN USA” · AD1892XR (https://www.analog.com/en/products/ad1892.html) digital receiver/asynchronous sample-rate converter · CS8402A-CS digital audio transmitter · Motorola DSP56301 24-bit DSP/PCI host interface.
Digital I/O: AES/EBU 1/4″ TRS+S/PDIF RCA/coaxial; input/output 32/44.1/48 kHz; real-time input SRC 8–48 kHz→44.1/48 kHz; input word length up to 20-bit, playback up to 24-bit.
PCI: Lucid catalog=PCI Local Bus 2.1+DMA mastering; DSP56301 HI32=32-bit/33 MHz; Apple short-card format/7″. Signaling voltage remains ?.
Mac: Sound Manager · ASIO · Deck drivers; Mac OS 7.5.5/7.6.1/8.0 · Sound control panel 8.0.3+; Power Macintosh with 7″ PCI slot · >75 MHz stereo/>120 MHz multitrack · 16 MB RAM (32 MB recommended).
Period compatible software: BIAS Peak 1.0–1.6 · Macromedia SoundEdit 16 2.01–2.07 · Steinberg Cubase VST/ASIO 3.02–3.5.
Direct-digital architecture: signal remains digital on the PCI24; the published 120 dB input/144 dB output dynamic-range figures describe the digital I/O/SRC path, not onboard analog converters.
Timeline: PCB is ©1996/Rev 1; Lucid press material followed in early 1997 and the manual Declaration of Conformity is dated 1997-05-01. Overview placement follows the card’s confirmed 1996 hardware date.

Sources: photographed card · manual (http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/STARINMANUALS/Lucid/PCI24.pdf) · catalog (http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/STARINMANUALS/Lucid/1998%20Catalog.pdf) · press (https://web.archive.org/web/19970123200333/http://www.lucidtechnology.com/pci24pr.pdf) · product (https://web.archive.org/web/19980214054615/http://www.lucidtechnology.com/pci24.htm) · Mac (https://web.archive.org/web/19991008145047/http://www.lucidtechnology.com:80/pci-mac.htm) · BG99 (#post_s42)

1997 · HARDWARE & DRIVER NOTES

Sonorus STUDI/O
Timeline placement: 1997-02-26

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5.5–9.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · short
Converter ICs: DAC ('96): AD1859

Drivers: v1.0 ≤May '98→v1.4 ≤Oct '00→v1.8; Steinberg ASIO.
1998-06-12 MacUser: Cubase VST was then the only supported Mac host and operated STUDI/O at 16-bit;24-bit awaited Cubase VST 4.0; Logic Audio 3.0 drivers were still unfinished.
Mac install then: copy the driver into Cubase VST's ASIO folder; no System extension; tested successfully in a Performa 5400/180.
Driver modes then: 32Ch=2 linked cards;16Ch=1 card/2×ADAT;10Ch=ADAT+optical S/PDIF; review notes two-card/32-channel operation increases CPU load.
PCI: manual=PCI 2.1 short card; MacUser calls it half-length/~7″; photos=32-bit conventional PCI edge+single 5V key;33 MHz conventional PCI. Cycling '74=Motorola DSP56301 (https://manualzz.com/doc/30266635/cycling--74-music-software-user-manual) · HI32=PCI initiator/master+target/slave; DMA supported (https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/reference-manual/DSP56301UM.pdf#page=123). Driver-version use of bus mastering remains unverified.
Audio: 24-bit digital path; no analogue inputs; stereo analogue monitor output uses AD1859 ('96) (https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/ad1859.pdf) stereo 18-bit multibit ΣΔ D/A.
OS9 evidence: 2004 user report documents STUDI/O+G4 400+Logic 6.3.1 under OS9;2009 Logic Users Group likewise documents STUDI/O operation under Mac OS 9.
OS X: 2004 user report says Sonorus stopped driver updates around 2000 and the card could not be used in OS X;2009 Logic Users Group independently states STUDI/O went out of production before OS X and is not usable there. No Sonorus OS X driver has been found.
Updates: B&W G3/G4 compat · ASIO 2 · 96 kHz/S-MUX · broader Cubase/Logic/DP support.
Mac cross-check: 2001 Buyer's Guide still lists Mac support.

Sources: launch · v1.0 (https://web.archive.org/web/19980525053013/http://www.sonorus.com/STUDIO10.sea) · v1.4 (https://web.archive.org/web/20001003060210/http://sonorus.com:80/studio14.sea.hqx) · v1.8 (https://web.archive.org/web/20170406220729/http://sonorus.com:80/STUDIO18.sit) · manual (https://web.archive.org/web/20040102074315/http://sonorus.com:80/studiomanual.pdf) · MacUser98 (https://web.archive.org/web/20010429172616/http://www.sonorus.com/review/macuser/) · OS9/no OSX user report (https://en.audiofanzine.com/internal-pci-isa-sound-card/sonorus/STUDI-O/) · OS9/no OSX cross-check (https://logic-users-group.com/threads/stereo-compressor-problem-in-logic-5-and-6-but-not-in-4.1535/) · BG01 (#post_s41) · BG99 (#post_s42)

Korg 1212 I/O
Timeline placement: 1997-03

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5.5–9.2 | Mac OS X: —
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · full
Converter ICs: ADC ('96): AK5350-VF · DAC (by '94): TDA1305T

Driver note: Korg caps 1212/OASYS at OS 9.2 and states no OS X drivers.
I/O: 2 analog I/O+stereo S/PDIF+8-channel ADAT optical=12 in/12 out (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/The-Mix/The-Mix-UK-1997-06-S-OCR.pdf).
Card/PCI evidence: board photo (https://reverb.com/uk/item/86373928-korg-1212-i-o-pci-sound-card-w-adat-toslink) · 32-bit PCI edge · single 5V key · full-length; PLX PCI9060 interface=32-bit/33 MHz PCI 2.1 bus master. Converters: AK5350-VF ADC ('96) · TDA1305T DAC (documented by '94; exact release year ?). AK5350: May 1996 product announcement (https://www.edn.com/edn-05-09-96-integrated-circuit/) · TDA1305T: Philips datasheet dated 1995-12-08 supersedes September 1994 data (https://docs.rs-online.com/ca66/0900766b80025873.pdf).
Mac cross-check: 2001 Buyer's Guide lists Mac/ADAT/S/PDIF.

Sources: launch · manual (#post_s10) · compat (https://www.scribd.com/document/345841151/faq) · BG01 (#post_s41) · BG99 (#post_s42)

Emagic Audiowerk8
Timeline placement: 1997-04-25

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.6.1–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2–10.2.8
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · 7″
Converter ICs: ADC ('96): SAA7367T · DAC ('94): 4× TDA1305T

Photo-confirmed hardware: board silkscreen “Audiowerk8 / 8 Channel Digital Audio Recording PCI Card” · single 5V-keyed 32-bit conventional PCI edge · Philips SAA7146 H controller · SAA7367T ADC · 4× TDA1305T DAC · 2× TDA1315H IEC958/S/PDIF interface ICs.
I/O, photo-confirmed: bracket=coaxial S/PDIF in/out+DB-25 analog breakout; photographed breakout=10 RCA tails, matching 2 analog inputs+8 analog outputs.
PCI: SAA7146 family=PCI 2.1 · 32-bit/33 MHz · master/slave+DMA (https://manuals.plus/m/208acda192417648d356517142fa2534bc760d7db4df439bbdca40d061d59de1.pdf); official Emagic material=7″ 32-bit PCI Busmaster.
Converters: SAA7367T ADC ('96) (https://www.bitsavers.org/components/philips/_dataBooks/1996_Philips_Concise_Catalog.pdf) · 4× TDA1305T DAC ('94) (https://www.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/19179/PHILIPS/TDA1305/246/1/TDA1305.html). One stereo ADC+four stereo DACs physically matches the 2-in/8-out analog architecture.
Classic support floor: 1997 Emagic FAQ (https://web.archive.org/web/19980212173605/http://www.emagic.de/english/products/aw8faq.html)=“Mac OS”+any PCI PowerMac/Performa≥16 MB;Logic Audio 3.0 (Jan 1998) (https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/emagic-logic-audio-v30) directly supports Audiowerk8 and specifies PowerPC 601+ · 32 MB · Mac OS 7.6.1+. Overview therefore uses 7.6.1–9.x as the earliest numbered period requirement established.
Final Classic package: Emagic 2002 (https://web.archive.org/web/20020603152527/http://www.emagic.de/english/support/download/toolsmac.html)=Audiowerk Driver/ASIO/Sound Manager for Mac OS 8/9. Extracted aw_drv.sit=ASIO 1.5.8+Sound Manager 1.1.4; embedded files dated 1999-12-03. aw_asio.sit+aw_sm.sit contain byte-identical binaries, not alternate revisions.
ASIO 1.5.8 Update Info says “now supports Mac OS 8.0”; v1.5.6 required 8.5+. Tested hosts=Logic Audio 4.0.2 · Cubase 4.1 · Digital Performer 2.6 · Vision DSP 4.5 · Spark 1.0 · Retro AS-1 1.3.1 · Unity DS-1 1.2.5 · Metro 5; Max 3.5.9+ASIO MSP untested.
OS X: CoreAudio v1.0.1 requires Audiowerk8 Rev V2+/SAA7146A; the photographed SAA7146 H specimen is therefore the earlier hardware generation and must not be presented as the OS-X-qualified revision. Final dated Audiowerk OS X driver=2003-09-26; overview uses 10.2–10.2.8, with Panther 10.3 released afterward.
Timeline: 1997 Winter NAMM/Musikmesse→~1,000 dealer cards Apr→first consumer shipment 1997-04-25→1998 10,000+ units→1999-12-03 ASIO 1.5.8/SM 1.1.4→2000 Mac ASIO+Sound Manager supplied→2002 final Classic installer package→2003-09-26 CoreAudio v1.0.1.

Sources: photographed card+breakout · FAQ97 (https://web.archive.org/web/19980212173605/http://www.emagic.de/english/products/aw8faq.html) · product98 (https://web.archive.org/web/19980212165300/http://www.emagic.de/english/products/aw8.html) · product00 (https://web.archive.org/web/20000301184935/http://emagic.de/english/products/hardware/aw8.html) · drivers02 (https://web.archive.org/web/20020603152527/http://www.emagic.de/english/support/download/toolsmac.html) · aw_drv.sit (https://www.oldschooldaw.com/opcode/uploads/yahooGroup/aw_drv.sit) · SOS97 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Sound-on-Sound-UK/1997/Sound-on-Sound-1997-07.pdf) · Logic3/SOS98 (https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/emagic-logic-audio-v30)

Digidesign D24 (d24 (sticker) of "Pro Tools|24" (system) / "MIX I/O" / "Project II")
Timeline placement: 1997-10

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.2.8
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · half
Converter ICs: —

Physical identity: d24, MIX I/O and Project II use the same physical d24-type card/PCB family; the same G1 G4 hardware modification applies to all three. They differ by enabled/supported system role, not by a separate canonical hardware row.
Roles: d24=Pro Tools|24 core audio card+TDM; MIX I/O=additional I/O role in MIX systems; Project II=Direct I/O card for third-party sequencers without Pro Tools core/TDM functionality.
Chronology: d24 first appears in 1997; Project II and MIX I/O are later 1998 roles.
Naming: d24=PCI card; Pro Tools|24=system.
Driver: d24 Output Driver 1.0→1.1 (PT4.2)→1.3 (PT4.3; renamed Digidesign Output Drivers)→1.4 (PT5.0); Pro Tools 6.1/10.2.8 is final official d24 OS X.
Card: Rev B sample: FAB 941005111 · ASY 915005111 · !XC56301PW80/3F48S · 60-pin I/O · TDM · DigiSerial.
PCI: DSP56301 HI32=PCI 2.1,32-bit/33 MHz, initiator/target; d24 is a PCI bus master; photographed card 5V-keyed; half-size.
G4 mod: assembly rev G1/DN06851+ required for G4; photographed sample's G1 state=? (FAB Rev B is not the G1 assembly-rev mark).
Core=d24+DSP Farm PCI; d24 provides up to 16 I/O, DSP Farm adds 8; MIX Core is a separate card family.

Project II package: half-size · 60-pin · Mac+Windows NT · Motorola 56301 · 888|24/888/882|20/882 · up to 16 I/O; Direct I/O+DigiSystem INIT 3.4+; Pro Tools itself does not run on the Project II role.
Evidence: Sweetwater KB explicitly groups Project II, MIX I/O and d24 as similar architecture and says the identical G1 modification applies to any/all three; another KB groups d24 and MIX I/O as “d24 type” cards.

Sources: same architecture/G1 (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/project-ii-mix-o-d24-cards-similar-architecture-require/) · d24-type (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/2-mix-o-same-system-d24-core-card/) · Project II (https://www.sweetwater.com/publications/sweetnotes/sn-latefall98/page04.html) · photo (https://img.kleinanzeigen.de/api/v1/prod-ads/images/d6/d6ca7660-6fc2-4c1f-9ad7-50f5c97233b2?rule=$_59.AUTO) · spec (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/specifications-for-d24-audio-card/) · DSP (https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/reference-manual/DSP56301UM.pdf) · driver (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/release-dates-versions-for-digidesign-output-drivers-d24-output/) · G4 (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/what-indicates-d24-audio-card-needs-modification-for-mac/) · req (https://web.archive.org/web/19990820145737fw_/http://www.digidesign.com/prod/pt24/indxdata.html) · compat (#post_s40)

1998 · HARDWARE & DRIVER NOTES

Digidesign SampleCell II ™ PLUS
Timeline placement: 1998-01-15

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5.2–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · full
Converter ICs: ? DAC

Revision: second-generation SampleCell II PCI; Digidesign describes the hardware difference as 32 MB RAM soldered on-board instead of user-installed SIMMs. All Plus cards are from the later PCI-compatible generation.
PCI/form factor therefore follows the same S5933-based SampleCell II architecture: 32-bit/33 MHz · 5V · BM · full-length; exact DAC IC remains ?.
Mac: minimum 7.5.2; optional TDM module.

Sources: release (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/release-date-for-samplecell-ii-plus/) · drivers · compat (#post_s40)

Ensoniq E-MU / ENSONIQ - PARIS EDS 1000 - PARIS MAIN PCI
Timeline placement: 1998-01

Architecture
Mac PCI
↓ EDS-1000 DSP card
↓ PARIS external interface: Interface 2/442/MEC +Control 16

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.5–? | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: ? · 32/? · 5V · BM · 11.25″
Converter ICs: —

Driver note: PARIS 3.0 is the last Mac-era release found; official OS X support remains ?.
EDS-1000 hardware:
- Six Ensoniq ESP-2 proprietary 24-bit DSPs on the complete EDS-1000 configuration.
- Bus-master DMA; contemporary review material specifies up to 24 simultaneous digital data streams.
- 20 inputs+20 outputs internally at 24-bit; any combination of 16 simultaneous record/playback tracks per card in the original system architecture.
- Approx. 11.25 in/286 mm card length.
- Surviving photographed production hardware is labelled E-MU/ENSONIQ · Model PARIS EDS1000 · Part 3522; examples also carry an EDS-1000X sticker.
EDS-500/EDS-FX relationship:
- Later PARIS Concept systems used the EDS-500 PCI card with four ESP-2 DSPs.
- The optional EDS-FX daughterboard plugs onto the EDS-500 and upgrades it to the EDS-1000-class DSP configuration.
- Sweetwater's period PARIS Concept documentation explicitly describes EDS-500+EDS-FX as the path to the EDS-1000 configuration.
Converters: — external. The EDS PCI card itself is the DSP/host card; A/D and D/A conversion resides in the external Interface 2/442/MEC hardware. Contemporary PARIS II specifications describe 20-bit A/D and D/A conversion at 44.1/48 kHz with a 24-bit internal audio path.
Card expansion: PARIS supports multiple EDS cards. The reference manual documents internal card-to-card synchronization/interconnection and systems with up to eight EDS-1000 cards.
EDS-1000 rear interfaces:
- EDS Interface connector→Interface 442/MEC.
- IF2 connector→Interface 2.
- CS connector→Control 16.
- The external interface connector uses SCSI-style hardware but is a proprietary PARIS connection; it must not be treated as a computer SCSI bus.
Timeline:
- 1997-07-17—archived PARIS interface material.
- 1997-11—Ensoniq advertising documents the EDS-1000 PCI card with six 24-bit DSPs and Mac/PC operation.
- 1998-01—detailed Sound On Sound PARIS II review; cross-platform PCI system.
- 1998-05—Mix field test: EDS-1000 with six ESP-2 DSPs, installed in a PowerMac.
- 1998/1999—PARIS Concept/Concept-FX introduces the four-DSP EDS-500 and EDS-FX daughterboard upgrade path.

Sources: src (https://web.archive.org/web/19970717151905/http://www.paris.ensoniq.com/html/interface.htm) · src (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/90s/97/Mix-1997-11.pdf) · src · src (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/90s/98/Mix-1998-05.pdf) · src (https://www.sweetwater.com/publications/sweetnotes/sn-latewinter99/page08.html) · manual (https://manualmachine.com/ensoniqcorporation/paris/6488466-reference-manual/)

MOTU PCI-324 Audio System
Timeline placement: 1998—early summer

Architecture
Mac PCI → PCI-324 → AudioWire cable → 1224/2408/later PCI-324-family rack I/O

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.6.1–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2–10.4
PCI: ? · 32/? · 5V · BM · short
Converter ICs: —

Drivers: PCI-324 v2.21 (OS9) · OS X PCI driver supports PCI-324/424; PCI-324 is not G5-compatible.
The host card itself is not an analog interface; channel capability depends on the attached MOTU rack interface(s).
Timeline:
- 1998—1224/PCI-324 launch material.
- PCI-324 Mac software includes AudioDesk/MAS/ASIO support.
- PCI-324 and PCI-424 are separate host-card generations.

Sources: launch · archive (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.motu.com/*PCI-324*) · os x (https://cdn-data.motu.com/downloads/pci424/PCI_Audio_Update_Notes.pdf) · drivers (https://www.440audio.com/en/software/v671-Mark-Of-The-Unicorn-MOTU-PCI-Driver/)

RME DIGI32 cards / SEK'D ProDIF rebrands
Timeline placement: Mac 1998

Compatibility & hardware summary

DIGI32/8 (aka SEK'D ProDIF Gold)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6–8.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · 32/33 · ? · — · short
Converter ICs: —
DIGI32 (aka SEK'D ProDIF 32)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6–8.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · 32/33 · ? · — · short
Converter ICs: —
DIGI32 PRO (aka SEK'D ProDIF 96)
Classic Mac OS: 7.6–8.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · 32/33 · 5V · — · short
Converter ICs: ADC: — · DAC ('96): AK4321VF

Chronology: Mar '97 DIGI24→May DIGI32→Oct DIGI32 PRO→Nov DIGI32/8; overview placement=Mac support.
PCI rev IDs≠PCB Rev:DIGI32=192; DIGI32/8=100→101; PRO=192/CS8412→150/CS8414. PRO192 input≤48k;150 adds 96k; production switch 1998-02-26.
DIGI32/ProDIF 32=S/PDIF; DIGI32/8/ProDIF Gold=+ADAT; DIGI32 PRO/ProDIF 96=+AES/EBU+analog out;ADC: —.
Photo old PRO:“IMM 9/97-B” · 5V short PCI · AK4321VF · CS8412-CS · XC4006E · AT17C128 · 4×UM61256FS-15=128KiB; ties AK4321 to rev192/CS8412. Rev150 DAC photo=?
PCI:32/33 · 128KiB · >120MB/s · no DMA/I/O→BM=—; PCI spec ?. Mac:23 Oct '98 v1.2b1 /8+PRO; DIGI32 System7.6;1999 updates; OS X=—.
OEM:DIGI32=SEK'D ProDIF 32 · DIGI32/8=ProDIF Gold · DIGI32 PRO=ProDIF 96; later SEK'D≠automatically RME.

Sources: photo · rev IDs (https://android.googlesource.com/kernel/common/+/47fbbc94dab61a1385f21a0a209c61b5d6b0a215/sound/pci/rme32.c) · transition (https://web.archive.org/web/20010804235834/http://www.rme-audio.de/english/techinfo/update32.htm) · RX (https://archiv.rme-audio.de/old/english/faq/faq32e.htm)

Digidesign Pro Tools|24 MIX cards
Timeline placement: 1998-09-21

Compatibility & hardware summary

MIX Core
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.3.4
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 3.3V · BM · full
Converter ICs: —
MIX Farm
Classic Mac OS: 8.0–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.3–10.3.4
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 3.3V · BM · full
Converter ICs: —

MIX Core: 6× Motorola DSP56301 · 16 I/O · 3.3V · PCI bus master · full-size.
MIX Farm: 6× DSP56301 · +16 I/O · 3.3V · PCI bus master-capable · full-size.
MIX I/O is the d24-type card used as additional I/O in MIX systems; see canonical d24/MIX I/O/Project II entry. It is 5V/G5-incompatible.
Driver: PT4.3 requires Mac OS 8.0+; Pro Tools 6.4.1/OS X 10.3.4 final qualified MIX;10.3.9 not qualified.

Sources: compat (https://web.archive.org/web/20000901042951/http://www.digidesign.com:80/compato/compatodocs.pdf) · Mac · PCI (#post_s43) · G5 (#post_s39)

Alesis ALESIS IP MAIN ("ADAT/Edit")
Timeline placement: 1998-03

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 7.6.1–? | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · 32/? · 5V · ? · 5″
Converter ICs: —

Mac: dual-platform Mac/PC; period req=PowerPC 300MHz/604e · 128MB · Mac OS 7.6.1; ASIO+Sound Manager.
I/O: 8-ch ADAT optical I/O+ADAT 9-pin sync I/O;16/20/24-bit transfer up to 48 kHz; digital-only.
Photographed 12/98 board: silkscreen “Alesis IP MAIN 9-40-PCI1” · 32-bit conventional PCI · single 5V key · 5×4.25×.75″ · Xilinx XC4013XL PQ160 -3C FPGA. Exact PCI revision/clock/BM remain ?.
ADAT/Edit package: 1999-02 Owner's Manual v1.0 includes Macintosh section;1999 period descriptions explicitly say package contains the ADAT/PCR card and ADAT/Edit/ADAT/Connect software; ASIO+Sound Manager path documented.

Sources: announce · BG99 (#post_s42) · 1998 card+Mac drivers (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Electronic-Musician/1998/Electronic-Musician-1998-06-R.pdf) · ADAT/Edit package=ADAT/PCR card (https://www.sweetwater.com/publications/sweetnotes/sn-latesummer99/page11.html) · package identity (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Electronic-Musician/2000/Electronic-Musician-2000-02.pdf) · req (https://www.zzounds.com/item--ALEPCR)

PCI audio timeline · Post 2 of 5 · Back to year index (#post_timeline_top)

Title: Re: PCI Local Bus Digital Audio Cards — Timeline
Post by: smilesdavis on September 28, 2026, 08:12:44 AM

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · ?/? · ? · BM · short
Converter ICs: ?

Placement: period Mac review dated 11 Aug 2000; explicit PC & MAC product, Mac G3/OS8.6+.
Hardware: short PCI card · 3×SHARC DSP · on-card I/O; common 3-DSP architecture does NOT merge it with PowerSampler or Luna II.

Sources: Mac review (https://www.amazona.de/test-creamware-electra/)

CreamWare PowerSampler
Timeline placement: 2000-12-08

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · ?/? · ? · BM · short
Converter ICs: ?

Placement: Mac review 8 Dec 2000; professional sampler for PC or Mac; G3 B&W/OS8.6+.
Hardware: short PCI card · 3 DSPs · bus mastering. Kept separate from Elektra/Luna II because exact same physical-card identity is not proven.
PowerSampler II: 2002 announcement states it uses the same DSP card as its predecessor; treated as same physical PowerSampler card generation unless contrary hardware evidence appears.

Sources: Mac review (https://www.amazona.de/test-creamware-power-sampler/) · PowerSampler II (https://sonicstate.com/news/2002/01/30/wnamm02-creamware-show-powersampler-ii/)

PCI audio timeline · Post 3 of 5 · Back to year index (#post_timeline_top)

Title: Re: PCI Local Bus Digital Audio Cards — Timeline
Post by: smilesdavis on October 16, 2026, 10:09:29 PM

PCI AUDIO TIMELINE · POST 4 OF 5
Hardware reference · 2001–2004

2001 · HARDWARE & DRIVER NOTES

Roland RPC-1
Timeline placement: 2001-02-15

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: ? · ?/? · 5V · ? · ?
Converter ICs: —

Mac:R-BUS PCI card. Mac OS 8.6+.
Mac driver set:
- Sound Manager=only 16 bit 2-channel data.
- ASIO2=ASIO2.0 driver, ASIO=ASIO2.0 driver without software monitoring, ASIOv3=ASIO1 driver for Digital Performer.
- OMS 2.3.8 MIDI driver.
I/O: 8-channel bidirectional R-BUS over 25-pin D-sub; up to 24-bit/96 kHz with compatible Roland R-BUS equipment.
Driver provenance: Roland explicitly states the RPC-1 drivers were designed by M-Audio. The Mac manual itself also exposes M-Audio naming in the Windows driver components (“M Audio Delta ASIO”/“M Audio Delta EASI”). This strengthens the documented RPC-1/M-Audio relationship, but PCI-controller/electrical identity with Delta R-BUS is not promoted without direct board/controller evidence.
OS X: later Roland support documentation cites Mac OS X 10.4.2 as an example supported RPC-1 environment. This proves an OS X branch existed but does not establish 10.4.2 as its first/minimum version; overview therefore remains conservative at 10.x.

Sources: RPC-1 Owner's Manual — Mac OS 8.6+, Sound Manager/ASIO/OMS (https://cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/RPC-1_OM.pdf) · Roland discontinued-product page — cross-platform Mac/PC (https://www.roland.com/global/products/rpc-1/) · Roland — M-Audio driver provenance/OS X example (https://support.roland.com/hc/en-us/articles/201977059-SI-24-RPC-1-What-Windows-and-Mac-Systems-are-Compatible) · Roland RPC-1/Studio Package PDF (https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/N.P.C.%20-StudioPac_RPC-1(2).pdf)

Creative Sound Blaster Live! for Macintosh (CT4875)
Timeline placement: 2001-03-21

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · ?/? · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ?

Model: Sound Blaster Live! for Macintosh=CT4875. CT4870 is a separate Creative model and receives its own row from the first Mac package that explicitly supports it.
Timeline:
- 1999-01 — Creative announced plans to port Sound Blaster Live! to Macintosh.
- 2001-01-24 — announced as nearly ready.
- 2001-03-21 — available;$149.99; Creative directs users to http://www.soundblaster.com/products/macintosh/.
- 2002-07-15 — Macintosh driver v1.1; Mac OS 8.6–9.x; CT4870/CT4875.

Sources: 2001-03-21 — Creative ships Sound Blaster Live! for Macintosh (https://sg.creative.com/corporate/pressroom?id=6448) · 2001-03-20 — Macworld shipping report (https://www.macworld.com/article/164543/soundblaster-2.html) · 2001-01-24 — still not shipped (https://www.macworld.com/article/165493/creative-8.html) · Creative model-number list — CT4875=Sound Blaster Live! For Mac (https://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=10846) · Sound Blaster Live! Mac patch (https://archive.org/details/sblive-mac-patch)

Midiman/M-Audio Delta TDIF
Timeline placement: 2001-05-16

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · ?
Converter ICs: ? ADC · ? DAC

Manual DTDIF-051601 documents a released Macintosh driver CD and installation: “Delta TDIF Driver”, DeltaPanel PPC, ASIO2 DeltaTDIF, ASIO DeltaTDIF v3, legacy ASIO+Sound Manager.
I/O: 8-ch TDIF+stereo S/PDIF+stereo analog I/O+word-clock out via breakout;24-bit Delta-family PCI host card. Exact converter ICs remain ?.

Sources: 2001-05-16 manual (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/516405/M-Audio-Delta-Tdif.html) · shared (#post_s_delta_family)

Midiman/M-Audio Delta R-BUS
Timeline placement: 2001-09-30

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · ?
Converter ICs: ? ADC · ? DAC

Placement: 30 Sep unified M-Audio Mac release lists R-BUS among cards already working under OS9 and newly supported in OS X 10.1; this predates Nov retail-shipping coverage.
Mac manual=OS 8.5.1+; Delta R-BUS Driver+three ASIO variants. I/O=8-ch bidirectional Roland R-BUS+stereo S/PDIF+stereo analog I/O; multiple R-BUS/Delta cards supported. Exact converter ICs remain ?.

Sources: 2001-09-30 Mac release (https://www.macworld.com/article/163092/delta.html) · manual (https://manualmachine.com/maudio/rbus/1617508-user-manual/) · shipping (https://www.macworld.com/article/163732/rbus.html) · shared (#post_s_delta_family)

Edirol DA-2496/DA-PCI
Timeline placement: 2001-10

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6+ | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: ? · ?/? · 5V · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ADC/DAC ('99): AK4524VF

Mac: 2001-10 documentation lists DA-2496 for Mac/Windows with ASIO 2.0+Sound Manager; the owner manual includes classic-Mac installation.
Mac driver set:
- ASIO2 DA-PCI.
- ASIO Edirol DA-PCIv4=ASIO 2.0 without Direct Monitor.
- ASIO Edirol DA-PCIv3=ASIO 1 for Digital Performer/Cubase 3/other older hosts.
- Sound Manager.
- OMS driver.
Driver: Macintosh v1.02b.

Sources: 2001-10 — Mix AES New Products: ASIO2 Win/Mac+Sound Manager Mac (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/00s/2001/Mix-2001-AES-New-Products.pdf) · DA-2496 Owner's Manual — Macintosh driver installation (https://cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/DA-2496_OM.pdf) · DA-2496 Mac driver v1.02b (https://static.roland.com/assets/media/hqx/da2496_macos_v102b.hqx) · Roland/Edirol support (https://www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/da-2496/updates_drivers/)

Midiman/M-Audio Delta 1010LT
Timeline placement: 2001-11-22

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.1+
PCI: var · 32/33 · var · BM · ?
Converter ICs: ADC/DAC ('99): 4×AK4524

Mac: shipped Mac+PC; manual requires OS 8.5.1+ and installs “Delta 1010LT Driver”, DeltaPanel PPC, three Classic-Mac ASIO drivers+OMS. OS X support follows unified Delta branch.
Hardware: 10×10 · 8 analog I/O+coax S/PDIF+MIDI+BNC WC · 24/96. Rev-A PCB=VT1712 Envy24+4×AK4524+CS8427; PCI/signaling follows shared Delta family (#post_s_delta_family), including 2003 universal redesign.

Sources: 2001-11-22 ship/Mac (https://www.macworld.com/article/163892/delta-2.html) · manual (https://warehousesound.com/r/m-audioDELTA1010LTmanual.pdf) · ICs (https://android.googlesource.com/kernel/mediatek/%2B/android-mediatek-mooneye-3.18-nougat-mr1-wear/sound/pci/ice1712/delta.h)

CreamWare Luna II
Timeline placement: 2001

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · ?/? · ? · BM · short
Converter ICs: ?

Placement: period Mar 2001 product coverage says Luna II is available for Mac or PC; later CreamWare notice confirms Mac delivery/software.
Hardware: short PCI card · 3×SHARC · stereo analog I/O+S/PDIF+MIDI+Z-Link; optional Luna 2496/ADAT expansion. Separate card/model row.
Later SCOPE home naming belongs in Details and does not replace the physical-card identity in the overview.

Sources: Mar 2001 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/00s/2001/Mix-2001-03.pdf)

Echo Mia
Timeline placement: 2001-03-31~

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.1.3+
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · ? · BM · ?
Converter ICs: ADC/DAC ('00): AK4528

Chronology: SOS says Mac drivers were still unavailable in late Feb 2001; ASCII.jp on 31 Mar 2001 explicitly says Macintosh support was then available via beta driver on Echo’s site. Treat 2001-03-31 as first confirmed PUBLIC Classic-Mac beta support, not a proved final-driver release.
Mac: unified Echo manual=OS 8.6+; OS8/9 ASIO only; OS X 10.1.3+. Manual explicitly places Mia in the newer Echo24 ASIO family with Gina24/Layla24/Mona.
Hardware: PCI bus master · !AK4528 codec ('00). Host PCI requirement is not promoted to card-side PCI revision.
PCI: Echo/Linux IDs expose the onboard Motorola DSP itself as the PCI device (56301=1057:1801;56361=1057:3410); Motorola HI32 is PCI 2.1-compliant,32-bit/33MHz and supports PCI mastering. Card signaling remains ? because DSP electrical capability does not prove the PCB keying used by every Echo revision.

Sources: late-Feb status/hardware (https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/echo-mia) · 31 Mar Mac beta (https://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/322/322101/) · Echo Mac family/manual (#post_src_echo_unified)

Echo MiaMIDI
Timeline placement: 2001?

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x audio | Mac OS X: 10.1.3+
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · ? · BM · ?
Converter ICs: ?

Classic Mac AUDIO support confirmed in unified Echo manual; exact first Mac date remains ? and is not inherited from Mia without direct package proof.
OS8/9: ASIO audio works; MiaMIDI’s MIDI function itself requires OS X. Unified manual places MiaMIDI in the newer Echo24 driver family.
Electrical/converter fields remain ? pending exact-board evidence.
PCI: Echo/Linux IDs expose the onboard Motorola DSP itself as the PCI device (56301=1057:1801;56361=1057:3410); Motorola HI32 is PCI 2.1-compliant,32-bit/33MHz and supports PCI mastering. Card signaling remains ? because DSP electrical capability does not prove the PCB keying used by every Echo revision.

Sources: Echo Mac family/manual (#post_src_echo_unified)

TC Works / TC Electronic PowerCore PCI / Element
Timeline placement: 2001-05-11

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2+
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33-66 · ? · ? · 206×119mm
Converter ICs: —

Placement: Feb 2001 TC ad says “available from March 2001”, but this is availability marketing rather than hard shipment proof; KVR’s dated May archive explicitly reports PowerCore “now shipping” under 11 May 2001. Use 2001-05-11 as current conservative released-Mac anchor;8 Jun Sweetwater confirms physical stock+Mac-only support.
Hardware: 4×Motorola DSP56362 @100 MHz · MPC8240/PPC @200 MHz · 8 MB SDRAM · 32-bit PCI 33/66 MHz · 206×119 mm · DSP-only.
Mac Classic: period TC advertising requires G3/G4 PCI PowerMac+Mac OS 9; Apr 2001 EM gives Mac OS 8.6 minimum. Initial product was Mac-only; PC support came later.
OS X: PowerCore system 1.7 supports the existing PowerCore PCI under Mac OS X. Surviving TC documentation specifies Mac OS X 10.2+, G4/800 MHz+, and VST or Audio Units host software. Period SOS coverage likewise states system 1.7 gives existing PCI PowerCore cards full OS X/Audio Units support.
Identity: TC documentation groups PCI/Element under same hardware specs; Element treated as bundle/product identity, not duplicate physical row.
Electrical caution: “3.3 V power supply” wording is not promoted to 3.3 V PCI signaling; keying/signaling remains ?.
PCI revision: TC compatibility documentation states PowerCore PCI meets PCI 2.1 and runs in PCI-X G5 slots; therefore card-side rev=2.1. 32-bit 33/66MHz+206×119mm remain from TC manual. Signaling stays ? until direct keying/electrical proof;3.3V supply wording alone is not signaling proof.

Sources: Mar availability ad (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/00s/2001/Mix-2001-02.pdf) · 11 May shipping (https://www.kvraudio.com/news-archive.php?month=0501) · 8 Jun stock/Mac-only (https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/new-sweetwater-tc-works-powercore/) · OS8.6/hardware (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Electronic-Musician/2001/Electronic-Musician-2001-04.pdf) · manual/spec (https://www.musik-produktiv.de/media/005/5050/Owners_Manual.pdf) · TC PowerCore 1.7 / OS X 10.2+ (https://service-tcgroup.tcelectronic.com/media/RestSuite20_US.pdf) · PowerCore 1.7/PCI OS X (https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/tc-electronic-powercore-firewire)

2002 · HARDWARE & DRIVER NOTES

Creative Sound Blaster Live! Value (CT4870)
Timeline placement: 2002-07-11

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.x | Mac OS X: —
PCI: ? · ?/? · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ?

Placement: Creative's Macintosh v1.1 web update explicitly says it supports Mac OS 8.6–9.x and was tested on CT4870 as well as CT4875; this is the first direct released-Mac package currently proven for CT4870, so it gets its own row rather than being merged with CT4875.
Hardware identity: Linux/Creative PCI IDs identify CT4870 as an EMU10K1-based Sound Blaster Live! Value with AC97 codec; PCI vendor/device 1102:0002, subsystem 8028:1102. Exact AC97 codec part and card-side PCI electrical fields remain ?.
Do not back-date CT4870 to the 2001 Macintosh retail-card launch:that launch is CT4875-specific. CT4870 enters only when Creative explicitly supports it in the Mac driver package.

Sources: Creative Macintosh v1.1 support (https://support.creative.com/downloads/searchdownloads.aspx?filename=sb0060&nLanguageLocale=1033&nPage=2) · PCI ID/EMU10K1 (https://android.googlesource.com/kernel/common/+/e1b1d03ceec343362524318c076b110066ffe305/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1_main.c)

M-Audio Delta 410
Timeline placement: 2002-03

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.5.1+ | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · BM · ?
Converter ICs: ADC/DAC: AK4529

Shipping-era Mac/PC card; manufacturer manual D410-110901 includes Macintosh OS 8.5.1+ drivers and Delta Control Panel. I/O=2 analog in+8 analog out+stereo S/PDIF · 24/96 · 36-bit hardware mixer.
Converter architecture=AK4529 (2 ADC+8 DAC channels); VT1712/Envy24 Delta-family PCI=2.1 · 32/33 · 5V · bus-master. Multiple Delta cards sample-sync.

Sources: manual (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/516403/M-Audio-Delta-410.html) · Mar 2002 shipping (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/00s/2002/Mix-2002-03.pdf) · AK4529 (https://kernel.googlesource.com/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux/+/8934827db5403eae57d4537114a9ff88b0a8460f/sound/pci/ice1712/delta.c)

Lynx Studio Technology LynxTWO-A
Timeline placement: 2002

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″
Converter ICs: ADC ('01): AK5394 · DAC ('99): CS4396

Mac: later-2002 OS9 ASIO/ASIO2 beta documented; Mac firmware required. 4 analog in+4 analog out.
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″. Lynx manual specifies PCI 2.2 compliance · up to 132 MB/s via a custom 16-channel zero-wait-state scatter-gather DMA engine · bus mastering · 5.0×7.4×0.75″ half-size card. Universal/twin-key PCI edge supports 5V/3.3V hosts.
Converters: AK5394 ADC ('01) · CS4396 DAC ('99). Lynx identifies A/B/C as separate cards and maintains separate firmware IDs.

Sources: LynxTWO manual — PCI 2.2/DMA/BM/size/OS9 ASIO (https://cdn.lynxstudio.com/go/wp-content/uploads/LynxTWOManual.pdf) · product (https://web.archive.org/web/20040404095625/http://lynxstudio.com/lynxtwo.html) · compare (https://www.lynxstudio.net/product_compare.asp) · manual (https://www.lynxstudio.net/nav/getFile.asp?i=11&t=productfile)

Lynx Studio Technology LynxTWO-B
Timeline placement: 2002

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″
Converter ICs: ADC ('01): AK5394 · DAC ('99): CS4396

Mac: same Classic-Mac driver family;2 analog in+6 analog out. Separate model/firmware from A and C, therefore its own row.
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″; shared LynxTWO PCI 2.2/scatter-gather DMA/bus-master/half-size architecture.
Converters: AK5394 ADC ('01) · CS4396 DAC ('99).

Sources: shared Lynx sources (#post_lynx_shared_src)

Lynx Studio Technology LynxTWO-C
Timeline placement: 2002

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″
Converter ICs: ADC ('01): AK5394 · DAC ('99): CS4396

Mac: same Classic-Mac driver family;6 analog in+2 analog out. Separate model/firmware from A and B, therefore its own row.
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″; shared LynxTWO PCI 2.2/scatter-gather DMA/bus-master/half-size architecture.
Converters: AK5394 ADC ('01) · CS4396 DAC ('99).

Sources: shared Lynx sources (#post_lynx_shared_src)

Digidesign Pro Tools|HD Core
Timeline placement: 2002-01-17

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9.1–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: ? · 64/33-66 · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: —

Placement: Avid release history=Pro Tools 5.3 / Pro Tools|HD on 17 Jan 2002; Digidesign compatibility docs confirm HD under Mac OS 9.1–9.2.2.
Hardware: period Electronic Musician explicitly calls HD Core 64-bit PCI and 33/66-MHz-bus compatible; HD Core/Process are the two 64-bit PCI cards of the system. 9×100 MHz Motorola “Presto” 56k DSPs · converter — external.
Exact Presto=56361 remains ~ until stronger period/primary Digidesign IC evidence; signaling/keying remains ?.

Sources: Avid 17 Jan (https://kb.avid.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Knowledge/en207687) · OS9 compat (https://archive.digidesign.com/support/compat/compatodocs53.pdf) · 64-bit/33-66 (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Electronic-Musician/2002/Electronic-Musician-2002-03.pdf) · two 64-bit cards (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Electronic-Musician/2002/Electronic-Musician-2002-09.pdf) · DSP context (https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/avid-hdx)

Digidesign Pro Tools|HD Process
Timeline placement: 2002-01-17

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9.1–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: ? · 64/33-66 · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: —

Placement: same Pro Tools 5.3/HD Mac release anchor as HD Core; physically distinct DSP expansion card, so separate row.
Hardware: period review explicitly identifies HD Process as the second 64-bit PCI card; Digidesign later documents HD Process operation in 32-bit/33-MHz expansion chassis, so 64-bit is card width not a requirement for a 64-bit host slot. 9×100 MHz “Presto” 56k DSPs · converter —.
Exact Presto=56361 ~;33/66 capability is retained in overview from HD-family evidence but should not be promoted beyond available card-specific proof; signaling/keying remains ?.

Sources: Avid release history (#post_src_avid_hd) · HD launch (#post_src_hd_em) · 32-bit chassis compat (https://manualzz.com/doc/908349/digidesign-expansion-hd-expanded-systems-user-guide)

RME Hammerfall DSP PCI
Timeline placement: 2002-03-27

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9.x | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: 2.0 · 32/33 · 3.3V · BM · short
Converter ICs: —

Placement:Mac OS9 v2.10 27 Mar '02; v2.11 4 Jun supports PCI/CardBus+Digiface/Multiface on >8.6.
Role:Digiface/Multiface host; converter=— external.
PCB atlas:RME FAQ covers Rev1.3/1.4 boot mod and different Rev1.5 mod; survivors confirm 1.4,1.7,1.8 and photo-confirmed 1.9. No ADC/DAC on the host card.
PCB Rev1.x≠flash HW rev:OS9 FUT→11; later tools→15/17 etc.
PCI:short 2.0 · 32/33 · 3.3V/PCI-X · Zero-Waitstate BM; IEEE-1394 connector uses proprietary RME protocol, not FireWire.

Sources: RME Rev1.3/1.4/1.5 mods (https://archiv.rme-audio.de/en/support/faq/hdsp_pci.php) · Rev1.4 (https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=22964) · Rev1.7 (https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=37234) · Rev1.8 (https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=15424) · Rev1.9 photo (https://reverb.com/item/72005919-rme-hammerfall-hdsp-system-pci-interface-expansion-card-w-fw-cable-startup-disc) · drivers/FUT (https://www.archiv.rme-audio.de/en/downloads_driver_archive.php)

Universal Audio / Mackie UAD-1 PCI
Timeline placement: 2002-04-07

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9.x | Mac OS X: 10.2+
PCI: 2.1 · 32/66 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7″
Converter ICs: —

Placement: Macintosh availability documented 7 Apr 2002 after earlier Windows-only availability.
Hardware: PCI 2.1 compliant · bus-mastering DMA · 66 MHz support · 7″ short card · DSP-only.
Identity: UA support identifies Mackie OEM and UA-branded UAD-1 as same hardware; Project/Studio/Ultra Pak etc.=bundles, not new card rows.
Mac OS 9.x supported.
OS X: surviving UAD-1 manuals explicitly specify Mac OS X 10.2.x or higher. VST and Audio Units are supported under OS X; MAS is OS9-only in the documented branch.
PCI electrical: UA states UAD-1 was designed for “Universal Signaling” and works in PCI+PCI-X/G5; manufacturer/product photography shows a 32-bit dual-keyed edge. Overview=2.1 · 32/66 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7″.

Sources: UAD-1 manual — OS9/OS X 10.2+ (https://device.report/m/5df4cdaa18691c62aecfb359781091601546db73e6ad57af9bd211df266bb443.pdf) · UAD-1 system requirements (https://device.report/m/e4fcc1104185bbdc16591ae250ceb63548117f80732a4d1a3934609b6cf9e428.pdf)

Digigram VX442
Timeline placement: 2002

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9.1+ | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: 2.1 · 32/33 · var · BM · ?
Converter ICs: ADC/DAC ('99): 2×AK4524VF

Placement: Mac OS 9.1+ manual/support is confirmed; exact first released OS9-driver day remains ? and is not replaced by product-introduction date.
Mac: Sound Manager+ASIO/ASIO2 with actual Mac installation/control-panel workflow.
Platform/PCI: IC Ensemble ICE1712/Envy24 controller family; PCI 2.1 · 32-bit/33 MHz · bus-master. Linux identifies VX442 with its own subsystem ID 0x12143CD6 inside the same low-level family as Midiman/M-Audio Delta cards.
Midiman link: photographed Rev-D PCB is explicitly silk-screened “© MIDIMAN, INC. 2002/3/4”. Treat VX442 as a distinct Digigram product/board on the Midiman/M-Audio Envy24 platform, NOT as a rebadged Delta 66/1010LT.
Closest Delta relation: later Delta 66E and VX442 both use 4-ADC/4-DAC AK4524 codec architecture+CS8427 path in ALSA; GPIO/control implementations remain separately defined, so hardware identity is not collapsed.
Converters: photographed Rev-D proves !2× AKM AK4524VF; driver code independently defines VX442 as 4 ADC+4 DAC AK4524.
Electrical revisions: photographed Rev-D is dual-keyed/universal=3.3/5V signaling. Earlier VX442 production was not universally G5/PCI-X compatible; Digigram’s 2004 upgrade added 3.3V-bus compatibility, so overview signaling remains var rather than flattening all revisions.
PCB evidence: Rev-D · “MADE IN TAIWAN” · Midiman 2002/3/4 copyright; rear compliance label identifies VX442 and Digigram. Physical size remains ? until measured/documented.

Sources: manual (https://manuzoid.com/manuals/l7WLD-Digigram%20VX442%20User%20manual) · Envy24 family/subsystem (https://android.googlesource.com/kernel/common/+/3d213a626d2d/sound/pci/ice1712/delta.h) · AK4524/Delta66E relation (https://kernel.googlesource.com/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux/+/8934827db5403eae57d4537114a9ff88b0a8460f/sound/pci/ice1712/delta.c)

2003 · HARDWARE & DRIVER NOTES

Lynx Studio Technology L22
Timeline placement: 2003

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″
Converter ICs: ADC ('01): AK5394 · DAC ('99): CS4396

Jan '03 Mix confirms ASIO2 under OS9.x; shares LynxTWO driver family; no Sound Manager; Mac firmware required.
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″; same 5.0×7.4×0.75″ half-size mechanical class and Lynx PCI 2.2/bus-master architecture as LynxTWO.
Converters: AK5394 ADC ('01) · CS4396 DAC ('99);2 analog in+2 analog out.
“L22-G” is not slash-merged into the row: exact physical identity/revision relationship must be proved before treating it as the same card or a separate row.

Sources: shared Lynx sources (#post_lynx_shared_src)

MOTU PCI-424/PCIX-424
Timeline placement: 2002-10-23→2003-08

Compatibility & hardware summary

PCIX-424
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: ? · ?/? · 3.3/5V · BM · ?
Converter ICs: —
PCI-424
Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: ? · ?/? · 5V · BM · ?
Converter ICs: —

PCI-424: original standard 5V PCI; Mac OS 9+ASIO; AudioWire;4 ports/up to 96 I/O.
Bus mastering: MOTU's PCI-424 guide explicitly calls the PCI-424 a bus-mastering device because of its PCI bandwidth use. Applied to the PCI-424/PCIX-424 family; revision, width/speed and physical size remain ? until direct evidence is found.
PCIX-424: G5-compatible rev shipping ~Aug '03; standard 5V PCI+3.3V PCI-X; replaced original later in 2003.
OS9: requirements cover both PCI-424+PCIX-424 under 9.0–9.2.2; G5 itself cannot native-boot OS9.
Later: PCIe-424=PCI Express generation.

Sources: manual (https://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/pci-audio/PCI-424_User_Guide_Mac.pdf) · launch (https://sonicstate.com/news/2002/10/23/motu-go-to-24-io/) · compat (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/pci-424-compatibility/) · src (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.motu.com/*PCI-424*) · G5 (https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/find-out-pci424-card-g5-compliant/) · req (https://www.oldschooldaw.com/forums/index.php?topic=420.0)

Frontier Design Group Dakota
Timeline placement: 2003 (https://web.archive.org/web/20060128192302/http://frontierdesign.com/download/driver/Dakota/Dakota1.06_Installer.hqx)

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.2 | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: ? · ?/? · ? · BM · ?
Converter ICs: —

PCI/I/O: Dakota=bus-mastering PCI with scatter-gather DMA · 16-channel ADAT · stereo S/PDIF · 2×2 MIDI (https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/EQ-Magazine/EQ-1998-12.pdf). Exact PCI revision/signaling ?.
Montana: separate 16-channel ADAT expansion card connected to Dakota; period documentation says it may physically occupy a PCI or ISA slot. Because this does not prove Montana itself enumerates/uses the PCI bus, it is an accessory in Details, not a PCI overview row.
Mac: Frontier Macintosh installer v1.06 (#post_s2) · Dakota hardware guide (https://web.archive.org/web/20060128192302/http://frontierdesign.com/download/pdf/Dakota/Dakota_Guide.pdf).
Photo: Dakota board photo (https://reverb.com/item/12127262-frontier-design-group-dakota-superintegrated-expandable-pci-audio-system).

M-Audio Revolution 7.1
Timeline placement: 2003-01

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 8.6–9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.1.5+
PCI: ? · 32/? · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ADC ('01): AK5380 · DAC ('02): AK4355+AK4381

Mac PCI card; early manual/driver branch includes Classic Mac OS installation (early requirements accept 8.6;9.2.2 recommended) plus OS X 10.1.5+. I/O=8 analog outs+stereo line in+mic in+coax S/PDIF; up to 24/192 playback.
Board architecture: Envy24HT controller+AK5380 ADC+AK4355 6-ch DAC+AK4381 2-ch DAC. Revolution 7.1 was already G5/PCI-X compatible; do not merge with Delta-board redesign.

Sources: Jan 2003 (https://www.mixonline.com/recording/m-audio-releases-71-sound-card-372328) · Mac guide (https://manualzz.com/doc/1494454/m-audio-revolution-7.1-sound-card-quick-start-guide) · ICs (https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20021224/maudio.htm) · m-audio.de (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://m-audio.de/*Revolution*7.1*)

RME HDSP 9652
Timeline placement: 2003-02-25

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9.x | Mac OS X: ?
PCI: ? · 32/? · 3.3V · BM · ?
Converter ICs: —

Placement:RME Mac OS9 ASIO2 v2.21 (25 Feb '03) explicitly adds/supports HDSP9652; later OS X branch separate.
Digital-only→converter=—. 3.3V PCI/PCI-X · 32-bit bus-master; manual's “PCI Rev2.1 busmaster slot” is host-side.
PCB atlas:1.3 has documented PCI-bus issue; modified cards carry 1.5 sticker or higher printed rev. 1.6 photo-confirmed+owner-confirmed.
PCB Rev1.x≠flash revision:OS9 FUT→104; later tools→105/108. These are firmware IDs.

Sources: RME driver/FUT archive (#post_src_rme_hdsp_archive) · RME Rev1.3→1.5+ hardware note (https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=26662) · Rev1.6 photo (https://www.ebay.com/itm/126396854216) · updates (https://archiv.rme-audio.de/old/english/techinfo/updatehd.htm)

2004 · HARDWARE & DRIVER NOTES

Lynx Studio Technology AES16
Timeline placement: 2004

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″
Converter ICs: —

5 Aug '04 manual includes OS9 ASIO installation via shared LynxTWO_OS9.sit; CoreAudio separate for OS X.
Digital-only; PCI 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″;16-channel AES/EBU I/O; no hardware SRC population.
Mechanical/PCI family: half-size 5.0×7.4×0.75″ PCI card; PCI 2.2 architecture with bus-master DMA. AES16 documentation identifies operation in both 5V and 3.3V PCI environments.

Sources: manual (https://www.lynxstudio.com/downloads/aes16/aes16-users-manual/) · Lynx manual archive (https://www.lynxstudio.com/downloads/lynxtwo/lynxtwo-users-manual/)

Lynx Studio Technology AES16-SRC
Timeline placement: 2004

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9 | Mac OS X: 10.x
PCI: 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″
Converter ICs: —

Same OS9 driver/manual family as AES16 but physically/functionally distinct SRC model; manual specifies eight channels of sample-rate conversion.
Digital-only; PCI 2.2 · 32/33 · 3.3/5V · BM · 7.4″. Separate row because SRC hardware is populated.
Period Jan 2004 coverage confirms AES16-SRC as a distinct AES16-family card with eight SRC channels and Macintosh compatibility.

Sources: AES16 manual/source block (#post_lynx_aes16) · Jan 2004 AES16-SRC (https://www.mixonline.com/recording/mix-news-january-2004-376322)

M-Audio Revolution 5.1
Timeline placement: 2004-08-27

Compatibility & hardware summary

Classic Mac OS: 9.2.2 | Mac OS X: 10.2.6+
PCI: ? · 32/? · ? · ? · ?
Converter ICs: ADC: AK5365 · DAC ('03): AK4358

M-Audio announced the PCI card shipping for Windows+Macintosh on 27 Aug 2004. Classic requirement=Mac OS 9.2.2; manual provides dedicated OS9 installation/control panel. OS X branch=10.2.6+.
I/O=6-ch analog playback+line/mic input+headphone+S/PDIF;24/192 playback. Board evidence: VIA VT1722/Envy24GT+AK5365 ADC+AK4358 DAC.

Sources: 2004-08-27 shipping (https://www.mixonline.com/technology/now-shipping-m-audio-revolution-51-pci-sound-card-380548) · manual (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/466055/M-Audio-Revolution-5-1.html) · m-audio.de (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://m-audio.de/*Revolution*5.1*)

PCI audio timeline · Post 4 of 5 · Back to year index (#post_timeline_top)

Title: Re: PCI Local Bus Digital Audio Cards — Timeline
Post by: smilesdavis on October 16, 2026, 10:10:06 PM

PCI AUDIO TIMELINE · POST 5 OF 5
Research addenda and exclusions

RESEARCH ADDENDA

Dated research notes from the supplied text are retained below. These are not silently merged into earlier specifications or compatibility claims.

2026-09-28 · 10-pass research addendum

Darla24: 1999 Mac manual=604+ · 64MB · ASIO; DSP56301 PCI IDs 1057:1801/ECC0:0040/0041 identify rev0/rev1. Later unified Echo driver v1.6.1 explicitly includes Darla24 under Mac OS X 10.2+, so overview OS X→10.2+. Exact ADC/DAC ICs remain ?.
DMan 2044: own Mac manual requires PCI · 120MHz+ · System 7.5.5+; Sound Manager=one stereo pair; Cubase ASIO=4 outputs but only one selectable stereo input pair active. Existing CS4222 identification retained.
VX222: 1999 NAB evidence=Mac OS 8.x+balanced analog I/O+24-bit converters+AES/EBU/S/PDIF; Digigram released OS X 10.1/10.2 driver 2002-10-21. Exact ADC/DAC ICs+card electrical PCI fields remain ?.
Lexicon Core-32: V4.20 manual=200MHz PPC · 64MB · Mac OS 7.6.1+; ASIO Core-32. Final Classic/OS X upper bounds still ?.
Wave/424: WavePRO Mac announcement 1999-09-24; Mac shipment scheduled Nov; surviving Mac v2.10 dated 1999-12-16;4×4 · 24-bit/96k · ASIO+OMS. Converter ICs remain ?.
DS2416: early 1998 sources say Macintosh driver still in development;1999-04-28 period report says Mac drivers already available. Yamaha final Classic package=DS2416 DSP Factory Driver 1.0.6 for Mac OS 9. Exact first Mac OS version floor remains ?.
SampleCell II PCI: Digidesign confirms 8 polyphonic outputs with individual D/A; no sufficiently strong source found for exact four DAC IC markings→retain ? DAC.
MOTU PCI-324: period early-summer 1998 material says 2408/PCI-324 shipping; Mac package includes AudioDesk+Sound Manager driver; supports up to three 2408-family interfaces.
Omission sweep: RME Hammerfall DIGI9636/9652 Mac ASIO begins 2000-05; Mac shipping 2000-08. CreamWare Pulsar first confirmed released Mac support=2000. Keep both in Part 2, not 1999.
Unresolved after 10 passes: SampleCell II DAC · Wave/424 converter ICs · Darla24 converter ICs · VX222 converter ICs/electrical PCI fields · DS2416 exact first Mac OS floor/OS X outcome · DMan 2044 OS X outcome. No evidence-grade substitutions made.

2026-09-28 · RESEARCH PASSES 11–39 — RAW CONSOLIDATION

P11 · DMAN 2044 primary-manual pass: Mac requirements=PCI slot · 120MHz+ · System 7.5.5+; Sound Manager permits one stereo pair; Cubase ASIO permits four outputs but only one selectable stereo input pair simultaneously. Existing CS4222-KSEP converter evidence retained.
P12 · Echo Darla24 architecture pass: Echo-derived/Linux driver identifies PCI 1057:1801/ECC0:0040 rev0 and :0041 rev1; Motorola DSP56301; ECHOGALS family;8 analog outs+2 analog ins;8–96k including 88.2/96; no ASIC. Period catalog explicitly calls it PCI bus master,24-bit/96k, Mac-compatible.
P13 · Echo OS X continuation pass: surviving unified Echogals OS X driver evidence covers Darla20/Gina20/Layla20/Darla24; supports overview 10.2+ continuation for Darla24 and strengthens existing 20-bit Echo OS X entries. Exact qualified upper OS X bounds require driver-readme recovery.
P14 · VX222 pass: period 1999 evidence=Mac OS 8.x+balanced analog I/O+24-bit conversion+AES/EBU/S/PDIF. Digigram released OS X 10.1/10.2 driver 2002-10-21. Exact original VX222 ADC/DAC ICs still unresolved; do not substitute VX222v2 layout/chips.
P15 · Lexicon Core-32 pass: Lexicon brochure explicitly=33MHz/32-bit PCI Master/Slave; Core-32 V4.20 Mac req=200MHz PPC · 64MB · MacOS 7.6.1+. Upper Classic/OS X bounds remain unresolved.
P16 · MOTU PCI-324 floor pass: period 2408 review=200MHz 604e · Mac OS 7.6.1+ · 32MB · free PCI slot; early-summer 1998 material confirms shipping system, AudioDesk+Sound Manager. PCI-324 later confirmed 5V-only and not G5-compatible.
P17 · MOTU OS X pass: MOTU PCI Audio Update Notes explicitly say Jaguar 10.2.x operation and Panther 10.3+ compatibility; document says feature applies to any MOTU PCI audio interface including PCI-324 interfaces. Current overview 10.2–10.4 is plausible but exact final qualified PCI-324 OS X ceiling still needs dated MOTU driver matrix.
P18 · RME DIGI96 Mac pass: RME Mac manual requires MacOS 8.0+; official archive later driver 1.6 requires >8.6. OS X driver history=1.0 initial release Jan 2003; tested Jaguar 10.2.8/Panther; official archive says 10.2.8+.
P19 · RME Hammerfall exclusion pass: Mac Hammerfall belongs 2000+: Mac driver/release trail starts 2000; do not add 9636/9652 to 1999 Mac table.
P20 · Korg OASYS chronology pass: Korg historical account=first released Dec 1999 with MacOS 8–9; Windows version Aug 2000. Korg installation guide=PowerPC · MacOS 8.5.1+. No OS X/Win2k/XP driver ultimately released.
P21 · Digi 001 Classic-floor pass: Digidesign FAQ explicitly: first Digi001 systems shipped with PT LE 5.0; supported OS 8.6 or OS 9.0; earlier OS unsupported. Later compatibility extends Classic through 9.2.2.
P22 · Digi 001 OS X ceiling pass: PT LE 6.4 is final Digi001 Pro Tools release; official qualification centered on Panther 10.3.2/10.3.4. User reports beyond this are not substituted for official table bounds.
P23 · Audiomedia III OS X pass: Digidesign/Avid administrator: PT LE 6.2.3 Panther retained AMIII code but was untested; last officially supported Mac OS X remains Jaguar-era 10.2.8. Existing distinction is correct.
P24 · d24/PT24 OS X pass: PT|24 d24 officially supported through PT 6.1/Mac OS X 10.2.8;6.4.1/10.3.4 is MIX-only. Existing d24 10.2.3–10.2.8 ceiling retained.
P25 · SW1000XG chronology pass: Yamaha Q2/98 FAQ explicitly says not yet Macintosh-compatible; later Mac guide requires OS 8.1 minimum and notes 8.6 for B&W machines. Existing overview 8.1–9 is supported; OS X driver was intended but never delivered.
P26 · DS2416 chronology pass: early 1998 Mac driver still in development; by Apr 1999 period reporting says Mac drivers available. Final Yamaha Classic package=Driver 1.0.6 for Mac OS 9. Keep exact first supported numbered Mac OS floor ? pending original Mac driver readme.
P27 · Yamaha converter cross-check: Yamaha comparative technical material identifies SW1000XG ADC=20-bit Burr-Brown PCM1800 and DAC=18-bit NEC; DS2416 ADC=20-bit Cirrus CS5335 and core-card DAC=20-bit. Existing exact DS2416 AK4321 identification remains photo/evidence-specific and should not be replaced by generic resolution prose.
P28 · Alesis ADAT/PCR pass: product specification=5×4.25×0.75in standard PCI card · Mac PowerPC 300MHz 604e · OS 7.6.1 · 128MB · ASIO+Sound Manager;8-ch ADAT optical+9-pin ADAT sync;16/20/24-bit transfer. Exact PCI revision/clock/BM still ?.
P29 · Sonorus period pass: May 1998 period ad explicitly=16-channel digital I/O for PC/Mac · 24-bit · PCI · Mac Cubase VST driver. Later OS9 user evidence confirms continuation. No credible OS X driver found; user evidence says product ended before OS X and unusable there.
P30 · Project II pass: late-1998 period material=half-size plug-and-play PCI · single 60-pin peripheral port · Macintosh+Windows NT · Direct I/O · 16/24-bit depending on interface/software. Supports current canonical d24-family treatment but role remains distinct.
P31 · Pro Tools chronology pass: Avid release history dates PT 3.21 PCI release 1996-05-14; PT4.1/d24 1997-09-24; PT4.3/MIX 1998-09-25. These are software/card-introduction anchors and should be kept distinct from first ship/review dates already used where stronger.
P32 · SampleCell DAC attack: repeated searches for AD1868/CS4390/etc. produced no evidence-grade mapping to the four DAC packages on SampleCell II PCI. Digidesign only establishes eight outputs with individual D/A. Retain ? DAC.
P33 · Gadget Labs Wave/424 IC attack: official/period evidence establishes 4×4 · 24-bit/96k converters · TRS card I/O · ASIO+OMS/MIDI and Dec 1999 Mac driver; no evidence-grade ADC/DAC IC markings recovered. Retain ? ADC · ? DAC.
P34 · Darla24 converter attack: architecture/rates/DSP now strong, but no evidence-grade exact ADC/DAC part numbers recovered. Do not borrow converter ICs from Darla20/Gina20 or later Echo24 products.
P35 · VX222 converter attack: original VX222 exact converter chips remain unresolved. VX222v2 manual gives 24-bit ADC/DAC architecture but is a later revision and cannot identify original VX222 ICs.
P36 · Sound Blaster Live Mac omission check: Macworld Dec 1998 reports Creative announced a Mac port; surviving official Creative Mac driver supports OS8.6–9.x but later release evidence is required. Announcement alone≠released 1999 Mac support→do not insert in 1999 table.
P37 · LynxONE omission check: LynxONE hardware is period-correct but Mac ASIO 2.0 release trail points to 2000. Official Lynx: OS9 ASIO only, no Sound Manager, no OS X;5V PCI/G5-incompatible. Place in Part2, not 1999.
P38 · CreamWare/other exclusion sweep: Pulsar II/software 2.0 ships for Windows+Mac May 2000; Mac support evidence belongs Part2. Mixtreme period coverage is Windows. Marian/SEK'D evidence found is Windows-centric. No safe 1996–99 Mac insertion from these.
P39 · SeaSound SOLO omission discovery: Dec 1999 EQ review explicitly describes a cross-platform Windows/Mac PCI card+2U interface and says reviewer tested Solo on both Mac and Windows; package includes Mac+Win95/98 drivers. This is actual 1999 Mac operation, not announcement-only. SOLO is therefore a strong missing 1999 table candidate. Hardware: custom PCI card+DB25 to rack · coax S/PDIF on PCI card · 24-bit/96k A/D+D/A system · 2 mic pres+instrument/line paths+MIDI. Later preservation FAQ says no OS X driver. Exact PCI electrical fields and converter ICs require dedicated pass before canonical insertion.

P11–39 PRIORITY DELTA

Strong new/correctable facts: MOTU PCI-324 Classic floor 7.6.1+ · OASYS release=Dec1999 · Digi001 floor=8.6 hard minimum · SW1000XG pre-Mac Q2/98→Mac OS8.1+ later · Darla24=DSP56301/ECHOGALS/rev0+rev1/96k/PCI BM · Core32 PCI Master/Slave · ADAT/PCR exact size+OS floor · Project II half-size/DirectIO · RME DIGI96 OS X starts Jan2003/10.2.8.
Potential missing row: SeaSound SOLO (1999 Mac operation directly documented).
Keep unresolved: SampleCell II exact DAC · Wave/424 exact ADC/DAC · Darla24 exact ADC/DAC · original VX222 exact ADC/DAC · DS2416 first numbered Mac OS floor · Core32 final Classic/OS X ceiling · PARIS final Mac/OS X bounds · exact PCI fields where only generic PCI wording exists.

DSP-category exclusions from current audit

Fairlight PCI: “OS9” in Fairlight docs=Microware OS-9/68K, not Apple Mac OS 9; proprietary Fairlight architecture, not a Classic-Mac PCI row. manual (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3756343/Fairlight-Mfx3-Plus.html?page=115)
Orban OPTIMOD-PC: manual specifies IBM-compatible PC and explicitly says Mac OS will not work; exclude. manual (https://www.broadcasting-services.eu/manuale/1101_Optimod-PC_1.0_Operating_Manual_eBook.pdf)
SSL/Soundscape Mixpander: surviving SSL documentation is Windows-path; no released Classic-Mac driver established. manual (https://manualzilla.com/doc/5937214/ssl-mixer-manual)

PCI audio timeline · Post 5 of 5 · Back to year index (#post_timeline_top)