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FIX: Pro Tools could not set sample rate to specified value

After upgrading to the newly released Pro Tools 9, I couldn’t open sessions or create new ones. I got this error: “Could not complete the Open Session… command because Pro Tools could not set sample rate to specified value..” I hunted around on the web and various forums, but couldn’t find a solution that fit. […]

December 11th, 2010 | Audio, Recording, Technology | , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments: 32

Pro Tools error

After upgrading to the newly released Pro Tools 9, I couldn’t open sessions or create new ones. I got this error: “Could not complete the Open Session… command because Pro Tools could not set sample rate to specified value..” I hunted around on the web and various forums, but couldn’t find a solution that fit. I found several items relating to Windows and Pro Tools 8, but nothing for a Mac running Pro Tools 9. After messing around a bit I figured out the problem was with my playback engine. Here’s how I solved it. Let me know if it works for you too.

Open the Playback Engine dialog under the Setup menu item.

From the menu bar select Setup > Playback Engine… to open the Playback Engine dialog window.

Playback Engine menu item

The problem is with the Pro Tools Aggregate I/O.

By default, my current engine was set to “Pro Tools Aggregate I/O.” It’s odd that this Pro Tools would leave it that way after an installation since AVID states that it is not supported in OS X.

Select another engine

Select your current playback engine.

The fix is easy. Simply select the right playback engine. Your options may differ based on your setup.

Select your current playback engine

In my case, I usually would edit with my Mbox 2 Micro, but since Pro Tools 9 gives us so many more options for hardware compatibility, I selected Built-in Output. I was able to edit some vocal takes using my Macbook Pro’s speakers instead of pulling out my headphones. Nice!

32 Comments >

32 Comments

  1. 1 Jesse 3:39 am Dec 25, 2010

    Thanks! I really needed that.

  2. 2 jim 12:26 pm Dec 30, 2010

    worked for me. Thanks so much!!

  3. 3 Studio A 10:50 am Dec 31, 2010

    Thanks!!!!! You are da man!

  4. 4 Paultree 7:49 am Jan 3, 2011

    Those boys at avid…. You have saved me a wasted day, I
    tip you my hat.

  5. 5 Scott 3:49 pm Jan 4, 2011

    Glad I could save you some time.

  6. 6 Rob 4:37 am Jan 10, 2011

    Thanks for this! Truly. I had no idea where to go or what
    to look. This is my first protools setup with a new laptop and I am
    not the most tech savvy guy. I appreciate you doing this. Helped me
    so much! I went to avid sites/forums and none of them had this
    info. Can’t wait to start recording now!

  7. 7 Scott 12:48 pm Jan 11, 2011

    Hey Rob, if you’re looking for a great resource for recording information and all things music and gear related, check out the gearslutz.com forum.

  8. 8 Doug 9:01 am Jan 11, 2011

    Scott… you saved me much time. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

  9. 9 Devlinford 12:35 pm Jan 14, 2011

    You rock…

    Thanks for sharing…Thanks Avid for nothing!

    Hah.

    DF

  10. 10 Frank the Tank 10:59 pm Jan 21, 2011

    You’re the man!!!

  11. 11 Scott Troyer » Blog Archive » FIX: Pro Tools hardware is either not installed or used by another program. 6:06 pm Mar 10, 2011

    […] to get stuck in some funky states that don’t so work –if at all. See my previous post “FIX: Pro Tools could not set sample rate to specified value” for a similar […]

  12. 12 craig 10:00 am Apr 19, 2011

    man u rock.
    it’s midnight & u allow me to sleep now.
    bless u whoever u are.
    i heart the intrwebz!⁄¡

  13. 13 Scott 10:08 am Apr 19, 2011

    Sleep well, friend!

  14. 14 Caleb 1:11 am May 2, 2011

    Thanks a million Scott!!!!

  15. 15 Michael Drive 9:36 pm Jun 7, 2011

    Absolutely perfect advice ! Thank you very much for the easy instruction Scott. Would have never known otherwise. That was the ticket.

    Take care,
    Michael Drive

  16. 16 Scott 10:19 pm Jun 7, 2011

    Great! Glad this post helped you, Michael. Have fun recording.

  17. 17 Nelzo the great 11:40 pm Jul 3, 2011

    Great tip man! Thanks a bunch! Just got PT9 and it was a great help! U Da Man!

  18. 18 Helena 2:35 pm Jul 4, 2011

    Thank you ever so much! Saved my day and upcoming performance in Germany 🙂

  19. 19 felix 5:55 am Jul 27, 2011

    on the menu bar there is nothing saying set up could you please help me?

  20. 20 ben 6:01 am Jul 27, 2011

    when i try and press playback engine it wont let me because the text is in that light grey color which wont let you press it.

  21. 21 Scott 4:32 pm Jul 28, 2011

    Hmm, I’m not sure what’s going on there, Ben. Do you have photos you can post?

  22. 22 Wit 11:39 pm Dec 31, 2011

    Thanks for sharing.
    I encountered this issue after installing PT10 Trial.
    This post is really helpful.

    You rocks!

  23. 23 onix rivera 6:48 pm Feb 9, 2012

    genius!!!! problem solved!!!! thanks a lot!!

  24. 24 asger 7:42 am Apr 9, 2013

    Thanks!!!

  25. 25 James harrell 1:43 pm Jun 18, 2013

    Scott, is there a way to keep the program for resorting back.

  26. 26 Scott Troyer 9:43 pm Jun 18, 2013

    James, I’m not aware of a way to force PT to always choose a particular Playback Engine. I have begun to think the problems arises from connecting/disconnecting interfaces while PT is still running though. That may be helpful in your diagnostics.

  27. 27 WFG 7:37 am May 31, 2014

    WOW!!! Case solved.
    100%
    Thanks!!!!

  28. 28 Scott Troyer 5:00 pm Jun 1, 2014

    Sweet. Always happy to hear that this helped someone.

  29. 29 hf 2:37 pm Aug 19, 2014

    many thanks!!

  30. 30 J.C. 1:18 pm Nov 12, 2018

    Thank you! just know that 4 years later the time you took to post this is still helping people to this day! Lmao

  31. 31 TC 7:38 pm May 9, 2019

    Thank you! Thank you! This fixed a homework assignment for me! I thought I was going to get an “F”! YOU ROCK SIR!

  32. 32 James 1:19 am Dec 22, 2020

    Man you’re definitely worth more money. It worked wow.

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