Mac OSX 10.11 El Capitan Compatibility Guide With Regular Updates
Whenever a new operating system comes out our advice is to play a waiting game, and don't do anything while you are in the middle of a job. However, here is a round-up of the latest info we have from a range of Pro Audio brands regarding Apple's El Capitan...
If you want to know more about other Apple operating systems then check out these detailed articles which include a searchable database…
Back to Apple’s El Capitan, macOS 10.11…
Ableton
The latest version of Live, 9.2.2 is compatible with OS X 10.11. You can download the latest version from you Ableton User Account. However, Ableton encourages you to verify compatibility with any other software you might rely on before making the jump.
Allen & Heath - Updated 19th October
Allen & Heath has updated its drivers/firmware for the Qu line of mixers to include support for Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan. Be sure to download the latest driver and firmware for your A&H Qu mixer from the downloads page.
Apogee
See our separate article for all the details on Apogee compatibility with El Capitan
Arturia Updated - 3rd November
Arturia brings El Capitan compatibility to their product line with the latest updates. You can update your Arturia software via the Arturia Software Centre. You can see Arturia’s full statement here.
Audient
Audient has announced that both iD14 and iD22 software now offers both Windows 10 & El Capitan support. You can now download the latest drivers from both the iD14 and iD22 product download pages.
Avid - Updated November 18th
Pro Tools
Support for OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) was added with Pro Tools 12.3.
Pro Tools | HD 12 System Requirements
Pro Tools 12 System Requirements
Avid Audio Interface Drivers
Pro Tools | HDX and Pro Tools | HD Native cards are supported with OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) and HD Driver 12.3. Please read HD Driver 12.3 Notes.
Supported non-HD audio devices with OS X 10.11:
003
003 Rack
Mbox 3 Pro
Pro Tools | Quartet
Pro Tools | Duet
Fast Track Duo
Fast Track Solo
Unsupported non-HD audio devices (not yet qualified):
Eleven Rack
Fast Track C400
Fast Track C600
Mbox 3
Mbox 3 Mini
Known Issues:
Restart/shutdown is prevented with HD driver installed. Check the Read Me
No audio output with latest USB drivers (e.g. Eleven Rack, Fast Track C400 & C600, MBox Mini, MBox)
Noisy audio input with latest USB drivers (e.g. Eleven Rack, Fast Track C400 & C600, MBox Mini, MBox)
Sibelius
OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) is not supported at this time. It is known that Sibelius will crash when closing a score on El Capitan.
EUCON
Support for OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) has been added with EuControl 3.3.2 and S6 v2.1.
Blue Cat Audio
The latest version of Mac OS X, “El Capitan” is up and running at Blue Cat Audio. So far, so good, all plug-ins and standalone application are running smoothly, without a glitch (including Audio Units in Logic Pro X). While the update is probably not recommended for all (check that you host applications and audio interface drivers are compatible for example), your Blue Cat Audio plug-ins should not be a problem!
Celemony
We understand that all versions of Melodyne are now approved with El Capitan (10.11)
Focusrite
Focusrite has posted compatibility information for their product line with El Capitan. Everything except RedNet and their Midnight and Scarlett plug-in suites is compatible.
FXpansion
FXpansion has announced that their products are compatible with El Capitan. However, they do recommend that you make sure the rest of your system is compatible before upgrading.
Gobbler And Their Marketplace
At this time, Gobbler recommends that users with Marketplace subscriptions be cautious about upgrading to OS X 10.11 El Capitan. The Slate Team has told Gobbler that the latest VMR build is fully supported by El Capitan.
Please note: Gobbler 2.0 collaboration app is now fully compatible with OS X 10.11 El Capitan.
IK Multimedia - Updated 25th November
IK Multimedia has announced that all current versions of their software and hardware are now compatible with Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan with the exception of the Stealth Pedal MIDI Control app.
iZotope - Updated 25th November
iZotope has now announced support is now available for Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan. Mac users can find all the details on their blog
Line 6
Line 6 has posted updates that include compatibility with El Capitan. You can download the latest update for your Line 6 products from their software page.
M-Audio
M-Audio is still working to qualify its product line with El Capitan. Already many of M-Audio’s products are already supported, though some are not. You can check if your hardware is compatible on the M-Audio Knowledgebase.
MOTU - Updated 4th November
Thanks to community member Justin Airey for pointing us at this one. MOTU is saying this...
Apple released OS X® El Capitan (version 10.11) this week. MOTU has worked with Apple to ensure current MOTU products are compatible with OS X El Capitan, and to provide a smooth transition for your MOTU products when you upgrade to OS X El Capitan. Current versions of all MOTU software products and most hardware drivers appear to be compatible with El Capitan, although final compatibility testing is still on-going. For the latest news check their dedicated new page.
AVB Audio Interfaces
It does appear that all MOTU AVB equipped audio interfaces are fully compatible with El Capitan.
Audio Interfaces
MOTU has released a public beta driver for their audio interface products on November 4th.
MIDI Interfaces
MOTU has released a public beta driver for their MIDI interface products on November 4th.
Native Instruments - Updated 3rd November
Native Instruments have now announced that updating to OS X 10.11.1 fixes the AU validation issue in Logic Pro X that was present in the original release of the OS. If your AU plug-ins do not appear in Logic after updating to 10.11.1, simply rescan your plug-ins folder in Logic by selecting Preferences > Plug-in Manager from the Logic Pro menu. From the Plug-in Manager, select all plug-ins with failed validation and then press Reset & Rescan Selection.
If you are using legacy NI hardware on El Capitan and are experiencing kernel panics, please download the latest driver, version 2.8.0, for your corresponding device.
For the latest information from Native Instruments check their El Capitan News page.
Nektar
Nektar has announced that they have found some issues during their testing of the Panorama with El Capitan. They recommend holding off on updating your operating system until they have an update ready.
Novation
Novation has posted a list of their products that are compatible with El Capitan. It appears that all of their products check out, though some have certain notes or specific drivers that are required to use with the new OS.
Plugin Alliance
Plugin Alliance does not currently support El Capitan but is working closely with Apple to ensure compatibility.
Propellerheads
Propellerheads have announced that Reason 8, Reason Essentials 8, and the Balance audio interface are all compatible with OS X 10.11. However, they urge you to be sure the rest of your system is compatible with Apple’s new OS before making the upgrade.
Serato - Updated 22nd October
Serato doesn’t anticipate any issues with Serato DJ and OS X 10.11, but they won’t be able to officially support it until they can complete full and proper testing. They are unable to give a timeframe for official support at this time. They are happy for users to test their software on OS X 10.11 releases, but they suggest it not be used in performance situations until they are certain of its reliability.
Slate Digital
At this time they cannot guarantee full compatibility but are working hard to sort out any bugs. Please view more information here. They have reached out to Apple for all related issues and will keep you updated with compatibility moving forward.
Soundtoys
Soundtoys are still testing for version 5 on El Capitan. While no issues have been found, it is recommended to make sure the rest of your system is compatible before making the upgrade. Soundtoys has also stated that there will be no further development for version 4 of their software for El Capitan, and no testing will be done for this version. If any issues arise in version 4 on 10.11, it will be fixed in version 5.
Source Elements - Updated October 19th
Upgrading to El Capitan OSX 10.11? We confirm that Source-Connect 3.8 works perfectly, but please check with all suppliers before upgrading.
Spectrasonics
Spectrasonics has stated that the latest versions of Omnisphere 2, Trilian, and Stylus RMX all appear to be working normally in El Capitan. However, it is important to be sure that your host sequencer is also compatible with Apple’s newest OS before upgrading.
Steinberg - Updated 4th December 2015
Steinberg has now produced a list of applications that have been tested for Mac OS X 10.11. For newer products, check the corresponding product pages and the system requirements on supported operating systems. Older products which are not listed are not supported and consequently, no further updates are planned.
Universal Audio - Updated 20th October
Universal Audio is still undergoing testing for its product line with OS X 10.11. UA has found that most Thunderbolt devices are working properly after initial testing, but some of its FireWire and PCIe products are incompatible. For the latest information check the dedicated page on the UA site.
UVI - Updated 22nd October
UVI now fully supports OS X 10.11 El Capitan! Be sure to verify compatibility for the rest of your system before making the upgrade.
Waves - Updated 21st October
Waves have tested their software with El Capitan and can confirm that both it’s Native and Soundgrid software is fully compatible with Apple’s latest OS.
How About You?
Please share with us if you more, or if you have upgraded to El Capitan, what your experiences have been.