Editing Pro Tools (section)

=== Digidesign Sound Designer (1985–1989) ===
When Apple released its first [[Macintosh 128K|Macintosh]] computer in 1984, the pair thought to design a more functional and flexible solution which could take advantage of a graphical interface.{{snf|Milner|2009|p=245}} In collaboration with [[E-mu Systems|E-Mu]], they developed a Mac-based visual sample editing system for the [[Emulator II]] keyboard, called Sound Designer, released under the [[Digidesign]] brand<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Devereux |first=Brian |date=May 1986 |title=Sound Designer 2000 Software |url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/sound-designer-2000-software/1682 |journal=Electronic & Music Maker |issue=May 1986 |pages=24 |via=Muzines}}</ref> and inspired by the interface of the [[Fairlight CMI]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.emulatorarchive.com/SampleDesign/SDSoundDesigner/sdsounddesigner.html|title=Sample Editors: Sound Designer|date=2009-02-25|website=Emulator Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225214242/http://www.emulatorarchive.com/SampleDesign/SDSoundDesigner/sdsounddesigner.html|archive-date=2009-02-25|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref> This system, the first ancestor of Pro Tools, was released in 1985 at the price of US$995.<ref name=":6" />

Brooks and Gotcher rapidly ported Sound Designer to many other sampling keyboards, such as [[E-mu Emax]], [[Akai S900]], [[Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000|Sequential Prophet 2000]], [[Korg DSS-1]], and [[Ensoniq Mirage]].<ref name=":7" /> Thanks to the universal file specification subsequently developed by Brooks with version 1.5,<ref name=":7" /> Sound Designer files could be transferred via [[MIDI]] between sampling keyboards of different manufacturers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mellor |first=David |date=October 1988 |title=Sound Designer Universal |url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/sound-designer-universal/3988 |journal=[[Sound on Sound]] |volume=36 |pages=24–26 |via=Muzines}}</ref> This universal file specification, along with the printed source code to a 68000 assembly language interrupt-driven MIDI driver, was distributed through [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]] MIDI interface manufacturer Assimilation, which manufactured the first MIDI interface for the Mac in 1985.

Starting from the same year, a dial-up service provided by Beaverton Digital Systems, called MacMusic, allowed Sound Designer users to download and install the entire Emulator II sound library to other less expensive samplers: sample libraries could be shared across different manufacturers platforms without copyright infringement. MacMusic contributed to Sound Designer's success by leveraging both the universal file format and developing the first online sample file download site globally, many years before the [[World Wide Web]] use soared. The service used 2400-[[baud]] modems and 100 MB of disk space with Red Ryder host on a 1 MB [[Macintosh Plus]].<ref name=":7" />

With the release of Apple [[Macintosh II]] in 1987, which provided card slots, a hard disk, and more capable memory, Brooks and Gotcher saw the possibility to evolve Sound Designer into a featured [[digital audio workstation]]. They discussed with E-mu the opportunity of using the Emulator III as a platform for their updated software, but E-mu rejected this offer. Therefore, they decided to design both the software and the hardware autonomously. [[Motorola]], which was working on its [[Motorola 56000|56K series]] of [[digital signal processor]]s, invited the two to participate in its development. Brooks designed a circuit board for the processor, then developed the software to make it work with Sound Designer. A beta version of the DSP was ready by December 1988.{{sfn|Milner|2009|p=245}}