New version of iTunes won't run alongside ProTools?

Tim sez,:

The latest versions of iTunes prevents you from using Pro Tools or other peripheral-based audio apps.I downloaded the new version out of habit from the Update, then went to open iTunes and it just bounced in the dock without opening. I went to the India-based email help on the Apple webpage, and the first thing they asked was "do you have any peripherals hooked up?" I wasn't sure exactly what they were talking about, but finally unhooked the MBox (the external hardware for Pro Tools, the audio production standard software), and bingo! iTunes opened no problem.

Apple is clearly taking steps to try to prevent piracy using audio production software with iTunes. It's a pain in the butt for an audio professional such as myself that relies on these tools. I've since found a runaround- if you set your computer to open iTunes automatically when a CD is inserted it will open when you insert a CD even if Pro Tools is open. But Apple is taking Draconian measures here, sabotaging other completely legal programs to protect their copyright!

(Thanks, Tim!)

Update: Robb sez, I'm running iTunes alongside several production audio applications and not one but two professional digital audio interfaces. As a matter of fact I'm using cycling74's soundflower virtual audio driver to record iTunes audio (yes including protected AAC files) into Ableton Live.

"Digidesign, the makers of ProTools (a closed, proprietary audio software package and the closed, proprietary audio hardware that they make you buy to use their software) are notoriously bad driver writers -- and their drivers for THEIR audio interfaces (one of which Tim is using) are the culprit: they are single client interfaces, which means unlike every other audio interface for the Mac, they can only support one application at a time.

"Apple, btw, has made it far EASIER to use applications together. Tiger features virtual audio interfaces that aggregate the ports on all your hardware into one, the ability to send audio and midi between machines over networks and, in general OSX rocks for audio production."