Hi all... Vigin meat here. My wife clued me onto this site because she

[edwin]

said she has found a lot of useful information from it.

Here's my situation:


I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
me for the longest time to record them.
o.k., I said.


That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.


I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7. He has only had it a short time, but

hasn't found time to toy with it.


He suggested I get one because it is 'industry standard', stating that
any recording studio would have the Pro-tools software... except theirs

would be a heck of a lot more expensive than ours. Here is the link to

the item I'm thinking about buying:


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Factory-Bund...



He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
BUT......
before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
have a Pentium 3.


So, this is my quandry.


I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
more.


I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
having to upgrade a year or two from now. If I don't upgrade, I think
I'll be forced to in a year or two anyway.


On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"


Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
encouragement or dissuade me? I'm really not sure if this is the route

I should take.... but my GOD! Trying to compare all of the different
systems out there is enough to drive a person crazy.


Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just

as good?


I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...

I mean reply.


TIA!!! Edwin

[Ray Thomas]

The short answer is "yes, Pro Tools is compatible with most of the
'professional' studios you're likely to encounter..." but why is that
significant ? Are you going to record demos at home and do overdubs in such
a studio (and hence the need for compatibility)...or are you planning to go
it alone at home and see the finished product through there ? In which case
there are much cheaper, but arguably comparable, systems available to you
than PT. So my reply question to you would be.."what's your medium to long
term strategy, home brew all the way or a mix between home and pro studio" ?
Are you a singer/songwriter, or planning to overdub other
instruments/samples/loops to give a band feel to your songs ? How simple or
complex do you envisage them to finally sound ? All this will have some
bearing on what hardware and software you select for the purpose...or should
do ! Back to you....
Ray
----------------------------
"edwin" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
>
> Here's my situation:
>
>
> I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> me for the longest time to record them.
> o.k., I said.
>
>
> That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.
>
>
> I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7. He has only had it a short time, but
>
> hasn't found time to toy with it.
>
>
> He suggested I get one because it is 'industry standard', stating that
> any recording studio would have the Pro-tools software... except theirs
>
> would be a heck of a lot more expensive than ours. Here is the link to
>
> the item I'm thinking about buying:
>
>
> http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Factory-Bund...
>
>
>
> He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> BUT......
> before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> have a Pentium 3.
>
>
> So, this is my quandry.
>
>
> I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> more.
>
>
> I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> having to upgrade a year or two from now. If I don't upgrade, I think
> I'll be forced to in a year or two anyway.
>
>
> On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"
>
>
> Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
> encouragement or dissuade me? I'm really not sure if this is the route
>
> I should take.... but my GOD! Trying to compare all of the different
> systems out there is enough to drive a person crazy.
>
>
> Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
>
> as good?
>
>
> I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
>
> I mean reply.
>
>
> TIA!!! Edwin
>

[Getting Older and Grumpier Gear Minion]

edwin wrote:
> said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
>
> Here's my situation:
>
>
> I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> me for the longest time to record them.
> o.k., I said.
>
>
> That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.
>
>
> I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7. He has only had it a short time, but
>
> hasn't found time to toy with it.
>
>
> He suggested I get one because it is 'industry standard', stating that
> any recording studio would have the Pro-tools software... except theirs
>
> would be a heck of a lot more expensive than ours. Here is the link to
>
> the item I'm thinking about buying:
>
>
> http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Factory-Bund...
>
>
>
> He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> BUT......
> before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> have a Pentium 3.
>
>
> So, this is my quandry.
>
>
> I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> more.
>
>
> I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> having to upgrade a year or two from now. If I don't upgrade, I think
> I'll be forced to in a year or two anyway.
>
>
> On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"
>
>
> Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
> encouragement or dissuade me? I'm really not sure if this is the route
>
> I should take.... but my GOD! Trying to compare all of the different
> systems out there is enough to drive a person crazy.
>
>
> Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
>
> as good?
>
>
> I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
>
> I mean reply.
>
>
> TIA!!! Edwin

Ray has a good point. What's the long term plan?
If you just trying to get your feet wet at digital
recording with basic editing.
Any small mixer/mic preamp with line outs to go to your
computer can get you started.
Some free software like Audacity or something from
Digital Planet (QuartzAudioMaster) could get you started
with basic editing features.
Then make the investment in the gear to go full throttle
if it's what your looking to do.
JMTC YMMV

[Mike Rivers]

edwin wrote:

> I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> me for the longest time to record them.
> o.k., I said.
>
>
> That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.

I'd suggest that you come up with straightforward arrangements of a
dozen of your best songs and have your wife buy you a half a day in a
recording studio as a gift.

You can easily spend the next year trying to figure out how to get
started recording, the next three years trying to find things to make
your recordings sound better, and the next 20 years buying more gear.
Then you'll be too old to sing (just like Bob Dylan).

> I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7.

Before you get into this, have you figured out how tedious it is to
record with somethig like this? It's OK if you're just singing and
playing guitar or some other instrument, but then you'll want to add
other parts and the time will slip away from you.

> He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> BUT......
> before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> have a Pentium 3.

This is the way it goes.

> I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> having to upgrade a year or two from now.

That's not the way it goes.

> On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"

Mac people are like that. Some things are easier to set up on a Mac
than on a PC, but there isn't a big difference.

> Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
> as good?

There's lots of cheaper software, but are you sure this is the way you
really want to go? Check out the TASCAM DP-01FX multitrack hard disk
recorders. They're easy to use, they don't take up any more space than
a laptop computer, you won't have to upgrade anything because there's
nothing you can upgrade (other than buying better microphones) and
should you ever want to go to computer-based recording and mixing, you
can transfer the audio files to another system. It might be an initial
cost around that of a new computer, but there's no software to buy, no
steep learning curve, and you'll start getting your songs recorded from
the first day.

[Ty Ford]

On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 22:09:47 -0400, edwin wrote
(in article . com>):

> Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
>
> as good?
>
>
> I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
>
> I mean reply.
>
>
> TIA!!! Edwin


last fall one of the music catalogs had 43 PAGES of microphones! Yes, it's
very crazy out there.

I'm a mac user. I'm a Pro Tools LE/DIGI 002R user. I ran an mBox on a PC a
few months ago and it was very offputting because of the windows interface.
PC users might say the same thing about Macs.

If you never want to do more than one or two tracks..ok maybe 8 with not much
processing, then you can "get by" with a lower level machine. Go to the
digidesign site and see what they recommend. One thing they do recommend is
separate drives; one for system and programs, the other for audio. Just do
it.

Get more cpu speed and RAM than that if you can. The strategy of using some
older machine you have around the house is not a good one. Every time I think
that way (before I eventually buy the most I an get at the moment) i
eventually realize that buying too far on the backside is folly.

Every iteration of software is built to take advantage of faster CPU and bus
speeds and newer operating systems. Buying old limits you too quickly, then,
if you want to get ahead or even keep up, you have to buy new again.

Then there's the environment. You don't want to have the computer in the same
room with open mics. Find a closet or an adjacent room and cable through the
wall.

Good luck with your strategy.

Regards,

Ty Ford


-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

[Scott Dorsey]

Ty Ford > wrote:
>
>last fall one of the music catalogs had 43 PAGES of microphones! Yes, it's
>very crazy out there.

But let me guess... 42 of them just listed the same Chinese microphone rebadged
under different names?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[edwin]

Thanks for the reply Ray.

It seems this decision really is about meeting objectives. I would
like to have a professional sound, I could envision more than 10 tracks
on many songs (I don't know if that is a lot, but it sounds like a
lot).

If one could dream, I'd like my recordings to lead to bigger things
(where my tracks could be used in a studio) but if not, then I'd like
my personal product to sound as good as something on the radio.

I am a singer/songwriter, and have friends who can contribute their
musical talents for different tracks.


Bottom line, I want something that can be utilized at studios (if
needed) and advanced enough to sound professional.

Thank you for your reply.



Ray Thomas wrote:
> The short answer is "yes, Pro Tools is compatible with most of the
> 'professional' studios you're likely to encounter..." but why is that
> significant ? Are you going to record demos at home and do overdubs in such
> a studio (and hence the need for compatibility)...or are you planning to go
> it alone at home and see the finished product through there ? In which case
> there are much cheaper, but arguably comparable, systems available to you
> than PT. So my reply question to you would be.."what's your medium to long
> term strategy, home brew all the way or a mix between home and pro studio" ?
> Are you a singer/songwriter, or planning to overdub other
> instruments/samples/loops to give a band feel to your songs ? How simple or
> complex do you envisage them to finally sound ? All this will have some
> bearing on what hardware and software you select for the purpose...or should
> do ! Back to you....
> Ray
> ----------------------------
> "edwin" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> > said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
> >
> > Here's my situation:
> >
> >
> > I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> > to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> > me for the longest time to record them.
> > o.k., I said.
> >
> >
> > That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.
> >
> >
> > I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> > has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7. He has only had it a short time, but
> >
> > hasn't found time to toy with it.
> >
> >
> > He suggested I get one because it is 'industry standard', stating that
> > any recording studio would have the Pro-tools software... except theirs
> >
> > would be a heck of a lot more expensive than ours. Here is the link to
> >
> > the item I'm thinking about buying:
> >
> >
> > http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Factory-Bund...
> >
> >
> >
> > He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> > BUT......
> > before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> > outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> > have a Pentium 3.
> >
> >
> > So, this is my quandry.
> >
> >
> > I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> > new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> > more.
> >
> >
> > I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> > having to upgrade a year or two from now. If I don't upgrade, I think
> > I'll be forced to in a year or two anyway.
> >
> >
> > On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> > business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> > on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> > throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"
> >
> >
> > Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
> > encouragement or dissuade me? I'm really not sure if this is the route
> >
> > I should take.... but my GOD! Trying to compare all of the different
> > systems out there is enough to drive a person crazy.
> >
> >
> > Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
> >
> > as good?
> >
> >
> > I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
> >
> > I mean reply.
> >
> >
> > TIA!!! Edwin
> >

[Beauchampy]

edwin wrote:
> said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
>
> Here's my situation:
>
<snip>
>
>
> I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> more.
>
<snip>

Not necessarily. Firstly I would adivise anyone against buying a Laptop
and using it as a DAW. Firstly the internal drives on a laptop are
always going to be slower than the performance you can get out of a full
form factor HDD. There are other factors too, basically the bottom line
is you wont get the price/performance value you'll get from a desktop.

You have a pentium 3 computer so you probably already have an ATX case,
you already have a hardrive (probably running at 7200rpm), a CD drive, a
powersupply, a graphics card (best check on that).

If you watch the right auctions on ebay I'm sure you could buy a P4
3.0ghz chip for around $70 inc. shipping.

Pick up just around any Asus P4P800 motherboard for under $100. ( -E and
Deluxe motherboards are better - look out for thes ones with built in
firewire as this will save you forking out for a firewire card).

Memory - 512mb DDR PC3200 from Crucial is $73 (you can always add more
but that should suffice)

You might need to purchase another copy of windows xp, depending on the
licence that came with your old PC, but then again everyone knows a
friend of a friend who cas a cracked windows xp cd..

Budget around £25 for any fans/litte extras you might need.

And thats a PC more than capable of running PT for under $300.

Beauchampy

[Mike Rivers]

edwin wrote:

> It seems this decision really is about meeting objectives. I would
> like to have a professional sound, I could envision more than 10 tracks
> on many songs (I don't know if that is a lot, but it sounds like a
> lot).

More tracks doesn't make for a professonal sound. Good songs, good
singing and playing, and good engineering techniques (which includes
having a good sounding room to record and monitor in) make for
professional sound. Gear is secondary, as long as you don't get so
cheap that it's impossible to get passible recordings - hard to do
these days.

It doesn't matter what you start with, it will be quite some time
before your recordings start to sound as good (or bad) as one hears on
the radio these days. But you can have fun with just about anything you
choose, and occasionally you'll turn out something that you'll feel is
good enough to keep - at least for a while until you find that your
recordings are getting better and you'll wonder why you saved that old
crap. <g>

..

[edwin]

Thanks Minion!

I know understand what your saying about starting small. It makes a
lot of sense, but I fear that by doing that, I will reach a point and
go... "ok, now I REALLY want to make my songs sound good", then have to
go and buy more expensive equipment in order to do that. Then have to
redo all of my previous work over again.

Another problem, being a newbie, is I fear by having an older computer,
that anything I get will perform badly.... and not being a computer
officionado, I wouldn't be able to figure out what in the hell I needed
to do to make it work.

Therefore, I'm thinking that by upgrading, at least I won't have THAT
to worry about... and I can just focus on recording.


Thanks for your input, man!





Getting Older and Grumpier Gear Minion wrote:
> edwin wrote:
> > said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
> >
> > Here's my situation:
> >
> >
> > I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> > to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> > me for the longest time to record them.
> > o.k., I said.
> >
> >
> > That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.
> >
> >
> > I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> > has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7. He has only had it a short time, but
> >
> > hasn't found time to toy with it.
> >
> >
> > He suggested I get one because it is 'industry standard', stating that
> > any recording studio would have the Pro-tools software... except theirs
> >
> > would be a heck of a lot more expensive than ours. Here is the link to
> >
> > the item I'm thinking about buying:
> >
> >
> > http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Factory-Bund...
> >
> >
> >
> > He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> > BUT......
> > before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> > outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> > have a Pentium 3.
> >
> >
> > So, this is my quandry.
> >
> >
> > I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> > new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> > more.
> >
> >
> > I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> > having to upgrade a year or two from now. If I don't upgrade, I think
> > I'll be forced to in a year or two anyway.
> >
> >
> > On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> > business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> > on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> > throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"
> >
> >
> > Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
> > encouragement or dissuade me? I'm really not sure if this is the route
> >
> > I should take.... but my GOD! Trying to compare all of the different
> > systems out there is enough to drive a person crazy.
> >
> >
> > Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
> >
> > as good?
> >
> >
> > I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
> >
> > I mean reply.
> >
> >
> > TIA!!! Edwin
>
> Ray has a good point. What's the long term plan?
> If you just trying to get your feet wet at digital
> recording with basic editing.
> Any small mixer/mic preamp with line outs to go to your
> computer can get you started.
> Some free software like Audacity or something from
> Digital Planet (QuartzAudioMaster) could get you started
> with basic editing features.
> Then make the investment in the gear to go full throttle
> if it's what your looking to do.
> JMTC YMMV

[Scott Dorsey]

edwin > wrote:
>It seems this decision really is about meeting objectives. I would
>like to have a professional sound, I could envision more than 10 tracks
>on many songs (I don't know if that is a lot, but it sounds like a
>lot).

Software has nothing to do with a professional sound. A professional sound
comes from great performers, great mikes, and a great room. If your room
and band are good enough you could use Microsoft Sound Recorder and get
a good-sounding recording.

Software makes it EASIER to get recording work done, and better software
is a big help. But it's not where the sound comes from.

>If one could dream, I'd like my recordings to lead to bigger things
>(where my tracks could be used in a studio) but if not, then I'd like
>my personal product to sound as good as something on the radio.

That's not a very high standard these days.

>Bottom line, I want something that can be utilized at studios (if
>needed) and advanced enough to sound professional.

That could be anything. Go out and download some sample software from
a few vendors and play around. Pick software that feels good to you.

The software won't affect your sound anywhere NEAR as much as everything
else in the chain.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[edwin]

Mike, thanks for the reply!

I haven't checked out the Tascam, but will shortly. I had an old
Tascam 4 trac recorder (primarily used just to get the songs recorded
so I wouldn't forget them) but it was very frustrating. Maybe it's
just niavity, but I'm hoping that software will be more forgiving.

No matter what decision I make, I'm gonna make one soon. I've put this
off too long already.

Again, thanks for the input... it seems like this is a good place for
solid answers (and I'm sure that I'll be needing a lot more advice in
the near future).

Edwin



Mike Rivers wrote:
> edwin wrote:
>
> > I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> > to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> > me for the longest time to record them.
> > o.k., I said.
> >
> >
> > That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.
>
> I'd suggest that you come up with straightforward arrangements of a
> dozen of your best songs and have your wife buy you a half a day in a
> recording studio as a gift.
>
> You can easily spend the next year trying to figure out how to get
> started recording, the next three years trying to find things to make
> your recordings sound better, and the next 20 years buying more gear.
> Then you'll be too old to sing (just like Bob Dylan).
>
> > I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> > has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7.
>
> Before you get into this, have you figured out how tedious it is to
> record with somethig like this? It's OK if you're just singing and
> playing guitar or some other instrument, but then you'll want to add
> other parts and the time will slip away from you.
>
> > He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> > BUT......
> > before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> > outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> > have a Pentium 3.
>
> This is the way it goes.
>
> > I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> > having to upgrade a year or two from now.
>
> That's not the way it goes.
>
> > On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> > business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> > on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> > throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"
>
> Mac people are like that. Some things are easier to set up on a Mac
> than on a PC, but there isn't a big difference.
>
> > Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
> > as good?
>
> There's lots of cheaper software, but are you sure this is the way you
> really want to go? Check out the TASCAM DP-01FX multitrack hard disk
> recorders. They're easy to use, they don't take up any more space than
> a laptop computer, you won't have to upgrade anything because there's
> nothing you can upgrade (other than buying better microphones) and
> should you ever want to go to computer-based recording and mixing, you
> can transfer the audio files to another system. It might be an initial
> cost around that of a new computer, but there's no software to buy, no
> steep learning curve, and you'll start getting your songs recorded from
> the first day.

[edwin]

Thanks Ty! I'm kinda leaning towards your advice. Start off on the
right foot technically.... then concentrate on recording well.

"Then there's the environment. You don't want to have the computer in
the same
> room with open mics. Find a closet or an adjacent room and cable through the
> wall."

I'd never heard that. I'll make sure and remember.

Thanks again,
Edwin




Ty Ford wrote:
> On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 22:09:47 -0400, edwin wrote
> (in article . com>):
>
> > Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
> >
> > as good?
> >
> >
> > I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
> >
> > I mean reply.
> >
> >
> > TIA!!! Edwin
>
>
> last fall one of the music catalogs had 43 PAGES of microphones! Yes, it's
> very crazy out there.
>
> I'm a mac user. I'm a Pro Tools LE/DIGI 002R user. I ran an mBox on a PC a
> few months ago and it was very offputting because of the windows interface.
> PC users might say the same thing about Macs.
>
> If you never want to do more than one or two tracks..ok maybe 8 with not much
> processing, then you can "get by" with a lower level machine. Go to the
> digidesign site and see what they recommend. One thing they do recommend is
> separate drives; one for system and programs, the other for audio. Just do
> it.
>
> Get more cpu speed and RAM than that if you can. The strategy of using some
> older machine you have around the house is not a good one. Every time I think
> that way (before I eventually buy the most I an get at the moment) i
> eventually realize that buying too far on the backside is folly.
>
> Every iteration of software is built to take advantage of faster CPU and bus
> speeds and newer operating systems. Buying old limits you too quickly, then,
> if you want to get ahead or even keep up, you have to buy new again.
>
> Then there's the environment. You don't want to have the computer in the same
> room with open mics. Find a closet or an adjacent room and cable through the
> wall.
>
> Good luck with your strategy.
>
> Regards,
>
> Ty Ford
>
>
> -- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
> stuff are at www.tyford.com

[edwin]

Beau..... Thanks for that!

That sounds a heck of a lot better than the 800 to 1000, for a new
lap-top.... and yes, I will get a lap-top because I will be traveling
and recording.

I'll check on those upgrade options. That just might be my ticket.

Thanks again
edwin





Beauchampy wrote:
> edwin wrote:
> > said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
> >
> > Here's my situation:
> >
> <snip>
> >
> >
> > I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> > new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> > more.
> >
> <snip>
>
> Not necessarily. Firstly I would adivise anyone against buying a Laptop
> and using it as a DAW. Firstly the internal drives on a laptop are
> always going to be slower than the performance you can get out of a full
> form factor HDD. There are other factors too, basically the bottom line
> is you wont get the price/performance value you'll get from a desktop.
>
> You have a pentium 3 computer so you probably already have an ATX case,
> you already have a hardrive (probably running at 7200rpm), a CD drive, a
> powersupply, a graphics card (best check on that).
>
> If you watch the right auctions on ebay I'm sure you could buy a P4
> 3.0ghz chip for around $70 inc. shipping.
>
> Pick up just around any Asus P4P800 motherboard for under $100. ( -E and
> Deluxe motherboards are better - look out for thes ones with built in
> firewire as this will save you forking out for a firewire card).
>
> Memory - 512mb DDR PC3200 from Crucial is $73 (you can always add more
> but that should suffice)
>
> You might need to purchase another copy of windows xp, depending on the
> licence that came with your old PC, but then again everyone knows a
> friend of a friend who cas a cracked windows xp cd..
>
> Budget around £25 for any fans/litte extras you might need.
>
> And thats a PC more than capable of running PT for under $300.
>
> Beauchampy

[Mike Rivers]

edwin wrote:

> I haven't checked out the Tascam, but will shortly. I had an old
> Tascam 4 trac recorder (primarily used just to get the songs recorded
> so I wouldn't forget them) but it was very frustrating. Maybe it's
> just niavity, but I'm hoping that software will be more forgiving.

If you had trouble with a 4-track cassette Portastudio, you'll have
trouble with anything, hardware or software. The cassette format didn't
sound very good, but the basic way of working was pretty
straightforward unless you had a very basic model that didn't have much
flexibility.

The new hard disk models are designed along the same line as the
cassette Portastudios which, unlike software, have dedicated controls
for all the functions that you need. That's what makes them easy to
use. But if you're more software oriented, you might be more
comfortable doing everything with a mouse.

The most important thing when making your choice is that you want
something that you can understand well enough to start working right
away, and not have to spend your first six months getting some idea of
how you can work, only to find that there are easier ways to do what
you've been struggling with. I thinik that knobs are helpful to getting
work done, but others are just baffled and would rather they not be
there. They're there in software, too, but usually burined - something
that I find annoying becaue I don't WANT to ignore them.

[Cyberserf]

edwin wrote:
> said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
>
> Here's my situation:
>
>
> I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> me for the longest time to record them.
> o.k., I said.
>
>
> That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.
>
>
> I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7. He has only had it a short time, but
>
> hasn't found time to toy with it.
>
>
> He suggested I get one because it is 'industry standard', stating that
> any recording studio would have the Pro-tools software... except theirs
>
> would be a heck of a lot more expensive than ours. Here is the link to
>
> the item I'm thinking about buying:
>
>
> http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Factory-Bund...
>
>
>
> He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> BUT......
> before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> have a Pentium 3.
>
>
> So, this is my quandry.
>
>
> I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> more.
>
>
> I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> having to upgrade a year or two from now. If I don't upgrade, I think
> I'll be forced to in a year or two anyway.
>
>
> On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"
>
>
> Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
> encouragement or dissuade me? I'm really not sure if this is the route
>
> I should take.... but my GOD! Trying to compare all of the different
> systems out there is enough to drive a person crazy.
>
>
> Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
>
> as good?
>
>
> I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
>
> I mean reply.
>
>
> TIA!!! Edwin


Edwin,

You've gotten some great replys but here's my two cents:

1) PT is nice, but there's some that are cheaper and easier to use.
N-Track, Krystal Audio, Computer Muzys, and many other free or
shareware sequencers are quite capable recording software with VST and
ASIO support and, most of these also support MIDI instruments. My
preference is for Cubase or Sonar. In any event, there more to life
than ProTools (Alsehad). The VST capability is important (though
Directx or DSP technology gets you there as well...and while the latter
is more expensive, it doesn't tax your system resources)...in any
event, VST means you can download software plug ins that allow you to
save on having to buy a bunch of outboard units like compressors,
delays, reverb, limiters, EQs, etc...

2) The room your choose and how you treat it, is pretty critical to
your sound. My studio is very small (8x10 irregular) and so I've had
to do some pretty heavy treatment to take it out of the equation. Bass
treatment is particularly critical. Do a search to learn how to make
your own bass traps.

3) You should budget for some decent monitors. One of the keys to
getting a sound like on the radio is to be able to have your mix
translate well to other systems. Nothing worse than mixing something in
your studio and then popping it in the car stereo only to find it
sounds like mush. A relatively cheap option would be something from
Mackie or the KRK rockit series (I have the RP5...again...small room).
You should reference these as often as possible. Referencing simply
means that you are listening to music that you know, perhaps something
that you respect and like the mix. You should listen to these often so
that when you're mixing your own stuff, you will be able to duplicate
the sound...try A/B'ing the reference with your mix to get an idea of
the overall tonal balance and stereo field.

4) Look into a Firewire interface rather than USB. Phonic has some very
affordable mixers that include a firewire interface and Cubase LE. The
firewire interface means you get near latency free direct monitoring
and playback on all of your mixer channels (so you could get a 18
channel board (with 24 bit digital effects) that will record 18
channels at the same time onto your Hard Disk. Similar products can be
had by Behringer, Mackie and a host of newcomers. Or you can simply get
an analog mixer and a Delta 10/10 or some such to interface via PCI.
USB would be my last choice as it is the slowest.

Here's a link to the Phonic Product:

http://210.243.85.5/partner/modules/product_explor/products_detail.php?product_id=139

5) A good set of Cans (headset) will cost you as well, but if you're
going to overdub, you'll want decent pair, I like the Sony MD 7506, but
YMMV (many people object to them...but like it or not, they are
standard studio fare)...don't be stingy here...you can't mix on cans,
no matter how good, but you can do some late night edits.

6) Microphones...you can spend a fortune on these and still get crap
(if your room is bad), but typically a good mike can be had for under
$500 (like a Rode NT1 or a Shure KSM32). Condensers are generally more
sensitive (and thus better for recording) than dynamics, but either can
be used. The key is to have a "take back" policy at the store where you
purchase these. Try before you buy...not all mikes are created equal,
and there is sometimes a wide variety of sounds from the same
manufacturer and model of microphones...particularly the cheaper
condensers (Scott can give you more details).

7) Techniques...this is a biggy. Creating a sound is not always as
straight forward as pressing record on your DAW. There are thousands of
tricks that are worth knowing if you want to create specific effects
(such as mike placement, vocal doubling, delaying or modulating to
fatten your vocals, substractive EQ techniques to get the sound you
want, side chaining and inserting effects, combining wet and dry
signals, laying a click, etc ad infinitum). I am not by any stretch a
professional engineer, but I do know enough about it to have great
respect for their abilities. Read everything you can about professional
techniques...do a google on Paul White...he writes for SOS and they
maintain a library of over 50 articles on various techniques including
proper room treatment, tracking, mixing and mastering techniques.

8) It took about 2 years of fiddling for me to finally get a consistent
sound that I'm happy with (though there is little doubt that I could do
better with some microphones like a U87 or a nicer mic pre or a
ribbon mic...), but generally speaking, it isn't the equipment that you
buy that makes the largest difference, it's the equipement that you
already have...If your system is faithfully recording the sounds, your
ears will tell you what sounds good and what doesn't...once you've
properly referenced your monitors, it is time for you to TRUST YOUR
EARS. Since I began home recording, I truly find that I don't listen to
music the same anymore...I can hear instruments that used to be buried,
I can discern various types of effects as they are used...it is a real
epiphany.

9) Have fun.

Cheers, CS

[edwin]

Dude, that is a rock-solid post! Thanks for taking the time to write
that!! I'm prining it off as I type. There is a lot to digest in
there, so I'll take it a bite at a time.

I truly appreciate it, and the links will prob be a big help when I get
to them.

Thanks again man, look forward to chatting more in the future.
Edwin


Cyberserf wrote:
> edwin wrote:
> > said she has found a lot of useful information from it.
> >
> > Here's my situation:
> >
> >
> > I've been writing music for the better part of 20 years, have close
> > to 100 songs (some good, some sucky). Anyway.... my wife has been on
> > me for the longest time to record them.
> > o.k., I said.
> >
> >
> > That was the easy part. Now I've got to formulate my strategy.
> >
> >
> > I need to get recording software and equipment. I have a friend who
> > has an M-Box 2, with Pro-tools 7. He has only had it a short time, but
> >
> > hasn't found time to toy with it.
> >
> >
> > He suggested I get one because it is 'industry standard', stating that
> > any recording studio would have the Pro-tools software... except theirs
> >
> > would be a heck of a lot more expensive than ours. Here is the link to
> >
> > the item I'm thinking about buying:
> >
> >
> > http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Factory-Bund...
> >
> >
> >
> > He pretty much convinced me, and I decided to take the plunge......
> > BUT......
> > before I did, I checked my system compatability. Guess what? I'm
> > outdated. The Pro-Tool 7 requires a Pentium 4 or higher processor, I
> > have a Pentium 3.
> >
> >
> > So, this is my quandry.
> >
> >
> > I'd like to get the system, but in order to, I'm gonna have to get a
> > new lap-top which can run the dang thing.... an extra 800 bucks or
> > more.
> >
> >
> > I figure that if I do this, than I will be set for many years... not
> > having to upgrade a year or two from now. If I don't upgrade, I think
> > I'll be forced to in a year or two anyway.
> >
> >
> > On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own digitizing
> > business and swears that anything art or music-related performs better
> > on a Mac. I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to
> > throw out there. " Is there much difference in performance?"
> >
> >
> > Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
> > encouragement or dissuade me? I'm really not sure if this is the route
> >
> > I should take.... but my GOD! Trying to compare all of the different
> > systems out there is enough to drive a person crazy.
> >
> >
> > Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software just
> >
> > as good?
> >
> >
> > I'll shut up now and continue with this ramble after my first victim...
> >
> > I mean reply.
> >
> >
> > TIA!!! Edwin
>
>
> Edwin,
>
> You've gotten some great replys but here's my two cents:
>
> 1) PT is nice, but there's some that are cheaper and easier to use.
> N-Track, Krystal Audio, Computer Muzys, and many other free or
> shareware sequencers are quite capable recording software with VST and
> ASIO support and, most of these also support MIDI instruments. My
> preference is for Cubase or Sonar. In any event, there more to life
> than ProTools (Alsehad). The VST capability is important (though
> Directx or DSP technology gets you there as well...and while the latter
> is more expensive, it doesn't tax your system resources)...in any
> event, VST means you can download software plug ins that allow you to
> save on having to buy a bunch of outboard units like compressors,
> delays, reverb, limiters, EQs, etc...
>
> 2) The room your choose and how you treat it, is pretty critical to
> your sound. My studio is very small (8x10 irregular) and so I've had
> to do some pretty heavy treatment to take it out of the equation. Bass
> treatment is particularly critical. Do a search to learn how to make
> your own bass traps.
>
> 3) You should budget for some decent monitors. One of the keys to
> getting a sound like on the radio is to be able to have your mix
> translate well to other systems. Nothing worse than mixing something in
> your studio and then popping it in the car stereo only to find it
> sounds like mush. A relatively cheap option would be something from
> Mackie or the KRK rockit series (I have the RP5...again...small room).
> You should reference these as often as possible. Referencing simply
> means that you are listening to music that you know, perhaps something
> that you respect and like the mix. You should listen to these often so
> that when you're mixing your own stuff, you will be able to duplicate
> the sound...try A/B'ing the reference with your mix to get an idea of
> the overall tonal balance and stereo field.
>
> 4) Look into a Firewire interface rather than USB. Phonic has some very
> affordable mixers that include a firewire interface and Cubase LE. The
> firewire interface means you get near latency free direct monitoring
> and playback on all of your mixer channels (so you could get a 18
> channel board (with 24 bit digital effects) that will record 18
> channels at the same time onto your Hard Disk. Similar products can be
> had by Behringer, Mackie and a host of newcomers. Or you can simply get
> an analog mixer and a Delta 10/10 or some such to interface via PCI.
> USB would be my last choice as it is the slowest.
>
> Here's a link to the Phonic Product:
>
> http://210.243.85.5/partner/modules/product_explor/products_detail.php?product_id=139
>
> 5) A good set of Cans (headset) will cost you as well, but if you're
> going to overdub, you'll want decent pair, I like the Sony MD 7506, but
> YMMV (many people object to them...but like it or not, they are
> standard studio fare)...don't be stingy here...you can't mix on cans,
> no matter how good, but you can do some late night edits.
>
> 6) Microphones...you can spend a fortune on these and still get crap
> (if your room is bad), but typically a good mike can be had for under
> $500 (like a Rode NT1 or a Shure KSM32). Condensers are generally more
> sensitive (and thus better for recording) than dynamics, but either can
> be used. The key is to have a "take back" policy at the store where you
> purchase these. Try before you buy...not all mikes are created equal,
> and there is sometimes a wide variety of sounds from the same
> manufacturer and model of microphones...particularly the cheaper
> condensers (Scott can give you more details).
>
> 7) Techniques...this is a biggy. Creating a sound is not always as
> straight forward as pressing record on your DAW. There are thousands of
> tricks that are worth knowing if you want to create specific effects
> (such as mike placement, vocal doubling, delaying or modulating to
> fatten your vocals, substractive EQ techniques to get the sound you
> want, side chaining and inserting effects, combining wet and dry
> signals, laying a click, etc ad infinitum). I am not by any stretch a
> professional engineer, but I do know enough about it to have great
> respect for their abilities. Read everything you can about professional
> techniques...do a google on Paul White...he writes for SOS and they
> maintain a library of over 50 articles on various techniques including
> proper room treatment, tracking, mixing and mastering techniques.
>
> 8) It took about 2 years of fiddling for me to finally get a consistent
> sound that I'm happy with (though there is little doubt that I could do
> better with some microphones like a U87 or a nicer mic pre or a
> ribbon mic...), but generally speaking, it isn't the equipment that you
> buy that makes the largest difference, it's the equipement that you
> already have...If your system is faithfully recording the sounds, your
> ears will tell you what sounds good and what doesn't...once you've
> properly referenced your monitors, it is time for you to TRUST YOUR
> EARS. Since I began home recording, I truly find that I don't listen to
> music the same anymore...I can hear instruments that used to be buried,
> I can discern various types of effects as they are used...it is a real
> epiphany.
>
> 9) Have fun.
>
> Cheers, CS

[Cyberserf]

edwin wrote:
> Beau..... Thanks for that!
>
> That sounds a heck of a lot better than the 800 to 1000, for a new
> lap-top.... and yes, I will get a lap-top because I will be traveling
> and recording.
>
> I'll check on those upgrade options. That just might be my ticket.
>
> Thanks again
> edwin

Edwin,

I don't think Beau was kidding, IMHO, laptops and DAWs are really not a
natural mix...you WILL very likely want to completely disable the
internal soundcard (****ty is the general rule for laptop soundcards),
you will want to optimize your HD as much as possible (I have two
HDs...one for applications, the other for audio only, so partitioning
may be an option), you will want to increase your memory to the
max...and then some. You will either want a PCI soundcard solution like
the Delta 10/10LT or a firewire 800 card in one of your slots for your
interface (unless you settle for USB 2...which is fine, so long as you
don't expect to have single digit latency with 10 tracks going at once
with individual inserts). You will want to have both a DVD (single
layer is fine) burner for backup and a CD burner for, well...for your
CD. A laptop cost a premium and is more apt to become obsolete than a
desktop package.

Don't get me wrong, there are laptop solutions that work out of the box
from specialized audio vendors like Swee****er or the likes, but even
there, you are stuck with what you buy...upgrading a laptop, as you
undoubtedly know, is notoriously difficult and will always cost twice
as much as upgrading a desktop (Machrones Law #3). If you want to
travel and record, you may want to consider a little ZOOM unit (guitar
and vocal inputs, internal recorder...all in one) or something similar
to get your ideas down...but for serious digital recording, you're
going to find it very difficult to beat a desktop unit in price, and,
in the long run, in flexibility...sorry man, just trying to save you a
little coin...the $200 for the little porta-studio solution will save
you thousands as you discover that tomorrows tech will only run on a
Sexyum six.

If I were a DJ musician performing with Abeton Live 5, I would most
certainly recommend a Laptop, but for some serious tracking, you're
going to want some flexibility that laptops simply cannot currently
deliver. Besides, even with a laptop, you'll still need to lug a mixer
(interface), cables and all the other recording gear...so what's an
extra box and monitor?

HTH, CS

[edwin]

Cyberserf, good post man. I knew there was a difference in
lap-tops/PCs, but I didn't think it was so drastic.

I went to the pro-tools site and looked up the lap-tops they
recomended... not cheap. Plus, I didn't know I'd probably have to
replace the sound-card.

I think you've just opened up an option I hadn't known about.

Portabliliy is a must... but the little ZOOM unit sounds like something
I should seriously consider.

Thanks Dude!
Edwin




Cyberserf wrote:
> edwin wrote:
> > Beau..... Thanks for that!
> >
> > That sounds a heck of a lot better than the 800 to 1000, for a new
> > lap-top.... and yes, I will get a lap-top because I will be traveling
> > and recording.
> >
> > I'll check on those upgrade options. That just might be my ticket.
> >
> > Thanks again
> > edwin
>
> Edwin,
>
> I don't think Beau was kidding, IMHO, laptops and DAWs are really not a
> natural mix...you WILL very likely want to completely disable the
> internal soundcard (****ty is the general rule for laptop soundcards),
> you will want to optimize your HD as much as possible (I have two
> HDs...one for applications, the other for audio only, so partitioning
> may be an option), you will want to increase your memory to the
> max...and then some. You will either want a PCI soundcard solution like
> the Delta 10/10LT or a firewire 800 card in one of your slots for your
> interface (unless you settle for USB 2...which is fine, so long as you
> don't expect to have single digit latency with 10 tracks going at once
> with individual inserts). You will want to have both a DVD (single
> layer is fine) burner for backup and a CD burner for, well...for your
> CD. A laptop cost a premium and is more apt to become obsolete than a
> desktop package.
>
> Don't get me wrong, there are laptop solutions that work out of the box
> from specialized audio vendors like Swee****er or the likes, but even
> there, you are stuck with what you buy...upgrading a laptop, as you
> undoubtedly know, is notoriously difficult and will always cost twice
> as much as upgrading a desktop (Machrones Law #3). If you want to
> travel and record, you may want to consider a little ZOOM unit (guitar
> and vocal inputs, internal recorder...all in one) or something similar
> to get your ideas down...but for serious digital recording, you're
> going to find it very difficult to beat a desktop unit in price, and,
> in the long run, in flexibility...sorry man, just trying to save you a
> little coin...the $200 for the little porta-studio solution will save
> you thousands as you discover that tomorrows tech will only run on a
> Sexyum six.
>
> If I were a DJ musician performing with Abeton Live 5, I would most
> certainly recommend a Laptop, but for some serious tracking, you're
> going to want some flexibility that laptops simply cannot currently
> deliver. Besides, even with a laptop, you'll still need to lug a mixer
> (interface), cables and all the other recording gear...so what's an
> extra box and monitor?
>
> HTH, CS

[Ty Ford]

On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 08:47:45 -0400, Scott Dorsey wrote
(in article >):

> Ty Ford > wrote:
>>
>> last fall one of the music catalogs had 43 PAGES of microphones! Yes, it's
>> very crazy out there.
>
> But let me guess... 42 of them just listed the same Chinese microphone
> rebadged
> under different names?
> --scott
>

Actually more different types, but fer cripes sake, that's just too many.

Actually, I think Audio Technica could probably fill the entire 42 pages.
They have a HUGE inventory of mics. I'm not sure anyone has as many mics as
they do when you count all of their lines.

Regards,

Ty

-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

[Beauchampy]

edwin wrote:
> Cyberserf, good post man. I knew there was a difference in
> lap-tops/PCs, but I didn't think it was so drastic.
>
> I went to the pro-tools site and looked up the lap-tops they
> recomended... not cheap. Plus, I didn't know I'd probably have to
> replace the sound-card.
>
<snip>

You won't need any other audio interfaces other than the DIGI002.

[cporro]

before my 2 cents, here is my history. started digital recording in
2000. protools used to offer a free but limited version. i used that.
upgraded to the protools 001 'round 2001. used this to record album
(under chris porro on itunes). 2005 switched from protools to RME
hardware, will most likey end up using samplitude as software.

i think your friend is right. protools is in more studios then anything
else. when it came time to mix and master my album it was done on a
higher end (HD) protools system in a pro studio. because i also used
protools at home the engineer could open all my work. having a pro on
an HD system made a HUGE difference in the final mix.

protools also comes from a traditional audio school. i mean, it evolved
out of live recordings not electronica. for this reason i think the
interface is better suited for people used to working with the analog
equivalents... real mixers.

do not make the mistakes i made. what people are saying here is true.
software isn't where the sound comes from (at least not true to life,
natural sound). do not undervalue performance, the source sound, mic
placement, and mic selection. do not expect to make "pro" sounding
recordings initially. if you don't enjoy the process of learning this,
you should find someone who can do it for you.

there are tons of things on the market. but i think the most important
thing for you is to start recording. besides, the basics of good
recording can be learned independent of whatever software you end up
using.

i know you mentioned something about compatibility...but you could get
an older protools 001 interface off ebay. i'm pretty sure that would
work with what you have. and i bet they are pretty cheap! ditto for
whatever other interface/software you might get.

on the negative side, protools is a closed system. you need thier
hardware to run thier software and vice versa. most software allows you
freedom in choosing a hardware interface.

good luck

[Lorin David Schultz]

edwin > wrote:
>
> [...] On top of that, my wife is a Mac person. She has her own
> digitizing business and swears that anything art or music-related
> performs better on a Mac.

Yeah, Mac owners always say that. Just smile and nod. <g>



> I disagree.... but this is another question I'd like to throw out
> there. " Is there much difference in performance?"

Pro Tools 7 works great on my P4 laptop. It works great on our G4
Powerbook. It works fine on both. In fact, except for the "close
window" buttons being on opposite corners, I doubt you'll even notice
whether you're running OSX or Windows. Pro Tools looks and behaves
identically under either OS.



> Would any of you who have Pro-tools experience give me either
> encouragement or dissuade me?

I think it's the best choice if you don't already have reasons to choose
one or another. It works, it's very capable, it's easy to get help, and
you have easier compatibility with pro rooms than you would with
something else.



> Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording software
> just as good?

Eh, whatever. Others are good too. I've never found an argument for
any particular app that was strong enough to make me think it was
clearly superior to anything else. I went with Pro Tools because my
work often has to move to other facilities and/or operators. While I'm
sure there are other systems that could probably serve my *audio* needs
just as well, the ease of moving sessions around was a deal-closer for
me.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

[Lorin David Schultz]

Ty Ford > wrote:
>
> I'm a mac user. I'm a Pro Tools LE/DIGI 002R user. I ran an mBox on
> a PC a few months ago and it was very offputting because of the
> windows interface. PC users might say the same thing about Macs.


Huh? What's different between the two?

Like I've mentioned probably dozens of times, I go back and forth
between the two several times a day every day (both are Pro Tools LE
systems), and I can't find a compelling reason to recommend one over the
other. Sure, the desktops look a little different, but Pro Tools
doesn't.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

[Lorin David Schultz]

Cyberserf > wrote:
>
> I don't think Beau was kidding, IMHO, laptops and DAWs are really
> not a natural mix...


You guys worry too much. I do almost all of my work on a three or four
year old P4 2.4 laptop with problems whatsoever. I upgraded to a faster
internal drive and use an external firewire drive when track counts get
high, but that's it. Modern laptops already have the faster internal
drives, so using a laptop is even less of an issue now than it was when
I bought mine.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

[ZX]

"edwin" > wrote in
s.com:


>> > Is Pro-tools the way to go??? or is the cheaper recording
>> > software just
>> >
>> > as good?
>> >
>> >



Here's a link to an great app. by the name of 'Reaper'.
It's a multitrack recording/editing for audio and MIDI with built-
in effects, eq, comp, reverb and effects. It's all you need, as far
as recording s/ware is concerned.
You can d/load it and use it for free. They rely on your honesty to
buy a license if you use more than 30 days. Incidently, the guy who
developed it is Justin Frankel, the guy responsible for the famous
'Winamp'mp3 player.


http://reaper.fm/index.php

[Ty Ford]

On Wed, 23 Aug 2006 18:03:51 -0400, Lorin David Schultz wrote
(in article <bh4Hg.14934$Ch.12032@clgrps13>):

> Ty Ford > wrote:
>>
>> I'm a mac user. I'm a Pro Tools LE/DIGI 002R user. I ran an mBox on
>> a PC a few months ago and it was very offputting because of the
>> windows interface. PC users might say the same thing about Macs.
>
>
> Huh? What's different between the two?
>
> Like I've mentioned probably dozens of times, I go back and forth
> between the two several times a day every day (both are Pro Tools LE
> systems), and I can't find a compelling reason to recommend one over the
> other. Sure, the desktops look a little different, but Pro Tools
> doesn't.

The window within a window on the PC is a PITA.

Ty


-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

[Ty Ford]

On Wed, 23 Aug 2006 15:56:03 -0400, cporro wrote
(in article . com>):

> i know you mentioned something about compatibility...but you could get an
> older protools 001 interface off ebay. i'm pretty sure that would work with
> what you have. and i bet they are pretty cheap! ditto for whatever other
> interface/software you might get.
>
> on the negative side, protools is a closed system. you need thier hardware to

> run thier software and vice versa. most software allows you freedom in
> choosing a hardware interface.

Things change. Digidesign has obsoleted the Digi 001 and it only goes up to
PTLE 6.4.

OTOH, I just used Boom Recorder software with the DIgi 002R hardware (an 18
track poly file!. Look in an upcoming issue of TV Technology for the review.
So that thing about "only using digi software and hardware together no longer
applies universally.

Regards,

Ty Ford


-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

[Lorin David Schultz]

Ty Ford > wrote:
>
> The window within a window on the PC is a PITA.



I actually like that. It prevents me from accidentally leaving
applications running and chewing up RAM when I'm not using them. I can
shut down the app without having to go to the keyboard or a menu.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

[cporro]

but its still more limited then say cubase or sonar or samplitude.
yeah? i know they also have hardware made by ...m-audio? that works
with there software. they probably own the company.

good to know. maybe one day they will make software compatible with my
RME fireface 800.