788 vs. 2488 vs. ProTools

[Slowhands]

I have a 788 - 8 track digital

I am considering upgrading to a 2488 or going to the computer based Pro-Tools.

Cost is not the issue as the 2488 and the MBox version of Pro-Tools are about the same.

Anyone got any thoughts about the 2488 vs. computer based systems such as Pro-Tools... One of my biggest concerns about going to computer based systems is that I can't imagine mixing with a mouse instead of my sliders.

Thanks in advance.
Rich

[fasterthanu]

That is what took me the longest to get used to and I still don't like it compared to the feel of faders and pan pots etc. In my opinion the 2488 would probably more stable a dedicated recording platform. As you havent mentioned buying a PC/mac i presume you already own a suitable computer that you currently use for other things. I suppose the thing to bear in mind hear is the 2488 will only ever be used for recording and mixing etc not surfing the internet or sending emails or using others apps. So something dedicated to one job alone that of audio recording and production in theory should be the most stable.

However I would personally go for the computer recording option. IMHO the editing and mixing functionality of any decent software sequencer far exceeds that of a workstation such as the 2488 which screen is not that much bigger than a mobile phone. When it comes to editing and mixing my best results come from the computer. I own a 788 and like it but certainly for editing, mixiing cutting, cloning, moving, stetching, copying, repeating, looping, pasting, duplicating, glueing, scrubbing ..I think you get the point.

Oh and you'll need a decent sound card.

[COOLCAT]

i crossed this bridge in Feb.

in short,
i love the 2488 i bought, for tracking and a mixing unit and burn a CDR.
Its a HD 24tack/24bit, its a got a CDR built in.
USB to pc, if you want.

being open minded,
if your application is editing and mixing and getting crazy with splices and drop in's.. yes! it would be easier to cut/edit/paste waveforms on a 21" monitor. all the SIAB have small screens compare to a pc monitor.

in the end... it's 1's and 0's on both...your ears are still analog.

so your big decision is user interface.

if your a pure Engineer (non musician) Pro Tools may be more power and offer different things.

if your a musician songwriter/homerecordists... many prefer the slider and pressing the play/rec and the kids won't be downloading stuff on your 2488.

in actuality...when they get the mixer section right with GAIN/PAN/EQ knobs and a jack to hook up a monitor...the SIAB will be even better.