Pro Tools Digi 001 OR Tascam 2488

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sevendustweb

New member
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Hello...

This will be a long post, so please bear with me. I represent an independent band, and I am trying to get them started with Pro Tools. Basically, they went out and purchased a Tascam 2488 (Digital Portastudio) with a 2 yr. warranty for around $1,500.

After looking through this board for over 6 hours, I have assembled a killer computer setup for about $750 (specs are below). That leaves me around $750 to work with. At this point, I have been looking at e-bay for a Digi 001 unit (they run around $250 - $350). With the remaining money, I was hoping to get an outboard mixer (possibly the Yamaha MG16/4 16-Input 4-Bus Mixer = $279.99).

I have been met with much resistance. First, the band is worried that a huge desktop will not be portable (i.e: recording live shows). Second, they are worried that Pro Tools LE will crash (see my specs below to form your own opinion).

My argument is that learning Pro Tools early on will benefit you throughout your career. This is because it is clear that Pro Tools is at the forefront of digital recording, while the Tascam 2488 (while being an easy uit to run) will not offer the advantages of Pro Tools.

Basically, for those who have ever used a Tascam 2488 (or similar unit), I need to find out exactly what benefits Pro Tools offers over this unit. I personally know that a Pro Tools rig would kill this Tascam unit, but I need independent 3rd parties to back me up.

What type of effects will Pro Tools LE reproduce? The Tascam unit will produce 7 effects (Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Pitch Shift, Flanger, Phase, and Gated Reverb).

Is it going to hurt the band long term by going with the Digi 001 over the Digi 002. Granted, there will be no more software updates for the Digi 001, but does a band that merely wants to make web quality demos in their practice space really need all the bells and whistles of a Digi 002 system???

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. My proposed specs are below.

-- Harry

SPECS
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(1) Asus K8V SE Deluxe motherboard (Bundled - See CPU price)

(1) AMD Athlon 64 3700+ = $319.99 - $90 rebate = $230.00)

(2) Western Digital Caviar SE 80 GB, 7200 RPM, Serial ATA - WD800JD - $109.00

(2) Kingmax 512 MB SDRAM DDR400 (PC 3200) unbuffered = $91.82

(1) Sapphire Radeon 9550SE 128 MB - AGP 4x/8x video card = $49.00

(1) Lite-On SOHW-16935 - DVD/CD-R Burner = $37.99

(1) Cooler Master CAC-T05-UW ATX mid-tower case = $44.99

(1) Thermaltake Silent Purepower W0014RU 480w power supply = $58.99

(1) Zalman CNPS7000B-cu CPU cooling fan = $43.00

(1) Logitech PS/2 keyboard & Mouse = $16.00
------------------------

TOTAL: $681.00 (before shipping)

With Shipping = $740.00

+ $350 - Pro Tools Digi 001 unit & software

+ $280 - Yamaha MG16/4 - 16-input, 4-bus mixer

------------------------------

GRAND TOTAL: $1,370
 
You might want to check out this page (http://www.digidesign.com/compato/xp/001/) if you have not already done.

sevendustweb said:
it is clear that Pro Tools is at the forefront of digital recording
Click to expand...
This is highly debatable. It's certainly a viable option.

sevendustweb said:
What type of effects will Pro Tools LE reproduce?
Click to expand...
That would depend on which plugins you have. PT LE 6.4 (the last version said to be compatible with the 001) supposedly comes with a reasonable starting set of plugs, including chorus, reverb, & compression.

a.
 
My personal opinion is to go with the Digi001 since you seem to be setting up for computer based recording. All in one units generally don't have the upgradabilty that computer based systems have. I'd imagine that you'll be able to get most effects that you'll ever need especially through plug-ins. Can't do that with a stand alone unit. The only concern I'd have is that I believe the Digi 001 will ONLY work with ProTools. I'd like to have my options open in case I ever go with another software.
 
Sirnothingness said:
The only concern I'd have is that I believe the Digi 001 will ONLY work with ProTools. I'd like to have my options open in case I ever go with another software.
Click to expand...
This is incorrect
 
I, personally, have greatly benefited from having a grasp of Pro Tools. Its not at all the be-all-end-all of digital recording that its name recognition makes it out to be, but it is a common studio format. I got a job partly because I know it.

I agree with your opinion that going with Pro Tools is a better option than the standalone Tascam in general. I agree with the band that the Tascam is a better option for mobile and live recording- but just because moving the computer around is a pain.

Still, the computer should be stable. I've done 3 hour live recordings without a hiccup. You may be able to rack mount the computer- and its really no different than the rest of the stuff the band has to haul around except for the fragile monitor.

You're both right. In the long run, though, that 2488 is going to feel pretty limited. You'll probably get better mixes with the Pro Tools rig. At the PT rig is going to be more flexible. The 2488 is also *much* easier to steal... something to consider when doing live gigs.

Take care,
Chris
 
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