Equiipment that I need to choose

[Crissza]

Hi everyone I'm pretty new to the technical side of things but would like some opinions on here please:
I have money so now I can finally buy some decent stuff yay me!

What I currently have:
Core i5, 4GB RAM Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit PC
Line 6 UX1 USB Audio Interface
Cubase 5.1
M-Audio Keystation 61es

What I am looking at:
iMac 27" i5 Quad Core, 4MB RAM
Im looking in to getting a Didgital Desk<<< THIS IS WHERE I NEED HELP!
I need a desk that will record seaprate tracks if for instance a full band is recording i.e. Drums, guitar, bass, keys
I was looking at PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 16-Channel Digital Mixer FIREWIRE
OR
Yamaha VCM01
I will use this desk for Live sound and in studio... so which of these 2 are best? Or something else that can do the trick do not need more than 16 Channels
Also I want to switch over to Pro Tools now that I will get a Mac, Is it safer to remain with Cubase 6 now?
I have only ever glimpsed Pro Tools so I will have to start all over. How far is the stretch?

PLEASE HELP GUYS ANy input will be welcomed thanks much!

Criss.

 

[Brian Muth]

You will be able to jump right into ProTools and make the transition fairly smoothly. I wouldn't hesitate to make that switch. Same with the iMac... you won't go back. Seems like your current computer is pretty beefy though, so I'd guess replacing it wouldn't need to be your highest priority.... especially since it'll be obsolete fast enough on it's own!

As for desks, the Presonus and the Yamaha (newest usb version of 01v96) both do what you want. Presonus seems to always make solid gear, and the yamaha is a tried and true workhorse. Many people that aren't digital desk folks prefer the Presonus for ease of operation. Since they are fairly new to the market it's hard to say how well they hold up in the long run yet, whereas I still have yamaha original 01v desks working flawlessly after decades. When it comes to my clients, I know I can count on the Yamaha. I'm not saying you can't count on the Presonus, but no one's seen them hold up for a decade yet since they haven't been around that long... you understand I'm sure.

That said, the Presonus offers some cool iPad/iphone control, so if you jump into the mac world there's some fun to be had there!

The thing for you to do is get to a demo room where you can drive each of them and see which one fits your workflow the best. The yamaha is very "computery" to many people and only you can decide which on of these lets you focus more on the art and less on the gear while working.

 

[somegeezer]

Your PC has plenty. Replacing it with something twice the price for the same stuff seems pointless. I've actually been hooked up to a studiolive on stage before and i really like them. but can't comment on any desk as a user. As I have never used one. =P

One thing you could do is upgrade your RAM to 8GB. It'll give you some great extra boost when getting into lots of stuff going on at once.

Pro Tools works on PC too, not just Mac. If it's something you really want to switch to, go ahead. Cubase is something I've always loved myself. Probably the first DAW I ever used. It's great to stick to what you know, and Cubase works as good as any. I use Studio One myself, which, if getting the studiolive desk, would be a great match.