Help a noob...

[Bucka]

Well i just purchased a 003 Factory Rack, but now that i have it, i realize i have no idea what kind of computer i need to run it properly. Is there anyone out there that could give me a few pointers on a computer i should buy, and the type of firewire i should use? Your help would be great!

 

[ddrummer8]

Best chances are any type of mac, pro tools does not like PC, but that is from my experience but it seems to be common.

so if you can go with a mac, if not check over digidesigns PC Specs and go from there.

and i am pretty sure the 003 runs off of firewire 400 so thats what you will need.

 

[pezking]

Best chances are any type of mac, pro tools does not like PC, but that is from my experience but it seems to be common.

so if you can go with a mac, if not check over digidesigns PC Specs and go from there.

and i am pretty sure the 003 runs off of firewire 400 so thats what you will need.

That's not very accurate. Pro Tools will run perfectly happily on a PC.

The trouble is that people ignore Digidesign's recommendations for PCs (they think they are too expensive) thinking they know better, and then end up in a world of pain.

Digidesign test computers with their hardware/software more stringently than any other company I can think of.

Truth is if you stick to their recommendations - which can be found on their website - you will not have very many problems whatsoever.

Personally I prefer Mac's because I find them more stable, and more friendly for what I want to do. On the other hand some things really frustrate me about them. Best thing to do is find what is best for you.

 

[Bucka]

Thanks for the input, i havent decided on a mac or pc yet. I dont plan on cutting any corners. i want the best bang for my buck, and have a reliable system for atleast 5 years or so.
But i have noticed that every professional studio ive been in, they all use mac. Can you give me some pros and cons on each? And what do you do about storing all the data???

 

[pezking]

IMO Macs provide a "no-nonsense" approach compared to PCs. It's very easy to tailor OSX to the needs of a DAW.

On the other hand it's not too hard to configure a Windows machine.

I prefer the interface of OSX, and the general way the operating system runs.

At the end of the day, the operating system will not affect the sound of your final production. It will however affect your workflow. Choose whichever is most comfortable for you.

I have been running PCs all my life, and I still do. I started using a friend's macbook a couple of years ago and loved it. I bought my own macbook. I now own a G5 and I love it. But I have no doubt that the quality of my work would be identical on a PC.

I would even go so far as to say that it's quite often a status thing. Macs are fashionable - they will impress your clients (look at a Mac Pro - it just LOOKS great) versus the top of the line Dell or HP which are bland and dull. Heck even Apple's monitors look superb (both the display quality, and the casing). But once again, it won't affect the output of your audio.