is my comp strong enough for protools???

  • Thread starter Thread starter lbcstudios
  • Start date Start date
L

lbcstudios

New member
hey i am seriuosly considering buying the digi 002 rack... my comp is a amd athlon xp 1.8 ghz... 512 mb ddr pc 2100 ram... 64 meg geforce mx440 sound card.... i have 98 now.. but ill get win xp so it will work...
i thinkthat my comp is good.. but i want to be sure b4 spending $1,200 .. thanks
 
I think you should do some more research on some other audio apps and interfaces before you drop $1200.
 
Well I know I get back flow playback problems when I use my digi 002r in my laptop. I am using the pcmcia they suggested to use and I still get a playback error message.

I am running on a laptop though.

2.2 ghz AMD athlon
512 ram

I am not sure how to get it to stop doing it.

But Nuendo runs great with the 002r and I got a HUGE deal on the 002r made no difference as far as the motu 896 that I would have gottin and if I wanted to stay exclusively on Nuendo:) the preamps seem better to me then the motu:)
 
Hey, Lost Studios, I think you have something again Digidesign. That's cool and all, but I think your comment here is a bit off base when it comes to the 002 rack.

The 002 rack is priced about the same as comparable firewire interfaces given that you are also getting the software to use it. And it comes with ASIO drivers so that you can use it with most other apps.

So what's the problem with it?
 
You are absolutely correct Chris.. and thanks for calling me on it. But I think you've pegged me a bit wrong. One of the main reasons I made my post is that we're talking about a 16 year old kid here! $1200 is a lot of money!?! I also know that you use protools as the heart of your studio and have been very happy with it, so I can understand you questioning me.

First off... in this case, it had nothing to do with digidesign... Judging by his initial posts and profile... It appears that there is a good chance that he is somewhat new to recording and I just want (or hope) that he's is not dropping $1200 on an interface JUST because it's by digidesign when there are so many more options.

If you've read some of my other posts, then you already know how I feel. I really feel strongly that way too many people are buying the "consumer versions" of digidesign because if they do... then they'll have a "protools rig", which is "industry standard". REAL protools rigs are fabulously crafted pieces of hardware DSP based gear which have nothing in common with the Mbox, 001, 002 except the name. I'm not at all saying that the Mbox, 001, 002 aren't fine pieces of gear and aren't capable of professional results when applied properly. But I think there are FAR better options for a front end and software if you want to drop $1200.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I wouldn't exactly consider the included Protools LE software something that's entirely desireable... unless of course you don't mind inferior MIDI capabilities, improper timecode functionality, and a 32 audio track limit! I DO think the hardware 002 is a nice piece of gear... but not worth the money.

I just want to make sure he has ruled out all the other options there are out there interface and software wise... especially spending that much money on the "heart" of his system. There's plenty of comparable interfaces that offer more I/O's at better prices.. (I won't recommend any in fear of being pegged biased.) And as far as software goes.... please... Cubase SX, Sonar 3, Samplitude, etc. etc. all offer much more capability IMHO than the included protools LE bundle (which will not work with any non protools interface). Not to mention there's no silly 32 track audio limit on these apps.

So I stand by my post when I say "I think you should do some more research on some other audio apps and interfaces before you drop $1200." But then again... for all I know LBC has already researched all the options and has decided on the 002 as his best option.

I need to add that I have tremedous respect for you Chris, and have enjoyed reading many of your posts. I respect you calling me on my grudge against digidesign... Don't think that I wouldn't die for a REAL HD protools rig to be sitting here in the studio. But until then, I'm perfectly happy with Sonar 3, Wavelab 4, a delta1010 and my RME! ;) I don't want you to think I'm some sort of PC/ SONAR/ M-AUDIO nazi!!! :D I just don't want people that are new to be sucked into the consumer level protools marketing hype.

Regards
Jay
 
Last edited:
HI ya Jay,

I am a huge PT(even the 001/002/mbox) fan, but wanted to tell you your post was excellent, informative and very well put!

Cheers,
C
 
aah

shit now im not sure wat to do... i have the 66.. its ok.. need more ins and that.. hoping to get somethin better sounding... protools is the standard.. although its LE ... i have heard many good comments.. ive used cakewalk .. its nice... wat other interfaces would be a better offer... i figured... buy once... and thats it... cause i learned that when i jumped on the 66 instead of waiting for sometin with more ins...wat other interfaces are out there?
 
lbc... I'm really not saying not to buy the 002... How about this... Tell us about the goals and uses you have in mind for your studio. Your current gear. What do you record? Bands? Solo work? Lot's of MIDI or none at all? Also, keep in mind what you'll be doing in the future as well....

Let us know.
We're here to help. Chris and I may share different opinions on protools, but we sure have one thing in common. We want you to have the sickest studio you possibly can! :)

Jay
 
truth

Jay,

I totally agree with your advice. As nice as it would be to have a rockin ProTools for 1-2 Grand. 002 , 001 etc.. aren't TDM or HD. One acts like a recording machine, one acts like a computer. BUt hey.. I'd take a 002 rack any day.

lD
 
my goals

my goals.. im 16... in 10th grade.. so i dont have much to pay for yet... so i figured i would invest in my studio before i have other obligations... i record bands from the area.. i dont do any solo work... i do about 0 - 1 % midi.... i havent done any yet.. but cant count it out in the future.. i would like to keep my studio for the rest of my life... possibly start a "real" recording studio or work in one in the future...ok.. hope that gave u enough info.. thx

the studio is really the only thing i have to do... im not all that social... not a pimp when it comes to the ladies... not too good at sports... the recording thing is all i do besides comp games and work... so its important to me... and i love music and want to attract some good bands in the area that sacrifice the cash so they can go to a pro studio.. hopefully if mine gets better.. i can get omre clients
 
more info

i startd my studio with no knowledge at all in may... worked and bought my gear.... i have recorded 7 bands since then.. usually 4 song demos... that is my studio history...in 1 month i have a gig with a kid... and he is bringin the bass player from anti flag.. if u ever heard of them.. he will be hte kids mentour for a senior project... this will be a great opportunity for me to maybe get my name out... i will have hte money by then to get PT and the digi 002 rack...

if that might help u reply somehow???
 
gear

i forgot... heres my gear... behringer eurorack ub 2222 mixer... has 8 pres... delta 66... RNC... sm 57.. and some nady mics.
 
Hi Jay,

I agree with Clark- that was among the most intelligent posts I've ever seen. Thanks. You have my respect, as well.

Lost Studios,

Let me see if I can sum up the issues around Pro Tools at the moment. Digidesign has several new products that came out around the same time. The 002 and 002r are widely hailed in the industry as great pieces or gear, but that is compared to what was availible for low end Pro Tools systems before them: the mbox and the 001. IF you are set on Pro Tools, the cheap way in just got WAY better.

They also have the HD and Accel systems (Mega $$$!!) that there is a LOT of hype about right now. Justified hype, for sure, but there is also a resulting *buzz* about Pro Tools in general that is not accurate. Pro Tools LE is a fairly full-featured audio app, and offers key compatibility with Pro Tools HD and MIX systems in larger studios, BUT...

But, it is beginning to fall behind in terms of what is availibe to low budget recordists who need the most bang for the buck.

So lets look at the varieties of "bang for buck."

Chances are, the bands you are recording will also have heard the same *buzz* about Pro Tools. In this case, even having Pro Tools LE lets you use the Pro Tools name in your advertising, as well as something like "Your session files will be capatible with full scale studios" or some such. If you are doing this as a business, the name recognition might not hurt.

Another aspect of it is that knowing how to use Pro Tools LE is actually a marketable skill. Part of how I got my job managing a studio that includes a Pro Tools MIX system is that I know PT inside and out. I started with a 4-track 16 years ago, then n-track, then Cubase. Once I had the opportunity for the job, I bought a 002 and all those skills transfered over to Pro Tools and I landed the job in about 6 months. Without the knowledge of Pro Tools I coudn't have gotten the job, regardless of 16 years recording experience.

All that being said, if your clients don't care, you can actually get a bit more out of your hardware and software if you go a different route. PT LE does NOT include some features that make working with video easier and leaves out surround sound. I *highly* reccommend that you explore working with video and surround as soon as you can as these are skills that will likely be required of engineers in the near future. I do my surround work in Cubase SX using the 002 as an interface. I do my video work in PT LE anyway, as the features they leave out aren't neccessary for the work I do.

Lost Studio's comment is right on in that $1200 is a lot of cash for what might not be the best system your money can provide. Then again, if you're doing it as a business, it MIGHT be the best use of your money.

You might ask some of the people you peviously recorded if they would care if you had a Pro Tools studio or not.

As for your specific requirements, the somewhat weak MIDI features in Pro Tools probably won't affect you. With version 6, Pro Tool's MIDI implementation recieved a nice upgrade and its 8fairly* competitive. We use it at work for MIDI heavy hip hop recording and it does and excellent job.

The 32 track limit also probably won't affect you much with the computer that you have, as well. I've recorded several fairly big projects and never hit the limit. There are also ways around such things that recording engineers have had to do for years, anyway (like submixing drums to a stereo track, then making the original drum tracks inactive. You can always remix them later, if needed.)

In short, if you do decide on the Pro Tools system, you aren't missing out on all that much that is currently availible with other systems. But you will be missing out on some.

Its a tough decision, for sure, but only one of many that you will be facing as a business owner.

take care,
Chris
 
^^^

I would recommend for you to buy seperate items so you can customize your studio instead of being stuck with dedicated preamps or plugins.... I would get a quality dynamic mic, + a large condensor $2-400 range.. Look into a good AD-DA convertor with similar specs to the Digi 001, 2.. I bought a RME multiface which has been flawless since my purchase... $6-700.. A mic pre is a great investment since it creates the power needed for the mic to sound its best.. I have heard from some PT users that there power supplies in the comps are not powerful enough to push the pre to optimum levels without something crashing or not working properly.. External units are nice as well because they are swappable and sellable if quality units... Everything I have owned previous was gone in a week from Ebay... This allowed me to learn from each unit while recording and upgrade piece by piece.. If I had of just bout the whole unit I might have not learned as much being mostly plugin happy in PT....2C
 
one more ?

i have one two more questions before i purchase the 002 in a couple weeks... first..id like to thank everyone that has made the decision with the 002 easier to make... the 002 rack says it has phantom power... 48V phantom power enabled on channel pairs... does that mean it has them on all 4 pres?... and on channel pairs.. wat if im using a condenser on #1 pre... and a sm 57 on # 2... no prob right? and i do alot of computer gaming.... i never have owned anything firewire.. so im not sure about this: if im playing a game...or watching a movie on my comp... will i be able to run that through the rack??? like... will it at a a pci card? sort of? im confused... and will it come with a hardware controller panel like my delta 66 came with?
 
Here's just an suggestion instead of pro tools...I'm 16 also and just started recording. You have a mixer with 8 pre's right? I would get a Aardvark Q10 http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/files/28E7FFA053C54A0886256BC3006CE735 and Cubase SX. That's what I have done and it's worked great for me. You can just go from the Mixer to the Q10. I don't know if that mixer has direct out's but you could go out from the mixer via the inserts to Q10 then use the 4 inserts on the Q10. Just an idea to throw out if you're looking for other options too. (I got my Q10 for 600 on eBay and works fine)
 
a few wrinkles

protools is a good product. but with respect, before dropping a lot of money. give powertracks a try at 29 dollars plus you already have the sound card. at least try the demo from pgmusic.com.
48 digital audio tracks ! 24 bit support plus a superb midi sequencer. if you still feel the urge to buy something else after trying the demo i'll be surprised. some of the built in guitar effects alone like slapback echo and all the others are worth 29 bucks.
if you want other opinions other than mine go to the user forum at thesite and talk to other users for more lowdown who have even fallen in love with it after using moreexpensive software.
my other recommendations are n tracks, magix audio studio,traktion and the free audacity. but i'm not sure if the freebie handles multiple input sound cards yet.
remember its the sound card audio quality and the mics and preamps that dictate audio quality rather than software.
just an idea.
 
thx for the suggestions.. but i have looked at everything else.. and i think the 002 rack is what im looking for... and i think the protools name.. saying i use.. will bring a few more clients.. but heres a few ?s i still got..

... the 002 rack says it has phantom power... 48V phantom power enabled on channel pairs... does that mean it has them on all 4 pres?... and on channel pairs.. wat if im using a condenser on #1 pre... and a sm 57 on # 2... no prob right? and i do alot of computer gaming.... i never have owned anything firewire.. so im not sure about this: if im playing a game...or watching a movie on my comp... will i be able to run that through the rack??? like... will it at a a pci card? sort of? im confused... and will it come with a hardware controller panel like my delta 66 came with?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top