Is pro-tools m-powered the right choice for me?

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bball_1523

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I have been wanting to get pro tools because I want to learn it inside out so if I ever intern at a recording studio or help bands record, I can refer them to the "industry standard." I can get it for $150 through an academic store and I already have an M-audio Firewire Solo, so it will work out.

I know there are plenty of recording programs in many price ranges, so I was wondering what program will fit my needs?

Here is what I want and need:

record guitar, vocals, keyboards/midi
use of lots of VST's and effects
some advanced editing features in case I get into that
ASIO compatibility
real-time processing

While reading about Pro Tools M-powered, it mentions that it has a 32 track limit and although that does bug me, I still want to use it so I can learn it as I said above. Now I've tried other programs such as Cubase SX and it is a great program, but is too expensive for me.

What do you guys think? Will it benefit me to learn pro tools in case I work at a recording studio someday? Or will other programs benefit me equally or more?
 
Firstly, a note that not all studios use pro-tools... There are a few options nowadays, and alot of em do the same, diffrent interface/some have better features or implementations of features, but its an open field what software you use... :)

That said, I like pro-tools... I use M-Powered, and it will do what you want in editing/recording, has ASIO drivers, and even more specific drivers specifically for Pro-tools->M-Audio devices (I believe it uses its own). VST isnt supported unless you buy a wrapper for VST->RTAS as protools has its own plugin format, but I think its $99, so not too bad, but not great...

I think alot of the choice is personal preference, sure you may be able to do certain things easier in specific apps, but when it gets down to it, its AUDIO->APP->Harddrive... :p
 
well what if I was interested in interning or working at a studio, would you think it is necessary to learn "pro tools" so I can be prepared? Or do I just need an interest on audio recording in general? This is my main concern when it comes to pro tools.
 
For $150 I'd get it...I got it at twice that...I absolutely love it.

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Cubase SE is a tiny bit cheaper and is pretty similar to pro-tools in some ways. I am an audio-engineering student, and our college has a pro-tools studio that I work in. I use Cubase SE on my computer and I like it alot. I almost bought Pro-Tools M-Powered but I decided to go with Cubase because of the tons of free and cheap VST's i could use w/o a converter. I think they are both good programs and have alot of similarities. If you can get Pro-Tools M-Powered for 150$ though I might go for that, 'cause it was going to cost me 300$ which was another reason I ended up getting Cubase SE. Good luck...
 
astoebe said:
Cubase SE is a tiny bit cheaper and is pretty similar to pro-tools in some ways. I am an audio-engineering student, and our college has a pro-tools studio that I work in. I use Cubase SE on my computer and I like it alot. I almost bought Pro-Tools M-Powered but I decided to go with Cubase because of the tons of free and cheap VST's i could use w/o a converter. I think they are both good programs and have alot of similarities. If you can get Pro-Tools M-Powered for 150$ though I might go for that, 'cause it was going to cost me 300$ which was another reason I ended up getting Cubase SE. Good luck...
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yeah Cubase sounds like the better alternative, but the studio standard thing bugs me

I also want to purchase Reason 3.0 so that would cost me another $200, so I don't know if I want both Cubase and PT.
 
Well alot of studios do use Pro Tools, but it is more of what you can do with what is coming into the software over what you can do in the software. Once you are comfortable with one form of an audio app, you can switch between most of them with a few days of getting used to the new layout.

I use Pro Tools, and I like it because it works extreamly well for me. Don't buy something because you think it is the "industry standard". Buy something that you feel comfortable on.
 
TuoKaerf said:
Well alot of studios do use Pro Tools, but it is more of what you can do with what is coming into the software over what you can do in the software. Once you are comfortable with one form of an audio app, you can switch between most of them with a few days of getting used to the new layout.

I use Pro Tools, and I like it because it works extreamly well for me. Don't buy something because you think it is the "industry standard". Buy something that you feel comfortable on.
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well I've been comfortable while using other programs like cubase sx and adobe audition, at least with the basics and midi.

I have used pro tools before too, but it's been a while so I probably forgot how to use some of its features.

I just want to master recording someday lol
 
bennychico11 said:
you won't accomplish this soley by purchasing Pro Tools.
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no doubt you are right, I'm just concerned about the whole studio thing. I think I'll just look at alternatives and compare prices, then decide.
 
bball_1523 said:
no doubt you are right, I'm just concerned about the whole studio thing. I think I'll just look at alternatives and compare prices, then decide.
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yes, a lot of studios use Pro Tools. But as long as you understand the concept and general flow of any DAW, I don't think they will care...unless they want to hire you as a Pro Tools Operator. Studios will be more interested in you as a person and your knowledge of recording. Most people will be able to teach you the program quickly enough. But if you end up trying to get a job at a place where you will be the ONLY engineer and working with Pro Tools constantly, it'll be of great value to learn it.
 
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