On Mac G4: Digi001? Logic? Help!

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namelikemusic

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Okay, I'm a recording newbie. I'm a gigging musician, but I'm finally ready to cash in some hard-earned $ for a new recording setup. Up until now, I've only recorded on borrowed Roland digital 8-tracks and stuff, and I've used ProTools TDM systems in pro studios, but I'm ready for something decent for use at home. Oh yeah, I've also used ACID on my PC at work, goofing around with loops and samples and stuff like that.

I'll be picking up a Mac G4 933mHz 256mb RAM, w/2 hard drives. I want to be able to record my guitars, vocals, etc. So far, everyone seems to think that the Digi001 would fit the bill just fine. However, although I'm not using MIDI right now, it would be nice to have that capability, and be able to mess around with virtual instruments and such. I recently saw a demo of Logic Platinum and was blown away--it seems like it would be a really good creative tool for me given the direction my ideas are taking (electronica and such). I'd like to get up and running fairly quickly, but I'm computer-literate and I don't mind somewhat of a learning curve.

SO...all the engineers like Pro Tools and say to just go with that. But the LE software is limited to 24 tracks, and plug-ins cost $$$. The composers/songwriters prefer tools like Logic, more of a writing/creative type of software than Pro Tools, which is more of simply an "audio" tool. I have decided to go PCI with the audio stuff and stay away from firewire for now...so if I use the Digi001 as my audio interface, is it 100% true that I'll be stuck using Pro Tools?? What if I want to switch to Logic or something similar? Simple questions, but some people tell me I'd be stuck with Pro Tools software, period. Others say that's not so. What is the correct answer?

I don't want to be limited to using Pro Tools. Perhaps I should be looking into the MOTU 1224? I've got SOME cash to spend, so I can afford good sound and high sample rate, but I'd like to keep it simple, and hopefully this will be a system that can grow with me as my needs change. Any insight from you more knowledgable folk is appreciated--thanks!
 
I use Logic platinum and its very stable with plenty of plug ins and power. But Im not to hip on the digi001. Im not sure if its compatible with logic or not, you can check the hardware compatibility at their site.....www.emagic.de
You could consider the delta series interfaces...www.midiman.com
As I know this is compatible to logic cuz its what I use......no problemo's.
 
Man is this site bogging down right now.....or is my cable modem in the dirt !!!!!!:confused:
 
Well...

I chose Logic Platinum for similar reasons (compatability with DX and VST plugins)...

I use it with a firewire Motu 828. The real question you have to ask yourself is...

Will I be tracking at home and sending the tracks to a pro studio for mixing?? You will have more studio options going the protools route although there are more studio's now-a-days who use eMagic...

A lot is preference but make sure you check out the new V5 of Platinum before you decide. It includes over 50 pretty high quality plugins and now will have "pre-mastering" plugins as well.

Hell - I lost the link...hold on...

zip >>
 
There seems to be a growing number of people posting at the Digidesign site that are using the Digi001 hardware with Logic as their software. So it is an option, but not one that I can speak with knowledge on. I only use PTle. Also, I do not use MIDI.

Good luck in your decision...

C
 
Thanks for the input! I'll be checking out those links later today...and yes, I was aware that Logic 5 would be coming out soon, that's probably what I'll be going with...I'll let y'all know. Anyone else?

Thx again
 
No version 5 freebies...:( They are considering it a major upgrade.

$149 US from any version 4...

you can pre-order thru eMagic USA sales...

1-530-477-1051

If you can get through. Mine will be here shortly... :)

zip >>
 
Damn, what a bummer !!!
Cant spend the dough right now, but Is this a new install or just an upgade CD ?
Let me know, or put up a post if you encounter any problems with it, which is unlikely I suppose. You runnin Win98se ?
Im still debating if its really worth the money. Got so many damn plug ins already with the built ins and VST's.

By the way, the Sonik site is pretty descent. I dont like it quite as much as this one, but it is nice to have it. thx again
 
Yeah - I'm currently running 98SE but will upgrade to XP as soon as I get V5...

In the long run V5 will be worth the money since there are more improvements than more plugins...

I'll post after I use it awhile.

zip >>
 
Hmmm! I would go for 2 x Motu 828's which will give u 16 audio inputs at least and a Motu 2 in 2 out Midi interface the Midi man 8 in 8 outs are meant to be pretty good as well I juts ordered a midiman 2 in 2 out interace last wekk so i can tell u what the midiman stuff is like nxt week.
Have u thought about running digital Performer and cubase (cubase for midi).
Digital performer has got the bst interface I have seen and its ease of use is imense.
u say u are computer illiterate dont worry if u are gettin a Mac all is simple!
U r gettin a mac yeah! So let me see:-
1) They have the most ussable interfaces
2) Pro's use them so they must ok :D
3) They seem to be more stable than PC's
4) Overall they r Mac's!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Disclaimer! I have nothing against PC's they work very well as a recording tool and I actually have one locked away in my studio for use for some things and I used a PC for a while! But I recomend Mac's! :D
 
P.s.
The PC is just for word processing etc!
But one day I hope to set it up as a giga sampler as a friend sugessted I could and it would work well!!
But i dunno much about it so it is a project I hope to complete one day!
 
a couple of things to notice on this

  • like macs in their first days, Digidesign hard and soft is very closed architecture. They don't support Rewire, for example. You can use Reason with that (a BIG plus). They have a directConnect thing, but it's not very smooth.
  • You won't get vst cheap and free plugins and instruments.
  • the Digi 001 is not Firewire, but PCI. Firewire is a big plus, as you can borrow a laptop and record a live performance directly to multichannel
  • one of the most important things is how many tracks at once will you record. If you won't be doing more than 2, then a card like Digi is too much. Also remember that if you will record the eight inputs at once, you will need 6 more preamps plus 8 mics. That's a lot of money.
  • One thing on Protools that is a little annoying: it bounces to disk in realtime, while others do it faster than realtime. That's a bummer. I remember early versions did it faster, yet they didn't haves RTAS plugins. That can take a lot of your time, if you do lots of premixes.
  • no SMPTE ruler.
  • on the other hand, Protools LE is VERY easy to use. I found that is the simplest interface of all of them, and that makes a huge difference for me. Just like the different between Macs and PCs (which is narrower these days but still exist).
  • another plus is that you're compatible with big studios.
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If you count them it seems I am against PT. But I am not.
For me, the ease of use of the PT software is a hell of a difference. It saves you a lot of time. You should download PTFree and try it to see if you find it easy as I do.Also, Digidesign has a new USB box (I think it's the mBox) that is a streamlined version of the Digi. Check it out.

I have a 001 and I am very happy with it. If I had to do it again, I'll wait for the Firewire version so I could do field recording with my band. I will maybe look for the Motu Firewire, it uses Rewire so you can use it with Reason. And has a vst interface plugin. If you're much into Midi, Protools is not the best.

one word of caution: if you are using an hybrid (like a Digi 001 with Logic), watch out for the real latency. Sometimes it's too much and it gives you that delayed sound that it's not usable for tracking. Check for latencies and preamps availability, that's very important. Preamps and mics for all the channels can cost you a lot.

Oh, and one good thing you can do is buy a J-Station amp modeler. It's like $140 and you can put it into your card via the digital in. That way you will still have those analog inputs free and won't need the preamps and the mics.

Hope you can find the info useful.
Cheers, Andrés
 
"One thing on Protools that is a little annoying: it bounces to disk in realtime, while others do it faster than realtime."

Logic also bounces in realtime. This is a PLUS not really a minus. The accuracy of the transfer is worth it.

Think about it - you worked long and hard on the tracking and the mix...what's a few extra minutes??

zip >>
 
I didn't knew about Logic, I think Digital Performer does it faster than realtime.

About the quality issue: maybe you're right. But I am not pretty sure that they need to be realtime to assure quality. I mean, Audio Suite plugins have all great quality and they process faster than realtime. In what I agree is that you need it to be real time if you are using outboard gear.

One great feature would be a non-real time bouncing option, so you can do fast rough-reference mixes. Don't you think?

Cheers, Andrés
 
true...

...but a plugin is changing only part of a mix (generally) and is not bouncing all the data / track automation / midi timing etc...

My understanding is real-time bouncing yields the best timing result which is why upper end programs like Logic and ProTools do it that way...

Not sure why DP wouldn't??:confused: I thought it was in the same "class" as PT and Logic...

hmmmmmmm......
 
I remember Pro Tools version 3.4 did mixes in faster than realtime.
It was the version that used PowerMix, which was an extension that let you use the software without Digidesign hardware, mixing thru the mac's Sound Manager. It didn't have real time effects at that time, but it was widely used. Maybe they did it cause it was an inferior product, so they didn't bother about the quality. I remember I asked for a free copy on their website and they sent it to me by mail to my door, from the States to Argentina. Free!

I can't say nothing about Protools TDM devices of that time, I didn't use them. I suppose that TDM rigs are treated like outboard gear too.
 
Yup...

Expensive one at that! $$$$$$$$$$$$$


Have $15000 for a "starter system"??? LOL
 
speaking of expensive...

the Digi 001 comes with Protools LE.
I think MOTU hardware comes with a software called AudioDesk, which is NOT the same as Digital Performer.

I don't know if Logic comes bundled in any audio hardware. If not, you have to consider those extra dollars.

Cheers, Andrés
 
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