M
musac
New member
does any one have any thoughts on the pro tools le package
James Argo
Fancy Rock N' Roll
...Nope. I don't work with Pro Tools, so I can't say a word. But I can operate it. Some says it's cool, but not comparable to the real Pro Tools with hardware...
James
James
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I use PT LE at home and at work, and have used the TDM systems on a few projects.
LE (which I use on a Windows XP machine with the Digi002) is stable and very easy to use. Like all native systems, the plugin count and track count depends on your computer hardware, but I get plenty of functionality out of it for my purposes. LE now has a 32 track limit for audio, but things like effects returns and internal busses are not included in that count.
The TDM systems that I have used are head and shoulders over LE in terms of signal processing, but for my purposes that seems to be the only difference. There are better plugs availible for TDM, but I can't afford them anyway. Also, TDM works on its own hardware so your computer specs almost don't matter. The TDM systems have many other pro-level features (big mixing & control consoles, video sync, etc.) but you PAY for them. If you aren't making money with it (i.e doing pro work) it would be hard to justify the expense.
On that note, PT LE sessions do transfer seamlessly over to TDM systems. You can lay your tracks at home, burn your session to a CD, and take to a pro studio with a TDM system for mixing. I'd imagine that not too many people will actually use that capability, but I know several people with TDM systems so I do. Worth its weight in gold if you need to do it and the primary reason I traded my Cubase SX system for PT LE.
Two things strike me about Pro Tools in general.
First, it is incredibly easy to use and flexible. Signal routing is a breeze and you can route just about any signal anywhere without too much trouble. Automation is mature and stable. If you have spent any time with an analog mixer, PT will feel familiar in some respects. After a 12 years on a tascam 4-track, 1 year on n-track, and 2 years on Cubase I was cranking out good PT sessions in less than 6 hours.
Second, it is definately PRO tools- and the price of accessories reflects that. Plugs for PT are ungodly expensive and they don't make lite versions for PT LE home recc'er hobbiests. Make good and sure the PT package you buy comes with a good selection of plugins because you will pay out the wazoo to purchase them later.
(Copy protection is also excellent. If you are the kind who enjoys cracked software you will find VERY little availible for PT.)
I don't know much about PT hardware, but you can't talk about PT LE without mentioning the hardware- LE won't work without it. I only know about the Digi002 since that's what I have.
The Digi002 is a dream come true for me since I work on a PC laptop, but need to transfer sessions to a Mac g4 at times. Its only 8 analog inputs, but can be extended to 18 total via Lightpipe and S/PDIF. It has 4 mic pres with phantom power for purely mobile projects, and I can use outboard pres for more in I need to. For my purposes, which are mostly home-level use with frequent forays into simple pro-level projects, the Digi002 fits the bill perfectly. It ain't pro, for sure, but it just about defines high quality "Pro-sumer."
Take care,
Chris
LE (which I use on a Windows XP machine with the Digi002) is stable and very easy to use. Like all native systems, the plugin count and track count depends on your computer hardware, but I get plenty of functionality out of it for my purposes. LE now has a 32 track limit for audio, but things like effects returns and internal busses are not included in that count.
The TDM systems that I have used are head and shoulders over LE in terms of signal processing, but for my purposes that seems to be the only difference. There are better plugs availible for TDM, but I can't afford them anyway. Also, TDM works on its own hardware so your computer specs almost don't matter. The TDM systems have many other pro-level features (big mixing & control consoles, video sync, etc.) but you PAY for them. If you aren't making money with it (i.e doing pro work) it would be hard to justify the expense.
On that note, PT LE sessions do transfer seamlessly over to TDM systems. You can lay your tracks at home, burn your session to a CD, and take to a pro studio with a TDM system for mixing. I'd imagine that not too many people will actually use that capability, but I know several people with TDM systems so I do. Worth its weight in gold if you need to do it and the primary reason I traded my Cubase SX system for PT LE.
Two things strike me about Pro Tools in general.
First, it is incredibly easy to use and flexible. Signal routing is a breeze and you can route just about any signal anywhere without too much trouble. Automation is mature and stable. If you have spent any time with an analog mixer, PT will feel familiar in some respects. After a 12 years on a tascam 4-track, 1 year on n-track, and 2 years on Cubase I was cranking out good PT sessions in less than 6 hours.
Second, it is definately PRO tools- and the price of accessories reflects that. Plugs for PT are ungodly expensive and they don't make lite versions for PT LE home recc'er hobbiests. Make good and sure the PT package you buy comes with a good selection of plugins because you will pay out the wazoo to purchase them later.
(Copy protection is also excellent. If you are the kind who enjoys cracked software you will find VERY little availible for PT.)
I don't know much about PT hardware, but you can't talk about PT LE without mentioning the hardware- LE won't work without it. I only know about the Digi002 since that's what I have.
The Digi002 is a dream come true for me since I work on a PC laptop, but need to transfer sessions to a Mac g4 at times. Its only 8 analog inputs, but can be extended to 18 total via Lightpipe and S/PDIF. It has 4 mic pres with phantom power for purely mobile projects, and I can use outboard pres for more in I need to. For my purposes, which are mostly home-level use with frequent forays into simple pro-level projects, the Digi002 fits the bill perfectly. It ain't pro, for sure, but it just about defines high quality "Pro-sumer."
Take care,
Chris
M
musac
New member
Thanks Chris you didn't leave anything out.
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ooops. 
Actually I did leave a couple things out.
MIDI.
MIDI implementation is PT is pretty basic. Its solid, but not really designed for extensive editing. Setup and routing is again easy, but its seems oriented for people who play their MIDI controllers well and the performances aren't going to be edited all that much.
I sometimes still program my drum tracks in Cubase and, in some cases, even play them through the LM-4 drum module (VSTi) and convert each drum to audio files to import into PT. You can edit MIDI in PT, its just a bit more convenient for me in Cubase. Maybe that will change as I get used to using the Midi features in PT. I don't need much, but it doesn't have much.
One last note- PT was developed on Mac. While it is currently running quite well on Win XP, many of the cool plugs are only availible for Macs. Left click context menus are also less well developed than with Windows-native programs and you'll have to get used to things like "Control-click", "Control-Option-Click" and "Control-Alt-Option-Click". Its a lot to keep track of, but its very quick and efficient once you get it down.
Take care,
Chris
Actually I did leave a couple things out.MIDI.
MIDI implementation is PT is pretty basic. Its solid, but not really designed for extensive editing. Setup and routing is again easy, but its seems oriented for people who play their MIDI controllers well and the performances aren't going to be edited all that much.
I sometimes still program my drum tracks in Cubase and, in some cases, even play them through the LM-4 drum module (VSTi) and convert each drum to audio files to import into PT. You can edit MIDI in PT, its just a bit more convenient for me in Cubase. Maybe that will change as I get used to using the Midi features in PT. I don't need much, but it doesn't have much.
One last note- PT was developed on Mac. While it is currently running quite well on Win XP, many of the cool plugs are only availible for Macs. Left click context menus are also less well developed than with Windows-native programs and you'll have to get used to things like "Control-click", "Control-Option-Click" and "Control-Alt-Option-Click". Its a lot to keep track of, but its very quick and efficient once you get it down.
Take care,
Chris
WATYF
...happier than you.
I would also recommend it. I upgraded from a pre/soundcard/software setup to digi001. I used to use n-Track for my software, and PT LE is a pretty decent step up (obviously). I have a few pet peeves with its interface and what not, but overall I'm happy with it.
The biggest beef I have with it is how all the plugins for it are so freaking overpriced.
And it is a bit more taxing on your CPU, so make sure you're not running it on an older system.
WATYF
The biggest beef I have with it is how all the plugins for it are so freaking overpriced.
And it is a bit more taxing on your CPU, so make sure you're not running it on an older system.WATYF
M
musac
New member
thanks guys