Protools HD 101 - (Switching to PT HD)

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jerberson12

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Hi Guys,

This thread is about gathering much information on setting up Protools HD. I myself is a noob to this system. Generally, this will only act as a tracking thread on how well I do on setting up this system. That means, I may post whatever I do, upgraded or install regarding to this system. Any advice or recommendation are highly appreciated and I am starting from scratch. Thanks!

So I've been from a few interfaces and I'm ready to move on to the pro stuff, the Protools. I used to have M-Audio Audiophile 2496, then M-Audio Delta 44, then Presonus FP10 and then MOTU Traveler. Searching the internet, most professional recording studio uses Mac but I'll rather use PC and I am not getting a pre-built system but rather build my own.

Q. Would you recommend a pre-built or build my own?

So far, I've been buying stuff for a new PC system, I am not yet on the PT HD part. Since I will recording like a "one-man" type of person and PT HD are expensive, I'll probably get a used PT HD Core card (PCI-X, not PCIe) from Ebay.

A motherboard with a PCI-X slot is what I need for this system. Searching the internet, nowadays, the only motherboard that has this slot are the server/workstation motherboard (well I thought the regular desktop motherboard had one). From Newegg, I bought a brand new Intel S5000XVN capable of 2 multi-core Xeon CPU with 2 PCI-X slots and also bought 2 used dual core 3Ghz of Intel Xeon Processor from Ebay. At this point, I only have the motherboard and the CPU for my PTHD system. Next stop to buy probably memories, fans, hard drives and PC case.

For my actual PTHD system, I am planning to use the PT HD Core Card (PCI-X) with the Protools 192 Interface and Protools PRE but I need to finish building my PC first. I am doing this because, I want to have a sure shot on setting this up since the system is pretty expensive and I don't want to waste money.

So like I said, advices, recommendation or objections are highly appreciated. Once, I finish my system and get the groove out of it, I am serious about doing business with it and maybe going to a PT training is possible. So, thanks in advance! :cool:
 
I suggest building your own, but referring back to the Digidesign compatibility lists just to be sure it works.
 
I would also research the use of PCIx cards. There was certainly talk of support being dropped for them, meaning you'd not be able to go further than Pro Tools 8 with them.

I would strongly consider sticking to a qualified machine, I have seen many systems not run due to rather obscure incompatibilities.

If you insist on building your own, I would refer to the Digidesign User Conference - http://duc.digidesign.com as many people on there have gone the route of building a machine, and have done the trial and error for you.

Mac or PC won't make much difference except going the Mac route would probably be easier in the long run. I'm also a fan of knowing that my hardware and software are both supported by the same company.

Hope that helps.
 
Also, take a look at a 96 I/O (or 96i I/O). Unless you need specific inputs only available on the 192...I don't think the extra sample rate option is worth the extra $2000.
 
Also, take a look at a 96 I/O (or 96i I/O). Unless you need specific inputs only available on the 192...I don't think the extra sample rate option is worth the extra $2000.

A little bit of me dies every time I use my 192... The 44.1KHz LED on the front panel will burn out long before the 192KHz one :D

So yeah, I agree with benny!
 
Also, take a look at a 96 I/O (or 96i I/O). Unless you need specific inputs only available on the 192...I don't think the extra sample rate option is worth the extra $2000.

Thanks about that Benny, I also thought about that, but I saw few 192 on Ebay for aunction and ended up just over $400 from 96, that's why I thought maybe just go for 192.

and hey, good news for my motherboard, some dude built his pc using the same motherboard as I am at DUC so I don't have to worry about that.
 
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