ProTools HD the HD interfaces and connecting them to the real world???

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pisces7378

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With a Mac. running Logic Audio Platinum 5.0 and a MOTU 2408mkIII with a Mackie digitla 8 bus mixer it is easy to see how all these things fit together. You plug the Mackie mixer into the MOTU interface via ADAT light pipe, and the MOTU is plugged into the Mac through a PCI card.

Now I have seriosly been considering going all out and buying a ProTools HD core system with a 192 I/O interface. (Maybe just a 96 I/O Interface). But I don't see what the interface interface with. I have seen the Protools control units. But they have no pre-amps and cannot do anything but control the software (right???)

What else do I need? If I had a Mac with a ProTools HD core system inside running through a 192 I/O interface, with some huge storage drives... what else is NEEDED to run the whole thing? I am not afraid to use the mouse and keyboard for a year or two to save money on an$11,000 control unit that I do not 100% need. But obviously that 192I/O has to interface with something. hense the term 192 I/O Interface. Bt with what? All the A-D conversion takes place in the Protools unit... but where do I plug things in? t put it nice and bluntly?

Cheers guys!
 
This is from their website:

The diversity of I/O options that come standard with 192 I/O is nothing short of amazing. With eight channels of AES/EBU, TDIF, and ADAT digital I/O on a single digital card, 192 I/O allows Pro Tools to easily integrate with any digital device in the studio. 192 I/O also includes an additional 8 channels of ADAT I/O, 2 more channels of AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital I/O on the main enclosure of the interface, and Word Clock I/O on the rear of the unit. The digital inputs on the Digital I/O card can utilize the on-board sample-rate converter chips for hardware-based sample-rate conversion, allowing you to stream digital signals at any sample rate into your Pro Tools sessions.
Click to expand...

What is the street price on those? They retail for $4k. For $6K out the door you could get a Radar Project24 with 24ch analog i/o and no computer needed.
 
pisces - the "core" system of the Pro Tools HD system is what you need first.

I know the "HD3" system which has 3 of the DSP farm cards...is like $11,000 or so. I think the one with just 1 card is like 7,000...

But, if you arn't at least getting HD3, there isn't a lot of point in my opinion. Sure the 192IO sounds great...but, to really take advantage of the PT system, you want the faster processing...if you arn't going to use that...then PT is probably a waste of money for you.

Of course, it is also my contention that if you arn't getting the ProControl with at least 1 extra set of faders...then the system is a waste of money.

Follow me here: Pro Tools is good becuase it is a complete system. It allows a digital solution that gives you

a.) Good sound
b.) Ease of use (pro control)
c.) Powerful processing (DSP Farm cards)
d.) Good looks (big time clients want to see racks of pretty gear, and 48 channel "mixers")

What PT does that no one else does, is gives you all of that, in one package...and makes it all work together perfectly.

Even though HD does sound really good...it isn't the *only* thing.

Basically, if you are going to go pro tools, then you need to be willing to go all out, or you probably won't get the return on investment that you are looking for. If I were going PT, I wouldn't spend less than $30,000 on it - or you just end up with a semi half asses system. You need HD3 at least, 192IO, Pro Control, an external clock (the PT one is ok...but, get something better)...then of course all of the other studio gear. And, you better have a nice place to display all of those goods too...so that people will stop in at your shop and you can pay it off.

If you are running a project studio - consider something like the Digi002 even.

Lots of Pros use Pro Tools becuase it is the complete solution. And, when you do it to the max - you get great sound...you make it a lot easier on yourself with mixing...you can do 64 tracks or more of 96/24 audio without sweating it - but that is if you truely go all out.

Anyways, long winded answer just to make sure you don't throw money away just "because you can". Make sure you are going to have the clientel and the skill level to back up a purchase that could move you into a new home ;)

But, in answer to your question - you need the "base HD package", that's the heart of the system. They are PCI cards.

Check out the system diagrams at www.digidesign.com, pretty simple.
 
Tex- yeah...i am thinking about checking out a Radar24...

You *can* interface it pretty easily with a DAW computer though can't you? Just use it as a tape machine basically...

I've heard it sounds good. I'm not at the point right now where I am looking for a big stepup in sound quality though...just trying to get my mix quality straight.
 
What is the street price on those? They retail for $4k. For $6K out the door you could get a Radar Project24 with 24ch analog i/o and no computer needed.
Click to expand...

but radar doesn't do as much things as PT or other DAW's it can't mix and doesn't support plug-ins that might be a big reason he wants PT

and from what i 've heard though Radar24 has the best sound of A/D D/A converters on the market today
 
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