Should I get pro tools?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rockironwebb
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rockironwebb

senior newbie caveman
I have been using Mixcraft and Acid pro 7 for almost a year and am able to navigate my way around pretty well. I have a birthday coming in the near future and I am already being hounded for gift ideas. I don't dislike the software I currently use, but I don't know if I would like another type of software better. I just through protools out there because it seems to be pretty standard issue.Also seems like almost everything music/recording related is compatible. I play drums and record my bands jam sessions, but I also enjoy making solo industrial, NIN, front line assembly type music.
I won't ask what the "Best" of anything is, but has anyone perhaps been in my situation.
started with a software, learned the basics, and then moved up to protools?
As far as features go, nothing comes to mind of what protools has that mixcraft or acid does not.
If anyone could enlighten me on that note as well.
 
Every other DAW can do pretty much EXACTLY what protools can do. It all depends on workflow. Most DAW's will allow you to download a trial version. Do that and see which one you like best!
 
Go to the bookstore and spend an afternoon reading through the books
(yes, there are 3rd-party manuals for all the major sequencers!)

If it jumps out at you and you can understand the workflow and see advantages, go for it
Otherwise, walk away!
All the majors do basically the same thing and its up to YOU to see if you can do anything with them.

(and the nice thing about Reaper is you can try it out with no restrictions...)
 
I love pro-tools! I got that after coming off a year of using cubase. Pro-tools just has everything, to me, perfectly laid out. The workflow is just a lot better. And in many cases it's considered the "industry standard" and a lot of studios use it. I don't know a single professional studio not using it, and it makes it easy for them if they decided to record something via protools and then send it to another studio to be mixed, it's in the same format and can be loaded on to be mixed in seconds. I'm interning in a studio and they don't even allow mixes that come in that aren't recorded on protools, they don't want to deal with any potential screw ups via the tracking session and saving the files properly from other software.

The basics of recording do nothing more or less in protools, it just has some features that other DAWs may have or not.

You don't happen to be in school do you? You can get protools for $250 as apposed to the $600. Which is a hell of a deal.
 
I am in school but not for anything music related. I am taking a recording studio class and would be able to get the discount. I think the biggest thing that would attract me is the compatibility. I have a couple of free plug ins that I have that work for acid pro but not for mixcraft, and vice versa. I am about to buy a midi keyboard and have read a few things on the mixcraft forum about people having trouble using their keyboards with mixcraft. It seems like most everything is compatible with pro tools. I will keep investigating. I appreciate the advice and feedback. I will definately check out the library, hadn't considered that.
THANX
 
In my short experience with the program, and on both sides of the computer world (mac & Pc), protools is potentially worth it, once you figure out all the goofy shit.
PC- had a computer that was well above specs for 6, but ran terribly terribly terrible. Switched to Reaper on same PC, and I was very happy using the Mbox.
Just recently got into it with mac, and am having terrible luck with OS compatibility.
In other words, if your computer can handle it, and you set it up properly (all the goofy recommended settings), Id say go for it. But be prepared to have a serous chore to get it going at first, and don't expect jack shit from customer service. And also make sure to do LOTS of research before hand, youll thank yourself down the line.
 
Kjv1993 said:
In my short experience with the program, and on both sides of the computer world (mac & Pc), protools is potentially worth it, once you figure out all the goofy shit.
PC- had a computer that was well above specs for 6, but ran terribly terribly terrible. Switched to Reaper on same PC, and I was very happy using the Mbox.
Just recently got into it with mac, and am having terrible luck with OS compatibility.
In other words, if your computer can handle it, and you set it up properly (all the goofy recommended settings), Id say go for it. But be prepared to have a serous chore to get it going at first, and don't expect jack shit from customer service. And also make sure to do LOTS of research before hand, youll thank yourself down the line.
Click to expand...

+1 to that

Macs IMO are one of the most stable and reliable computers you can get, but you have to make sure the OS is set up properly for the corresponding protools system. Easiest way is to just make sure you have the latest version of each, which isn't always doable because it does cost money, but worth it IMO.
 
Now that Pro-Tools works with any audio interface why not?

If thats what you want, that's what to get! :D
 
rockironwebb,

I don't think you should squander a good birthday wish on Pro Tools, especially since what you have is working great for you. If you are still looking at software to pump up your studio, I can think of several things I would like to have, namely virtual instruments. If you don't already have something like Omnisphere, by Spectrasonics, THAT is awesome. Or since you're a drummer, StormDrum or StormDrum2 (SD2) are pretty kick-ass. I actually have a list and not enough birthdays:). On that list right now is Kontakt 5 which is a virtual instrument player. I'm just scratching the surface here but some or all of those ought to be enough to meet or exceed the budget of your good birthday wishers.

Good luck!
Ken
 
If you do decide to get protools, please read through Avid's computer compatibility page BEFORE you spend any $.

It's actually quite common for it just not to be supported for a particular motherboard/cpu/memory etc. combination. If it's not supported and it doesn't work, or stops working then they won't help, just blame the computer!

grrr.
 
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