Upgrading, any suggestions?

[Jotos]

A few years back the GC was selling this $500 bundle of M-Box and ProTools 6.4 LE with couple of demo like plugins. This is the PC 'studio' that I'm still using today but I have started thinking about possible upgrades. The first option that comes to my mind would be to buy a better PC (that does not crash so much on Protools) and try a later version of ProTools. But would this kind of an upgrade be waste of money. Would I get any better results by the new tools version.
My problem really is that my home recordings sound too much like home recordings . So would there be some better options I should try.
Would be nice to hear some suggestions on which way to take when starting to upgrade my studio, especially if you happened to own this same bundle, did you upgrade it and how did it go? Should I get rid of PC/ProTools and build on some other platform? Is there some essential SW that I could add to my system that might miraculously make my recordings sound more professional.

 

[altitude909]

What kind of computer and software you use has the least to do with how good your recordings sound. Consider some classes or maybe better mic's/preamps. There is no reason you should not get excellent results with what you have. The crashing is probably due to something else with your computer and PT 6 is a stable platform. A new machine will make things faster but it wont make it better

 

[ssscientist]

Should I get rid of PC/ProTools and build on some other platform?

It must be really frustrating to be trying to work on an undependable machine. I know from firsthand experience that takes away any creativity that might be involved in the process.

You've got to get your problems with your computer straightened out before even looking at any other software programs.

As altitude says, pro tools is a stable platform and I second his opinion that it's probably not the source of your trouble.

To answer the other question, there is no magic software to make your home recordings sound less like home recordings. There's no substitute for experience in tracking, mixing and production in general --- you can't buy it or borrow it but once you have it no one can take it away from you.

.

 

[danny.guitar]

I would guess the reason your home recordings sound like 'home recordings' is because you're recording in your home.

One major thing studios have that most homes don't is acoustic treatment. A good sounding room will make all the difference.

The gear doesn't matter nearly as much, imo. My friend has some of the nicest gear, neuman mics, a great river pre, but he put foam all over his room because he doesn't know better. Every recording sounded dead and lifeless. The good mics just did a better job of recording that dead, and lifeless sound.

You have a lot of research to do in acoustic treatment, but it's not hard to learn, and only takes a few days worth of reading at most.

Start here:
http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

Read every page on that website. There are even some videos.

Also the Studio Building And Display forum has lots of information. Including Do It Yourself plans for bass traps, absorbers, etc. That will save you a lot of money. But if you don't feel like doing it yourself, Ethan Winer makes RealTraps. They're not cheap, but they're worth it.