Would you GIVE BACK your Pro Tools system?

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SteveD

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Would you GIVE BACK your Pro Tools system?

I did.

My wife and son have heard me talk about the industry standard PT setup, and we have all heard the demo played at GC through the HD24 rig with the HD192 gear through top of the line KRKs or Genelecs, on a $3000.00 MAC G5 DAW.

Well this Christmas, my loving wife and son got me the PT Digi-002 Rack as a gift. I tried to act surprised and joyfully grateful.

The sales rep at GC PROMISED my wife that her husband (me) could install the software and compare it to what ever he was using and if he wasn't stunned by the improvement, he could just return it.

Return installed and registered software to GC? I don't think so! I call GC and asked to speak to John, the manager. He knows me, and I described the situation and he agreed that he wouldn't be able to resell it if I installed it, and so wouldn't be able to accept it as a return if installed. (I thought so).

Well, I knew I'd have to let my wife down easy, so I prepared a comparison for her between my Sonar rig and the entry level Pro Tools system she purchased.

PTLE: Digi-design interfaces/hardware only
S3: Any windows compatible interfaces/hardware
PTLE: 8 track simultaneous recording / no expanssion unit available
S3: I'm using the MOTU 24i/o - 24 in / 24 out with expansion units possible
PTLE: Software limitation of only 32 tracks per project
S3: UNLIMITED virtual tracks - (what ever your DAW can handle)
PTLE: Limited MIDI sequencer support
S3: One of the best MIDI sequencers on the market
PTLE: Prohibitively expensive plugins that must be designed to work with PT
S3: MUCH less expensive versions of the SAME software (which I already own) plus any DXI or VST plugins from ANY windows plugin manufacturer
PTLE: Manual delay compensation must be carefully calculated from a chart for the accumulated effects of all the plugins in the mix and entered into the PT delay compensation plugin and changed when effects are added or removed
S3: Plugin Delay Compensation (PDC) is automatic and you NEVER have to think about it

I could go on and on, but I carefully and tactfully told my loving wife and son that in order for a Pro Tools set up to compare with what I already have, it would cost $30,000.00.

I returned PTLE yesterday to GC and the guy at the front desk said, "What are you doing man? This is the SH*t man!".

I explained the above to him and told him I'm getting killer sound using Sonar3, with 24 simultaneous analog inputs, at 24/96khz, using an ASIO driver, with a monitoring latency of 2.7ms, with automatic delay compensation, and 16 tracks of Mackie Control automatted faders on the desk, using a high-end DAW costing only $1400.00!

"REALLY?!!". was his reply.

Same discussion with the sale rep in the pro audio dept.

His response... "REALLY?!!!!".

Same discussion with dept manager who needed to sign off on the return.

His response... "REALLY?!!!!!!!!!"

Yes... "REALLY!!!!!!!!".

If I've got Christmas money to spend on the studio, I'd rather spend it on mics, or maybe put it towards the purchase of some Apogee Rosetta 800s, but Pro Tools LE does not even come close to replacing what I have in my studio using Sonar3!

SteveD
www.DawPro.com

_____________________________

...addicted to gear
 
Last edited:
That's a sweet story Steve.
I especially got a kick out of the GC bits.
Really?....:eek:
Yes, really. As if they didn't know.
Oops. Maybe they REALLY don't.

Can you say 'Buyer beware'?
 
Great story!

First off get over the wifes feelings being hurt.Why don't you try buying clothes,makeup or jewelry for your wife.I'm sure you will get about the same results.In my household any gifts are limited to socks,underwear etc,small stuff.I make the major purchases myself and when something goes wrong I only have myself to blame.

As far as the Pro-tools,I think it's just real easy for know nothing music store guys to name drop.Most of the people on this board are more knowledgeable than the average music store clerk.I had absolutely no knowledge of computers and software when I built my first rig and paid the price for taking advice from these guys.
I don't see Pro tools as dying,but I think the competitors have closed the gap if not passed them up.A lot of people have got money tied up in PT systems and are'nt ready to jump ship.The same can be said of ADAT's.

I'm no expert,but I think you made the right choice.:cool:
 
I'm gonna print this out and have it framed! :)
 
moskus said:
I'm gonna print this out and have it framed! :)
I don't know if it came across in my punctuation of the story, but when they said, "Really!!!?", it was more of a statement of amazement than a real question. Emphasis on the first syllable with no raised pitch or inflection at the end of the word. I wish you could have heard it. Priceless... (and for everything else... there's Mastercard).

Moskus, I thought you would appreciate this. I'm honored to be able to help you decorate your studio! ;)

SteveD
www.DawPro.com
 
SteveD said:
I don't know if it came across in my punctuation of the story, but when they said, "Really!!!?", it was more of a statement of amazement than a real question.
I got that. You mean just when somebody really don't believe you... right?
 
moskus said:
I got that. You mean just when somebody really don't believe you... right?
I think they believed me, because I knew what I was talking about and because they know me, but I think the limitations of their Digi-002 rigs sitting at home began flashing before their eyes, along with all the cash they've sunk into it.:o

SteveD
www.DawPro.com
 
That's why I don't see what the big deal with Digi 001 and 002 is. Yeah sure, you can learn yourself a little Pro Tools, but you can do that if you install Pro Tools Free too (if you run Win98, that is).

To really know Pro Tools don't you need those big, extremely expensive rigs starting at $100 000 ?
 
moskus said:
That's why I don't see what the big deal with Digi 001 and 002 is. Yeah sure, you can learn yourself a little Pro Tools, but you can do that if you install Pro Tools Free too (if you run Win98, that is).

To really know Pro Tools don't you need those big, extremely expensive rigs starting at $100 000 ?
Before I get pasted by others... here's my disclaimer:

The listing below is the price tag of a full blown Pro Tools HD studio. It is certainly not a home studio and not the entry level PTLE system:

---------------------

Qty / Item / Description / Price / Ext Price

A PRO TOOLS

1 Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHZ 512MB ram $2,999.00 $2,999.00
1 1GIG Ram DDR upgrade $250.00 $250.00
2 Apple 23" Cinema HD Display $1,999.00 $3,998.00
1 Argosy 90-PC32-RRG console $3,190.00 $3,190.00
1 Digidesign Control console $11,995.00 $11,995.00
5 Digidesign Fader Pack $6,495.00 $32,475.00
1 Digidesign Pro Tools HD3 System $10,495.00 $10,495.00
4 Digidesign 192 I/O interfaces $3,400.00 $13,600.00
1 Digidesign SCSI 64 w SCSI $545.00 $545.00
1 Pro Tools 13 Slot Expansion Chassis $1,800.00 $1,800.00
1 Digidesign Digidrive 36GB 10K RPM $990.00 $990.00
1 Digidesign digidrive 72GB 10K RPM $1,450.00 $1,450.00
1 Digidrive Rackmount Kit $93.00 $93.00
1 192 AD Card $1,295.00 $1,295.00
1 192 DA Card $1,195.00 $1,195.00
1 192 digital card $995.00 $995.00
1 Digidesign Midi I/O $550.00 $550.00
1 Digidesign Sync I/O $1,850.00 $1,850.00
1 Digidesign Pre $2,200.00 $2,200.00
1 Waves Plat TDM bundle $3,200.00 $3,200.00
1 Antares Autotune TDM $475.00 $475.00
1 Massive Pack Plug in Bundle $1,195.00 $1,195.00
2 Control Digi snake kit $599.00 $1,198.00
7 Digisnake DB25 to TRS $90.00 $630.00

Subtotal A $98,663.00


B MONITORING

2 Genelec 1032A sing 10" 2-way monitors $2,200.00 $4,400.00
2 Genelec 1039A dual 15" 3-way monitors $6,710.00 $13,420.00
1 Genelec 7073A quad 15" subwoofer $5,974.00 $5,974.00
5 Mackie HR-824 sing 8" 2-way monitors $565.00 $2,825.00
2 Yamaha NS10 sing 5.25" 2-way monitors $150.00 $300.00
1 Hafler P1500 power amplifier $450.00 $450.00

Subtotal B $27,369.00


C HARDWARE

2 Avalon VT737sp Mic/Pre/Comp $1,900.00 $3,800.00
1 DBX 120 A/XP Sub-Harmonic $299.00 $299.00
2 Universal Audio 6176 mic pre/comp/limtr/eq $2,195.00 $4,390.00
2 Universal Audio 1176LN comp/limitr $1,600.00 $3,200.00
1 Manley VoxBox MicPre/Comp/Limtr/EQ $3,600.00 $3,600.00
1 Manley Massive Passive EQ $4,320.00 $4,320.00
1 Apogee Big Ben 192k Master Word Clock $1,200.00 $1,200.00
1 Apogee AD 16 AD converter $2,599.00 $2,599.00
1 Apogee DA 16 DA converter $2,599.00 $2,599.00
4 Empirical Labs EL8 Distressors w Brit + Image $1,985.00 $7,940.00
1 Emipirical Labs EL7 Fatso compressor $2,250.00 $2,250.00
1 Alesis • ADAT XT20 $980.00 $980.00
1 Tascam DA-45 24bit DAT Recorder $1,800.00 $1,800.00

Subtotal C $38,977.00


D SYNTHS/SAMPLERS

1 Korg Triton 88 key Workstation $4,000.00 $4,000.00
1 Roland Fantom S 61 Key Workstation $2,095.97 $2,095.97
1 Yamaha Motif Rack Synthesizer $999.00 $999.00
1 Roland XV-5080 Synthesizer $0.00
1 Pioneer CDJ-1000 CD Turntable $1,169.99 $1,169.99
1 Technics SL1210 MKII Turntable $469.00 $469.00
1 Numark TTX1 Digital Turntable $399.00 $399.00
1 Vestax PMC 07 Pro DJ mixer $399.99 $399.99

Subtotal D $9,532.95



E MICS

1 Neumann • U 87 Large Diaphram Microphone $2,346.00 $2,346.00
1 Neumann TLM103 Microphone $975.00 $975.00
2 AKG C414/ULS SE Microphone $700.00 $1,400.00
1 Rode NTK Microphone $500.00 $500.00
4 Shure SM-57 Dynamic Microphone $80.00 $320.00
2 Shure SM Beta-58a SuperCardioid
Microphone $164.00 $328.00
4 Audio Technica Pro 37R High SPL Cardioid Mic $140.00 $560.00
4 Sony MDR 7506 Headphones $99.67 $398.68

Subtotal E $6,827.68


F BASS/GUITAR

1 Music Man Stingray 4 4-String Bass $1,299.99 $1,299.99
1 Yamaha Silent Guitar $550.00 $550.00
1 Warwick RockBass Corvette Classic $549.99 $549.99
1 Hartke Kickback 12 Bass Guitar Combo Amp $459.99 $459.99
1 Boss GT-6B Bass Multi Effect $399.99 $399.99

Subtotal F $3,259.96


G MISCELLANEOUS

4 Furman PL Plus Surge Protector $159.00 $636.00
4 DBX PB-48 patch bay $129.00 $516.00
7 CNB ATA 4-Space Effects Rack $59.99 $419.93
3 CNB ATA 2-Space Effects Rack $49.99 $149.97
5 Auralex MoPad Monitor Isolation Pad $29.97 $149.85
2 High Back Executive Chair $149.98 $299.96
1 Neumann EA1 Nickel Shockmount $185.97 $185.97
1 Rode SM2 Shockmount $49.95 $49.95
1 Neumann Spider Shockmount $0.00 $0.00
1 AKG H100 Elastic Spider Shockmount $0.00 $0.00
6 Quik Lok MI Mic Stand $21.95 $131.70
6 Quik Lok Mic Boom $24.97 $149.82
4 Quik Lok Mic Stand Short W/Boom $35.97 $143.88
6 Quik Lok MI 329 Sheet Music Holder $25.97 $155.82
4 Atlas Mic Stand Tall W/5' Boom $259.97 $1,039.88
1 Quik Lok Z726 Keyboard Stand $199.97 $199.97
4 Rubbermaid Diamond Chair Mat $15.99 $63.96
2 Open Mesh Task Chair $59.99 $119.98
1 Couches, TVs, Cables, Adapters, $5,000.00 $5,000.00
6 Shure Popper Stopper $26.19 $157.14

Subtotal G $9,569.78


Subtotal of A - G $194,199.37

Tax $16,992.44


Total $211,191.81

---------------------

SteveD
www.DawPro.com
 
Oh and I forgot to add in $495.00 dollars for the Pro Tools DigiTranslator.

Without it, Pro Tools doesn't support OMF import/export capability, so you can't handle projects that weren't recorded with Pro Tools.

(OMF interchange capability has been a built-in feature with Sonar since version 2.1) :)

SteveD
www.DawPro.com
 
SteveD said:
Before I get pasted by others... here's my disclaimer:

The listing below is the price tag of a full blown Pro Tools HD studio. It is certainly not a home studio and not the entry level PTLE system:

A PRO TOOLS

1 Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHZ 512MB ram $2,999.00 $2,999.00
1 1GIG Ram DDR upgrade $250.00 $250.00
2 Apple 23" Cinema HD Display $1,999.00 $3,998.00
1 Argosy 90-PC32-RRG console $3,190.00 $3,190.00
1 Digidesign Control console $11,995.00 $11,995.00
5 Digidesign Fader Pack $6,495.00 $32,475.00
1 Digidesign Pro Tools HD3 System $10,495.00 $10,495.00
4 Digidesign 192 I/O interfaces $3,400.00 $13,600.00
1 Digidesign SCSI 64 w SCSI $545.00 $545.00
1 Pro Tools 13 Slot Expansion Chassis $1,800.00 $1,800.00
1 Digidesign Digidrive 36GB 10K RPM $990.00 $990.00
1 Digidesign digidrive 72GB 10K RPM $1,450.00 $1,450.00
1 Digidrive Rackmount Kit $93.00 $93.00
1 192 AD Card $1,295.00 $1,295.00
1 192 DA Card $1,195.00 $1,195.00
1 192 digital card $995.00 $995.00
1 Digidesign Midi I/O $550.00 $550.00
1 Digidesign Sync I/O $1,850.00 $1,850.00
1 Digidesign Pre $2,200.00 $2,200.00
1 Waves Plat TDM bundle $3,200.00 $3,200.00
1 Antares Autotune TDM $475.00 $475.00
1 Massive Pack Plug in Bundle $1,195.00 $1,195.00
2 Control Digi snake kit $599.00 $1,198.00
7 Digisnake DB25 to TRS $90.00 $630.00

Subtotal A $98,663.00

Sure... but only the first part is Pro Tools. The rest is just basic studio equipment... ;)
 
SteveD said:
Without it, Pro Tools doesn't support OMF import/export capability
Oh yes. PT has no problem with OMF. (As long as you know the conversion steps. Don't ask me)...

:)
 
moskus said:
Oh yes. PT has no problem with OMF. (As long as you know the conversion steps. Don't ask me)...

:)
Then I'd like to know who I can ask... 'cause my search showed this as the only option for PT... unless something changed with v.6 and I just haven't seen it yet.

SteveD
www.DawPro.com
 
Don't know. All I did was asking the engineer for OMF versions of the songs, and I got it. :confused:
 
I don't


But if there's such a program, where's the problem? ;)
 
moskus said:
I don't


But if there's such a program, where's the problem? ;)
No problem if you know about it and don't mind paying an extra $495.00 for it.

It's just that this thread is/was/is again/ about the comparison between PTLE and Sonar. OMF interchange support is included when you buy Sonar, and even Sonar users don't know it's there until they need it.

When that happens to a PT user, that's when they learn they just got $500.00 poorer, as if they're plugins didn't cost them enough. ;)

SteveD
www.DawPro.com
 
I can relate to your comments about GC! Actually, I am now the owner of Cakewalk Home Studio 2004 precisely because of the scenario you just described. I was interested in getting the Tascam 122 USB-based interface for use with my laptop. The sales guy bundled it up with Cakewalk, and off I went, happy and excited to get it all loaded and running. Well, the hardware didn't work like I had hoped and, of course, I couldn't return the software. Which leads me to my question...

The Cakewalk application seems pretty good. The problem is that my laptop (a Dell Latitude D600 with 1.4Ghz Pentium M processor, 512mb RAM, 40gb drive, and CD burner) has a crappy little 16-bit sound card. The PCMCIA drive bays are all type 1 (i.e. 3mm), so I can't put in an Echo Indigo card. So the question is, how can I upgrade effectively to 24 bit sound without spending a fortune?

The Tascam 122 supposedly provides 24/96, plus phantom power and MIDI via USB connection. At $199, it seemed like the perfect solution. But the unit exhibited serious latency problems. Neither I nor all of the GC technicians around the globe could get it to work properly (I say that because my sales guy puportedly e-mailed the entire organization for advice).

I'd welcome any suggestions you have to offer.
 
SteveD said:
No problem if you know about it and don't mind paying an extra $495.00 for it.
Come on, man! If you can afford a PT setup for $98,663.00 you can afford the extra $500... ;)


EDIT: Oh, you were talking about ProToole LE... :rolleyes: Okay, yeah, Pro Tools suck. I know that and you know that... :D
 
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