pro tools le compatibility - computer for dig001

[1 1 Dragon 2 2 2]

hello friends, i have a question regarding digidesign's
pro tools le / dig 001 system. i have a 350MHz Pentium II
pc, though it is not apparently approved by digidesign, it
seems a shame to purchase an apple g4 (expensive!) if i may
use my existing system reliably. if i could use my gateway
the savings could be applied towards mics, etc. what do you
think? i'm not sure how much more powerful a 400MHz G4
powermac is than my machine though it is approved by
digidesign. if it is substantially more powerful i can
buy the g4. i'm tempted to opt for a new 4-500MHz powerbook
, a magnum PCI slot, and just dive in.

[bob oakman]

Basically Digi001 will not run on a non-Pentium. Pentium III is recommended, but you could probably run it on Pentium II providing you have a minimum of somewhere around 256 megs of RAM and you allocate a big chunk to the buffer. You would be limited to the number of simultaneous tracks you can monitor. I would guess around 8 to 10 with some delays in re-painting the screen while scrolling during playback or record.

A Mac system works differently. It burns a comparatively small amount of horsepower to operate the graphics interface and other system functions. You only need about half the RAM and processor speed to do the same thing in Pro Tools on a Mac. They are very expensive though.

I would suggest trying it on your present machine. If it doesn’t work out well you can always un-install, get your authorization back and re-install after upgrade or a new machine.

Note: Customer support would probably suck if you use a Pentium II. I guarantee that every problem you posed to them would get a response like, “What processor are you running? Oh, that’s your problem.” I don’t think they would be real helpful and that would stink after being on hold for a half hour to get a tech on the phone.

[1 1 Dragon 2 2 2]

Disclaimer: I take full indirect and otherwise
responsibility for my decisions. I'm appealing to
you in a 'brainstorm'/colleague capacity only.

Bob - if my notes are correct you are involved in project
recording in a studio, thank you for replying. Man, I've been
putting some real hours into this. There is the Yamaha
AW4416, Akai 16, Tascam 2424.. I've come to the conclusion
that portability aside, Pro Tools Digi001) is
what I should sign on to. Now I haven't 'bought' anything
yet, so this is of course intangible. What I have for the
host machine is this: I can spend a max. of ~3200 american
bucks on it. so including the digi001, this will move
slightly over 4000 (max for core). digidesign should have
new g4 models' qualification status up by mid-Feb.
my thinking is: new Pentium IV Dell (at university discount)
Dimension 8100, dual 533MHz G4 (qualifications expected
from Digi in mid-Feb., or a used Pentium III meeting
Digi qualifications. What I need is 8 simultaneous record
with 24 track playback and strong editing. After all the
editing capability is one of the reasons I'm going Digi.
What do you think about the dual 533MHz G4 setup? I mean
if it is going to lag and crash, I'll hardly be able to
justify a 3200 expenditure for the computer.
thanks again for your time.

[bob oakman]

The Pentium 3 would be the most affordable of course. *I use Pro Tools on both Mac (at home) and PC (at work). IMHO the Mac is better, but… the expense of a dual processor is unnecessary. Pro Tools does not yet take advantage of a dual processor. Unlike Pro Tools 5.01, the 001 software/hardware relies on the computers processor to convert from analog to digital and visa versa. That’s why a fast processor is so important. That little sucker has to work hard to play back 24 tracks. Editing uses very little processing power. It’s playback and record that puts a burden on it.

At the studio we use the full-blown versions of Pro Tools in 6 of the suites. (big $$) The other 2 have Digi 001. They are running on 500 mhz Pentiums without incident. I admit that those suites handle less complex projects and rarely use more than 10 tracks at a time, but the fact that they have been using 001 on a 500 mhz box for a year without a DAE error is a good testimony.

One other thing to consider is plug-ins. If you intend to use/purchase plug-ins for a lot of your fx, be prepared to spend some cash for an extra “Farm Card”. The fx inserts in Pro Tools rely primarily on the power of the farm card for their operation and automation… and they are power pigs.

My suggestion… To save money and have fewer compatibility issues with the net and other PC programs, go with a Pentium III or IV and Windows. (I can't believe I said that. I'm a Mac man.)

For a pure Rockin’ Pro Tools, audio crunchin’ beast with the unique ability to lock to and sweeten Quicktime movies, go with a Mac G-4. The dual processor is ok if you have the bucks. They may update the software to take advantage of that in the future.

If you inherit a bunch of money ditch the 001 and go with Pro Tools 5.1 with one or two 888’s, The Universal Slave Driver, three Farm cards and a couple bundles of plug-in packages on a Mac G-4 with 24 inch monitor. I priced that package. Wow! If I had that much money I’d bring a Whore and a bottle of Bookers for everyone at Jemfest. :biggrin:

[cltek]

Hey Dragon... *Can I ask a question?

Why are you 'bent' on ProTools?

Macs operate completely different from PCs. *More uh... *efficient, if you will. *That's why a 400MHz Mac will qualify even if a PII may not.

From what little bit of research I've done, I can tell that Protools is *THE* friggen system. *But for all of the hrdwre/sftwre requirements... *I'd need around $6K-$7K. *That's a ton of money for me.

Have you considered using anything else?

For more info/research (if you're interested) hit these sites...

http://www.prorec.com

http://www.audioforums.com

http://www.tomshardware.com

http://www.anandtech.com


Respectfully, Cory

[bob oakman]

Cory, The cost is something that really bothers me too.

I am spoiled because at work I’m on PT 5.01 with all the available hardware, plug-ins, gadgets and farm cards. It so ROCKS! I priced the same system for my home studio and came up with somewhere around $23,000.00… without computer. OUCH!

Needless to say I am on Digi 001… and still eating.

There are many advantages to purchasing the “big” system, but for recording music in a home studio setting, I think there are much smarter options.

[cltek]

Hey Bob...

I was looking at the 'bare minimum' Just to get the system to RUN! *LOL

Yeah. *for that price there are TONS of 'viable options'. *Not just Viable, but pretty darn good. *Samplitude, Vegas, CE Pro/2000, Steinberg Stuff, Cakewalk, N-Track... *The list is endless. *And each with their own respective pros and cons, I might add.

I think everyone would like to have PT. *But for 'most of us', it's just not practical when you can get stuff that will deliver great results without the outlandish expenditure.

Know whatta mean? *

Respectfully, Cory

[rgr]

Dragon,

Disclaimer; this is based on my experience...

My setup: *Windoze machine, 400MHz PII with 192M of RAM, Gadgetlabs Wave 824 (24 bit @ 48KHz), Logic Audio Platinum, Sound Forge 4.5, Acid and N-Tracks s'ware. *Oh yeah, and a Behringer MX-2004 mixer, an 8 channel snake with TRS plugs, 4 insert cables, etc... *And not enough time to fully realize the potential...

To be "cost efficient", Windows would be the way to go, I would prefer a Mac but I use Windoze apps for everything else. *I would get a PIII at least 192M of RAM, preferably 256. *

I would then research I/O hardware and get at least 8 ins and 8 outs, the GL card I have is great but 1) they went OOB and 2) it only goes to 48K, the standard now is 96K and there are some which go to 192K, can't imagine the hardware to handle that though. *

For software I would recommend Logic Audio, it has a steep learning curve, I have yet to realize it's potential, but it's sequencing capabilities are great as well as it's plugins (Platinum Version anyway). *According to my research only full-blown PT, not LE, seems to beat it and it costs 10X+ as much. *LAP comes in a Mac version too, Vai and Satch are both listed on the huge user list.

For cheap s'ware, or something to get you through for a while when you're broke from buying hardware, try n-tracks. *It has all the functionality of most of the other s'ware including MIDI sequencing, 24 bit/ 96Khz, effects, nice user interface, etc... It's a download and it only costs $69 to register. *In fact, if I had found it before I bought LAP I might have saved the $$$ for my needs.

Having said that, I have also heard good things about the Digi001 package and it is probably a good intro to PT. *

$0.02-1/2,
Roger

[lastsupper]

What do you guys think of the Roland Vs-1880 for recording? *Anyone have any hands/ears on experience with this machine?

Dave

[bob oakman]

Ya’ know what? We have a couple old Pro Tools rigs laying around here. They are Pro Tools 3.0 systems with 2-488’s (making 8 ins and 8 outs) and USD. They are loaded into Mac Quadras. The last time I asked they wanted a grand each, but they have been collecting dust for quite a while now. Maybe I can snag one for real cheap.

I used these systems for 3 years without incident.

[rgr]

Wow, whatta guy. *If I didn't already have my rig I'd be hittin' on ya for one of those.

[cltek]

Hey Dragon...

If you do more research and decide what you want... *Send me a private e-mail and I can hook you up with a program and plugins. *I've got 'some version' of just about EVERYTHING on the market. *I have plugins for days too. *Oh... *For trial purposes only. *

VS1880...

I've never worked with the 1880. *however, I have done extensive work with the VS1680 (friends studio project stuff) and I owned a VS880 for quite some time. *I loved working with the 880 as it was mine and I knew it inside and out. *The 1680 was my friend's and we made some decent recordings with the thing. *The recordings were of a REALLY good 'demo' quality. *But there are people out there (Victor Wooten, etc) who have actually used them for their cd releases. *They are very flexible. *Plus they are self contained. *Never had a single problem with either unit. *Decent effects, mic sims, mastering, virtual tracks, take after take after take, if you want. *Digital editing. *Cut and paste... *It's all there. *

However, if you are going to spend the money on an 1880, you might just as well spend the same amount of cash and get a somputer based system. *You get more for you money, although the learning curve for the intricacies of the sytem may be a little steeper.

With all that being said... *Dragon... *If Bob can get you one of those old PT machines for a grand, GET ONE! *You won't regret it!

Respectfully, Cory

[rgr]

Cory,

Morals aside, I would highly recommend, and I'm sure that Glen would agree, that you do not advertise "trial" versions of software on a public forum.

[cltek]

Rog...

Morals aside?! :sarcasm: *Oy... *'Twas not 'spam' nor an 'advtisement'. *'Twas an offering. *A loving gesture from one musician to another. **NOT* a solicitation. *

You know not from whence the progs came. *You assume too much, my friend. *But that's ok. *

Much love and respect, Cory

[rgr]

Sorry if I made a wrong assumption, I've seen alot of ads on HC for people selling s'ware that is apparently cracked versions. *I understand your willingness to share and I didn't think it was spam or an ad at all. *

I had alot of real trial CDs laying around for a while, I think I gave them away. *Trial versions of alot of these programs are available for download from the company's websites. *