Should I get Protools?

[clippy]

Hi folks.

I'm looking to buy an entry level Protools system and I'm trying to
decide between either the mbox or the digi 001 factory.

I work as a sound engineer but have only ever used analog tape / adat
with cubase vst and soundforge. To increase my career prospects, and
due to the fact that I don't have the option to attend a sound
training facility, I'm looking to get familiar with the pro-tools
software through one of these packages.

Of course I realise that half the battle would be to have access to a
control surface, but in order to at least be familiar with how the
software works I feel it would be worthwhile to invest a little money
to get my foot on the first step of the ladder.

Firstly - does anyone think this is a bad idea?

Secondly - As far as I am aware both of the above use the Protools LE
software. Is there any huge gaping hole between this and the full
version of Protools, or is it the case, as I am led to believe, that
the differences are (broadly speaking) relatively small in terms of
the software.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[Mondoslug1]

>
>Hi folks.
>
>I'm looking to buy an entry level Protools system and I'm trying to
>decide between either the mbox or the digi 001 factory.
>
>I work as a sound engineer but have only ever used analog tape / adat
>with cubase vst and soundforge. To increase my career prospects, and
>due to the fact that I don't have the option to attend a sound
>training facility, I'm looking to get familiar with the pro-tools
>software through one of these packages.
>
>Of course I realise that half the battle would be to have access to a
>control surface, but in order to at least be familiar with how the
>software works I feel it would be worthwhile to invest a little money
>to get my foot on the first step of the ladder.
>
>Firstly - does anyone think this is a bad idea?
>
>Secondly - As far as I am aware both of the above use the Protools LE
>software. Is there any huge gaping hole between this and the full
>version of Protools, or is it the case, as I am led to believe, that
>the differences are (broadly speaking) relatively small in terms of
>the software.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Dave
>
>

The difference is basically the interface, not the software. With 001 you have
up to 18 inputs...8 analog, ADAT, SPDIF(I think, I don't own it) The Mbox is
also USB - 001 is PCI. I'd think as a sound engineer you'd probably prefer the
001.



My tunes at:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/andymostmusic.htm

[Mondoslug1]

>> Is there any huge gaping hole between this and the full
>>version of Protools, or is it the case, as I am led to believe, that
>>the differences are (broadly speaking) relatively small in terms of
>>the software.
>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>
>>Dave

Sorry my speed reading skills thought you were asking about the differences
between the Mbox & 001 which you probably already knew - not between PTLE & the
full blown version. I'll just sit back & watch now.



My tunes at:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/andymostmusic.htm

[EggHd]

There are big differences between LE and TDM BUT the way the software works in
general, is the same.

Why not download pro tools free and see if the software is a match for your
work style?

The 001 is pretty much discontinued, replaced by the 002 rack.


---------------------------------------
"I know enough to know I don't know enough"

[GWM]

Clippy,

There are some differences between PTLE and the full version. How important
they are depends on what you want to do. For instance PTLE doesn't do
surround. But, PTLE does a lot. I would suggest two things. One, visit
the Digidesign web site and go to support/DUC (Digi User Conference). It is
a pretty freindly forum and you will get all of your questions answered
there by people who use both versions of PT daily. Second, buy the manual
for PT 6 (it's called the Pro Tools User Guide) for $36 from Digi. There is
one user guide for both LE and the full version. You will get a very good
feel for the differences from the manual.

Hope this helps,
Greg


"clippy" <clip_art_comedy@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:a954062e.0307200846.6a4bdac5@posting.google.c om...
> Hi folks.
>
> I'm looking to buy an entry level Protools system and I'm trying to
> decide between either the mbox or the digi 001 factory.
>
> I work as a sound engineer but have only ever used analog tape / adat
> with cubase vst and soundforge. To increase my career prospects, and
> due to the fact that I don't have the option to attend a sound
> training facility, I'm looking to get familiar with the pro-tools
> software through one of these packages.
>
> Of course I realise that half the battle would be to have access to a
> control surface, but in order to at least be familiar with how the
> software works I feel it would be worthwhile to invest a little money
> to get my foot on the first step of the ladder.
>
> Firstly - does anyone think this is a bad idea?
>
> Secondly - As far as I am aware both of the above use the Protools LE
> software. Is there any huge gaping hole between this and the full
> version of Protools, or is it the case, as I am led to believe, that
> the differences are (broadly speaking) relatively small in terms of
> the software.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Dave

[Mark T. Wieczorek]

egghd@aol.com (EggHd) wrote in
news:20030720132134.02307.00000288@mb-m21.aol.com:

> There are big differences between LE and TDM BUT the way the software
> works in general, is the same.
>
> Why not download pro tools free and see if the software is a match for
> your work style?
>
> The 001 is pretty much discontinued, replaced by the 002 rack.

What he said. Most of the difference are "under the hood." I like ProTools,
I think it has analog sensibilities, which make sense since it's the oldest
DAW out there, it was probably designed to win people over from analog.

I agree - download PTfree and see what you think. Do the same for other
packages out there... Though if you want to work at a PT shop, then the
best thing is just go get PT.

Which means you should be able to get the 001 at a bargain basement
price....

Regards,
Mark

--
http://www.marktaw.com/

http://www.prosoundreview.com/
User reviews of pro audio gear

[Ty Ford]

In Article <a954062e.0307200846.6a4bdac5@posting.google.com>,
clip_art_comedy@yahoo.co.uk (clippy) wrote:
>Hi folks.
>
>I'm looking to buy an entry level Protools system and I'm trying to
>decide between either the mbox or the digi 001 factory.
>
>I work as a sound engineer but have only ever used analog tape / adat
>with cubase vst and soundforge. To increase my career prospects, and
>due to the fact that I don't have the option to attend a sound
>training facility, I'm looking to get familiar with the pro-tools
>software through one of these packages.

If you want to record more than two tracks at a time, get an 001 or 002 rack.


>Of course I realise that half the battle would be to have access to a
>control surface, but in order to at least be familiar with how the
>software works I feel it would be worthwhile to invest a little money
>to get my foot on the first step of the ladder.
>
>Firstly - does anyone think this is a bad idea?

Not me. I've been an 001 user for over 3 years. I bought my first DAW 13
years ago. An AKG DSE7000; now it's evolved to an Orban Audicy. I still have
it, but more and more I use pro Tools.

>Secondly - As far as I am aware both of the above use the Protools LE
>software. Is there any huge gaping hole between this and the full
>version of Protools, or is it the case, as I am led to believe, that
>the differences are (broadly speaking) relatively small in terms of
>the software.

There are differences. Not being a full PT user I Can't address all of them.
No TDM for one thing. Syncing to video is a lot more difficult with PTLE,
but Digidesign has just released a $995 upgrade that's supposed to allow
PTLE to sync to SMPTE.

If I were starting I think I'd try the 002 Rack. It lists for about $1295
and runs on OSX.

Regards,

Ty Ford

For Ty Ford V/O demos, audio services and equipment reviews,
click on http://www.jagunet.com/~tford

[Ty Ford]

In Article <20030720132134.02307.00000288@mb-m21.aol.com>, egghd@aol.com
(EggHd) wrote:
>There are big differences between LE and TDM BUT the way the software works in
>general, is the same.
>
>Why not download pro tools free and see if the software is a match for your
>work style?

But be advised, Pro Tools Free is a lot clunkier than PTLE.

Regards,

Ty Ford

For Ty Ford V/O demos, audio services and equipment reviews,
click on http://www.jagunet.com/~tford

[Dave Lang]

There are lots of used 001 systems on Ebay for not much cash.

ProTools LE does most of what the TDM systems do now. As someone else
noted, the main difference is inputs / number of tracks. Oh yeah, and
how much they cost!

If you're using a PC, don't bother with ProTools Free - it's terrible.

You can run the most recent versions (6.1) of ProTools on Windows XP -
I have a TDM system and it works great.

good luck,

dave

[EggHd]

<< But be advised, Pro Tools Free is a lot clunkier than PTLE. >>

Good point. 5.0 software, no stereo tracks, etc. It will still have the
routing and insterts. You can process stereo buy adding a master fader to the 2
L&R tracks and process there.




---------------------------------------
"I know enough to know I don't know enough"

[clippy]

Thanks a lot for all your advice, and for resolving my question about
the software.

You know listening to you all really makes me realise how isolated the
sound community in Ireland from the rest of the world as regard easy
access to education etc on this matter. All the more reason for me to
thank you for your input!

I rekon I'll go for the 001, and the 002 if local prices are good
value. I'll probably run it on a new p4 with windows xp - just so I
can use all my favourite windows music apps too!

Thanks again.

Dave.

[Vernon Boyce]

clippy (clip_art_comedy@yahoo.co.uk) wrote:
: You know listening to you all really makes me realise how isolated the
: sound community in Ireland from the rest of the world as regard easy
: access to education etc on this matter. All the more reason for me to

Not sure I would agree with that generalisation. Resources are available
to those who seek. I've dealt with some very knowledgable people in
Ireland's sound community. Depends who you talk to - I don't think Ireland
is any different from anywhere else in that respect.

Regards,
Vernon.

--
Vernon Boyce, Soft Audio, vernon@softaudio.com, http://live.softaudio.com
Live recording of acoustic music in Dublin, Ireland

[Cedric Lathan]

Get ProTools Free and spend your money on Steinberg's Nuendo. If you buy
ProTools, you'll be stuck with their hardware and won't be able to use
ProTools with anything else. If that's not a negative, by all means go
for it. I have the Digi001 system (and the AMIII before that) and it
works fine. But, you'll have much greater flexability in hardware
choices with something like Nuendo, or Bias Deck. You can always import
your audio into ProTools Free once you get it into the computer but
you'll be limited to the built in audio of your computer (on an IBook
with no built in audio it will see an external input device).

clippy wrote:

>Hi folks.
>
>I'm looking to buy an entry level Protools system and I'm trying to
>decide between either the mbox or the digi 001 factory.
>
>I work as a sound engineer but have only ever used analog tape / adat
>with cubase vst and soundforge. To increase my career prospects, and
>due to the fact that I don't have the option to attend a sound
>training facility, I'm looking to get familiar with the pro-tools
>software through one of these packages.
>
>Of course I realise that half the battle would be to have access to a
>control surface, but in order to at least be familiar with how the
>software works I feel it would be worthwhile to invest a little money
>to get my foot on the first step of the ladder.
>
>Firstly - does anyone think this is a bad idea?
>
>Secondly - As far as I am aware both of the above use the Protools LE
>software. Is there any huge gaping hole between this and the full
>version of Protools, or is it the case, as I am led to believe, that
>the differences are (broadly speaking) relatively small in terms of
>the software.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Dave
>
>

[Ty Ford]

In Article <3F2615E8.2000508@earthlink.net>, Cedric Lathan
<cedricl@earthlink.net> wrote:
>Get ProTools Free and spend your money on Steinberg's Nuendo. If you buy
>ProTools, you'll be stuck with their hardware and won't be able to use
>ProTools with anything else. If that's not a negative, by all means go
>for it. I have the Digi001 system (and the AMIII before that) and it
>works fine. But, you'll have much greater flexability in hardware
>choices with something like Nuendo, or Bias Deck. You can always import
>your audio into ProTools Free once you get it into the computer but
>you'll be limited to the built in audio of your computer (on an IBook
>with no built in audio it will see an external input device).

I'm sorry. I don't see the problem here. Why would you want different
hardware if what you have works?

Regards,

Ty Ford

For Ty Ford V/O demos, audio services and equipment reviews,
click on http://www.jagunet.com/~tford

[Joe Bartoldus]

clip_art_comedy@yahoo.co.uk (clippy) wrote in message news:<a954062e.0307211056.24df38af@posting.google.com>...
> Thanks a lot for all your advice, and for resolving my question about
> the software.
>
> You know listening to you all really makes me realise how isolated the
> sound community in Ireland from the rest of the world as regard easy
> access to education etc on this matter. All the more reason for me to
> thank you for your input!
>
> I rekon I'll go for the 001, and the 002 if local prices are good
> value. I'll probably run it on a new p4 with windows xp - just so I
> can use all my favourite windows music apps too!
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Dave.

If you're serious about your audio career, you might want to think
about a new name. "Clippy the sound guy" is kind of like "Blurry the
photographer","Shaky the surgeon","Leaky the plumber" etc..

[Mark T. Wieczorek]

tford@jagunet.com (Ty Ford) wrote in
news:tford.1409864990G@news.jagunet.com:

>>Get ProTools Free and spend your money on Steinberg's Nuendo. If you buy
>>ProTools, you'll be stuck with their hardware and won't be able to use
>>ProTools with anything else. If that's not a negative, by all means go
>>for it. I have the Digi001 system (and the AMIII before that) and it
>>works fine. But, you'll have much greater flexability in hardware
>>choices with something like Nuendo, or Bias Deck. You can always import
>>your audio into ProTools Free once you get it into the computer but
>>you'll be limited to the built in audio of your computer (on an IBook
>>with no built in audio it will see an external input device).
>
> I'm sorry. I don't see the problem here. Why would you want different
> hardware if what you have works?

I agree, he seems to be revealing a personal bias... why mention Nuendo at
all rather than just say "another software package."

Learn the limitations of ProTools and make your decision. The most
important thing to do is to take the plunge, or at least get your feet wet.
Until then, you can deliberate your decision until the cows come home.

Regards,
Mark

--
http://www.marktaw.com/

http://www.prosoundreview.com/
User reviews of pro audio gear

[Mark T. Wieczorek]

Oh yeah, and getting ProTools doesn't mean you can't get another DAW
package to work with it, so you're not limited in what software you use. I
use Cubase & my Digi001 all the time. Check out the drivers that are
available for the PT hardware... They have ASIO for win XP that supports
all the channels... but I think the Wave/MME drivers only support two
channels, or something like that.

Regards,
Mark

--
http://www.marktaw.com/

http://www.prosoundreview.com/
User reviews of pro audio gear

[Ty Ford]

In Article <Xns93C7C2D0E4588znexgnj@130.81.64.196>, "Mark T. Wieczorek"
<july2003.4.marktaw@spamgourmet.com> wrote:
>Oh yeah, and getting ProTools doesn't mean you can't get another DAW
>package to work with it, so you're not limited in what software you use. I
>use Cubase & my Digi001 all the time. Check out the drivers that are
>available for the PT hardware... They have ASIO for win XP that supports
>all the channels... but I think the Wave/MME drivers only support two
>channels, or something like that.
>
>Regards,
>Mark


The digi 001 also works with Spark XL software and Peak on my Mac as well.

Regards,

Ty Ford

For Ty Ford V/O demos, audio services and equipment reviews,
click on http://www.jagunet.com/~tford

[James Craft Jr.]

I run PT 6.1 w/001 on an AMD XP2100 under WINXP. All I can say is it
works. I grew up on 8/16/24 track analog and PT fits better for me and
that mouse beats the hell out of a razor blade, Get an AMD xp2600 or
better, the P4 and some chipsets don't play very well with some RTAS
plugins. Check the DUC for WinXP info. Good luck..
http://duc.digidesign.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=32