Pro Tools Purchase, Beginner Options

[flobiej]

I have some basic questions for any Pro Tools user.

First of all, I'm a songwriter in Nashville and I'm curious about upgrading to a protools setup.

1. Why choose a Mac instead of a PC?

2. Besides the Protools software, can someone list what all I need? I can't seem to find any complete information on what to buy. And some general price estimates would be great. I'm interested in the HD recording and not simply recording it to the computer's drive

I probably sound like an idiot, thats because im pretty new to this. Anyone that could help and be a reference or a guide would be greatly appreciated

[Teiwaz]

Hi Presto. I dont allow digi to make me upset. The price of a floppy drive is nothing compared to what one ends up spending on the TDM/HD hardware. I'm sure you are quite happy with PTLE.



Also, it just so happens to be my personal opinion that the PT platform is "carp". I'm entitled to that opinion. I earnt myself that opinion by spending all my money on their stuff!! I have much experience with TDM, and VST2. It is simply dodgydesign's ruthlessness towards their customers that I find "carp". If the software was incredible, then maybe I would put up with their customer policies, but it isn't. It's a basic multitracking solution.

Sure, great music can be made on anything, including an ancient 8 track Brenell, for example. But that doesn't mean that one was spared from sticking their finger into the supply reel at the end of their take in order to rewind the tape by hand because the rewind motor had given up. In short, I'm not saying that anyone's music suffers because they use PT. It's just that you have less creative options for more money spent.



Around 6 months ago, I recieved a PT session from another studio. They had done the session in PT 5.1. I had PT 5.0. When I tried to open the song (I had a tight deadline in which to finish the project) I was dismayed to discover that PT 5.0 would not open a 5.1 song file.

Then, to my horror, I was forced into parting with $400 to upgrade to PT 5.1 just so I could OPEN the session. $400!! for a SOFT upgrade! Put another $200 on to that bill, and that's the price of a UAD-1 card! I was literally forced into going down the local music store to get 5.1 in order to begin my session! And what about some vast improvements? 5.1 surround? A handful of very minor improvements...



In stark contrast, Emagic only charged $150 for a huge upgrade path to Logic 5x, tons of new plugs, automation to the hilt, major score improvements, and you can see they worked hard on their authorization protocol...a clever little USB key that holds all registrations for virtual instruments...not a floppy disk in sight in the Logic 5x box, etc etc.

I'm also highly aware that PT comes free with digi equipment. That's how I got "hooked" by them in the first place. As for getting PT software for free with the hardware, I should hope so too, for the $$$!

But remember...you only get their software "free" the first time. Then you're in the $$$ loop.

Concerning your Mbox...have you seen the competition in the form of the Apogee Mini Me? Looks very enticing indeed...

I dont care for not looking credible in the eyes of PT users...what does that mean anyway?! I'M still a PT user (occasionally, only because certain areas of the 'industry' still insists on using it still, but people are beginning to realise that the horse & carriage is being replaced by the car...)



PS: Yes, my native county is in fact...Lancashire.