Pro Tools LE

[Stys]

Greetings,

Any Pro Tools LE users on this forum? If so, are you using a mac book pro or windows based laptop? Not sure which route to go. I'm having fun with Digital Performer but am thinking of building a mobile Pro Tools system - easier for collaborations.

Looking for suggestions ie; if using a laptop, what brand and system requirements?

Anyone using a didgidesign control surface?

Thanks for any suggestions and help.

M. Stys

[iTwang]

Hi Mark,

I´ve been using Pro Tools LE (on and off and when I can find the time) for 2 years now on a Mac Mini 1.83 Ghz/2 MB RAM. I do think that it is a very stable system and quite easy to work with, not perfect but very user-friendly.

I'll be away for a couple of days but feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I suggest that you do (if you haven't already) search out Digidesign's user forum, where most people are very helpful IMO.

[Stys]

PM sent..............

[StudioRat]

Hi Mark,

I use Pro Tools HD 50 to 60 hours a week in my studio. I also have an MBox with LE at home for when my clients asks for a quick revision and I've already gotten home. I've used so many different DAW's over the years, 3M DMM, AMS Audiofile, Screen Sound, Logic, DP, and of course Pro Tools. I find Pro Tools to be by far and away the best for recording, editing, coping/pasting/arranging and processing as long as you have a bunch of money in plug ins. I DO NOT consider it very good at sequencing. For sequencing DP, or Logic or Cubase will blow it away. As far as signal processing, I think Logic Pro is amazing for the money, but that's assuming you have a Mac with a lots of fire power. It just all gets down to what you want to do and at what level.

If you're looking to record some song writing ideas, or just want to record your band at rehearsal I think an LE would do the trick great. But so would GarageBand which comes with a Mac. If you're looking to do full blown production with a combination of live recorded tracks, and programmed tracks, all mixed on a laptop, I would probably go with Logic Pro or continue with DP. If nothing else, Logic Pro for the sound of all the reverbs, EQ's compressors, filters not to mention the ESX24 sampling synth, and all the other keyboards included. If you were looking to track at a "real" studio and do your overdubs at home, then ship your drive off to a mix engineer and have your project professionally mixed I suggest a Digi 003.

As for your platform, definitely an Apple - definitely a MacBook Pro over a Mac Book. Get the fastest drive you can afford.

As for control surfaces. I've used an Icon, Pro Control, and a little 8 fader box, but honestly, after 30 years of sitting behind a console, I've gotten to the point where I rarely use the faders anymore. I find the rubber bands faster and more precise. I just click and drag to where I want it and 90% of the time it's right the first time. If you're thinking you need one of those, I'd hold off and get used to running the software. Or spend more money on plug-ins.

Hope this helps,

Michael

My studio:
http://www.chicagorecording.com

[Drew]

Hi Mark,

As for control surfaces. I've used an Icon, Pro Control, and a little 8 fader box, but honestly, after 30 years of sitting behind a console, I've gotten to the point where I rarely use the faders anymore. I find the rubber bands faster and more precise. I just click and drag to where I want it and 90% of the time it's right the first time. If you're thinking you need one of those, I'd hold off and get used to running the software. Or spend more money on plug-ins.


I agree with this. Back in 2003 an artist I work with added a Pro Tools HD rig to his studio and after spending 25 years standing behind a console and sliding the faders, he assumed he needed the Pro Control surface. However, after the first serious sessions when he saw how it all worked, the Pro Control surface quickly went back to the store.

[Stys]

Thanks for the input. As with most things, I am changing my plans. Along with the Digidesign MBox Pro (Firewire) and a Sweetwater Creation Station (or Spectral), it appears I will be using PT in a PC desktop format.

Suggestions welcome.

Now, it's a matter of convincing my CEO (wife) the extra cost.

[Suriel Zayas]

my CEO (wife)

wait a moment, how did you convince your wife to be the ceo and not the cfo???!!!!:confused:

[StudioRat]

Suggestions welcome.

Now, it's a matter of convincing my CEO (wife) the extra cost.

Here's something to think about for you and the CFO/CEO.

You would think from looking at the Digi website that when you buy an MBox and have a slick new computer you are good to go, right? NO WAY! It's kind of like, "would you like tires with your new car Mr. Stys? how 'bout seats. Oh sure ours comes with tires, they're 12 inch and rated up to 60 mph, after all the speed limit is 55 right?"

Honestly, when I look at the plug-ins included it looks like a lot, but most you'll never ever ever use. The ones you will use, like EQ, compression, Reverb, Delay, Multiband Compress, Filters, Modulation, etc are either just crap or non existent. So I would suggest for your first song, while you are learning the software, use what it comes with. But very soon after that know that you are going to have to spend A LOT of money on plug-ins for your projects to sound professional. If your system with Creation Station and MBox cost 4K, you could expect to spend another 4K on plug ins. Gulp! yeah no kidding. The Plug ins are what make Pro Tools sound good. Of course the guys at Sweetwater aren't going to tell you that, they just want the sale. But I will cause I use the dang thing everyday, and you're only as good as your plug-ins with Pro Tools. Here are some essentials I would suggest.

1. EQ - Get the Wave Renaissance Bundle $1500. Everyone I know uses the Renaissance EQ's, they are smooooooooove. Plus I think you get the L2 for buss compression. I use that on all my mixes for air, but not for records cause you've got a mastering engineer for that.
2. Compression - Get the Focusright D2/D3 $600. The EQ is a pain to use, but the compressor is absolutely transparent.
3. You'll need a decent reverb. $500 - 1K. The D-verb is as crappy as any Digitech RP100. I use the TC Electronics one but they don't make it for Windows. The renaissance bundle has the Convolution EQ, but it's a processor hog, you'll need to "print to tape" to really use this. Which is never a good idea. Just know that D-verb is as grainy and harsh as an old wood floor.
4. AutoTune $650. With an awesome singer you'll never use it, with a good singer you'll never be without it.

There's 3K without batting an eye. I could go on for a while, but I think you get the idea.

Or, here's another thought.
Apple Mac Book Pro;$2500
Edirol FA-101; $379 (10 in 10 out Firewire I/O)
Logic Pro $1000
Midi USB Keyboard $300.

And you ARE good to go. Logic has it ALL in the software and uses the Mac's core audio engine to do the processing. Just my 2 cents.....

Did you ever read the book "If you give a Moose a muffin"...

Michael

[Stys]

OK, we'll just say my CEO is THE BOSS.

Studio Rat - aw, man...now I got more to think about. Thanks for your valuable input.

[StudioRat]

Hi Mark,

One more thing. I think you should define what it is you want to do first.
Do you want to record your band for a demo to get gigs?
Do you want to record songs you've written and dabble in production?
Do you want to expand your knowledge and recording would be a logical step?
Do you want to make a record and chase a label deal?
Do you want to build a home studio and start having bands come over and you be the engineer? Etc. Etc

Start with the end goal, and then build a system that will work for that.
You can always give me a call at the studio or email me. I'd be happy to talk.

Michael

[Pietro]

I gotta chime in on using the Mac and Logic Pro. I am getting some great sounds out of that combo, using a Mac Powerbook G4 and ONLY the FX that come with Logic Pro. It is a GREAT deal in the long run.

I've done audio and video on both Macs and PCs over the years and I will NEVER go back to PC for that again. Too many intangibles. I am just as comfy with a PC, but for recording or video... Mac is the way to go.