Pro Tools Confusion/Loop Hole???

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Member Since: Nov 10, 2005

Ok, so it has recently been brought to my attention by a friend that to run any version of pro tools you must need an m audio or digidesign product in use with it to like an mbox 2 or something. So since that is true i was looking into getting an mbox 2 with pro tools for my mac. Here is my confusion/question about loop holes though. If i get pro tools with the mbox 2 can i only record tracks with the mbox 2 and not like with something like a presonus firepod? also my question about a loop hole is if you can only use m audio or digidesign hardware with pro tools and then how the hell is the rest of the world or big studios using it when i know major label albums arent recorded with a dinky mbox? im just very confused here and a little clearing up would do me well. thank you.

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edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Dec 05, 2005 11:52 pm

www.Digidesign.com

Well musicdreamer, if ask any engineer about pro tools, I don't think he'll be rambling on about his Digi 002..... Most likely, he will be rambling about how freakin expensive it is.

The pro tools you speak of is protools LE. The is the "Limited Edition" which basically means 'crap'.

And no, you won't be able to use a firepod with pro tools, because as you stated, it needs digidesign hardware to operate. There is a free version of pro tools that runs on win 98 tho'. IT DOES NOT RUN ON XP. Trust me lol. If you really want to use pro tools for some reason, you could record into another program and import your files in to pro tools. LE isn't really worth it though IMO. Pro tools has nothing on programs like cubase/sonar until you step into the big $$.

'Pro' Pro tools is at version 7.0 now
if I'm correct. This and 'Pro Tools TDM' are the profesional format of most every big studio in the world. Except for the rock factory, which kicks all of their arses.

To run pro tools TDM/7.0 you must purchase a 'Pro Tools HD Core card'. This is the Pro hardware that will let you run Pro Tools. It is a PCI card that helps your computer by providing extra processing power on the actual card. It helps with plug ins when your CPU runs out of juice etc. Basically, with this added power, digidesign can say to you "You will get this many tracks and this many plug ins before your computer has to do anything". If you want more tracks/processing power, you have to purchase 'HD accel cards' to work together with your HD core card.

On top of the Core and Accel cards, you also have to purchase the A/D and D/A converters. Digidesign make these as well, but I have also seen Apogee converters used with the HD cards.

Have a look at the price list on the digidesign web site. $$.

Thats my explanation anyways.

Member
Since: Nov 10, 2005


Dec 06, 2005 10:34 pm

so is there any possible way to record more than 2 tracks via an mbox 2 into pro tools LE into a laptop or would i have to get the TDM pro tools to do that, and if so is there any way possible of doing it on a laptop because you need the pci card as you stated. and thank you so much for clearing this up for me, seriously.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Dec 06, 2005 10:42 pm

You could grab a 'digi 002' instead of the mbox which allows you record up to 16 tracks (8 on the 002 and 8 ADAT) into pro tools LE. The 002's sound V nice IMO. It has 4 preamps with roll offs, or 8 line ins. M box will only over record 2 analog tracks, although it might have spdif? which could add another 2, but I don't think so.

The 002 is firewire so yes, it would work on a laptop.

And no, you can't get an HD card into a laptop. Anyway, have you looked at the prices yet?! lol. an HD 1 + a 96i is big bucks dude, and thats only 8 tracks!

Seriously though, have a look at other sequencers like cubase/sonar/adobe audition etc. They pretty much blow LE out of the water for home applications.

Member
Since: Nov 10, 2005


Dec 06, 2005 10:52 pm

ah i see i see, thank you very much. to be honest, i think i might actually stick with garage band because it does an amazing job for me right now and is familiar and easy for me. If i can just up my audio quality then everything should be fine. So really instead of blowing money for an mbox2 or any other digidesign/m-audio products should i just get a firepod so i can record multiple tracks into garageband? that seems to be the logical choice so far. Then i can start double mic'ing my acoustic and my guitar cab, no downsides there. With a rode nt-1a condenser microphone thrown in with the firepod is that a better choice over switching to pro tools LE and using an m-box? would i be looking at better quality with what i suggested or just a better choice logically , any thoughts?

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Dec 06, 2005 11:06 pm

Yup, I'd say thats a great idea. I love the Nt1 a's, great wee mics. Better choice and quality I'd say. Pro tools sucks you in, and once your there you'll never get out lol.

If I'm not mistaken, the firepod comes with cubase LE, so you can experiment with that too. I'd say cubase is slight step up from garageband and will do a better job for you what you want to do.

The program you use to playback and record audio will also affect the sound of your recordings. Pro tools HD is know for its fantastic audio engine and the way it proccess's audio compared to other programs. Garage band's not ideal, so you might want to look at some other choices. It should do ya fine for now though.

Good luck dude!

Member
Since: Nov 10, 2005


Dec 06, 2005 11:22 pm

thanks man i really appreciate all of this soooo much. youve proabbly saved me loads of time buying and returning products to guitar center. Any reccomendations for a good step from garageband would be that would work on mac os X and help advance my knowledge in the DAW world and music production world. Although im only 15 my goal is to become a producer so i figured pro tools was the right thing to learn because it would come in handy but for my position can you suggest any other software?

Member
Since: Nov 10, 2005


Dec 06, 2005 11:30 pm

also one more thing, i was planning on getting the firepod because its basically a great way of recording more than 1 mic at once thats cheaper than most other solutions but heres my dillema. I wanted the firepod because i thought i might record drums with it in the future but that may not be for another 4 years from now (dont ask) so for now since the most im going to be doing is double mic'ing my acoustic guitar, doing vocals, and double mic'ing my guitar amp and possibly double mic'ing an upright piano should i just go with the firebox? its the same as firepod basically just with 2 mic/insturment inputs instead of 8, seem like a good idea? its kind of what im leaning towards now, advice though?

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Dec 06, 2005 11:34 pm

Double post lol.

No worries dude! I'm only 16 so we're sort of in the same boat. I'm going the engineer route myself. No stopping me!

Pro tools is definitely something you'll have to learn on the way to becoming a proffesional engineer/producer. IT IS the industry standard and nothings going to change that anytime soon. There are courses around (check on the digi site, they cost $$ tho'...)(But some are free! lol) that teach you the finer points of pro tools and will give you a nice little certificate at the end of it all. mIts pretty easy to jump into though, its a lot more logically laid out than other programs.

As for other programs, I like cubase, but no one else does : (. I would have to suggest something like Sonar 5 altho I've never actaully used it. Great reviews though!. Cubase SX 3 is fantastic, but you really have to try them out yourself. Saying that, its what your most comfortable with that will produce the best results. So buy something and get to know it ASAP!

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Dec 06, 2005 11:37 pm

4 years to record drums?! That sucks man... But yeah, the firepod is a good choice. Room to expand.

Member
Since: Nov 10, 2005


Dec 07, 2005 12:37 am

couldnt i daisy chain a firepod and a firebox together eventually since they are both firewire though? that would be amazingly convienent and awsome.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Dec 07, 2005 12:57 am

I don't actually know if you can.... I'll try and find out.

Why is it so conveneint though? Why not grab another firepod when your ready, boost it up to 16?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Dec 07, 2005 06:32 am

Typically, if using the ASIO driver spec, one can only simultaneously run the same model of sound device together. Not a hard and fast rule, but a guideline.

Also, C_S is WAY off base referring to ProTools LE is "crap", while I am personally not a big ProTools fan, a 32 track multitracking application that accepts plugins (granted only RTAS, but accepts them non the less) is FAR from crap and often more power than many people need. I know of AT LEAST two people here locally that use the Digi002 and Digi001 with PT LE and they record some amazing, sophisticated and very high quality music with mixes that rival any CD bought in any store.

Not to belittle C_S in any way, but it's very typical of young folks to consider anything that isn't "the best" as "crap" and that is simply not the case. There is a huge chasm between the best and crap filled with loads of gear. Many home recording artists don't need more than 10 or 12 tracks, they work just fine with bundled plugins and are perfectly happy with things like PT LE, Cubasis, Sonar Home Studio, Magix Music Maker and other such more "entry level" apps.

The biggest beef I have with PT is that it forces you to use their hardware and their standard of plugins by not conforming to the normal standard other apps follow...pretty much having a lot of the same business tactics that people constantly ***** about companies like Microsoft...

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Dec 08, 2005 03:13 pm

Quote:
ot to belittle C_S in any way, but it's very typical of young folks to consider anything that isn't "the best" as "crap" and that is simply not the case.


Its true. lmao.

I've been trying no to do that for ages now, guess I still do lol.

I'm back bitches!!!
Member
Since: May 27, 2004


Dec 20, 2005 12:08 pm

Gotta agree with DB. I know this band that produced a CD on a Digi001 that blows away anything in the metal scene from the past 10 years.

Member
Since: Oct 28, 2009


Oct 28, 2009 08:02 pm

HELP!
I want to move forward with my purchase of PT8 M-Pwrd.

I have less than $2k to work with, and I want a computer (Dell XPS 8000 Studio XPS 8000, Intel® Core™ i5-750 processor(8MB Cache, 2.66GHz), Pro tools 8 M-Powered software , Axiom 49 Advanced Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller, Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface with Preamps (I need to buy all this thru Dell website to take advantage of coupons, no interest, and credit).

The PT wesite is very confusing as to what is compliant/required to run all this properly…my head is about to explode. I just want to write original material at home on this rig by myself. I have questions about processors, video cards, audio cards, multi or single hard drive set ups…arggggh.. HELP!

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Oct 29, 2009 01:32 am

With less than $2000 to work with, I'd avoid Pro Tools altogether. Try Sonar, Cubase, Reaper, pretty much anything but Pro Tools or else you're going to paint yourself into a corner with your budget.

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