Digi 001 and Pro Tools

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Member Since: Jan 21, 2003

Hello,

I have the opportunity to buy the Digi 001 and pro tools by digidesign. I have friends saying yes yes yes, get this, as its a great system for home recording.

What do you guys think?.

Are there any other Digi 001 users out there wanting to give feedback on this system?.

Thank you in advance.

Scott

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Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 12:45 am

I personally don't like protools. First off, the price to get that system set up is outrageous. Secondly as far as I know it doesn't support VST or DX plugins, only the protools plug in. It doesn't play well with other apps. I know a lot of studios swear by protools but I personally don't see what good it is, unless you've got tons of cash to get it set up. I use Sonar and Cubase to record on with my analog mixer and detla 4/4 and I'm happy.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 05:06 am

If you go to ProTools you stuck with ProTools...and that can be a costly commitment. Personally I would pass and look into other options. Are they selling their Digi001 because they upgraded Windows? Last I looked Digi001 wouldn't work under anything past Windows 98...

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 05:58 am

Db- I think thaty's the case also, which is another reason why I avoid protools. I am usig WinXP and wouldn't want to downgrade my OS for a recording system

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 10:54 am

I'm using a Digi 001 with ProTools on Windows XP and it works great. There is definitely a cost commitment involved and these guys are right about the plug-ins being proprietary, but ProTools comes with a pretty good set of plug-ins that cover most all of my needs. I'm certainly not here to tell you that the other options are bad ways to go, but I absolutely love working with ProTools.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 11:01 am

I am just glad to hear they finally updated their product, they were the last major player to update to XP...

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 12:04 pm

It took them far too long to make that move for sure. Digidesign is pretty much centered around the Mac universe which is definitely somewhat of a thorn to me. However, they've really increased their efforts toward the PC market. They didn't really have any choice! They need some of us home studio people to get hooked on their products so that when we're ready to move up to a pro-level studio, we buy their highly overpriced TDM systems.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 08:12 pm

Oh cool, didn't know they upgraded at all.. that makes em look a little better in my eyes, but the cost is still too high for me to seriously consider them at this point, maybe one day when i own a real studio...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 09:41 pm

Pro-Tool's still not look good in my eye's. Used it, didn't like it, won't ever buy it. Not in this lifetime anyway.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Jan 22, 2003 10:58 pm

notice Noize that I said they looked a little better... and that I might consider using em when i get a real studio, which is never going to happen lol

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 11:01 am

Well, I guess I must be the only one on this forum who uses ProTools. That would make me a very lonely guy around here! I would be interested to hear what EXACTLY is everyone's problem with it. I've heard lots of "it's too expensive" and "I don't like it," but nobody ever seems to give any details beyond that. I more than realize that I could get the job done with a less expensive system, but I could also be getting my guitar tracks down on a $249 Guitar Center Sale acoustic. Does that mean that I wasted my money on my Taylor?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 11:11 am

Well, while I do see your point, I think you have an invalid analogy. Yes you could get a cheapy acoustic for less than a Taylor, but the cheapy will actually sound worse. When I am talking about ProTools as compared to anything else, I have never bashed ProTools, it can do anything I have ever needed, and it does it sounding good and does it quickly. My issue is that Vegas and Sonar also do everything I need, sound good doing and do it quickly, and they also play well with third-party plugins, any sound card you can throw at them AND they cost less.

So my issue has never been that one app can do things for me the other one can't, the issue is which app can get me the high-quality results I demand for the least money...and ProTools is surely not it.

If you use ProTools and you like it, that's great, I know a couple peeps that do, but I never will.

If you are looking at two guitars that sound the same, play the same and have the same features and such, and one is $1000 while the other $500 are you gonna buy the $1000 one? I doubt it...

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 11:27 am

I see your point and certainly cannot disagree. Perhaps it's my own lack of experience with the other apps/soundcards that brings me to my conclusions. Or it could just be that the people who I got my advice from had a different view. Those same people told me "not to buy anything made by Berhinger under any circumstances" and all of you guys here seem to be very happy with their stuff. I guess I've just always been one to think that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. And getting exactly the same quality, portability, scalability, usability and support from a product that costs less than half the price just didn't sound like it could possibly be all that it was cracked up to be. But then, maybe it is.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 11:57 am

A lot of folks say "don't Get Behringer" and "ProTools is the greatest" for one of two reasons, they have read how great it is without investigating the other options and just believe it, or, they need bragging rights and don't mind paying more to say "I run ProTools".

ProTools is a great product, I would be an idiot to say it't not, and you are very justified in liking it, if it is all you have ever used, then you are comfortable with it, and that's cool too.

A few years ago ProTools was the only game in town, in the last 4 or 5 years a few companies have really made huge steps and are viable competition, Steinberg is phenomenal stuff, Sonic Foundry is making HUGE steps, hell, Cakewalk has even become very competitive.

I have read many article from pro engineers that HATE the fact they HAVE to have ProTools to work with other shops and that they would rather just move completely to Nuendo systems from Steinberg.

It's all preference really, and I don't disrespect anyone for choosing what they choose, but I do disrespect people that insult or belittle products they have never tried or have opinions about that are based on ancient fact, it's really a dis-service to themselves to not embrace some of the great new stuff out there.

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 12:17 pm

I agree and I've heard some really good things about Nuendo as well. I'm trying to help a friend make some decisions about what gear to "upgrade" to. He's running ProTools now and loves it, but wants to be able to have 24 ins and outs. With ProTools, hell be forced to spend thousands. While I'm partial to ProTools, it really bothers me that it doesn't play ball with any other sound cards or I/O units. I'm definitely not of the mind that ProTools is the "end all be all" for project studios.

This whole thing has casued quite a stir between my friend and I since he's somewhat of a die-hard ProTools user and what I'm starting to think is that he should look to get away from ProTools. That is an opinion that has really been come to from conversing with all of you here on this forum.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 12:26 pm

Well, I have never been one to shy away from causing a stir :-) Bring your buddy over to the forum, we'll assimilate them, resistance is Futile :-)

With a product like Nuendo (which is quite cool) You need to buy Nuendo and a couple Delta 1010's which are about $700 each or so and he would have 20 ins and outs...Plus 1010's have ASIO drivers which are VERY high performance and Nuendo supports ASIO very, very well as do all Steinberg apps. Plus of course you get to grow with the less expensive (and often freeware) DirectX and VST plugins...

Tell 'em to put that in his pipe and smoke it! :-)

Surrender to the dark side, Luke!

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 12:32 pm

What about a MOTU 2408? He's got a really nice 32 channel digital mixing console with three ADAT cards in it. So all he really needs is three light-pipe ins to get what he needs.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 12:35 pm

I am not sure exactly what off the top of my head, but do know there are plenty of cards with light pipes available. And I also know that M-Audio and Echo Audio cards play very well together so you can have multiple cards that work together...

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 12:38 pm

I'll definitely pass that info on to him. I'm just not sure he's even willing to consider moving away from ProTools. Although, if he wants 24 ins and doesn't want to drop $8000, he'll have no choice!

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 09:46 pm

And just to be fair, I will say it isn't that I don't like Pro-Tools. It is just the simple fact, I cannot justify spending that kind of money for a system that is so propritary and so expensive. For that kind of money I can go buy 4 rack's full of synth's that I really want and get much more use out of them.

Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 23, 2003 10:00 pm

'Pro-Fools' - heheh, that's the old joke at my college.

Pro-Tools is great - we have a massive 24 channel Pro-Control surface which is one of the most beatiful pieces of equipment I have ever had the pleasure of using - but at over £25,000 it bloody well should be!

Pro Tools is great, Digi have been in the industry for a long time and have refined their product very well - once you pick up Pro-Tools it becomes VERY powerful. But then Digi latched onto this fact and thus started charging inordinate amounts for their systems. As a result, users of "Pro" Tools systems gain that demure of "I paid a fortune for my system so I must be S**t-Hot, hell, it even says "Pro" in the title!" It is these same people that will then look at a product range like Behringer's and say "Heheh, you have a B-U-Ringer, it's cheap and therefore it's crap, not like my PRO Tools rig, that was expensive and therefore it's great!"

People like that always make me laugh for some strange reason.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 12:02 am

I think I backed up why I have harsh feelings toward protools. I am not saying it's a bad system, no way at all. If you've got the cash to spend then it's all well and good, but for those of us on a budget it just isn't realistic.

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 08:28 am

whatever works for ya. i'm broke and poor and don't have a whole heck of a lot into my setup, but it works for me.

a couple months ago when Windoze was acting retarded and I couldn't get my PC to recognize any soundcards, I actually used my new mixer and two minidisc recorders to record and bounce tracks back and forth in layers to make a silly little guitar ditty. if i hadn't pushed the limits of my setup i'd surely have lost my mind that weekend

it's not about what you have, but what you do with what you have ;O) -j

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 10:24 am

great advice J

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 11:59 am

Well, I think at the end of the day, it's the proprietary nature if Digidesign's products that is their big shortcoming and not necessarily the cost. To get up and running with Sonar 2 and a Delta 44, you would be in for $629 plus tax vs. $799 for a Digi 001 (Musician's Friend). With the Delta 44, you only have 4 ins, but with the 001 you have 18. I think the extra $170 is probably worth it for 14 additional inputs plus the phantom power, mic pres, etc. that you get with an 001. Plus, if you use the Delta 44, you pretty much have to have a mixer with some mic pres which will cost you a few bucks as well.

While I agree that there are cheaper solutions than ProTools that will get the job done, I also think that there's a bit of a misconception about the cost involved. For $449 you can get an M-Box, have more control of your inputs than with a Delta 44 and get the software. You'd spend $180 less and have basically the same thing. I know that you'd also be stuck in the proprietary ProTools world, but believe me... it's not so bad.

Maybe it's time everyone takes another look at what Digidesign is offering and not just toss them out of the car by default?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 12:20 pm

fair point...but also consider the cost of their proprietary plugins...

And actually, it seems to me the ProTools crowd is much more quilty of throwing everything else out the window than the other way around...I have given ProTools an honest try a couple times...just doesn't do it for me...

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 12:25 pm

I certainly can't argue that. Most ProTools users do seem to have some sort of complex about it. And you're right about the cost of the plug-ins, but ProTools does come with a pretty healthy pile of them that cover most every need.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 12:48 pm

That's cool then, ProTools may be just the ticket for you. For my uses I get a better value elsewhere, everyone is different...

We still like ya, and you are still welcomed here ;-)

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 01:37 pm

Right on. I just hope after all of this debate, Rayman7275 got some insight and I'm sure he'll have plenty to think about now! And believe me Rayman7275, even if you do go with a ProTools system, these guys are still VERY helpful with questions about recording techniques. Good luch with your decision.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 02:27 pm

Ya, actually, this would up being one of the more interesting threads in a long time...and actually stayed civil...WOW...

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 04:31 pm

Hey, nothing like a good debate to bring out all of the points to a certain question. And I am always civil when it comes to this sort of thing. I found out years ago that when I got really heated about something, it was pretty embarassing when it turned out in the end that my mind had been changed! This one has definitely been a pleasure.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 04:58 pm

Dude, something crossed my mind on the bus on the way home from work today...before you buy the Digi001, be sure you know what version of proTools comes with it.

As I recall a buddy of mine that got the Digi001 a couple years ago said it was a very light version, couldn't use any plugins (which you said didn't matter to you anyway) and only allowed like 8 tracks of audio or something like that...

I might be wrong here, but I just wanted to warn you to check that...

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Jan 24, 2003 06:09 pm

Good point, but not to worry. I think they used to use a slightly beefed up version of "ProTools Free". That version only allows 8 channels and VERY limited plug-ins. Now, they give you "ProTools LE" which is much better. You are limited to 24 channels which bugs me a bit, but I've only encountered the limitation once since I've been using it. And now there are quite a few good plug-ins that come with it. I don't even know why they ever put that free version out. It made me more frustrated than anything else!

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Feb 24, 2003 12:39 am

Hi there, has any of you Digi001 Protools users tried the Updated ASIO driver for Protools? which lets you use your Digi hardware with other software eg. Cubase.

Hoping someone has good things to say about its performance with other software.

Thanks

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Feb 24, 2003 12:44 am

Oh I forgot to mention that you don't even need to install protools to use it.

Maniacal Genius
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Feb 24, 2003 01:08 pm

I haven't tried that yet, but I plan to do so pretty quick. It's about time that Digidesign starts to play nice with the competition!

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Feb 24, 2003 01:26 pm

Please let us know how it goes

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