Recommend me a Mac for Pro Tools

Maccattack

Are any of you Mac users running Pro Tools?

I will be buying a system in the next few months and would like some advice as to which is the best Mac to go for.

Can anybody help guide me here?

unclebill98

hi,

I am using a Powerbook g4, 1GHZ with 2gb of mem. Also, Digi002r. I use an external fire wire hd.

I get a track count of the full 32, with 96s/r.

I mainly use it at 48s/r. I've had no problems with latency. I admit you would not get too many plugins running also, mainly 5/6 reverbs, lots of eq and comp and it just grinds to a halt.

I have used lesser powerbooks to great extent and no issues with them either. I have also used the dual 2ghz G5, and again I could get the full whack from Protools LE.

So anyho....the new intel macs I would assume would not have any issue with running ProTools....with full track count of up to 48 with the production add on.

Are you using LE or TDM?
What system are you looking at, DIGI002/3 or MBox or TDM?
what sort of stuff are you recording?
How many things do you need to record in at once or is just the mac end of it your looking for info on???

I seen the new DIGI003R, not much of a diff between that and the old 002R. An extra headphone sockets and a nice new colour and thats about it!!! The 003 looks very diff, but never really played with one, So you might get a cheaper 002???

Anyhow...i'm ranting.

Urban Weigl

Since Pro Tools is now a universal binary, it will run really great on any Mac out there at the moment. If you need portability, personally I'd go either for the MacBook or the MacBook Pro.

If I were you, I'd head over to Apple's online store at www.apple.com/iestore

They also have a refurb store there, where you can get a significant discount.

Maccattack

Thanks for the replies. At the moment im not running anything at all.

Im trying to work out which is the best system for me.

I will need to record a full band set up as well as on my own. eight inputs would be enough but the ProjectMix I/O looks very interesting. however from what i can tell is only compatable with PT M powered. and im still unsure of what the differences are...

I like the idea of a laptop for portability (plus the possibility of getting one cheap in the US!) but TBH I probably wont be using it 'on the go' all that much.

Basically it has to be powerful enough to hadle all the apps and maybe offer expandability.

unclebill98

I'm not sure what the differance with le and lem is.

Would think the the Mpowered one can expand as much or something like that. Well to record the whole banc you would need 8pres at least. The pres on the 002 are not up to much so added something like the Focusrite octpre or maudios octane would be a must. At least with that you up to 12pre with 16 ins in total. Which would cover most tasks.

I've recorded live with my setup. Its very handy, one flight case and the laptop sitting on top. But depends on the engineer, would not say many venues would like you turning up looking for 16outs to hook into.

As longs as you pre has lightpipe its would be expandable to a point. A world clock would be handy to. Also make sure that you pres dont limit the sample rate, think the most you can get via light pipe is 48k anyho.

The project mix looks good, alot cheaper than the new digi003.

as for the cheap laptop atleast you can then spend on other things...

440Hz

Ive used PT on G4's, Mac Pros and an MBP. If you are just concerned with what mac as opposed to what overall system then the main question is what's the budget? Obviously with any audio, the faster the better is a good general place to start, but funds will always be the constraint when choosing what to go for.

Id imagine if you are forking out for PT you wont have too much spare cash hanging around

cornbb

The only bit of advice I can really add to whats been said already is that Pro Tools is probably not your only option - you could use something like Logic or Cubase. Also, using one of these would not confine you to using Digidesign/M-audio hardware.

What I'm getting at is, you could save a substantial amount of money without sacrificing quality (IMO) thus allowing you to spend more on a shiny new mac...

440Hz

cornbb wrote:

shiny new mac...

:drools:

oh. and I concur

AlanD

cornbb wrote: »

The only bit of advice I can really add to whats been said already is that Pro Tools is probably not your only option - you could use something like Logic or Cubase. Also, using one of these would not confine you to using Digidesign/M-audio hardware.

What I'm getting at is, you could save a substantial amount of money without sacrificing quality (IMO) thus allowing you to spend more on a shiny new mac...

will Pro Tools only work with digidesign/m-audio hardware?

And, in terms of ease of use, which is easier, Pro Tools or Logic?

And, any idea when Pro Tools will be Leopard compatible?

jtsuited

consider Logic. The new one is mind-blowingly good.

440Hz

Yeah the new Logic Studio is a fine piece of work indeed.

unclebill98

AlanD wrote: »

will Pro Tools only work with digidesign/m-audio hardware?

And, in terms of ease of use, which is easier, Pro Tools or Logic?

And, any idea when Pro Tools will be Leopard compatible?

Yes you must have PT/M Audio hardware. It must also be connected for PT ro run.

check here for the latest news on compatibilty.

http://digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=54&itemid=23954

Having used both PT and Logic, PT is easier, but you get more with Logic.

ZENER

440Hz wrote: »

Yeah the new Logic Studio is a fine piece of work indeed.

Up until the version of Soundtrack that comes with Logic 8 I was stuck using a Windows box and Adobe Audition/Cool Edit. The new Logic is the business ok, starting to use Logic itself now for some projects and the functionality/ease of use is great.

ZEN

jtsuited

also using garageband is a great way to learn logic. it's like Logic-dummies edition. And it takes about 10 minutes to master!

then on to logic and away you go!!

440Hz

:eek:

I think I'd have to disagree there jsuited, sorry. Firstly IMHO Garageband is terrible for anyone who wants to use "proper" audio software. Ok, I know they have started to make it fit in with more generic audio UIs and things, but still, I just dont like it much. As for it being an easy stepping stone to Logic hmmmmm. I know trained audio producers that find it tough to get their heads around everything old Logic had to offer, its certainly not an easy application to find your way with.

The new Logic studio is a huge improvement, and is an excellent tool, but to use it properly, you will still have a decent learning curve, esp if you are coming from something like Garageband. I started off on PT, then used DP, so adjusting to Logic wasn't too bad. But I know plenty of people who have found Logic to be very difficult to adjust to.

The intergration between GB and Logic might be what you are on about jsuited, and yeah I certainly agree that is handy. The project files from GB can be seamlessly imported into Logic, so if you work on something in GB and are used to the UI there, you can certainly import that into Logic and try and get your head around the interface there, but the similarities end there in my opinion.

AlanD

this is interesting. A friend of mine told me that Pro Tools was the way to go in terms of usability etc, and if your were something like a sound engineer, Logic was the way to go. He may have been talking about pre Logic 8 days.

The PT/digidesign limitation is a complete pain. It's like you need to buy a dongle in the shape of an audio interface for it to work which I don't like. Where's the competition? So I think I'll let the competition do the job for me.

Currently I use Garageband and find it easy enough to use but even as a recording novice I can see how simple and short of functionality it actually is. A step up to Logic may be in order soon although it's quite expensive.

Trev M

I run Protools and Logic on my MBP . Pro Tools runs fine but Id strongly strongly urge you to consider logic 8 , its simply immense....you are not tied to hardware like digi design and the in buit suite of plug ins is amazing.

440Hz

Dont rule out DP (Digital Performer)

jtsuited

440Hz wrote: »

:eek:

I think I'd have to disagree there jsuited, sorry. Firstly IMHO Garageband is terrible for anyone who wants to use "proper" audio software. Ok, I know they have started to make it fit in with more generic audio UIs and things, but still, I just dont like it much. As for it being an easy stepping stone to Logic hmmmmm. QUOTE]


i've taught two people in the last month how to use Logic (complete n00bs). i just said to one of them one night to try out garageband, and by the next week he was flying in logic.
There are many similarities in the basics of logic and garageband (the newest version) ie. setting tracks up to record, editing (almost identical), automation (admittedly a lot simpler in garageband), playback and the cycle mode.

If someone can complete a track in garageband including loops, cutting, automation, effects etc., they can easily use Logic. I've seen it for myself.

Garageband is hugely overlooked because of it's cheesy childish UI, but messing around with it lately I've noticed that it's a great introduction to the likes of Logic.
Even it's summing mixer isn't as bad as some of the more 'professional' sequencers out there.

The audio engine doesn't differ that much from Logic pro 8 according to the apple engineers. I'm fairly extensively experienced in pro tools, ableton, logic, sonar and cubase, and i really think that garageband is a great tool for someone getting into music production.
And you really do get embarassingly good quality from it.

condra

I would reccommend a Minimac.

Yes I'm serious.

Good luck with your decision. Let us know how you get on.