Hey Pristineb,
I run my commercial studio on LE, through geared primarily as a 'tracking' space, little to no mixing with it, but will give you my thoughts on your questions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pristineb  - I have limited "import session data" - this is handy for my mixing. What can and can't I do? |
It CAN import ALL the settings you could select in HD, sadly it CAN'T NOT bring excluded session data, it brings in ALL the info, including audio tracks from a session. You can choose to NOT import tempo/key signature changes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pristineb - I don't get ADC (ATA makes this possible!!) - Sounds like a good option. |
Correct, though ATA is not as automatic as ADC, it requires a change in workflow, but once you have it down it will become part of your new workflow, but it does impede creativity somewhat as it isn't truly 'automatic'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pristineb - limited track count (but it's 128 with the new LE... not bad).. I can probably deal with this... bounce a few things for MASSIVE sessions. |
Firstly, you need to realize that that 128 track count option is almost $2000 ONTO of of your LE Dongle and software... PLUS if you use higher sampling rates, say 96kHz you will only get 96 MONO or 48 STEREO tracks, the equivalent of an HD-2 rig.
Even the MPTK option states 64 tracks, but will only allow 48 Tracks (MONO or STEREO) at 96kHz.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pristineb - Latency - how bad is it? Can a fast computer make it unnoticeable? |
Um, what latency? Tracking? Mixing? I think for tracking it is almost unnoticeable, at 128 samples I think the math works out in the real world you hearing another band member from 3 feet away, for most stuff this is more than acceptable for me and the artists... the 002/003 have a 'low latency' mode that allows nominal latency, I think on par to HD, BUT it will bypass any sends/inserts on any record enabled track.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pristineb BIG QUESTION...
I want enough I/O to handle at least 8 channels from a summing mixer and at least another 8 channels of I/O for outboard EQ, Compression, FX. Is this possible with external converters... I'm unwilling to use the Digi converters. What's the max. # of I/O I can have with external converters???? |
Yes, on a 002/003 you can get up to 10 digital i/o's, 8 over ADAT (but as with all Digi devices it caps out at 48kHz) and 2 over SPDIF up to 96kHz.
If you got the M-Audio 'M-Powered' route you can get up to 18 i/o's over the Profire Lightbridge. It is SMUX compliant, so up to 96kHz... might be a better option for you at those sample rates.
Other things to consider... LE or M-Powered DOESN'T support TDM architecture so you are limited to to RTAS, but a BIG plus is that unlike TDM you won't use up extra voices if you insert RTAS after RTAS and your limitations will be how fast your DAW is... Native can provide AMAZING results in this respect.
With ATA you can use external cards like the UAD from Universal Audio to add additional plugins in lieu of not having TDM plugs, and many of these I prefer over TDM plugs.
Those are off the top of my head... personal experience has shown me that I do miss features of HD when I go from TDM to LE, but been with LE long enough to adopt different approach to working with it's limitations and it suits my needs.
That said if my client base demanded HD and it would pay for itself then I'd move to HD, currently it doesn't and while I could afford to make the jump, it would hinder me acquiring more outboard, mics, pres etc and those to me hold value better than an HD rig, so from a business stand point I feel it better for me fiscally and responsible (if one can be being in this game).
I hope that helps.
Cheers
Matt