What HD audio system for non-commercial studio?

recky · 2nd October 2005

I'm planning to soon ditch my MOTU 2408 MkII, which has served me well over the years, but I'd like to upgrade my studio in terms of audio quality. Looking at what's available, however, better alternatives seem surprisingly few and far between.

My studio is a non-commercial project facility, so I don't need the "Pro Tools" plaque outside the studio door to impress clients or record company types. I do want 16 channels of good quality I/O, though, mainly for use as a surrogate "tape machine". So I'm thinking that there may be other audio interfaces or interface/converter combos which will be just as good as Pro Tools HD (or better), but without the price tag. A naive idea? I'm even sort of toying with the idea of getting a 16-track reel-to-reel..... if it weren't for the high maintenance costs and efforts. If Pro Tools is indeed the best system for me, then so be it, but maybe there are alternatives?

Or would you recommend holding on to the 2408 and adding just converters???

I really don't know which way to go - any ideas?

Thanks,

Recky

Jonathan Starr · 3rd October 2005

I went through a similar decision process a while back, and an old friend in the commercial industry convinced me to go PT HD Accel. His convincing argument was that he could help me out with advise if I ever got stuck.

Interestingly enough, I haven't got stuck yet and my favorite feature of ProTools are that it is very easy to set up and configure; if you get the recommended stuff there are no compatibility issues; and it is very simple to use. There are only 2 major screens, and with 2 monitors virtually everything is always right out there in your face. It's very intuitive.

My friends with native systems often spend a lot of time getting beyond compatability problems, and when they upgrade software or hardware it requires major headscratching.

Digidesign is a marketing monster in that they find lots of ways to extract dollars from you once you buy in. They are as bad as Harley Davidson in that regard.

But like a late model Hardly Dangerous, their machines work really well, they put you into a cool and elite crowd and, they are actually easy to ride once you're aboard.

(Disclaimer: I ride BMWs these days, but I miss my old Electro Glide)

nek · 3rd October 2005

Check this post out if you haven't already:

MOTU 192HD

Other options:

1. Better converter (a lot of posts on that here) setup to the digital I/O (what do you have on your interface?)

2. buy a Big Ben

I have a Apogee Rosetta 200 that I am VERY, VERY happy with!

Ziggy!! · 3rd October 2005

How about a soundscape system?

bobbito · 3rd October 2005

Yes! I'm a big fan of Sydec's Soundscape. The biggest benefit Digidesign has over Soundscape or, say, Pyramix, is market saturation. There's a huge user base, huge answer base and for the most part, everything works and is of acceptable quality. If I was in your position, I would look into the Soundscape. If nothing else, you'd be learning a program that not too many of your peers are farmiliar with.

Personally, I couldn't do a tape machine. I'm very much a digital guy and as much as I liek the sound of tape, I like the convenience of digital more.

2nd October 2005	#1
recky Gear addict Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Eifel, Germany Posts: 360 Thread Starter	What HD audio system for non-commercial studio? I'm planning to soon ditch my MOTU 2408 MkII, which has served me well over the years, but I'd like to upgrade my studio in terms of audio quality. Looking at what's available, however, better alternatives seem surprisingly few and far between. My studio is a non-commercial project facility, so I don't need the "Pro Tools" plaque outside the studio door to impress clients or record company types. I do want 16 channels of good quality I/O, though, mainly for use as a surrogate "tape machine". So I'm thinking that there may be other audio interfaces or interface/converter combos which will be just as good as Pro Tools HD (or better), but without the price tag. A naive idea? I'm even sort of toying with the idea of getting a 16-track reel-to-reel..... if it weren't for the high maintenance costs and efforts. If Pro Tools is indeed the best system for me, then so be it, but maybe there are alternatives? Or would you recommend holding on to the 2408 and adding just converters??? I really don't know which way to go - any ideas? Thanks, Recky

3rd October 2005	#2
Jonathan Starr Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Wailuku, Maui, Hi Posts: 1,048	I went through a similar decision process a while back, and an old friend in the commercial industry convinced me to go PT HD Accel. His convincing argument was that he could help me out with advise if I ever got stuck. Interestingly enough, I haven't got stuck yet and my favorite feature of ProTools are that it is very easy to set up and configure; if you get the recommended stuff there are no compatibility issues; and it is very simple to use. There are only 2 major screens, and with 2 monitors virtually everything is always right out there in your face. It's very intuitive. My friends with native systems often spend a lot of time getting beyond compatability problems, and when they upgrade software or hardware it requires major headscratching. Digidesign is a marketing monster in that they find lots of ways to extract dollars from you once you buy in. They are as bad as Harley Davidson in that regard. But like a late model Hardly Dangerous, their machines work really well, they put you into a cool and elite crowd and, they are actually easy to ride once you're aboard. (Disclaimer: I ride BMWs these days, but I miss my old Electro Glide) __________________ Aloha, Jonathan Starr Big Gorilla Sound Twixt reef & jungle Wailuku, Maui

3rd October 2005	#3
nek Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Music City Posts: 188	Check this post out if you haven't already: MOTU 192HD Other options: 1. Better converter (a lot of posts on that here) setup to the digital I/O (what do you have on your interface?) 2. buy a Big Ben I have a Apogee Rosetta 200 that I am VERY, VERY happy with! __________________ Nicholas

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3rd October 2005	#4
Ziggy!! Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,319	How about a soundscape system?

3rd October 2005	#5
bobbito Gear interested Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 9	Yes! I'm a big fan of Sydec's Soundscape. The biggest benefit Digidesign has over Soundscape or, say, Pyramix, is market saturation. There's a huge user base, huge answer base and for the most part, everything works and is of acceptable quality. If I was in your position, I would look into the Soundscape. If nothing else, you'd be learning a program that not too many of your peers are farmiliar with. Personally, I couldn't do a tape machine. I'm very much a digital guy and as much as I liek the sound of tape, I like the convenience of digital more.