I'm releasing the Digidesign handcuffs once and for all - help needed

[frank lyon]

Hi Gentlemen.

I was running a 002 with PTLE 7.1

I have decided to close up the small project studio and bring things back in house and start to have fun with music again.


Anywhoo, I sold my PT computer, and I am selling my 002 console ($875 - hope I get it, lol)

I am buying this computer:

Micro Center Online - the center of .computer shopping


<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" bordercolor="#ececec" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr align="left" valign="top"><td class="table" valign="middle">
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Processor
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4400+ for TRUE Multi-Tasking
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Processor Speed
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2.3GHz
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Level 2 Cache
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2 x 512KB Level 2 Cache
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Data Bus Speed
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2000MHz HyperTransport System Speed
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2048MB PC-5300 DDR2 RAM (Expandable to 4GB)
</td></tr></tbody></table>

I will install one of these to run dual monitors:






Now the questions/issues:

I would like to install an INTERNAL soundcard, like the Audiophile 192 and run Sony ACID and an older version of emagic logic (which I love).

I plan on un-installing Vista and installing XP.


I guess I didn't have any questions after all. Can someone tell me if I'm being a moron in my decision making process?


Should I forget about the Audiophile 192 and grab a Mbox Mini? I hate the idea of compatibility issues with the new computer, and I do want to get away from Digidesign (because I can). Also I feel like the old version of Logic is great. I guess I'm babbling.

[Slaytex]

RME makes the 96/32 card which is very cool and internal. It's also expandable and rock solid.
RME Hammerfall DSP 9632 | Sweetwater.com

[BouncyJones]

Any chance you'd care to elaborate as to why you think the older version of Logic is great? I use Logic Pro 7.2 and can't help but be curious as to know what was "better" about the older version.

[frank lyon]

Originally Posted by Slaytex

RME makes the 96/32 card which is very cool and internal. It's also expandable and rock solid.
RME Hammerfall DSP 9632 | Sweetwater.com

That looks to be a nice piece. Upon further research, I will probably go for the Delta 1010LT. I do want to keep the cost of the computer, sound card and graphics card at $1000.

[frank lyon]

Originally Posted by BouncyJones

Any chance you'd care to elaborate as to why you think the older version of Logic is great? I use Logic Pro 7.2 and can't help but be curious as to know what was "better" about the older version.

I wouldn't say that is is "Better" than Logic 7.x. I don't have much seat time with Logic 7.x.

I did a couple of projects on Logic 4.8, and I loved it.

I certainly think that Emagic logic 5.5 is as good as PTLE plus you're not tied to a particular hardware interface.

[sphykik]

hey, just to let you know, you will probably not be able to install xp back on to the machine. you can technically install it, but since the shipped drivers are for vista, you will not be able to install them on xp. also, if you check the driver downloads on hp's website, not xp drivers are available. Since you are using a new video card and sound card, you could get those things working, but you would very likely have trouble with onboard devices, like the ethernet and usb ports.

i work at a pc repair shop, and we have this problem all the time. people buy a new pc, hate vista, but then can't go back to xp....

hope that helps

[manning1]

frank...
if u wish freedom from dongles etc etc, and a wealth of audio and midi tracking options for under 100 buks total,
check out the two daw software in my sig. (cockos.com and pgmusic.com
for demos and more user references etc etc. also if u want to have fun..try
the demo of pg's band in a box sometime. great for getting song ideas.
it has a huge installed base of users. too much to list.so try the demo.
many pg users use the delta sound card with success.)

u made no mention of hard drives.
i suggest two 7200 rpm 16mb cache hard drives.
(seagate have the perpendicular drives. for cheap check out wd se16's also.)

by the way.dunno if your budget stretches ..but acer have a quad processor
6600 pc they just brought out for 900 buks. (one drive.so add a second.)
i have their dual and am v happy.

welcome to freedom.

[backplay]

Originally Posted by frank lyon

Hi Gentlemen.

I was running a 002 with PTLE 7.1

I have decided to close up the small project studio and bring things back in house and start to have fun with music again.


Anywhoo, I sold my PT computer, and I am selling my 002 console ($875 - hope I get it, lol)

I am buying this computer:

Micro Center Online - the center of .computer shopping


<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" bordercolor="#ececec" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr align="left" valign="top"><td class="table" valign="middle">
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Processor
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4400+ for TRUE Multi-Tasking
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Processor Speed
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2.3GHz
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Level 2 Cache
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2 x 512KB Level 2 Cache
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> Data Bus Speed
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2000MHz HyperTransport System Speed
</td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="top"> <td class="table" bgcolor="#cbddec" valign="top" width="180"> RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported
</td> <td class="table" valign="middle"> 2048MB PC-5300 DDR2 RAM (Expandable to 4GB)
</td></tr></tbody></table>

I will install one of these to run dual monitors:






Now the questions/issues:

I would like to install an INTERNAL soundcard, like the Audiophile 192 and run Sony ACID and an older version of emagic logic (which I love).

I plan on un-installing Vista and installing XP.


I guess I didn't have any questions after all. Can someone tell me if I'm being a moron in my decision making process?


Should I forget about the Audiophile 192 and grab a Mbox Mini? I hate the idea of compatibility issues with the new computer, and I do want to get away from Digidesign (because I can). Also I feel like the old version of Logic is great. I guess I'm babbling.

Sorry to say, but for $150 - $200 more you can have 5 times the power of this PC.

Just build a system around Q6600 CPU, and a P5B or P5K Mobo and you will be set for the next years to come!

And NEVER EVER take a video card with a fan! Just take one with silent cooling.

[mOjO FET]

Check the manufacturer of your components (mainboard, graphic cards etc.) and check on their websites whether they have XP drivers available.

They should.

I keep hearing that there are no more XP drivers available from some manufacturers anymore but that's just marketing IMO.


If you want to use your computer only for audio/music you don't need a high powered graphics card. One for 50-60 bucks will also do.


And yes the intel quadcores are right now the sh*t, although AMD is releasing it's quadcores in october the intels are right now the most power for the price.

Michael

[t56tr]

This is just my experience with the Audiophile192 (also note I am a digi fan).

I built a pc a while ago using approved parts from the digidesign website (motherboard, processor, vid card etc etc). My mission was to have a little PT rig for song writing/pre production etc.

Originally, I got an Mbox2/7.1 to use with it which worked really well. There was however the slightest bit of latency while double tracking or over dubbing bass etc(which was to be expected). I blamed this on the USB connection that mbox2 uses.

After a month or two I got the gealslutitis and decidid that the Mbox2 with its USB connection had to go. I wanted something that would go right in the PCI buss with a couple of ins and outs thinking it would solve some of the USB latency issues.

Along comes the Audiophile192 and the ProtoolsM.

Dont know what went wrong, or if I had a bunk 192, but the mbox2 performed better when it came to multi-tracking/over dubbing etc. The 192 sounding great while playing back a CD or recording/playing a single track in PT, but when it came to trying to multitrack, things got weird (24/44.1). It seemed harder to get things tight (while playing, not editing), it had the same amount or even a bit more latency, and things would start to seem washed out/phasey when stacking tracks. Dont get me wrong, you can use it and make it work, it just seems like it takes more effort and the results are not quite as good. After playing with every setting I could and searching every forum I could for answers, I sold both of them. So much for the $89 dollar sound card dream......

I do not know if the card was bad (which I doubt because it worked perfectly for everything else), or if I missed a setting somewhere in the PC or in PT (which I doubt), or if the mpowered didnt like the 192, but the sound quality reeked of cheepness.

Also, a couple years earlier I had a 24/96 audiophile with some cakewalk software. It had similar multitracking issues but at that time I wrote it off to the outdated PC I had it running on. I did however think that the AD/DA of the 24/96 sounded as good or a bit better (warmer perhaps) then the audiophile 192 (in 24/44.1).

After the 192 and mpowered I got the "itis" again and decided that it was time to start trying to demo the whole band. I picked up an 003 rack. WOW. I know the 003 is considered a POS around here but what a difference in sound quality over the mbox2 and especially the m audio cards. Multi-tracking and stacking have a pro sound to them and things seem to have a depth etc that wasnt there before. I can only imagine what it must be like to step up to some high end converters etc.

This is just my 2 cents. I know someone will chime in telling how they duplicated Dark Side of the Moon perfectly with nothng but the Audiophile192 and a beat up old PC, but it didnt happen for me.

Anyway, another cup of coffee is calling me hope that helped a little.....

[Old Goat]

I've had trouble with M-Audio drivers not playing nice with the other kids, both in the old puter and in my new one. So far, no probs with E-MU and SONAR...

[rodreb]

Yes! SONAR!!

[OafyC]

You should go for this deal instead Acer AST180 Desktop PC (Athlon X2 4000+, 1GB, Vista Premium) for $230 or less at Circuit City on week of 8/12 - YMMV

[frank lyon]

Thanks for all of the comments Gentlemen. I got the PC, a battery back up and a 256 graphics card for $750. Gotta love Tax Free Weekend in MA!


The gentleman who spoke about the XP driver issue hit the nail on the head. I was told the same thing by the fairly well informed salesman at MicroCenter.


So alas, I am stepping even further into the unknown.... I will be running a DAW on Vista!


I loaded a copy of Sony ACID and it's working perfectly.

Regarding soundcards, I may have an issue until M-Audio releases a Vista driver for their products. After further review, I noticed I could get the Delta 1010lt for basically the same price ($199) so I may do that.

Thanks again,

frank

[George Necola]

So alas, I am stepping even further into the unknown.... I will be running a DAW on Vista!

tell us from the next 7 years in the desert, without a small piece of working code

[George Necola]

me again..

you are releasing your digi-handcofs and run straight into bill gates arms?



nerdjoke for ya and please sign here:











don't forget to buy an iphone..

[frank lyon]

Originally Posted by George Necola

me again..

you are releasing your digi-handcofs and run straight into bill gates arms?



nerdjoke for ya and please sign here:











don't forget to buy an iphone..

lolz


Hopefully the nice folks at M-Audio will release a Vista driver for the 1010LT soon.


Otherwise I'll have to light their building on fire like Milton in Office Space.