Logic user wants to switch to PT for tracking-- please help!

[vtone]

I'm not sure who to ask-- I really don't want the advice of a salesman (ie sweetwater). All the information I've read online is a little unclear to me.

I'm a Logic user who would like to switch to PT for tracking and comping. However I'm not sure what would be best for my setup. I currently use firewire inputs exclusively-- a Metric Halo ULN-2 and an Echo Audiofire12 for a total of 14 analog inputs.

Would a Digi 003 rackmount work with this setup? Would I be able to record 14 analog inputs with an 003?

I'm kind of lost as to which type of PT I should be checking out. Please nudge me in the right direction!

Thanks in advance.

[Jayro_Rockola]

Originally Posted by vtone

Would a Digi 003 rackmount work with this setup? Would I be able to record 14 analog inputs with an 003?

That would get you halfway there. Out of the box you'd get 8 analog inputs, four with preamps, and adat and spdif inputs that can bump you up to a max of 18 simultanious inputs. To utilize these digital inputs you would need to get an additional adat and/or spdif interfaces.
At our place we have an RME ADI-8 for adat inputs and an Apogee mini-me for spdif.

Hope this helps!

[vtone]

Originally Posted by Jayro_Rockola

That would get you halfway there. Out of the box you'd get 8 analog inputs, four with preamps, and adat and spdif inputs that can bump you up to a max of 18 simultanious inputs. To utilize these digital inputs you would need to get an additional adat and/or spdif interfaces.
At our place we have an RME ADI-8 for adat inputs and an Apogee mini-me for spdif.

Hope this helps!

Jayro, thanks so much for your response!

Am I correct in assuming that Pro Tools won't recognize the Metric Halo ULN-2 or the Echo Audiofire12? Just wondering if I should keep them or not...

I've got lots of preamps that I like and a Cranesong Hedd for SPDIF. Would I be able to utilize all 8 analog inputs plus SPDIF for a total of 10 inputs? I record demos at home and that's all the simultaneous inputs I would need.

The RME interface looks really great-- I'm just trying to avoid buying any additional gear if possible.

[MiserableSod]

Originally Posted by vtone

I'm a Logic user who would like to switch to PT for tracking and comping.

Why?

[vtone]

Originally Posted by MiserableSod

Why?

For digital audio, it's just a preference, really.

I like the ease of use for tracking, comping, and Beat Detective.

But I prefer Logic for everything else!

[Ashermusic]

Originally Posted by vtone

Jayro, thanks so much for your response!

Am I correct in assuming that Pro Tools won't recognize the Metric Halo ULN-2 or the Echo Audiofire12? Just wondering if I should keep them or not...

I've got lots of preamps that I like and a Cranesong Hedd for SPDIF. Would I be able to utilize all 8 analog inputs plus SPDIF for a total of 10 inputs? I record demos at home and that's all the simultaneous inputs I would need.

The RME interface looks really great-- I'm just trying to avoid buying any additional gear if possible.

PT LE ONLY works with Digi hardware. PT M-Powered ONLY works with M-audio hardware.

On the other hand both the Metric Halo and the Audiofire sound better than comparably priced Digi or M-audio hardware so keep one for Logic and sell the other and buy a Digi or M-audio for either PT LE or PT M-Powered.

[vtone]

Originally Posted by Ashermusic

PT LE ONLY works with Digi hardware. PT M-Powered ONLY works with M-audio hardware.

On the other hand both the Metric Halo and the Audiofire sound better than comparably priced Digi or M-audio hardware so keep one for Logic and sell the other and buy a Digi or M-audio for either PT LE or PT M-Powered.

Damn I should have known Digi would have such a stranglehold on the hardware market. It's too bad because there's so many great units in the 003 price range.

That's good advice, thanks for sharing that. I'll probably sell the Metric Halo, unfortunately, since I need the Audiofire's i/o for mixing with Logic. For my needs, I'll most likely end up with an 003R and Music Production Toolkit.

Thanks for steering me in the right direction!

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by Ashermusic

PT LE ONLY works with Digi hardware. PT M-Powered ONLY works with M-audio hardware.

On the other hand both the Metric Halo and the Audiofire sound better than comparably priced Digi or M-audio hardware so keep one for Logic and sell the other and buy a Digi or M-audio for either PT LE or PT M-Powered.

With the Lightbridge you can use any ADAT ready converter you want with protools, which is about any converter worth using. You can also keep the same setup with Logic as well.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by vtone

I'm not sure who to ask-- I really don't want the advice of a salesman (ie sweetwater). All the information I've read online is a little unclear to me.

I'm a Logic user who would like to switch to PT for tracking and comping. However I'm not sure what would be best for my setup. I currently use firewire inputs exclusively-- a Metric Halo ULN-2 and an Echo Audiofire12 for a total of 14 analog inputs.

Would a Digi 003 rackmount work with this setup? Would I be able to record 14 analog inputs with an 003?

I'm kind of lost as to which type of PT I should be checking out. Please nudge me in the right direction!

Thanks in advance.

What version of Logic are you currently using?

You can use a Digi 003 with Logic flawlessly, but a buffer of 64 is as low as you can go.

See my note above about the Lightbridge via Protools Mpowered.

I get beat detective, but tracking in Logic 8 (Not 7 for me) is as easy as Protools.

It is much easier to start in Logic and go to Protools, than start in Protools and go to Logic. To go from Logic to Protools it's as simple as export all tracks as audio and drag into Protools. To go from Protools to Logic, you need to buy DigiTranslator, and it's not cheap. There are other very tedious ways, but not worth it to me.

When comparing, most people find editing and mixing better in Protools, not necessarily tracking.

[Ashermusic]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

With the Lightbridge you can use any ADAT ready converter you want with protools, which is about any converter worth using. You can also keep the same setup with Logic as well.

Barry that is true but in my experience Digi no longer writes good Core Audio drivers for their hardware to work well with apps other than PT as front end so I would not recommend it.

[MiserableSod]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

It is much easier to start in Logic and go to Protools, than start in Protools and go to Logic. To go from Logic to Protools it's as simple as export all tracks as audio and drag into Protools. To go from Protools to Logic, you need to buy DigiTranslator, and it's not cheap.

Rubbish.

To go from Protools to Logic it's as simple as consolidate all tracks and drag into Logic.

[vtone]

Originally Posted by MiserableSod

Rubbish.

To go from Protools to Logic it's as simple as consolidate all tracks and drag into Logic.

That's cool-- that's how I would prefer to do it. Simple and clutter-free!

[vtone]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

What version of Logic are you currently using?

You can use a Digi 003 with Logic flawlessly, but a buffer of 64 is as low as you can go.

See my note above about the Lightbridge via Protools Mpowered.

I get beat detective, but tracking in Logic 8 (Not 7 for me) is as easy as Protools.

It is much easier to start in Logic and go to Protools, than start in Protools and go to Logic. To go from Logic to Protools it's as simple as export all tracks as audio and drag into Protools. To go from Protools to Logic, you need to buy DigiTranslator, and it's not cheap. There are other very tedious ways, but not worth it to me.

When comparing, most people find editing and mixing better in Protools, not necessarily tracking.

I'm still using Logic Pro 7 unfortunately. 8 looks really great for tracking and comping but I really need to use Beat Detective.

Thanks for the tip about minimum buffer setting for the 003. thumbsup

[gdoubleyou]

In my opinon moving to the 003 would be a downgrade in the quality of the A/D.

You should do an A/B before dumping the MH.

[vtone]

Originally Posted by gdoubleyou

In my opinon moving to the 003 would be a downgrade in the quality of the A/D.

You should do an A/B before dumping the MH.

It's definitely a step down in quality-- I just don't have too many options if I want to track with Pro Tools (without investing in an HD system).

I'm getting the Black Lion Audio 'Tweak Head' mod done on the 003. I'm hoping that will make it comparable to the MH-ULN2.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by Ashermusic

Barry that is true but in my experience Digi no longer writes good Core Audio drivers for their hardware to work well with apps other than PT as front end so I would not recommend it.

The light bridge does not use Digi's Core Audio Driver. It is a universal unit. I know lots of people that use it with Logic. I used it with Logic 7 when it came out as well. Actually, prior to Symphony, it was used big time with AD/DA 16's and Rosetta's for Logic via Adat. The good news is you can use it with Protools Mpowered as well, which I also did flawlessly.

Coreaudio only comes into play with Digidesign Hardware, Lightbridge is Maudio.

Now on to Digi’s core audio driver. I can’t speak to the past. But I can tell you that I had no issues whatsoever using my 003 Rack with Logic 8. I now have a Rosetta via Symphony. But while waiting for that to arrive, the 003 worked just fine. Onl gripe, is a buffer of 64 is as low as you can go.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by MiserableSod

Rubbish.

To go from Protools to Logic it's as simple as consolidate all tracks and drag into Logic.

I've got to be doing something wrong, I tried it and couldn't get it to work, but have read that it should be that easy. I've got to figure that one out.

[barryjohns]

The 003's converters are much better than the 002, however, not at the level of the Metric Halo. If you are gonna go 003, don't get the Mod, just don’t' think it is as beneficial on the 003 as it is on the 002. I would consider selling the Metric Halo, and buying a used RME FF800. Connect that to the 003 via ADAT.

I used Lynx Aurora's with my Protools HD2, but I've got pretty extensive experience with the RME FF800, Rosetta 200 and 800, Lynx Aurora's, Ensemble, and even the Presonus Firepod. A RME FF800 works great with Logic and also with a 003 and can be had for 1000.00 used. Great conversion. My only recommendation above that if you want dual usage between Logic and Protools will be a Rosetta. My rig today is a Rosetta 800 via Symphony into Logic and via Adat into a 003 Rack for Protools. Sometime next year, I'll go back to Protools HD, but for now, it's a very useful and powerful setup. Pricey though. That's why, I recommend the FF800, very good converter and can be had for a good price used.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck.

[Dxsound]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

I've got to be doing something wrong, I tried it and couldn't get it to work, but have read that it should be that easy. I've got to figure that one out.

I dont have logic so dont know about drag and drop but...

Consolidate the region, open the regions list and highlight the region, from pull down menu above regions list choose EXPORT region (shift/apple/k) (i think - check that).

You now have an audio file to import into Logic or anywhere else. Time consuming perhaps if you have many tracks but still cheaper than digitranslator.

Dave