Carillon PC/Nuendo for a Mac guy?

[indie]

So here's the deal...I'm ok on computers -- that's why I use Radar for recording and mixing. I'm debating between getting PT HD or Nuendo for automation through my Radar converters to console.
I have a 002 now and its fine for editing and what not, but a lot of people say that Nuendo sounds better.
Is the Carillon Nuendo package easy to figure out if something goes wrong? I don't use a pc so I don't know how difficult it is compared to a mac.
Any advice is WELCOME!
Thanks,
Micah

[Geert van den Berg]

Going with Cubase or Nuendo or any DAW which can use thirdparty hardware, lets you put more tracks to your mixing desk via the Radar converters. As the 002 can only put out 10 digital tracks...

I think I would look at Lynx or RME cards...

[daaronhoffman]

Switching from Mac to PC isn't too bad.
I just moved from DP4.5 on a Mac to Nuendo 3 on a PC.
Now I was familiar with PCs before I moved, but I don't think it's that hard.

Biggest thing was learning Nuendo's way of working, but that's to be expected with new software.
For $20 i bought the Editor keys stickers for my keyboard and that made a huge difference.
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/editors-keys.html

I'm enjoying Nuendo more as I learn it. Just takes time.
I'm running it on a Sweetwater Creation Station and their service is awesome.

Good Luck!
Aaron

[True North]

I own a Carillon for my PT LE rig.

Knowing what I know now I don't think I would have gone for a Carillon rig. It actually ended up being a bit of nightmare. I got caught in the middle of when they decided to transtion their manufacturing out of the US. I gave them a fairly hefty downpayment and than waited close to 3 months for the frickin thing. My PC actually came directly from the UK. Their tech support runs from 9 to 5 and they are six hours ahead of EST.

I would look into building a pimped out Dual Core - Dual CPU AMD Machine if you were relying on a lot of power from your PC. I am not suggesting you build it yourself but you can go to any reputable small builder in your area and they can build it for you. I have been researching a new PC for myself as well.

When you say you are 'OK' on computers I am not sure what you mean? How would you rate your experience and knowledge on a PC (1 to 10, 10 being computer scientist). I find that generally things that go wrong with a PC are rarely stricly hardware related and once you get into the nitty gritty of Windows it is rarely 'easy' to figure out. I have usually been able to get by with the service from various vendors.

I was brouhgt up on PC's so I am not daunted by them. A lot of strictly based mac users will find the freedom and options on a PC to be a little daunting at first. There will obviously be a bit of learning curve but I don't think it would be that hard to figure out.

Hope that helps

[Mike O]

Try these guys for a turnkey, system. Then find a friend that uses both MAC and WinXP (not Win2K or anything else) and have them show you how to do things on the Win box.

[indie]

Thanks guys...
My level of experience on PC is checking emails on my in-laws PC. I've been using Macs for 4 years and really like how easy everything is to find on it.
Also, EVERY friend of mine doing this is on a Mac with HD. So when I have a question about my PT le software, I just call one of them and all is well. It's a bit scary to get computer/software that none of my friends are using.
The only 2 platforms I'm considering are HD and Nuendo -- only for mixing purposes.
I'm leaning towards the PT HD situation, but a lot of people have been saying that the Nuendo mix bus is better.

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by True North

I own a Carillon for my PT LE rig.

Knowing what I know now I don't think I would have gone for a Carillon rig. It actually ended up being a bit of nightmare. I got caught in the middle of when they decided to transtion their manufacturing out of the US. I gave them a fairly hefty downpayment and than waited close to 3 months for the frickin thing. My PC actually came directly from the UK. Their tech support runs from 9 to 5 and they are six hours ahead of EST...

I'm a big believer in building my own -- but people ask about companies like Carillon.

Thank you for that invaluable story.

I didn't have to read any farther to know how to answer from now on.

[radiospace]

Originally Posted by indie

Also, EVERY friend of mine doing this is on a Mac with HD.

That sounds like a pretty compelling reason to go with Mac + HD...since you'll have free, on-call technical support from your friends with both the hardware and software, as opposed to heading off in your own direction. (Assuming that your friends know what they're talking about, that is...)

To me the big downside to HD is the cost of the plug-ins, though. Seems to basically be double what you pay for VST/AU versions. Every time I contemplate making the leap (from Cubase SX) I get stuck on that point.

[AlexLakis]

Yeah, I don't think they've even heard of PCs out in La-la land. If you want clients out in L.A., better go for Mac.

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by indie

Thanks guys...
My level of experience on PC is checking emails on my in-laws PC. I've been using Macs for 4 years and really like how easy everything is to find on it.
Also, EVERY friend of mine doing this is on a Mac with HD. So when I have a question about my PT le software, I just call one of them and all is well. It's a bit scary to get computer/software that none of my friends are using.
The only 2 platforms I'm considering are HD and Nuendo -- only for mixing purposes.
I'm leaning towards the PT HD situation, but a lot of people have been saying that the Nuendo mix bus is better.

One's own personal computer culture (and that of his friends and work partners) is very important and shouldn't be discounted.

Audio is one of those places where performance does count -- but raw performance is not everything.

And there is certainly an overlap in capabilities and power between the two platforms.

Few of us buy at the very top of the performance range, so, I think, questions of which platform can deliver ultimate performance are of little consequence to most of us. Far more important is whether we're comfortable in our work environment and whether we can afford the power we need -- and that can admittedly be a tricky decision to factor out.

You might well tend to pay a few more bucks for a given level of bang with a Mac -- but if you are one of the people who will never feel entirely comfortable on a non-Mac, that's a big factor, right there.

By the same token, I'm comfortable with PCs and am highly disinclined to buy my hardware from the same people who make my software, putting all my eggs in one basket. I don't even like buying applications from the same people who make my OS.

So, even if Macs were cheaper than PCs, I would still go where I was comfortable.

Both are viable and powerful platforms for audio work. I say go (or stay) where you're comfortable.

[indie]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

Yeah, I don't think they've even heard of PCs out in La-la land. If you want clients out in L.A., better go for Mac.

HAHAHA..that's true. (Although we're living in Charlottesville Va. now...so a lot of the work for us from there and Nashville is done remotely thanks to the internet).
You guys are definitely helping my decision...thanks.
Micah

[jcschild]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

Yeah, I don't think they've even heard of PCs out in La-la land. If you want clients out in L.A., better go for Mac.

WOW!

i would say 1/3 of the systems i ship go to CA.
i have numerous "Pro" users out there in LALA land.

but yes i would say the lions share is still Mac.
but theres hope we are converting them daily.


thanks for the props Mike O
this is a better link here
thats the old website !

Scott
ADK