Need advice on PT/laptop system for remote recording.

[Rick Sutton]

I've done a search but this type of system changes so rapidly (mainly due to new computers out every few months) that I really want to get your take on what I should look at in the current market.

I have two uses for this system.

1. A second system for the studio. Currently have a PT HD2 on G5. So it has to be PT for simplest implementation.
2. A remote system for choir and acoustic groups. I need 8 line ins capable of 96k and a system that won't choke when recording 2 hour files. Yes, I will be using a backup system (Genex 9000).

If I had a good budget it would be easier but $ is tight. So a $2k laptop is out of the question. I'm thinking there must be a solid laptop for around $1k and a used Digi 002 or 003.
I would appreciate your thoughts and experiences.

[loujudson]

Alesis HD24XR. Under $2k. Totally solid.

L

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by loujudson

Alesis HD24XR. Under $2k. Totally solid.

L

Unfortunately that doesn't address my #1 use which is a second PT system for the studio.

[loujudson]

GRIN. Pardon me, wasn't trying to be wiseass. The Alesis is excellent for the remotes!

I have a BLA Modded 002R system and it is excellent. I recommend it. There's an 002R in the classifieds, get it and send it to Black Lion and you will be happy with the results!

Lou

Oh, and I use G4 Powerbooks, which have been very reliable for me. Yo may want a newer one, but they do get old fast. I liek the tired and true, so I stay about 3 years behind the curve. Apple refurbs are susuall ythe best bet, they have had the kinks taken out, but always get Applecare for a laptop.

(I can't drive PCs with windows, so Macs are all I know...)

L

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by loujudson

GRIN. Pardon me, wasn't trying to be wiseass. The Alesis is excellent for the remotes!

I have a BLA Modded 002R system and it is excellent. I recommend it. There's an 002R in the classifieds, get it and send it to Black Lion and you will be happy with the results!

Lou

Thanks Lou. Any thoughts on the laptop?

[wavcatcher]

Well, since your thread is about looking for a laptop/pro tools rig I figured I should resond as I've got a ProTools Location Rig listed for sale on Gearslutz classifieds right now. The rig includes an Apple Powerbook G4, Digi 002 Audio Interface / Mixing Console (not the cheaper rack version), a Kensington laptop bag and a custom fit flight case for the Digidesign Console/interface. The custom case is incredible and was custom fit to the exact dimensions of the 002.

Check the post listed below for all the details and let me know if you are interested. I'm the original owner of all the gear and the system is ready to record upon purchase with a fresh install of OSX 10.4.11 and ProTools LE 7.4.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...rding-rig.html

[mathieujm]

A Macbbok pro with PTLE 7.4 and 002 made a great work on a recent remote session of classical music. 6 tracks during 15h of recording on the internal drive without any problem.

JMM

[Gerax]

I'm on the PC side.

Have you checked out the M-Audio Profire Lightbridge? It works with Pro Tools M-Powered, giving you up to 32 ADAT I/O that stream via FireWire into whatever laptop you choose. I use a Dell XPS M1330 which works rock solid with Pro Tools M-Powered (and LE for that matter) under XP or Vista.
The great thing about the Lightbridge is that you can use whatever AD you want, and go to Pro Tools via ADAT. In my rig I use AD equipped pres, so I go straight from the pres to the interface. Works like a charm. Plus it's got Word Clock and MIDI, so it's synchronizable to whatever digital source you want.

Here's a pair pics of my rig in use:

ProToolers.com - L'Album di Gerax: About me... - Immagine

ProToolers.com - L'Album di Gerax: About me... - Immagine

Should you need any other infos, let me know.

Hope this helps

[wildplum]

Originally Posted by Gerax

I'm on the PC side.

Have you checked out the M-Audio Profire Lightbridge? It works with Pro Tools M-Powered, giving you up to 32 ADAT I/O that stream via FireWire into whatever laptop you choose. I use a Dell XPS M1330

How have you managed to get past the 18 simultaneous track limit using a PC and PT-M? (it is actually more like 16 tracks, as the Lightbridge has a notorious bug affecting the SPDIF input- which each time I ask an M-Audio rep, they say they are working on it- been about 2 years now, must be some bug).

[Rick Sutton]

Thanks to everybody for the input. As my budget was somewhat slim I went with a new white Macbook with 4 GB ram, an "open box" 003 Rack from a dealer I trust and an OWC firewire hard drive. The system only has to record 8 tracks max on my remotes and this was a consensus winner for my needs. It will be running in tandem to a Genex 9000. I'm putting it together now and hope to run it through some tests next week.

[Gerax]

Originally Posted by wildplum

How have you managed to get past the 18 simultaneous track limit using a PC and PT-M? (it is actually more like 16 tracks, as the Lightbridge has a notorious bug affecting the SPDIF input- which each time I ask an M-Audio rep, they say they are working on it- been about 2 years now, must be some bug).

I didn't express myself correctly. You are right when you say that PTMP only addresses 18 input max. I have the full 32 I/O capability when I use other sw like Reaper which interacts nicely with the ASIO driver.

[uFarad]

Originally Posted by wildplum

How have you managed to get past the 18 simultaneous track limit using a PC and PT-M? (it is actually more like 16 tracks, as the Lightbridge has a notorious bug affecting the SPDIF input- which each time I ask an M-Audio rep, they say they are working on it- been about 2 years now, must be some bug).

After reading this thread I figured it's about time I pitch in here and register. This is my first post and felt I had to chime in here considering I've I've relied on GS so heavily for info in the past, it's time I start giving back : )

Anyway, in regards to the whole (BS) Ddesign track restriction, there is one (at least only one that I know of) way to get around it. Assuming you have the appropriate hardware, like the M-audio Lightbridge, as Gerax mentioned, you can run Pro Tools M-Powered version 7.3 or 7.3.1 and, somewhat magically, achieve simultaneous recording of up to 32 tracks. As I'm writing this, I just realized that I never tested 32 in AND out simultaneously--just 32 in with one stereo bus out. Why it works in this version, I really do not know; but it does!!

I don't remember where I found the post that first tipped me off to the invaluable bit if info, but I'm pretty sure it was here on GS. Anyway, hope this helps out someone on this thread, even if Rick has found a happy solution with the 003 rack.

[wildplum]

Originally Posted by uFarad

After reading this thread I figured it's about time I pitch in here and register. This is my first post and felt I had to chime in here considering I've I've relied on GS so heavily for info in the past, it's time I start giving back : )

Anyway, in regards to the whole (BS) Ddesign track restriction, there is one (at least only one that I know of) way to get around it. Assuming you have the appropriate hardware, like the M-audio Lightbridge, as Gerax mentioned, you can run Pro Tools M-Powered version 7.3 or 7.3.1 and, somewhat magically, achieve simultaneous recording of up to 32 tracks. As I'm writing this, I just realized that I never tested 32 in AND out simultaneously--just 32 in with one stereo bus out. Why it works in this version, I really do not know; but it does!!

I don't remember where I found the post that first tipped me off to the invaluable bit if info, but I'm pretty sure it was here on GS. Anyway, hope this helps out someone on this thread, even if Rick has found a happy solution with the 003 rack.

This only true with Macs. The "bug" was "corrected" for the Mac in later PTMP releases, but never existed in the PC version.