Using Pro Tools for location sound

[trohet]

So in the search for what equipment i want to purchase for a prodution sound cart, i've been tickled by the idea of using a protools rig with a mac mini. I've seen carts using VOSGAMES' Boom Recorder, but havent seen one with Pro Tools.

Ive been going over it in my head and can only think of more possiblities using a Pro tools rig vs anything else. Mainly the ease of the mixer at the cart adding comments on takes, and organizing the session betwen takes. Which would also make the transition into post more streamlined. not to mention non linear playback that you would experience with DAT.

So having a very large track count at a pretty affordable price, while maintaining extreme versatility seems very desirable.

im hoping someone can point out the things im missing, and why it would'nt work out like im hoping.

Thanks!

[fifthcircle]

I've seen them on carts, but Pro Tools LE has the issues of time code support. Boom Recorder does work with the interface so you could perhaps have the best of both worlds.

When I have recorded to PTLE on location, I usually record a track of time code as an audio file to at least have a shot at sync.

If you are talking HD, it is a completely different animal. PT HD is used with a certain regularity in the music/film world especially for playback. Notes can be left so that the mixers in post know what is going on. It is very convenient, actually...

I think in the end, it depends on what the flow is for post including transfer/telecine and what makes the project move along.

--Ben

[trohet]

What if i were to convert the incoming LTC to MTC with a converter and using DV Toolkit? Im pretty sure LE can sync to MTC and DV toolkit will display it in SMPTE. theoretically

Or is that what you are saying LE has a problem with?

[Dan Steinberg]

Originally Posted by trohet

What if i were to convert the incoming LTC to MTC with a converter and using DV Toolkit? Im pretty sure LE can sync to MTC and DV toolkit will display it in SMPTE. theoretically

That should work, as far as I know, but one problem you may have is that when syncing to incoming midi time code, the Pro Tools LE would be doing "trigger sync". It would start playback at the correct location when first rolling, but then would be playing at its own speed, possibly drifting off course from the time code source feeding your MTC/LTC converter.

However, there is one solution that may work for proper, "continuous sync". Pro Tools LE, when used with any LE-compatible interface that has a s/pdif input, can sync its clock to that spdif input. So one scenario might be to:

1-Buy a device that could accept SMPTE audio and video blackburst, and then output a s/pdif signal synced to those sources (such as a MOTU digital timepiece, or one of the aardvark boxes)

2-Patch that spdif output into the LE rig's spdif input

3-Tell LE to sync its clock to that spdif input

That should allow an LE rig to have proper, continuous re-sync to an incoming SMPTE/black burst feed.

Regarding DV toolkit, funny thing, many versions ago, PT LE used to have a SMPTE display as a stock function, before you had to pay extra for it.

I'm picturing a day at Digi HQ, way back when, where an excited product manager ran into his boss's office and said "I've got it! We'll make them pay a $100 fee for an upgrade that removes a major feature, and then charge them $1000 to buy it back!"

You have to admire that type of capitalism

[RobAnderson]

having a very large track count at a pretty affordable price

Isn't LE limited to 18 simultaneous inputs? Or have they changed this?

[Dan Steinberg]

Originally Posted by RobAnderson

Isn't LE limited to 18 simultaneous inputs? Or have they changed this?

LE is still limited to 18 inputs. LE only works with LE-approved Digi interfaces, and the biggest one is the 003/003R, which only has 18 physicial inputs (8 analog, 8 Adat, 2 s/pdif).

Pro Tools M-powered works with some M-audio devices that have 32 inputs (like the M-audio lightbridge), but I think M-powered still gives it a software limit of 18. At any rate, M-powered can not be used with extras like the DV toolkit anyway, you need LE for that.

[RobAnderson]

M-powered still gives it a software limit of 18

I will never understand this. I think there was some update back in the 7's which accidentally allowed more than 18. Once somebody at Digi figured that out, there was an immediate "software update" to fix this horrible bug.

I think something similar happened with some video functions as well.

[fifthcircle]

Dan basically nailed it.

Unless something has recently changed with LE, it basically is a free-run timecode sync. For short periods of time, you'll probably be fine. That being said, unless there is a secondary source of sync that is resolved to the code and whatever else is going on, for longer periods of sync, you will almost certainly drift. You also run into issues of time of day on set. Be prepared to use lots of offsets for time (not a big deal, but be ready for it)

Boom Recorder is inexpensive and can use digi hardware. With it, you will also get a true timecode input- (any input can be used to capture code).

Just a thought...

--Ben