Considering a Change (Downsizing?)

[Kalara]

Hey there,

I have owned and operated a 48 input Remote PT HD system for many years now and currently have an HD3 Accel system that's about a year old running on a Mac G4 dual 1.25. It's quite famous in the NW and has traveled much of the country. This is an absolute slammin rig, but I'm doing less and less remote stuff that requires this kind of a system. When this rig is not on the road, it has lived in my studio where I do most of my work (mixing, 5.1 and some record work). I have recently moved away from the remotes and the studio being my main gig. I actually got a great new gig, but that's for another topic.

Mostly, I'm thinking about down sizing. Pro Tools (some of you know), is quite the commitment and unless you're working it tough, you could be wasting a lot of money. Although this is still a great rig it's time for an upgrade (about 6k) which I would have no problem with if I were going to stay in the commercial studio biz. Seattle Recording Studio | Luminant Audio

What I've been contemplating is keeping the Apogee AD16X and maybe adding another ADDA. (let's not let this turn into a converter thread). The cool thing about that is, I can use those convertors with pretty much any system and shouldn't need to upgrade those........well....ever.

I've been looking at the Apogee Symphony system, that way I can do small (high quality stuff) on my laptop, or when there are bigger projects, I could use my new Mac Tower.

Thought about going with a 003, since I know PT's really well, but for some reason it's not resonating well with the dome. The limitations bug me.

Nuendo seems cool, (I do own a DM2000, which isn't going anywhere) and is affordable. I have NO interest in Digital Performer.

It seems to me that time code is a huge issue. With PT's there's the Sync HD. Easy enough, what are the options for the other software apps?

Sorry to be so long winded, but this is a little emotional for me.

The idea of a 24 or 32 input rig with better front end is really appealing, DUH, but I've been on the Digidesign tit so long, I'm really not sure where to go.

Things to keep in mind: I will continue to do some remotes. I will continue to do SOME voice overs and ad work. I will continue to do SOME 5.1 mixing and the occasional record. Timecode?????

I LOVE my current rig, but I'm not sure I want to continue to maintain it.

Perhaps sensless babling, but thought I'd put it out there.

Cheers!

[fallforward]

What I've been contemplating is keeping the Apogee AD16X and maybe adding another ADDA. (let's not let this turn into a converter thread). The cool thing about that is, I can use those convertors with pretty much any system and shouldn't need to upgrade those........well....ever.

You could use mpowered with an M-Audio Lightbridge, and still use your apogees. Which coincidentally is the rig that I hope to upgrade to! I don't know if that will give you enough I/O for you needs either.

Good Luck man!
Robby

[fifthcircle]

I'm thinking about many of the same concerns, but the other way around. I rent a number of PT HD rigs and can really justify having a larger system (been using LE). Do I go with a native MADI based system as it will be cheaper or do I take the plunge for HD and all of its related costs. If I go HD, how does that fit into my current post rig? I currently use Sequoia for my post and like it a great deal.

I haven't come to any decisions yet... Gonna have to chew on it for a bit before I decide.

Good thread, though.

--Ben