recording live with protools

[modemedia]

i do alot of freelance live video work for bands in my area and i'm looking to upgrade to an affordable, and portable protools rig so i can do live audio recording. up until now, i've been using a DAT deck connected to the soundboard, but i'm just not 100% happy with the results. considering i shoot with 4-5 cameras, i'd also like to have complete control over my audio and do a final mix to my liking in post. aside from what i use in my suite for doing post, i also have a 1.5ghz G4 laptop with about 1gig of RAM and several 200gig LaCie firewire drives, so i think i'm ok in the computer dept.

i'm not too experienced when it comes to the ins and outs of live audio, but off the top of my head, i'd probably need to record about 12-15 tracks, and protools seems to be the way to go.

i'd be able to find someone to set up and run it, but i've been told different things, about what i'd need, like an M-box or a Digi Rack 002, but if someone could point me in the right direction of what i would need to get started and run things on my powerbook, i'd be very appreciative

[Dr. Nutz]

Well, for a live recording application such as the one descibed, you will most likely need to take a Split from either the stage or from FOH.

To do 12-15 tracks simultaneously, I would suggest (if you are set on a PT system) a 002R, with an additional 8 channel preamp that has ADAT-Optical output(such as the M-audio octane, the Focusrite Octopre, the Presonus Digimax or Digimax LT, or Behringer ADA8000)

If you are willing to swing in a slightly different direction, you could also Get a copy of MOTU Digital Performer, and any interface you choose. The 896HD is pretty sweet...8 analog ins and an ADAT input for an additional 8 digital inputs.
Of course, DP has a more intense learning curve, though it has much better MIDI functionality than PT will ever have.

It would probably be in your best interest to wait this out for some more replies.

[Guarnanene]

I was wondering the same thing.. I'm in the same situation, thanks for posting this question!

but I was thinking of going the cheeper route and getting a couple firepods and linking them together and useing cubase, or something similar..


bad idea?

[Diskordia]

i run a powerbook 1.33 with maxed ram and a 002R together in one portable case. in another rack i have several cheaper pres and a digimax. setup is fairly quick but a split somewhere is required other wise its hell. splitters are not cheap..i rent right now..if anyone has any suggestions..i'll be building my own transformerless ones soon

with a g4 powerbook...i would highly recommend an external firewire drive...i did a remote session once where my internal drive could not keep up with only 8 recording tracks and i had to find another mac to slave to it as a drive...stability and reliablity is key..i'll keep my mouth shut about other computer options

but otherwise..simple setup...fast tear down...roll the cables back in the racks..snap em shut and get out the sound mans way. but ya NEED that split

[manning1]

mode...
a number of folks use what i use in my sig. cos one interesting aspect is recovery from a bad computer crash. but it runs on pc only.
it will do 48 tracks (if you have the computer "grunt"). and works with multiple input sound cards.
(completely native solution. maybe check the demo/on line videos at pgmusic.com).
you could get an intel duo (new intel dual core laptop) or amd 64 laptop loaded with ram (very fast). one of the benefits is your not tied into sound device to use.
and no dongles.
on a pc laptop i would advise an external fast hard drive. for recording to.
the faster the better.
a KEY POINT...dont buy the laptop before testing out your chosen sound device
works well with it. eg.....firepod might be one to consider.
all the best.
ps.....a number of tools users use it if you peruse the pg forums.
depending on how you like to work you might like it or not.
just an idea.