Is there a PCI or PCIe card I can get so I can use Pro Tools?

[heisleyamor]

I want to start using protools for the plug-ins. I record a lot of ambient stuff and indie rock. I want to start using massey plug-ins and echofarm. There are just so many plug-ins that sound great in protools that I can't use. Is there a lynx card or something I can get so I can use protools?

[kafka]

These M-Audio interfaces will enable you to run Pro Tools M-Powered. The cheapest thing you can get would be the M-Audio Transit.

[heisleyamor]

I kind of want to use Protools LE. I don't really want to buy another crappy interface that I won't use. Is there anything else I could possibly get?

[WATYF]

Get a used 002R ($400-$500 on ebay). If you want to improve the pres, get it mod'ed by Black Lion Audio.


WATYF

[heisleyamor]

Is that how most people on here are using protools? Or is everyone using the digidesign HD1 and all that stuff? I don't want to get another cheap pre. The next pre I'm going to get is API (API A2D). Is M-Powered any different than LE? Is there anything else I can do?

[psycho_monkey]

Honestly, digidesign.com has all the interface options on it. Echo farm is HD only. You have to use a digi interface for le or m-audio for mp. No way round that, tho you can go in digitally of course.

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by heisleyamor

I kind of want to use Protools LE. I don't really want to buy another crappy interface that I won't use. Is there anything else I could possibly get?

LE is okay and you can use LE with M-audio stuff - the M-powered protools is , as far as I can see, just LE.

To use Echo farm you will need a TDM system. However, you can use the likes of Echoboy from soundtools. And, thats even better. I have several LE systems and use them primarily for editing, but generally use our HD rigs for mix work - much higher track count. If Digi would just get rid of the ruddy 32 track limit (or 48 with the producer pack) then they'd have a very nice system.

[antonbuys]

heisleyamor,

1. There are 3 levels of Pro Tools - M-power, LE and HD.
2. Only HD works with PCI/PCIe
3. Cheap to expensive - M-Power ($)-> LE ($$) ------> HD ($$$$$$)
4. Pro Tools ONLY works with Pro Tools interfaces, so no Lynx, etc. You can however use an Aurora/Apogee AD/DA with an HD system via a special card, or go digital from a 002/003/M-Box, etc.

If you want to get the serious Pro Tools plug-ins, then HD is the way to go.

What's your budget? Can you give a few more specifics of the AD/DA you are using/want to use? Is this for home studio/project studio/commercial facility?

There are a load of differences between HD and LE/M-Powered. Have a look on the Digi site.

I've been there and back, several times. LE/M-Powered just doesn't cut it, and HD remains elusively expensive. So, I went with the Logic Pro/Apogee Ensemble/Lavry Blue/TC PowerCore route, and am getting some decent pre's/mic/compressor with the change I have left over from not going HD...

Anton

[travisbrown]

Would this work? It ain't going to get any smaller than this.



Digidesign | Products | Pro Tools LE & M-Powered | Mbox 2 Family | Mbox 2 Micro | Mbox 2 Micro

[Corran]

Originally Posted by travisbrown

Would this work? It ain't going to get any smaller than this.



Digidesign | Products | Pro Tools LE & M-Powered | Mbox 2 Family | Mbox 2 Micro | Mbox 2 Micro

Sure, as long as you don't have to actually record anything

If you can record into some other program and then dump the wavs into Protools with the Micro, it'll work I believe, but it's a little more work.

I was going to get one myself just to have "Protools" on my equipment list, but I wanted an input, not a glorified dongle. So in other words, same argument I've had against Digi since forever. God I love Sonar...

[dropblacksky]

LE and M-powered are virtually the same. The main differences that I'm aware of are that M-powered can't be upgraded to the DV toolkit (only useful if you're doing post), can't get digidelivery feature, and is limited to recording 18 tracks simultaneously. So in practice for the majority of users, they are identical in features...

As far as adding another crappy pre to your collection, you're out of luck...the software requires specific interfaces to run. I will say that in my experience the m-audio pres are generally better than the mbox and 003 pres...particularly the newer m-audio interfaces. Otherwise, you're talking a huge price jump to HD...basically 10x more expensive or more....but you do get some better plug-in options and the dsp for higher track count...it all depends on what you need.

For me, M-powered was the way to go because there are more interface options.

[travisbrown]

Originally Posted by Corran

Sure, as long as you don't have to actually record anything

If you can record into some other program and then dump the wavs into Protools with the Micro, it'll work I believe, but it's a little more work.

I was going to get one myself just to have "Protools" on my equipment list, but I wanted an input, not a glorified dongle. So in other words, same argument I've had against Digi since forever. God I love Sonar...

Ah, yes. I sort of misunderstood the OP. I thought he wanted Protools just for mixing and plugs.

Yeah, for tracking, not so much.