What's the Cheapest way to get into PT HD?

[arpodthegreat]

I am running PT LE on a few years old PowerBook G4 17inch. it is working, but at the limits some times. i want to eventually move up to HD. what's the cheapest set up i can get including a new computer (i want to stay mac). would it just be PT HD1 and a used G5 tower? i have a monitor and i also have Apogee Rosetta 800 and a Mini-Me.

[cdog]

Why does the software have to be PT?

You already own a digital interface that sounds better than what DD has to offer.

PT does not offer the most features, compatibility, or best price. Why buy it?

Do you really think people make the decision to hire you or not based on what software you run?

They don't.

They hire YOU.

Buy a new dual or quad core machine, buy Logic or Cubase, some nice new native plugs, and pocket the change.

The year is 2006. Get with it man.

PT is soooo 1990s......

[max cooper]

I agree. Try Cubase/Nuendo/Logic/DP or even PTLE or whatever.

Get the track/plugin count up with a faster CPU.

I run PTLE on a two-year-old G5 and it's as fast as I need it to be.

[tigeba]

I think the easiest way would be used HD core and a used 96io. There might be some deals to be had now that the PCIe stuff is out and none of the old PCI gear will work in new Macs. The Accel stuff is still expensive but the HD process cards are pretty reasonable. Make sure that any used stuff you purchase comes with a transfer of ownership. You can call Digi to verify that everything is legit. If you do the transfer, any used gear you purchase will qualify for the upgrade pricing down the road. I got my first Mix system by purchasing a PT3 core and DSP farm and trading them up. Heck, you might even check out the upgrade pricing from Mix to HD, but at this point there is probably not much of a deal to be had there.


P.S. It gets really old to see so many unhelpful responses regarding Protools, I think everyone here is aware of the alternatives.

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by cdog

Why does the software have to be PT?

You already own a digital interface that sounds better than what DD has to offer.

PT does not offer the most features, compatibility, or best price. Why buy it?

Do you really think people make the decision to hire you or not based on what software you run?

They don't.

They hire YOU.

Buy a new dual or quad core machine, buy Logic or Cubase, some nice new native plugs, and pocket the change.

The year is 2006. Get with it man.

PT is soooo 1990s......

Don't you realize that programmers are going to start programing plugs to use up that cpu space dual and quad machines offer now. I'm sure 5 years ago people said the same thing about the fast processors coming out and what happened? Plugs became more complicated and started using much more power to give us a better sound. So just keep that in mind. Also, I'm very young in the business and have already had clients demand pro tools, you may think it's sad but it's true.

[arpodthegreat]

Originally Posted by Jonboy79

Don't you realize that programmers are going to start programing plugs to use up that cpu space dual and quad machines offer now. I'm sure 5 years ago people said the same thing about the fast processors coming out and what happened? Plugs became more complicated and started using much more power to give us a better sound. So just keep that in mind. Also, I'm very young in the business and have already had clients demand pro tools, you may think it's sad but it's true.

some great wisdom there. yeah i'm young too and i've seen quite a few set ups from small, midsize, large, home studio, to school and i've never seen anyone using something besides pro tools. in fact the only place i hear about people using anything else is on this board and in other parts of the media world. i am sticking with pro tools because i know how to use it and i want to get better at it. i don't want to have to go to a studio and feel akward because i'm rusty with pro tools. i want to be using the same software at home as i do everywhere else.

[chrisso]

I think it's a reasonable thing to ask.

Originally Posted by cdog

Why does the software have to be PT?

Most other music softwares give me features I don't need.
I gave up on Logic because I didn't need constant upgrades to the midi features.
Nuendo is apparently expensive because of all the post production features.
I just need a computer based audio recording system, with some basic midi capability and the ability to use a few plug-ins.

[rowdy322]

Originally Posted by arpodthegreat

I am running PT LE on a few years old PowerBook G4 17inch. it is working, but at the limits some times. i want to eventually move up to HD. what's the cheapest set up i can get including a new computer (i want to stay mac). would it just be PT HD1 and a used G5 tower? i have a monitor and i also have Apogee Rosetta 800 and a Mini-Me.

Um, a five-finger discount

[apdv1]

The cheapest way for you, Get an XHD card from apogee for your Rosetta and a HD core system from someone like dutchmuzik off eBay.

[madcowvt]

Originally Posted by arpodthegreat

I am running PT LE on a
few years old PowerBook G4 17inch. it is working, but at the limits some times. i want to eventually move up to HD. what's the cheapest set up i can get including a new computer (i want to stay mac). would it just be PT HD1 and a used G5 tower? i have a monitor and i also have Apogee Rosetta 800 and a Mini-Me.

You are in the same boat as I am...
I keep pondering the same idea and then keep recording with PTLE. I've come to realize that PTLE is all I really need to do what I have to.

You have to ask yourself if you REALLY need to invest in that kind of hardware to do what you need to? There will be lots of opinions on different software too but in the end it all creates music. Now adays theres a lot of great records being made on all platforms. Granted Pro tools really is the "Standard". I have tried all of them and FOR ME I can work faster in pro tools and am comfortable with it.


To your question... I would say start with upgrading your computer. If you decide to go HD I would say go at least with HD2 (from my research anyways).

If you have a 001 , well, maybe upgrade that as well. Unless... it does all you need

[lozion]

Originally Posted by apdv1

The cheapest way for you, Get an XHD card from apogee for your Rosetta and a HD core system from someone like dutchmuzik off eBay.

What he said + a G5 2.7 powermac for a used HD pci/x core card or new Macpro with pci/e.

[gsilbers]

cheack out los angeles and ny craiglist. youll see some good deals for a pro tools mix system with a mac g4.

i saw one for $1200 for the whole thing. amazing. too badd i already have pt 7 and a g5.

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by apdv1

The cheapest way for you, Get an XHD card from apogee for your Rosetta and a HD core system from someone like dutchmuzik off eBay.

Yep. Or a used core. Definitely go for the XHD card- no use sinking money into a Digidesign converter that doesn't sound as good as what you already have.

[arpodthegreat]

Originally Posted by madcowvt

You are in the same boat as I am...
I keep pondering the same idea and then keep recording with PTLE. I've come to realize that PTLE is all I really need to do what I have to.

You have to ask yourself if you REALLY need to invest in that kind of hardware to do what you need to? There will be lots of opinions on different software too but in the end it all creates music. Now adays theres a lot of great records being made on all platforms. Granted Pro tools really is the "Standard". I have tried all of them and FOR ME I can work faster in pro tools and am comfortable with it.


To your question... I would say start with upgrading your computer. If you decide to go HD I would say go at least with HD2 (from my research anyways).

If you have a 001 , well, maybe upgrade that as well. Unless... it does all you need

thanks for the advice guys.

[StrykeBack]

the only reason i would need to go from PTLE to HD is the ADC for the uad cards or other plugins that have become a pain with LE and for more inputs then my 002 will allow.

U've already got the apogee so get the hd expansion card like people have mentioned. I'm going the Lynx Aurora route eventually and they have the same type of card to go straight to an HD core card in the comp. Bypassing digis overpriced converters or pres.

I would definitely try a faster comp with pt le oh and the music production bundle...48 stereo tracks, some nice plugins...it is really worth it. However I easily max out my system in the 40 to 50 tracks range loaded down with plugins on my dual 2.3 G5

[proxy]

If you definitely want to go PT, then I'd vote with the people saying, get one of the newer core cards that can go into a blazing new G5, so you can take advantage of future plugs, etc.

That said, I run the older HD with maxed out process cards in a G4 and love it. I use the HD Ambus card that allows me to directly connect an older Apogee (AD8000), and it works great.

- proxy

[amost]

Originally Posted by cdog

Why does the software have to be PT?

You already own a digital interface that sounds better than what DD has to offer.

PT does not offer the most features, compatibility, or best price. Why buy it?

Maybe he likes working in PT?

[T_R_S]

Originally Posted by arpodthegreat

I am running PT LE on a few years old PowerBook G4 17inch. it is working, but at the limits some times. i want to eventually move up to HD. what's the cheapest set up i can get including a new computer (i want to stay mac). would it just be PT HD1 and a used G5 tower? i have a monitor and i also have Apogee Rosetta 800 and a Mini-Me.

A Dual Processor G4 on ebay will runn you under $600.00, A 96I/O on ebay is $1000-$1200, HD cores can be seen on ebay for under $4000.00
All total under $6000.00 including computer

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by apdv1

The cheapest way for you, Get an XHD card from apogee for your Rosetta and a HD core system from someone like dutchmuzik off eBay.

Dutch is a great guy, I got an Accel card from him!



cdog,

I have pulled in clients because I have PTHD, I keep them because of "me". PTHD does help to give them a push in the door tho.....at least some of the younger crowd.

[denial]

Ask not how you can get into Digidesign but how Digidesign can get into you?
That's how it feels a little further down the track (no pun intended).

[Rufuss Sewell]

Hi, I have an HD core card and a G5 for sale if you're interested. Couldn't find a PM for you so I'm just letting you know here.

You can email me at RufussSewell@Gmail.com if you're interested.

~Jason Rufuss Sewell