Which software?

[booker]

Ok, my puter died a natural death. Now I'm starting over. I've been using Pro tools LE, but have been thinking of changing. Any suggestions for the not-very-computer-savy guy? Logic? Digital Performer? Stick with Pro tools?Mac or PC? I've been working on a PC because it's cheaper, and I had some other software I've been using for my office. Now, I have another puter for that stuff.... so.... I'm open for suggestions. (about computer stuff, not personal changes )

[edteja]

A couple of thoughts from having been there recently...Option 1--Minimize your ramp-up time and stick with the software and harware platforms you are used to. Upgrade everything, however. THis gets you going quickest and might be best if you don't want to become particularly computer savvy. Option 2-- figure out what you want to be doing with your music (more midi, less midi, more rough demos, more finished masters...) and find out what folks doing that are using. Will you be working with other folk' studios--then consider compatiblity (although it isn't a huge issue).Good luck.

[booker]

I figure Pro Tools is the most widley used platform, but not always the easiest. Sweetwater.com has a dual core 3.2 ghtz pentium 4... or something. Should be fast enough to do what I want. The iMac looks good too.

[sgs4u]

Logic Pro on a Big Mac, you'll never look back!steve

[anne]

Mac Pro if you can swing it with the software upgrades - I have a Duo 2.6 and 1 GB ram (its standard setup). I use the preamps in my Projectmix, but don't be fooled - the sound card in the MacPro is top notch.Drawbacks to the MacPro - 1. the bluetooth / airport card HAS to be installed at the factory or service center and 2. Extra ram is $$$$$ (but I'm running final cut pro on mine with no extra ram and it's 90% fine - I'd upgrade if video were more of my workload).I have Logic and ProTools installed, but use Logic more. ProTools is there to open files that people send me to mix. I use Ozone for mastering.Hope this helps!Anne

[sgs4u]

anne, why wouldn't you recommend using 3 or 4 gig of Ram these days? inquiring minds need to know! steve

[mazz]

I always recommend Mac but I do have a couple of PCs that are only used to play back samples.Logic or Digital Performer are incredibly flexible software, both Mac only and the learning curve will be pretty steep on either one.A new Mac may set you back more money but I can almost guarantee that you'll still have it 5 years from now and it will still be able to do a whole bunch of things that it does today. I'm not sure if you can say the same about a PC but I'm not trying to start another pointless Mac vs. PC thread here. If you look at companies that make custom DAWs I bet you'll find an audio configured PC with the same power as an off the shelf Mac pro will be pretty close to the same in price.Of course, Apple doesn't discount Logic so expect to pay close to a grand for it while Digital Performer can be found for around 500 clams.Then there's the issue of audio hardware. If you already have a cross platform Firewire or USB 2 system, it really doesn't matter which machine you buy.What it really boils down to is:1. Money (doesn't it always)2. Software (go with what you know or spend a bunch of time getting up to speed on a new program)3. Audio/ MIDI Hardware (do you need to upgrade or can you use what you have, maybe with just a driver download)You'll find many people use one or the other or both platforms. I have yet to be able to "hear" the difference between Pro Tools or Logic, or Sonar, or........ The plugins or sounds, maybe, but the tool doesn't (shouldn't) dictate the music.This is a huge, confusing, controversial subject. But my opinions are the right ones Mazz

[booker]

yeah, I'm finding that a Mac costs a bit more on one end, but it comes with a monitor, where as that's extra with a PC. I have an old 17" dinasaur one. Here's a dumb question: which is faster, a Duo 1.8ghz or 3.4ghz single processor? It would seem that the 3.4 would be. I can get a 17" iMac with an Mbox 2 with factory effects bundle for about $1600. That comes with Pro tools LE. Of course, I could also go with a Mac Pro, Pro Tools HD, TC electronics outboard gear, with a Neumann M149 through an Avalon compressor/EQ if I wanted a real nice upgrade.

[mazz]

The imacs are cool. My wife has a G5 version but I'm sure the Intel ones are much faster. She is able to get pretty far using DP5, Reason and Stylus before she has to bounce tracks to free up processor. With an Intel you would probably be able to do more before bouncing.I don't know the speed comparisons of processors, etc. etc. I only read that kind of stuff when I have trouble sleeping. If you are not planning on doing extremely heavy orchestral work where you need to hear all the articulations at the same time or if you don't plan on using a whole bunch of CPU hungry plugins before bouncing, the imac would be a good choice. Since you're used to pro tools, it would just be a matter of getting up to speed on Mac OS which is a fairly easy transition IMO. I've not had any experience with Vista but you can't buy a PC without it anymore and not all audio software is guaranteed to work with it right now.Good luck, happy music making!Mazz

[ernstinen]

I use both MOTU Performer and ProTools LE, albeit in an unconventional manner. Someone on another forum (NS) was asking about describing your studio, so here's what I wrote today:Sample Players: 1.) Vision DAW (P4 3.40GHz, 2GB RAM) running Kontakt and EWQLSO Gold2.) Compaq (Athlon XP 3200+, 1 GB RAM) running GigaStudio 3.21 and:GOS lite; Dan Dean WW; Quantum Leap Brass; VOTA; Sam Horns etc.3.) Emulator e6400 running Siedlaczek's Advanced Orchestra etc.4.) Roland JV-90 controller with Orchestral expansionPCs run into Gina 3G and M-Audio Firewire, then into MY "dinosaur," a Soundcraft 16-channel board. MIDI ins and outs: MOTU Midi Express XT.Sequencer: Mac G4 running MOTU Performer.Mixing: Out of Soundcraft (might add a bit of Alesis Q2 reverb) into Empirical Labs Fatso Jr., then into Alesis Masterlink @ 24/96. Mastering: Masterlink into Digidesign Digi002 running ProTools LE, a bit of TRacks EQ, then back into Masterlink and down to 16/44.1 for CDs.Monitoring: Yamaha NS-10Ms, Definitive Technology DR7s, vintage Marantz amp. Digi002 into KRK V6s.Displays: 19" Samsung LCD, 17" Samsung LCD, 19" Sylvania, 19" EnvisionOh, another dinosaur that's getting lonely: Alesis AdatXT. And tons of guitar amps and effects! Oops, forgot one thing: An Edirol UM-3ex which expands the Midi capability of the VisionDAW to 64 Midi channels. ***********************************So I still like to use analog technology to warm up the digital sound.That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!Ern