Pro tools, from 7 to 12...

[Anders]

I have been using this really old setup with Pro tool 7.3 and Mbox 2 on Windows XP and actually not seeing any urgent need for upgrading.
So now the inevitable happened: motherboard failure
Luckily all my material is fine and recovered, but I have to decide on how to proceed.
I have an iMac with 16gb RAM and El Capitan that I use for my day job when I work at home and I was thinking I could use for this my music production also, but it seems like most of my equipment/software is too old to work here.
So it´s either find a used computer with Windows XP and install all my old stuff or get new stuff, I have decided to go with the later.
I really like Pro tools but would I feel familiar going from 7 to 12 ?
Considering Duet with Pro tools but should I consider other DAWs? ...seems very expensive with the subscription deals Avid have now.
...really really trying to motivate the purchase of komplete 10 ultimate in the process while it´s on sale

/Anders

[Len911]

Why not a refurbished computer?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... =97&page=1

The advantage is that some of them are cheaper than if you bought a windows license. It's quick, it's an automatic upgrade from xp, as most are 7-10, and komplete is going to require a minimum of windows 7 anyway.

If the pro tools 7 should happen not to work, dump it and go reaper, you can demo it forever, and it's $60 for a license.

[Len911]

otoh, why not move to the imac?

I'd still look into reaper. at least use it under demo while you decide.
http://www.reaper.fm/

http://www.reaper.fm/videos.php

otoh, isn't Logic ~$200??

Apogee Duet?? Why not an Audient iD14 for half the price and arguably better sound??

https://youtu.be/JXAGs3pY6AM

for the same price as the apogee duet you could get the Audient i22. so much more versatile. it even has inserts so you can use a different preamp or add an eq or compressor, etc.

[Anders]

Thanks, that´s the sort of suggestions I was hoping for!

I´ll be sure to try Reaper, I have been reading lots of good things about it now.
Guess my biggest fear here is that there will be a much steeper learning curve starting with a new software and possibly Pro tools would be a better choice for collaborations.

Audient id14 looks great, leaning towards this now...

/Anders

[andygabrys]

IMO if you are already good with Pro Tools - stick with it.

I use Logic and Pro Tools and have since V 6 and V6.1 respectively.

At least you can open all your old Pro Tools Projects, and the upgrade would likely be $299 from PT 7 to PT 12. So you don't need to likely buy a new version of Pro Tools.

PT 12 is great, they really have unlocked many of the things that made PT HD great and which used to make PT "Vanilla" so frustrating.

Logic is great too and for $199 hard to beat.

I am with Len911 - refurb is great. you can get apple care and you are good.

Keep your eyes peeled for new machines that are selling for discount but still have Apple care available like this one: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/FD878LLA/ - that might be out of your budget but its a BEAST of a machine. There are likely others to be had besides the Mac Pro's.

Another alternative is to buy a used mac on eBay or Macsales.com or a different site. You run the risk of having hardware go out and need to find replacements, but there are tons of BEASTLY computers like the Mac Pro 5,1 12 core that I am using right now that can be had for much cheaper than new. With the latest SSDs and PCI card interfaces for the SSD's you can have lots going on sample streaming wise etc.

Duet 2 is great - but I think you can get an upgrade from PT 7 to PT12 and buy a duet and spend less than their "package". Sure you get the WAVEs plugin package too, but for me that's not a big draw.

HTH!

[Anders]

Thank you Andy!

At least you can open all your old Pro Tools Projects, and the upgrade would likely be $299 from PT 7 to PT 12. So you don't need to likely buy a new version of Pro Tools.

Beeing able to open my old projects is certainly another reason to stick with Pro tools.
I have never seen any options for upgrading from 7 to 12 but I will ask at a reseller, that´s a great tip!

As for refurbished computer, I´m hoping I can use my imac 27" instead, although it would not be completely dedicated to music.
It´s a mid 2011 i5 with 16gb ram and 1000GB

For soundcard I think Len911 had a really interesting alternative in Audient iD14 that I have only been reading great things about.

Lots of things to consider here that I will have to live with for a while.

Logic is great too and for $199 hard to beat.

I guess now would be a good time for me to explore Logic a little also

/Anders

[Len911]

Upgrade to Pro Tools 12—available to Pro Tools 9 and higher perpetual license owners
Get on a plan for $299 the first year and renew for $99/year thereafter through your Avid account

http://www.avid.com/pro-tools/pricing

Now's a good time to change daws,lol!

Logic for $199 is a great price if you are mac. Apogee Duet is expensive, and only for mac.

Most daws now are Mac/Pc, the best choice for someone who doesn't like changing daws.

Because the pro tool 7.3 projects are likely 32bit, it's probably just as easy to make a new project with the midi and audio files from the old projects, whether you upgraded to pro tools or another daw.

2 more cents,lol!

[andygabrys]

Because the pro tool 7.3 projects are likely 32bit, it's probably just as easy to make a new project with the midi and audio files from the old projects, whether you upgraded to pro tools or another daw.

yes they are - but if opened directly in a 64 bit version of PT like V 11 or 12 they immediately function as 64 bit.

you don't lose anything.

[Len911]

Because the pro tool 7.3 projects are likely 32bit, it's probably just as easy to make a new project with the midi and audio files from the old projects, whether you upgraded to pro tools or another daw.

yes they are - but if opened directly in a 64 bit version of PT like V 11 or 12 they immediately function as 64 bit.

you don't lose anything.

Great point and good to know!

[mojobone]

Not gonna weigh in on P/T, since I don't use it, but I'll add a plus one on the Audient interface; it's miles ahead of the competition at that price point.