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Mazz, my friend,

I get what you're saying: I have to keep up! Got it!

So, today I came up with $850! Sold an old Fender Deluxe Reverb amp --- no haggling, and the guy was really stoked! He promised to take care of my baby. I kissed her in his trunk and bid her farewell. Great guitar amp.

Anyway, I assume a PT upgrade from 6.4 to 8, and a new computer may solve my problems. BUT, I have 2 weeks to get this done. --- A PT upgrade is $150 (if I CAN upgrade from 6.4 to 8 --- lemme know if I'm wrong!). So, that leaves me with a $700 PC. --- I've been on Digidesign's website, and it's all old stuff about compatible computers. I need 1.) A fast processor 2.) At least 6-8 gig RAM 3.) A couple hard drives 4.) Not sure about OS, since Digidesign only talks about XP, and Vista. --- There are PLENTY of computers with these specs in this pricerange! So, do I go with a Core2Duo Intel, an AMD Quad, or an i3, i5 etc.? My problems have recently been that my computer crashes because of "lack of CPU power." So, I'm inclined to go with a fast processor, but I've always been told NOT to spend the money on the newest processors. Just scale back to cheaper ones that are as fast. --- Done my research, and many older processors hold their own against the newest Intels. --- Almost every desktop in "Consumer Reports" (not exactly the "cutting edge" for music production ) has Firewire, which is also essential for a Digi002.

Sooo --- lots of questions! Plus, is it possible just to buy the PT 8 upgrade and install it on my old PC to "get the job done?" If so, can I also put it on a new computer when I figure out what to buy, or can you only put in only one 'puter? Time is of the essence! --- Also, if I put the new PT8 on either the old or new computer, how do I transfer the PT music files etc. into either the new software, and/or a new computer?

Thanks so much for your time and consideration,

Ern

Hey Ern,

Sorry for the tough love, I'm glad you're moving forward. It's hard to keep up, I understand, it takes a lot of time and work.

I'm not ultra up on computers, but there's plenty of gurus around here!

Cheers! Peace!

Mazz

Hey Ern,

I would recommend that you go to the Pro Tools forums as there are several members over there that are really up to speed on what works and what doesn't work when it comes to PT, hardware and upgrades.

http://duc.digidesign.com/

hth,
- Big Blue

Thanks Mazz & Big Blue! Mazz, although I get kinda pissy, I appreciate tough love! It's the only way to grow and learn.

And Big Blue: I'll check out the websites. I, so far, can't get a good handle on what PC (or Mac) to buy. I've always been a Mac guy, and "Sweetwater" is trying to steer me into a Mac Mini (4 gb). But for that kind of money, I could buy a hellacious PC, and since I've been using a PC for ProTools, I'm not picky about that. --- As I said, I have $700 to spend, no more, no less. I've looked at HPs and Dells, but maybe I can find a refurbished PC with the specs I want for a lot less. The last 2 PCs I bought were refurbished, and served me well. --- Plus, I must add in an additional HD, as well as the PT upgrade.

Thanks again for all the info!

Ern

bigbluebarry wrote:Hey Ern,

I would recommend that you go to the Pro Tools forums as there are several members over there that are really up to speed on what works and what doesn't work when it comes to PT, hardware and upgrades.

http://duc.digidesign.com/

hth,
- Big Blue

+ one billion - don't build/buy before you read up on what works and what doesn't (and there's a lot that doesn't)!!!

Check out the 'Allenstein' threads or Quadzilla

I wrote a bunch of stuff and it logged me off so I lost it!lol!
From what I have found, the upgrade to version 8 is a full installer, so it doesn't matter what previous versions you had. windows 7 is only beta supported, vista is supported, only the 32bit not 64 bit. xp can only use 2gig ram, vista more, but vista allocates ram dynamically so you may or not benefit if you crammed with extra ram. xp is fairly stable. I think this pro tools version is similiar to what steinberg concluded, that there is no benefit at this time for audio using 64 bit versus 32. IMO I would stick with xp, with intel chips over amd just because intel chips are more common and any problems would be resolved quicker than a lesser known chipset problem.
This will also help you stay in budget and not buy more than you will, if ever need.
Pro Tools uses the ilok dongle that holds the license, so whatever computer has the ilok in the usb port, is the one it will work in. I would install it in the new computer, and use a usb flash drive to copy your files on, then put in usb of new computer and move them wherever you want them. I have an intel duocore 8500 3.2ghz i believe, but it depends on your mobo. I run out of ram 2gigs before i have ever overworked the processor. If you want the latest processor you will need more of the latest and greatest mobos software etc., and it doesn't appear to have much benefit at this time in pro tools.

cont. The ideal would be to use xp, with a duo-core processor, and 25gigs of ram, but it doesn't work that way,lol, and so far I believe for the most part, we are at the place where the audio software hasn't really caught up with the os software, or else the new os software hasn't really offered much improvement for audio programs. 64 bit, giga ram is great, but I believe everything has to catch up, and with many programs and plug-ins only in 32 bit etc., or doesn't use the ram to full efficiency, there is a lot of holes and overkill.
I don't know why you don't consider building your own. If you can turn a screwdriver and plug cables in, you can do it in 3-5 hrs. The most difficult is specing, or deciding. After you decide the mobo and chipset combo you want, everything else is straight-forward.

to answer a couple of questions:

is it possible just to buy the PT 8 upgrade and install it on my old PC to "get the job done?" If so, can I also put it on a new computer when I figure out what to buy, or can you only put in only one 'puter?

you can install Pro Tools off the same disc on as many computers as you want. the program checks that you have an interface (in your case, the 002) connected to the computer when you start it; that's their copy protection.

also, older Pro Tools sessions should open in PT8 no problem. (the reverse is NOT true, so the upgrade is one-way.)

Also, if I put the new PT8 on either the old or new computer, how do I transfer the PT music files etc. into either the new software, and/or a new computer?

as long as you move the entire session directory -- project, audio files, the works -- from one computer to the other, you should be fine. if you're not sure where all the session's files are, do File->Save Copy In. i'm sure there's google-able tutorials on the specifics, but essentially it puts the whole session, with all audio files, into a directory so you can be sure it's the whole thing when you copy it over.

hth
jon

Hey Techies!

Thanks for all your repsonses! I contacted a friend of mine who has been a compter tech for 30+ years, and inquired about him building me a PC. He was honest: "I could build you one, but there's no way I could do it as cheaply as the big companies can do it."

So, for $700, just to get started, here are essential specs for a Dell Studio XPS 8100:

Intel Core i5 processor, Intel H57 chipset
Win 7 Home Premium 64bit
4 GB Dual Channel 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 4 DIMMS (up to 16 GB SDRAM)
500 GB 7200rpm SATA HD (up to 3 TB)
8 USB 2.0
IEEE 1394a (Firewire)

Later, when I get some more $$, a second HD and more RAM for sure!

Whatcha think?

Thanks in advance,

Ern

hmm, it seems like windows 7 and pro tools 8 aren't playing completely nice just yet...still in public beta. link to lots of people's problems (but also how you might work around them until a real release shows up):
http://duc.digidesign.com/forumdisplay.php?f=59

not that i would say get vista because while i don't have 7, by most accounts it's a vast improvement over vista stability and speed-wise.