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I have an 24" iMac 2.8 core duo w/ 500 gig internal hard drive, 4gig's RAM and I currently have a PreSonus FireBox with some very old Cubase LE software that came with it - I never installed on the iMac yet(used on my PC for a few years now).

I have been asked to start recording local bands - mainly punk/alternative rock - nothing real special. I currently do live sound for them with no computer - just basic mixer/PA set up.

So I will be upgrading the interface and purchasing some decent software. Most likely sticking with the PreSonus company for now.

So here is my questions:

1) I'm turned off by Pro Tools only working with their hardware - So if I go with CuBase or something other than Pro Tools, will CuBase work with the m-audio/Digidesign hardware if I eventually decide to go that route?

2) I feel like i would only need 8-12 simultaneous tracks - is the iMac good enough for that? Would I need an external drive?

3) If I needed to work with Pro Tools files for some reason can i just load Pro Tools to export the info into Cubase or other programs - or is Pro Tools propritory in some way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

Cucco Thu, 12/04/2008 - 04:08

Answers in order:
1- M-Audio - yes, will work with Cubase or other software
Digidesign - no, will not work with anything other than PT

2 - Yes, the iMac is more than sufficient for that. Yes, you will want and need an external hard drive. Buy one designed for your needs - such as LaCie or Glyph. Cheesy HDs from Best Buy won't do the trick.

3 - Not really an easy answer. There are tools that allow you to port to a Digi System. I've had issues with a few of them. When I need to port the tracks to PT, I simply export each track from 0:00:00 to the end of the project (all tracks equal length) and then rebuild in PT. It's not quick nor easy, but it works.

Cheers and welcome!
Jeremy

RemyRAD Sat, 12/06/2008 - 07:48

Unfortunately all the different software's do not necessarily translate well to other software's. As Cucco pointed out, the only real efficient manner is to open the project in the original software and render out each track individually. Whoe! That's going to take some time. You better you better you bet. But you didn't need a social life did you? It gets even worse when you realize that plug-ins are like underwear. You really don't know what's in everybody's drawers? You can't assume everybody wears jockeys. I certainly don't have a need for those. Unfortunately that convenient opening is in the wrong place so it doesn't translate for me. Besides, I don't have an extendable microphone plugged in. So, I wouldn't gain anything from that plug-in, except a good laugh.

Don't get me started. LOL LOL LOL it hurts LOL
Ms. Remy Ann David
Who wears panties thank you very much.

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