Hi Jeronimo,

This is really a question for the Pro Tools section in the DAWworld forum but I'll answer here:

TDM 24 was the first version of Pro Tools to support 24bit resolution. It was introduced about six or so years ago. TDM Mix, Mix+ and Mix3 (Mix cubed) are all the same system. Just different packages which refer to the number of mix farm cards in the packages. Mix farm cards contain the DSP chips and therefore provide all the processing horsepower in a ProTools setup. The more mix farm cards you purchase the more the more interfaces you can connect, the more tracks you can instatiate and the more plugins you can use. A Mix system has one mix farm (built into the core card), a Mix+ has two mix farm cards and a Mix cubed has three.

Greg

Hey Greg, I'm sorry, only now I noticed that there is a DAW forum here :roll:!!
By the way, thanx for your answer... so the core card has a DSP on it... that's intresting... how much power you have with only the core card?!

Hi Jeronimo,

<< so the core card has a DSP on it >>

The core card contains 6 DSP chips just like a mix farm card. For all intents and purposes a mix core card is a core card and a mix farm card all on a single card. However, you won't get far with just a core card. You'll only get a couple of free chips for plugins once you've loaded up the stereo mixer and set-up your tracks, auxes and a cue mix. I think a Mix+ is the minimum for anything serious. I sometimes use up to 50 or 60 channels with plugins on most of them and often a lot of routing. I find the Mix3 gives me all the horsepower I need with a little to spare.

Greg

I hear ya... I was just curious, a TDM rig is totally out of my plans right now. So basically, you won't have much more than a 001 using a core system right? I mean, on track counts fully loaded with plugins...

<< So basically, you won't have much more than a 001 using a core system right? >>

Depends on how you use it. If you say only connect one ADC and are prepared to use some host based RTAS plugins alongside TDM plugs then you will definately have more power and a higher track count than a 001. However if you are looking for say 32 channels, all with TDM plugs including one or two really hungry ones as well as a fair bit of routing using auxes and buses, you really need a Mix+ if you want to avoid printing effects to disk or submixing. If you are looking for 40+ channels, surround, lots of quality TDM plugs, lots of I/O's and really pushing it hard, a Mix3 is what's needed.

Greg

Great answers guys! Thanx!! :)

Hey, I'm keeping this post alive :)!
Ok, so I'm still not sure about it... for example, let's say I'm used to the 001 and it's restrictions, so I can print effects to disk and I have no problem with the RTAS plugins. I want 24 tracks (I use 16 most of the time) and I want to use TDM plugins. What is the basic, basic, basic set up I need? For example, I was checking around and I was wandering if I can buy only one Core card for now and use TDM plugins?! Do I need to have an interface?! Even if I don't need any a/d-d/a conversion!? And after getting the most basic set up, later I can upgrade right? getting more farm cards... help!!! :)

you won't get far with just a core card.

I disagree, I've done some rather heavy mixes with just a single core card. Now a D24 based system with just a single DSP Farm, that's a different story.

A MixCore is a good place to start and it's got a lot more balls than a Digi001 system especially now with 5.1.1 that can mix the RTAS and the TDM plugs in the same session.

I've got a MixCore + a DSP Farm and I very rarely run out of DSP, even with high track counts. But then again, my high track count is just an average day for someone else, YMMV.

I want 24 tracks (I use 16
most of the time) and I want to use TDM plugins. What is the basic, basic, basic set up I need?

I wasn't able to get much over 10 tracks out of my d24 based rig on a REAL session. Sure, with no plugs it'll open up however many tracks you want up to 32, I think. Anyway, go with a MixCore for basic, basic setup. Go with as many plus signs next to the Mix as you can afford. The Mix 3 (Mix Cubed) used to be referred to as a Mix ++ by us PT geeks. This is before Digi thought of selling a system with more than one extra MixFarm. The more farms the better, that's the rule. I'd stay away from the d24 though, it's bound to be obsolete soon.

I was wandering if I can buy only one Core card for now and use TDM plugins?! [?QUOTE]

You can only use TDM plugs with a TDM system - your Digi001 with PTLE won't be able to do anything with TDM plugs/hardware.

[QUOTE] Do I need to have an interface?! Even if I don't need any a/d-d/a conversion!? [QUOTE]

Yes. In your case you could use an ADAT Bridge if you've got lightpipe output on your current converters.

[QUOTE] And after getting the most basic set up, later I can upgrade right? getting more farm cards... help!!

Right! Just did this myself, traded in a d24 for a MixCore and I was able to keep the DSPFarm. It still costs money to upgrade though!

Dan Roth
Otitis Media

I own a Mix core system and a G4 466. The thing that is keeping me from getting another farm card is the Pro Tools 5.1 implemintation of RTAS plugins. 32 tracks of mixing all day long but I do max out my system though. It also depends what plugins you use. Some will eat DSP really quick. I'll wait till they get a little cheaper. Right now Mix farms go for about 2500 usd.

e-mail me if you have other questions.

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://digitalsound…"]Digital Sound Lab[/]="http://digitalsound…"]Digital Sound Lab[/] :)