Here's a discussion I would love to see. Say you have $4000 to buy the software and A/D/D/A interface for a new DAW you are building, you want it to be as professional as possible, perhaps even a level above project studio.
So obviously you can't afford Pro Tools HD, only LE. I would really like to know two things,
Question 1:
Which software do you choose and why?
-Nuendo 2.0, Cubase SX 2.0, Logic Pro 7.0, Sonar 4, Digital Performer 4, Pro Tools LE, or another?
Question 2:
-Which A/D D/A would you pick to get the sound to the above software and why?
-MOTU 828, Tascam FW-1884, Digi 002(obviously if you choose PTLE), Mackie ONYX, Apogee Rosetta, Aardvark, M-Audio, or another?
I listed the above products only as a guide as they are what I would pick from given this kind of a budget. Feel free to add any other brand or unit into the mix, as long as you can still get both of them for under $4000.
Cheers and thanks to all who respond...
Comments
Don't forget to try Samplitude (the ultimate, IMO). And Lavry c
Don't forget to try Samplitude (the ultimate, IMO). And Lavry converters (also the ultimate). A PCI digital router could handle the interface (Lynx AES16 comes to mind - Nice clock. Not like you'd need it with Lavry's clock, though).
You could probably get all that for around $4000.
If there's a better system than Samplitude (or Sequoia) with a set of Lavry converters, I haven't heard it.
Wow! That sounds bold...
Doesn't help with a physical controller if you need one, also doesn't help with a number of inputs or preamps. That'd have to be accounted for also if it's on your list.
I also have to second samplitude and a good set of ad/da'a. Eve
I also have to second samplitude and a good set of ad/da'a. Even if you cant afford the lavrys (which are awesome) take a look at RME. Professionally I have been using Nuendo and the only reason i havent switched is the TIME and money inversted in it. At home i have a 1884 as a sketchpad with cubase 2.2. It is alright as a budget package. Not all of the control surface works yet., but it is nice to have faders under your fingers. Before that i had a digi002 at home with ptle, and it was simple to use.
When i do my home setup again it would be samplitude/lavry or apogee converters and mackie universal. I think samplitude has made alot of progress over the last few years becasuse they listen to what the customer wants
hope this hepls ya get it right the first time
I would be more worried about pres and mics than converters ...
I would be more worried about pres and mics than converters ... If you already have good mics and pres, then better converters are in order but without them all you are going to get is a great conversion of crap ...
Better mics and pres go a lot further to improving the audio than converters IMO. It cracks me up when people tell me they have Apogee, MYTEK, Lavry or other high end converters but they are using RNPs and Oktiva mics ... it just seems to me they have it all bass-ackwards.
Check the poll on which DAW do you use ... this will give you a good idea of who around here uses what ...
Cubase / Nuendo seem to be the most popular apps..
Also of interest are the 2 recent threads "Why I Hate PT" and "Why she squirted Mustard on Pro Tools". Some real insight to the whole PT thing ...
Quack... Hey thanks guys for the responses. I think I will mos
Quack...
Hey thanks guys for the responses. I think I will most likely go with either Logic or Cubase. The general feeling out their seems to be that PTHD is great if you have the money but for the price of PTLE you can get a much better sounding digital system using Cubase etc.
As for the converters I guess it's just a matter of budget. Does anyone know if the converters on the 1884 sound? I would be nice to have converters, interface and control surface for around $1000. I have no illusions about the pre's however...
Actually I think the pre found in most Tascam gear are about as
Actually I think the pre found in most Tascam gear are about as good as can be expected for the application ... of course they are not the quality of an Earthworks or a Millennia pre ... but they are very trasparent with a lot of headroom .. and do not exhibit the shrill / harshness of the pres found in many other less expensive products.
I have never heard the 1884 but I would expect that the converters would be about the same also. I really like Tascam gear, for what it is. I think they make some of the best "prosumer" gear around.
The converters in the 1884 are just like Kurt said, lots of head
The converters in the 1884 are just like Kurt said, lots of headroom and fairly decent for the price. I found them comparable to the digi002 converters. If you go with the tascam and you still havent chosen a software, remember that not all of the control functions work in cubase or nuendo 2.2 yet You might want to check and see with steinberg if its fixed in version 3.
I would stay away from the FW-1884. The build quality on it is
I would stay away from the FW-1884. The build quality on it is really horrible.
To make a long story short, I spec'd them for an install that I was working on. They were going to be used as the front end and as a controller. Three of them were going to be needed. After blowing out the analog front ends on FOUR of them by plugging in mics while the phantom was on, we gave up. Not to mention that it would loose contact over the FW connection and didn't even work to its specs for cable length. To get our 12 foot run, we needed an active repeater in the chain.
I have later talked with a number of others that have had similar experiences with the Tascam/Frontier gear.
--Ben
I use LOGIC but the NEW CUBASE is really, really a BIG improveme
I use LOGIC but the NEW CUBASE is really, really a BIG improvement (IMO) from the older version so, it's a matter of personal preferences between the two. I would probably go for CUBASE if I were to buy it everything new today.
For the A/D conversion I strongly suggest the MYTEK converters.
As far as the interace it depends on several things: if one plans on using a hardware mixer interfaced with the DAW, a surface controller, etc... There are many surface controllers with firwire/tdif connection so, that too is a matter of personal pref.