Originally posted by dan mcguinness:
hi all
i am moving up from an all in one box (roland 2480 - great machine, just ready to move up in the studio) to a more pro "hard" set up - (probably) Mackie d8b, Radar 24project, and ???some type of pc (not mac) editing set-up.
I have not used any pc recording gear before, and just want to do editing now - i am looking for input on system requirements and what software to use - 24 track EDITING only, relatively easy learning curve. I will keep the 2480 for live gigs, so i will probaby have to output from that as wav files.
Any input greatly appreciated.
thanks
dan

HMMM. Editing software wise...I'd recommend ProTools....If you do not need smpte (it's possible) you could just get the LE. If you need smpte for post, ect...piece together a used TDM system. Others here can help with recommendations for other software packages like MOTU , Digital Performer, Logic, ect. I do not use those so I can't recommend them. From my experiances wacthing Logic sessions, though, Pro Tools beats IT hands down in the easy and extensive audio editing side of things. What's your budget? that would help narrow down the advice.

I'd recommend using "Nuendo" from Steinberg with a digital mixer (I use the d8b). I also was in the same position you were about a year and a half ago. Only I was moving from an analog board and some adats. This system has let me expand my skills as an engineer faster than any other hardwar/software move I've ever made. The possiblities are endless.

As for the software itself, it is very straight forward and easy to use. I started working with it without having to read the manual. I would only consult it when I would get stuck on something.

As to the comment that you are only going to use it to edit, that will probably last 3 weeks. That was my original intention, track and edit with the program and to mix everything in my d8b. The only problem with that is that your selling yourself short. There are so many good compressors, special fx, eq's, etc, that I can't get for my d8b but are readily available as plugins for my workstation.

I currently own the Waves Gold bundle and the Universal Audio dsp card, Sonic timeworks reverb, Q-metric eq, Sonic Foundry's Noise reduction, and others. Together with some nice preamps on the front end, the d8b, and Nuendo workstation, this setup rocks. You can go so much further than you could with just your d8b. I can only encourage you to make that jump.

Hope this helps,
Abraham

if you don't need midi, i agree with rm, pro tools/alsihad is fine (you can run protools free from a laptop, and the price is right)

i grew up with deck, and now work with dp (mac only), but i do use midi for vst instruments mainly, and i find it gives me the best of both worlds

i'm a mac freak, but if you go with pc, make sure your system's correctly adjusted and you should be fine

Can't you edit on teh RADAR?