I do most of my recording and mixing to and from the Tascam MX2424. I use Samplitude to edit the tracks just like Pro Tools and send the edited tracks digitally back to the Tascam.
But now and then I get calls from people needing Pro Tools to do overdubs or mix (we have REALLY nice outboard & mics). The Projects I record and mix do not require more than 24 tracks so I am wondering if PT LE would be better than no Pro Tools at all. If if they could just do overdubs here and then back to the million dollar room to mix it would be business for me, as well as additional word of mouth. I know that it would be easier just to buy a full on TDM system, and the cash is in the bank to do it, but I really dont think it will warrant the cost vs the LE version ($1K versus $9K-$20K?). We already have a smokin' PC that is easily upgradeable so we just need the software and some basic hardware.
1)What are the limitations to the LE version for just music?
2)What do you think are the bonuses over other PC based DAWs, or is it just the name recognition for the client?
3)Does it use WAV files on PC, or SDII also?
4)What if someone brings me a system started on TDM Macintosh, would it be hard for the PC LE version to read it?
5)Can the same PRO results be had on the LE version (with a powerful computer, say a 1Ghz processor w/512 mgz of SDRAM) as on the TDM v 5.0?
6)The Hardware on the 001 looks limited (only one lightpipe), is there anyway to transfer all 24 tracks digitally out at one time?
Comments
Your current Sekd setup is superior to ProTools LE. 1) PT LE wa
Your current Sekd setup is superior to ProTools LE.
1) PT LE was intentionally crippled to allow only 24 tracks and half the plug-in count of other native systems. It only works with Digi's intentionally limited hardware, ie: no 24 track digital x-fers.
2) The only bonus is the name recognition, which will back-fire if the next question is: Is it TDM?
3) The PC version uses WAV files, not SDII as in the Mac version.
4) If it's 24 or less tracks, with no TDM plugs you could convert the SDII files to WAV and import them, just like you could with any DAW...
5) Not by a long shot.
6) Not as audio. Perhaps through ethernet, CD-R, or drive swapping, just like any other DAW.
I'm a MOTU studio and have to deal with sessions started on PT LE PC now and again. I request the tracks be bounced to disk with all edits, noplug-insor automation, starting from 0:00. I then drag each track into a new session, starting each at 0:00. I don't see PT LE PC allowing you to do any more than this, but I do keep Pro Tools Free on the same machine so I can say "Yeah, I have it, but I don't use it...", kinda like my adat...
posted March 19, 2001 07:10 PM -------------
posted March 19, 2001 07:10 PM
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1)What are the limitations to the LE version for just music?
There are 2 ways to look at the differences between 24Mix (TDM) and LE:
1. LE will only give you 24 tracks of audio max. 24Mix is virtually unlimited, depending upon the DSP on the MIx Core and/or Farm cards.
2. LE only allows you to use Audiosuite and RTASplug-ins This is because LE is a host-based system, as compared to 24Mix which runs on its own DSP chips on the PCI cards.
2)What do you think are the bonuses over other PC based DAWs, or is it just the name recognition for the client?
IMHO, there is no comparison between Mac and PC for audio if it will be used all the time. I am running a G3 350 with PTLE5.1 and I love it. I have also run a Mac clone with a 24MixPlus rig, doing sessions that involved recording, editing, mixdown, and mastering of projects with over 60 tracks, withplug-ins and the system was rock-solid. You can't do that on a PC.
3)Does it use WAV files on PC, or SDII also?
PT uses SDII files on PC as well. The nig question was will PC sessions work when transferred to a Mac. PT 5.1 supposedly answers that question, but I have not tested it yet.
4)What if someone brings me a system started on TDM Macintosh, would it be hard for the PC LE version to read it?
If you do not have PT 5.1, the answer is yes. Before 5.1, Macs could read PC sessions, but not the other way around.
5)Can the same PRO results be had on the LE version (with a powerful computer, say a 1Ghz processor w/512 mgz of SDRAM) as on the TDM v 5.0?
It depends on what you are doing in the session. There are things that PT 24Mix will do that LE won't. For example, LE will not lock to timecode.
6)The Hardware on the 001 looks limited (only one lightpipe), is there anyway to transfer all 24 tracks digitally out at one time?
That is just one of the limitations of the Digi 001 setup. There is no way to get more than 10 (using the monitor outs) analog outs, 2 digital outs (L,R through SPDIF), and 8 channels through Lightpipe. With a Mix or Mixplus rig, you can add as many analog or digital outs as you need, up to 72. With each PCI card that you install, you can attach 2 I/O interfaces.
Hope this helps.