I know, I know, Julian... I've been steadfastly declaring my intentions to stay on this side of the fence with my "vintage" Pro Tools set-up - but I think I just changed my mind.
Issue #1: I ran the numbers. I can do the conversion with the trade in option (before June 30th) for only $5200. For me, this means trading one 888/24 for the 192 interface, and my Mix plus PCI cards for two new cards. For some reason I assumed it would be twice that much.
Issue #2: File sizes: by using the new system at the same 24/44.1 for a while, I won't have any larger files than I have now. But I will have eight channels of better converters, as well as far more DSP on the cards. And I won't have to worry about using up specific types of DSP chips.
Issue #3: Future compatability: eventually down the road, my current system won't work with the latest software, plugins etc. By taking adavantage of the generous trade-in terms now, I stave off eventual obsolescence for a while longer at a pretty decent price.
Issue #4: Plug-in compatability. This is what I will be monitoring closely. I have a number of ongoing projects using pluginsthat are still incompatable. So I will be watching closely before I pull the trigger - fortunately I've still got about 2.5 months before the deadline.
Issue #5: Resale issues: I will be selling a couple of the vintage DSP farm cards that will no longer work in the new system. While their value is already compromised, the longer i wait, the less they will be worth.
Other considerations: I'm choosing the 192 interface specifically because of it's expandability. Plus it has the equivalent of an ADAT bridge built in. Also better clocking, although for me that is not an issue because I have the Lucid Gen6x.
So it looks like I will get a sizeable performance gain in converters and DSP even while still at 24/44.1 - plus I'm almost all set whenever I'm ready to jump to 96k or whatever - I'll just need to pick up another 8 channels of A/D which can be installed in my existing 192 box.
While $5200 isn't exactly chump change, it may bump up a lot higher after 6/30. And it's nothing compared to my initial investment in Pro Tools gear. The only other hit will be whatever the plugin upgrades are going to cost - I'm hoping they will be reasonable!
Okay, let me back up and get a running start... :w:
Comments
If I remember right Digi will give you a month to send in your h
If I remember right Digi will give you a month to send in your hardware after sending the new stuff.
Plugs should be good to go by the end of July one would think. Besides you've still got 3.5 months before you have to squeeze the trigger. We're on the same timetable...
Personally, I'm just going to fall over the fence. Too much time in the aeron chair and not enough on the bikes!
Greg Heimbecker
I know I am going over the fence in July/Aug, not through Digi b
I know I am going over the fence in July/Aug, not through Digi but on the street(I have a D24 card and a Mix farm). I think around June Digi is going to get bombarded with everyone freaking out and ready to upgrade(kinda like the whole millenium thing). I think at that point, anyone caught outside with their TDM systems will feel it later on this year. I've been pricing the 192K boxes and so far the best price quote I got is $2700(that's with no extras). I think the street price will be around $2500. I still haven't got a quote for the extra analog outputs though. I know I am going to need (2)192K boxes with the full 16 analog outs each. Also I wil have to upgrade my trusty old B/W G3. And also the new Atto card. Whoosh!!! So much stuff!!!
It occurs to me, concerning the 3rd party plug-in compatibility
It occurs to me, concerning the 3rd party plug-in compatibility issue...
I have no idea if Digi would be willing to do this or not, but if the 6/30 deadline gets near and certain keyplug-insare still not available, maybe we could negotiate with Digi that we could PAY FOR the upgrade swaps before June 30, but not actually implement them until theplug-insare availbale.
It doesn't seem like that unreasonable an idea - after all, Digi would have our money in their pocket - it would just be a matter of delaying the actual swap. :p