Skip to main content

Hi,
I was considering upgrading my Mix4 TDM,G4 800 and ADAT bridges to a system containing PT HD2 Accel, Mac Pro 2.66 and an 192 I/O DIgital (I use digital boards).

However, I see myself divided between two points of view, with its pros and cons:
a) wait until late 2007 and pick a possible new system by Digi
+ wait for the next generation of Macintels (7.3.1 not fine with them, some weird performance with the MAcs)
+ Mix Systems will even lose more value

b)Upgrade now,but:
+ aware that prices might go even lower towards december, 2007
+ Mix Systems still keep some value now.
+ might not have now such a stable systems as mine

So, what is your opinion?
Also...

any rumours? what would be the next step? for Pt HD Accel ++++?

a)DSD option for mastering?
b) an utility similar to Masterlist within PT?
c)full Music Notation?
d)new improved interfaces?

I would really appreciate to know that, because I'm close to upgrading stuff here.
Thanks

Topic Tags

Comments

sheet Thu, 04/26/2007 - 17:47

Don't worry about it. You can't wait for the next evolution. Get the one that works bug free NOW, and make money NOW. You are not going to be able to buy anything aside from true vintage mics and outboard, and expect a return on investment. So get what you need.

There are no rumors of hardware. There are no rumors of new cards just yet, because they would have to be exponentially better to get people to buy in to the difference in performance.

DSD and SACD are dead commercially. Players are not selling. Labels are not releasing the most purchased titles in the format. CDs and DVD audio are droppping in sales. Surround is dropping in sales. None of this matters to you anyway, because you are here in a forum, asking what you should do vs, being a booked studio with clientele mandating what you should do. You are not going to recover cash spent on DSD converters and such in your rates.

There is a DSD plug for PT HD anyway.

DSD is meaninless IMO. Why would you sample at 24-bit, 192kHz and then expect the DSD master to sound any better? The damage was done on the front side. The only way to make use of DSD from start to finish is to do just that with DSD converters, multitrack and mix with it. Editing really can't be done, so you can forget full DAW tricks. Then you have to look at hard-drive space, etc.

iTunes is THE NUMBER ONE SELLER OF ALL MUSIC OF ALL TIME. That is your delivery mediem. Go for it.

Kev Fri, 04/27/2007 - 14:09

sheet wrote: Don't You can't wait for the next evolution. Get the one that works bug free NOW, and make money NOW.

I'm with sheet
your work flow and results is the most important thing ... then comes value for money

upgrade only when you must

that may be easy for me to say as I have an HD2 and it was running on a G4/400 ... and way too slow
I have a dual 2.3 to replace the G4 but just haven't got around to it

I bought the computer last year and obviously if I bought today, it would have been chaeper (I'm lazy and stupid)
so...
my advice is, if you do buy or upgrade, get it working asap
cos
digital and computers de-value so fast

Alécio Costa Fri, 04/27/2007 - 16:34

Thanks,folks. I am aware of this.
I remember my first MAC, A g3 bege. I paid close to U$1000.

Now it is a U$20 toy. The same happening with my 2002 G4 800 QS. and the PT systems we had in the past.( PT24, 2 Mix Plus).

Below, a small resume of what I have realized:

Reasons to upgrade: (not the 200 listed by Digi)

a)a few studios in the city already have at least hd: 96k, higher track count, better a/d (not HD Accel);

b)mix hardware is gone obsolete, losing more of its value everyday and got 2 refurbishled mix systems here;

c)locked to G4 dual or a few early generation G5s only;

d)If one waits a bit longer the distance from a top notch system will be even $$$$$;

e)some great tools only available for Accel;

f)Plug-in developers also abandoned mix systems;

* reasons not to upgrade:
a)extreme stability with the current mix4;

b) a better front end (Apogee, Mytek, Pendulum)is much more important than having the a/d HD Interfaces;

c)Not really that cheap yet;

d)actual system still brings money;

e)96k and higher track count not necessary and not requested by clients;

f)repay TC, Waves, Mc DSP upgrades;

Still in doubt.. and I have to decide this till monday...

(Current: Mix4 OS 9.2 G4 800 QS TDM 1GB RAM 5.1.3/6.x 3 Adat Bridges into 02R96)
(Future: HD2 Accel 10.4.x MAc Pro 2.66 1GB RAM 7.3.x 1 Adat Bridge 24 bit + 192 I/O Digital)

Thanks for any opinions!