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I have a Digi 002 with Pro Tools running on a Mac G4. I have been learning about recording techniques and how to get my music INTO my system, now I need some help getting it out.

I have been using the 'bounce to disk' option, which creates sub-quality AIFF files that are not suitable for mastering. Recently I 'discovered' the optical outputs on the back of the 002, and after slamming my head into the wall, repeatedly yelling 'stupid, stupid, stupid', I realized that I needed to select and acquire an appropriate recording device.

So my question is. what is a good cost-effective device to write my final mixes to for mastering? I ask because I want to make sure that what I use will be a standard format and the best quality I can get.

I really cannot afford to pay more than $500 for such a unit. My thoughts were either an ADAT or a standalone CD burner, but I would like some advice from the forum before committing.

If there are units that work better with the Pro Tools environment I would probably lean towards them, assuming the quality was there.

Thanks,
Eric

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anonymous Tue, 08/09/2005 - 09:04

Bounce actually works well if you know how to use it. Read up on the subject cause it took me along time and lotsa reading to get it. Try using a master fader in your mix. Bounce your files to a multi-mono and open a new session and import it to a stereo track, then apply a little comp and EQ. I think you might be surprised.

anonymous Tue, 08/09/2005 - 11:59

PT Bounce

Thanks much. I will dig into it a little more and see how well I fare. I really like sickyboy's suggestion as well - I will try that on an existing mix that did not bounce well and see how it goes.

So my assumption would be, if I bounce properly and burn the resulting files to a CD then that would be an appropriate format to take to a professional studio for mastering? Is there a preferred bitrate and sample rate that I should use? Is AIFF the most common file format?

I will go and RTFM as I should have done before, but I also want to make sure that the files I create are the correct/best format for mastering.

anonymous Wed, 08/10/2005 - 20:15

I mix back into Pro Tools then export... All the outs on my digi 002 go to my console. The mains on the console go to my Finalizer 96k and back into inputs 9 & 10, via light pipe. The analog outs of the finalizer go to the distribution amp to feed everything else I want to mix to. I always have a stereo mix tracks set up in my Pro Tools and Logic templates. Then I can apply my mastering plugins to the mixdown right in the same session, do fades, etc, consolidate and export. Just export selected audio as files. Select Stereo interleaved or separate mono, the sample rate, bit rate, where you want it to go and hit export. Fast and easy.

That's just my way. may be bad according to some, but it works well for me.

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