Chiff and Fipple Forums

I've been using Pro Tools (MBox) on a Mac, running OS 9.something for years... and it's, of course, now totally antiquated. Actually, I did a lot of recording on it, when it was state of the art, then took a five year breather to learn how to trade the markets. For that, I needed to go to PC. So, now I'm ready to get back into recording, and really in a quandray about what to do.

Do I push on with the old stuff (it still works fine)? Do I upgrade Pro Tools and buy a new Mac that runs OS 10.something? Do I move to getting the right software to run Pro Tools on a PC (because now I can barely run a Mac, have never learned OS 10, and am good on a PC)? Or, do I start all over again with new software--something less deep than Pro Tools--but still good enough to produce a professional sounding recording?

Suggestions?

A lot of the answer to your question probably depends on what you mean by "good enough to produce a professional sounding recording". I am reminded that the Beatles conquered the world with four-track recordings and little to no post-processing.

If your MBox/Pro Tools rig still works, and you are happy with the quality and functionality, I'd say stick with it and run it into the ground. You can get yourself into an endless "spend cycle" upgrading recording software and the computer platform it runs on.

I would look around at the latest software offerings for both Mac and PC and see if there is a new feature or function that I really need or want to exploit. If so I'd plan to go in the direction that software solution takes me. Otherwise, stand pat.

I personally don't see any real difference between the results attainable with either the Mac or PC. I am using Cakewalk Sonar 8.5 Producer myself with a ton of add-ons. I work with friends that have Pro Tools studios too. In the long run my PC based solutions have been more economical than the full-blown PT environments. But both environments can do more than most of us would ever have time or expertise to master.

If you want to explore recording on Windows and the PC you can always download Audacity and give it a try. It has good functionality (caveat: depending on what you may require) and a load of plug-ins are available. If your MBox is a USB based interface it should plug right in and away you go.

Just my thoughts.

Feadoggie

Feadoggie wrote:If you want to explore recording on Windows and the PC you can always download Audacity and give it a try. It has good functionality (caveat: depending on what you may require) and a load of plug-ins are available. If your MBox is a USB based interface it should plug right in and away you go.

Just my thoughts.

Feadoggie

Just a note that Audacity is available on the Mac as well. I use it to post-process my files from my Zoom H4.

Pat

Audacity is great -open source too- but if you want multi-track recording I like http://reaper.fm

It's cheaper and with most of the functionality (handles audio/midi/vst/vsti/au/ASIO/automation/routing/customization well) of pro tools, it should suit your needs.

Its free demo is fully functional forever too! (bar a nag screen after 30 days)

If you decide to buy it please realise there is a new major release (version 4 - alpha61b is the latest version available in the forums) on the way fairly soon.

Just an idea.

technowhistle wrote:Audacity is great -open source too- but if you want multi-track recording I like http://reaper.fm

As a matter of fact, I just downloaded Audacity a few minutes ago. I haven't yet gotten around to playing with and getting to know it, so my question is this: Does Audacity not support multitrack recording, or is it that you find Reaper simply better?

must be better

Nanohedron wrote: Does Audacity not support multitrack recording

Here's how Audacity does it..

what means you'll want this one in a bit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXbImBRO5_I

The difference between multi track recording between Audacity and Reaper is that Audacity support 'one at a time' multi-track recording while in Reaper you can set different recording inputs to each track.

To record say; a whistle and guitar. Audacity is fine once you adjust for latency.

However to record a live band with several different microphones all recording at the same time, and perhaps midi input too, then Reaper is what you need.

Audacity works very fine as a wave editor and is useful for mastering and such things.

To summarise I'd say if you have an audio interface with connections for more than one mic and/or midi. Then go Reaper. However if you use a non-ASIO driven device such as a usb or desktop mic then go Audacity.

OT:

Denny look at the new arrivals to the technowhistle household...

Thank you so much, everyone! Nice chx btw.

@ technowhistle

that's the way my wife collects horses!!
no two alike

had a coyote in the front yard this morning. I'd just sat down with my breakfast when one of the girls went air born to the top of the round pen

I need to go back to lockin' 'em up at night.

Spring & dumb pups. I'd be willing to bet it doesn't make it through the next week.

Got our first egg today!

It's tiny!

ya, first ones are....

sometimes a chicken will need to learn not to lay them from a perch
on the up side a broken egg will not be there long enough to worry about cleaning up

For me it's pro tools 9 all the way on my apple macbook pro with voiceover screen reader.. I use 3 003 factory plus racks for recording work and they do me great for recording bands, etc. gives me the advantage of either full control from pro tools or as a tape only system with a mixer depending on the job. I'm relieved pro tools is blind friendly again after 15 years or so. going back to the days of Mac OS 9.2 with pro tools TDM on a beige G3 minitower. love those old days lol

These days, we're given so many options of recording packages. whether they are pro, consumer or open source. for pro users you have Pro Tools, Nuendo, Cubase, Digital Performer, etc and they all do their various jobs well. It's all a question of what you want out of a software and hardware setup.

gone are the days of big studios where you had to rely on a large format mixing rig, rack mount DAT or hard disk recorders, separate outboard equipment, etc.

I miss those days.

lew