Jeepers Creepers

Doufuss · #1 02-03-2010, 09:19 AM

Folks, I gotta tell you that my experience with Protools has been an absolute bust. Before you get too far into it, I have a Diploma from a Technical school in Network Engineering, and am very comfortable working in various operating systems and applications.

I bought one of those MBox2 mini interfaces and a brand new laptop. At first, I couldn't install Protools because of a conflict with the firmware on the optical drive. Once installed, there were numerous issues with DAE and Hardware Buffer problems and LOTS of time wasted with recordings just evaporating. BTW - The laptop meets all of the requirements with the exception of a second hard drive (I've partitioned the drive and run PT on this partition). All recommendations for optimising the PC to run this program were executed.

Recently, I miraculously managed to complete a recording, mix it down, and wanted to convert the file to MP3. Protools advised me that the time limit on the demo has expired. Now, I don't know about you, but with this level of performance and reliability, I cannot and will not ever purchase another product from this company.

In a related issue, at a much earlier time (about a year ago) I installed a product called Pinnacle, a digital video suite for a friend which is by the same company. This POS never quite worked either.

See you later, Digidesign.

lowfreq33 · #2 02-03-2010, 09:24 AM

I hate to tell you, but you're going to have to get that second hard drive. This isn't really a PT thing, pretty much any DAW won't work right on a single drive.

It is b.s. that you have to get the $500 toolkit to bounce to mp3. Although it's easy enough to just import it into itunes as whatever file type you like.

**jbybj** · #3 02-03-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doufuss

recommendations for optimising the PC to run this program were executed.

See you later, Digidesign.

Hmmmm,. Digidesign? or PC/Windows?

I know which one I would get rid of first. Better yet, lose them both!

Try Logic on a Mac.

JBY

Doufuss · #4 02-03-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

I hate to tell you, but you're going to have to get that second hard drive. This isn't really a PT thing, pretty much any DAW won't work right on a single drive.

It is b.s. that you have to get the $500 toolkit to bounce to mp3. Although it's easy enough to just import it into itunes as whatever file type you like.

I'm not so sure about that. I'm currently demoing a piece of software that does not require a second drive, is flexible and just simply works, even down to ripping to MP3.

Testing is not yet complete, and it lacks some of the midi features that PT has, but overall simply solid.

Doufuss · #5 02-03-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbybj

Hmmmm,. Digidesign? or PC/Windows?

I know which one I would get rid of first. Better yet, lose them both!

Try Logic on a Mac.

JBY

I appreciate the recommendations concerning Logic on a Mac. So now, I gotta go out and spend $2200 CDN on hardware, buy a new interface for $350 - $~ Infinity and $200 for the software. I can't wait.

Ultimately, what I'm trying to do is make some simple recordings and send 'em out to the Interwebs. It would appear the folks that run PT and Pinnacle have done a marvelous job of making sure the software doesn't work with readily available hardware, effectively taking it out the very hands of the intended user. They've officially lost me as a customer due to the MP3 crapola.

masterfader87 · #6 02-03-2010, 10:11 AM

Ive had PT on my Macbook for 2 years. never had any type of problem with it.

Doufuss · #7 02-03-2010, 10:18 AM

That's fantastic that PT is working on your Mac.

However, It clearly states on the box and the website that it works with windows. So, what are we to think?

Honestly, the only thing that works well with that software suite is their anti piracy stuff and I'm concerned about removing it safely.

Close thread, I'm done.

Charling · #8 02-03-2010, 10:20 AM

Well, there is a vague reason why pro tools is picky about the interfaces they use. The program is a port from the 'main' pro tools system, pro tools HD. HD is not like normal DAW's, it runs off PCi cards installed in the computer and the processing is done on them, hence you cannot run pro tools HD the program on any other hardware, its just not how it works.

Pro tools LE is the little brother and runs in a simialr way, its annoying, and I'm sure they COULD make a version that runs on core audio in the usual way, but at least there IS a reason for the hardware specific thing.

Similarily, because of the complexity of a pro tools HD system, technically speaking, it is a lot more picky about what OS you are running and takes a bit onger to get stable. Of course once it is stable its a pretty rock solid DAW, HD anyway. Again, I'm sure they could make it work/install a lot easier, but it would involve a lot more work to make it compatible accross the board of software updates etc.

Still no real excuse, especially as HD costs SO much money, but at least there is a logical reason for it!

As for the mp3 thing, yeah, thats very cheeky. It is easy enough to bounce to wav then convert to mp3 later, and to be honest thats the way most people would do it anyway, but its still out of order to charge $500 to do such a simple thing. Digidesign is quite a sneaky company in a lot of ways like that.

**jbybj** · #9 02-03-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doufuss

I appreciate the recommendations concerning Logic on a Mac. So now, I gotta go out and spend $2200 CDN on hardware, buy a new interface for $350 - $~ Infinity and $200 for the software. I can't wait.

Ultimately, what I'm trying to do is make some simple recordings and send 'em out to the Interwebs. It would appear the folks that run PT and Pinnacle have done a marvelous job of making sure the software doesn't work with readily available hardware, effectively taking it out the very hands of the intended user. They've officially lost me as a customer due to the MP3 crapola.

I completely understand, I think you are on the right path though, there are MANY options out there for dealing with audio on a PC. Hunt around, try as many demo versions as you can, and you are sure to find something that fits your immediate needs.

Still, someday, down the line, in the future, you are gonna want to upgrade your computer. It may be months or years from now, but unless you are one of those people who must use software that is only available for a PC, consider a mac for your next computer. Garageband is very functional and somewhat deep, and there are also MANY options for dealing with audio on a Mac.

Good luck. JBY

Doufuss · #10 02-04-2010, 09:07 AM

For now, the laptop I purchased has an Intel dual core processor and 3 gigs of ram, and actually runs really well at pretty much anything. I could go buy a copy of Snow Leopard and try it all over again, but I have lost faith in the entire Digidesign/MAudio/???/??? group and intend to uninstall this software. Permanently.

I'm using a demo program right now with an ASIO driver so I can use the Mini interface. So far I have not had a single problem in any way, and I think I'm going to buy this product. I still have 26 days to decide.

Cheers

Geddyfleaharris · #11 02-05-2010, 10:07 AM

I agree that having a computer and Pro Tools does not mean you are going to be recording anytime soon. Places that sell the Pro Tools software are generally not as up front about the computer requirements as I think they should be. The first time I installed a M-Powered Pro Tools on a PC it was quite a nightmare to get it running. Changing this, adding that.

Fast forward a couple of years to today and I am setting up a new recording rig. The computer I had Pro Tools on is 5 years old and getting unstable. Crashes etc. I just don't feel like fooling with it anymore. I am going with an IMac desk top. Bought a new M-Powered Pro Tools 8. You can use the newest Mac OS - Snow Leopard 10.6.2 with a download from Digidesign. Windows 7 is still not compatible according to Digidesign's website. When I was talking to the computer salesman about compatibility etc. his explanation was that a Mac is a Mac. Pretty easy to configure software to while there are literally thousands of ways to set up a PC. A lot tougher to make a 1 size fits all software.

Truthfully I have not spent a lot of time with the Pro Tools software itself. Just recording basic tracks. I have decided I want to spend more time recording my own stuff so that's why I went with a new rig from the ground up.

I agree that Digidesign does get you on certain things and that the compatibility issue is frustrating. Having not used other recording software my thinking right now is better-the-devil-you-know-than-the-devil-you-don't. Maybe naive.

MrTAteMyBalls · #12 02-05-2010, 03:34 PM

try reaper

it's free to download and try for as long as you like, then it's only 60.00 for the lisence. I just d/led it but havent tried it. It's been in developement for a number of years with a long list of users who contribute feedback. By now I hear it is fantastic, and the folks that make it are actually on the message boards listening to what the end users want and making it happen. awesome.

seamonkey · #13 02-05-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doufuss

... Before you get too far into it, I have a Diploma from a Technical school in Network Engineering, and am very comfortable working in various operating systems and applications.

You can get a "Certification" from Digidesign for protools. That would help you more than a network diploma.

You could probably get a better paying job too.

Doufuss · #14 02-06-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonkey

You can get a "Certification" from Digidesign for protools. That would help you more than a network diploma.

You could probably get a better paying job too.

Seamonkey, you're deflecting. What are you hoping to achieve by making cracks about my diploma? Really, the guys I know that have their PT certifications are stuck in the local music stores at $10 an hour. I'm not looking for a job nor to upgrade my education, so stay on topic. Look around you, message boards everywhere are flooded with complaints aboout PT. The end.

If you're at all curious, my diploma was supplementary to my real work, which is concrete construction. That was about running 300 odd men and 40 odd pieces of heavy equipment in 3 cities and two provinces, with integrated browser based dispatching and accounting software. When we were getting that juggernaut off the ground 19 odd years ago, we all had to multi-task. I'm kind of semi-retired now, so don't try to help with career counselling, man.

Geeze!