New to Pro Tools???

twdavis13 · #1 08-31-2009, 02:53 PM

Ok, now my rock/punk band is getting to the stage where we're going to start recording our material and a cover. We want Pro Tools, but what kind of box/interface do you have to use with it?? I do know it won't even start up without it.

Disclaimer: We're better than FOB, but Green Day are the sound we're looking for on recording, and The Who and Green Day are our main idols. Just an FYI

Bardley · #2 08-31-2009, 03:30 PM

To use ProTools, you have to use a Digidesign ProTools interface. (MBox, 002, 003, etc.) ProTools only runs with it's own hardware. In order to get enough inputs to track a full band you are going to be looking at a lot of $. I use ProTools every day at work and love it, but if I needed to track a band and had limited $, I would track in a different software and use an interface with more inputs, like a Presonus Firepod or something. Also the Presonus units can be linked together to get more inputs. They will also come with the software you need. You can't link ProTools LE interfaces. To get 16 mic channels on an 002 you would need to use the 4 mic pres onboard, use 4 channels of external mic pres for the line inputs, and then an 8 channel mic pre with an ADAT optical out to use the 8 digital inputs. That's a lot of cash for 16 channels.

You can always take the .wav or .aiff files and drag them into ProTools to mix if you want to. I've done that a few times and it works great.

twdavis13 · #3 08-31-2009, 03:33 PM

So, I could just record them separately, save them, and import them to mix??

Bardley · #4 08-31-2009, 03:35 PM

If you do not all need to record together, yes. You could use something like an MBox and each record your parts to a click and then mix them. Drums are more difficult when you have less inputs, though. You have to sub-mix them and you have less control over the mix.

jonotronic · #5 08-31-2009, 03:38 PM

Or you could try an M-Audio projectmix with protools m-powered software (basically protools LE that runs on m-audio hardware). 8 inputs and works as a nifty control surface with flying faders, which should be enough to record a band. Good value for money compared to digidesign's own hardware which is a little bit overpriced in my opinion.

Podgorny · #6 08-31-2009, 03:45 PM

Or, you could put all that money and time you'll spend wondering why it sounds terrible into hiring a professional to record you - Which, providing you don't hire an amateur, will net you a far more musically satisfying project.

bk2mono · #7 08-31-2009, 04:30 PM

ProTools 003 Rack+

It has 8 mic inputs plus another 8 available if you get a 8ch lightpipe preamp.

http://digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=100&navid=464

bk2mono · #8 09-01-2009, 10:53 PM

Not sure if this is a price mistake, but I just snagged one today. Not delivered yet, but this price is nice for a 003 Rack+ Factory. $1199.00

http://www.compuplus.com/i-Digidesig...r7n609lewn9jfh

DocBop · #9 09-02-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bk2mono

Not sure if this is a price mistake, but I just snagged one today. Not delivered yet, but this price is nice for a 003 Rack+ Factory. $1199.00

http://www.compuplus.com/i-Digidesig...r7n609lewn9jfh

That is the standard 003R not the 003R+ with eight inputs.

In the one you ordered the + means it's the version with the Factory software package. What you ordered has 4 mic inputs and you can add eight more with an external set of 8 pre's.

lm183902 · #10 09-02-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

That is the standard 003R not the 003R+ with eight inputs.

In the one you ordered the + means it's the version with the Factory software package. What you ordered has 4 mic inputs and you can add eight more with an external set of 8 pre's.

I don't know, that link does, indeed show a 003+. The info also lists 8 mic pre's with 8 individual input gain controls. This may just be a great deal.

Podgorny · #11 09-02-2009, 03:13 PM

I'm not really sure why anyone would want four MORE built in mic pres.
I would've preferred four less.

heath_r_91 · #12 09-02-2009, 04:13 PM

For recording like that I'd recommend going to a real studio, recording drums, then getting those tracks on your home computer and recording bass and drums at home, then going back to the studio for vocals.

That will give you an amazing sounding cd (if you record guitar and bass right) with a lot less out of the wallet.

Just a thought.

Carver · #13 09-02-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heath_r_91

For recording like that I'd recommend going to a real studio, recording drums, then getting those tracks on your home computer and recording bass and drums at home, then going back to the studio for vocals.

That will give you an amazing sounding cd (if you record guitar and bass right) with a lot less out of the wallet.

Just a thought.

That's what I usually do. Only the opposite. I record all my guitars, bass, and midi stuff at home. I use Stylus RMX to mock up the drum track. Then, take it to a pro facility for Drums, vocals, and touch-ups.

This way, you can really take your time getting your tracks right without having to pay for studio time.

Charling · #14 09-02-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Podgorny

I'm not really sure why anyone would want four MORE built in mic pres.
I would've preferred four less.

hehe, agreed, the 003 pres are almost as bad as you can get!

DocBop · #15 09-02-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lm183902

I don't know, that link does, indeed show a 003+. The info also lists 8 mic pre's with 8 individual input gain controls. This may just be a great deal.

Your right the first time i looked I thought I only saw 4 mic knobs, my mistake. The price is awfully good unless its a returned unit then its about right.

bk2mono · #16 09-02-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

Your right the first time i looked I thought I only saw 4 mic knobs, my mistake. The price is awfully good unless its a returned unit then its about right.

I will update you all with my results when the item gets delivered sometime next week. I was told that they are running behind. By the way, B&H has the next best price at $1299.95. Makes me wonder if Digidesign has something new about to be released.