Pro Tools and buying a new computer

[drgamble]

I have an old Gateway laptop with AMD Turion dual core 1.6 GB processor, 2 GB RAM running Windows XP Home Edition (Digidesign says that they don't support this version, but I don't have any problems). I have run the 32 tracks at once with plugins, and all no problem. I have been looking to get another computer and It looks like Dell still sells computers with XP Pro 32 bit Quad core processors 4 GB of RAM with multiple firewire ports for under $1000. The most important thing with a computer for pro tools is, firewire ports (for tracking or external drives), a dedicated graphics card (I have heard that a lot of people have trouble with integrated graphics.) My computer has the ATI Radeon card as opposed to the Nvidia card. XP still works the best for Pro Tools. The only problem with the Macs are, the new iMacs only have one firewire port. You would never be able to record drums with this setup without some serious upgrades. This is because Digidesign recommends using an external firewire drive or the SDSI interface for the drive, and most of the 8 channel interfaces are all firewire. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but that puts you buying a Mac Pro to record and that is $2500 just for the computer itself. Hope this helps.

[rytaddress]

Since Reaper has been recommended, I've been trying to figure out if it requires an audio interface (like MBox or EMu). If so, does anyone have a good recommendation? Thanks in advance.

[drgamble]

You need an interface if you plan on recording anything. If you do not have an interface you cannot get audio in. Just about any interface you buy comes with DAW software.

[coney123]

See my above post ^^

What are your requirements

[rytaddress]

Ok, thanks. Mike (Mr. McCone), I saw your recommendation and you asked about my requirements. I assume you mean 'what do I plan to record?' I have a Yamaha MIDI keyboard with drum effects, etc. and I also plan to play guitar and do some vocals. Would 'any DAW,' work, as the previous posting said? I know NOTHING about these things. I used my friend's MBox 2 with Pro Tools. That's it. Thank you again.

[cboyer1951]

I have Pro Tools Le 8, and Cubase 5 on a PC, with Vista 32 bit.

No problems, and I can say that both DAW's are different.
I love Pro Tools because the instruments that come with it are 'far' and 'highly' more professional and robust sounding.

I hear that, and understand that a professional can make anything sound great (even Audacity) of course... but just coming from Propellerhead Reason and Cubase 5 I was shocked at how much I was missing in professionalism with Pro Tools.

I've been around for years... I wouldn't buy a Mac, as it is 2x more the cost of a pc rig. And when it goes out, you pay 2x more again. With a pc you learn to research and learn how to do things and to make your gear fit. Or simply replicate a listing of a person's gear that works great now for them. Then, when something burns out, you replace it piece by piece. And when you feel like upgrading to a newer system you purchase that, and you're at the price now of what you spent in the first place for the Mac.

The secret to having no difficulties with recording, no cpu useage limit, etc. is to then go out and purchase a UAD sound card, or external effects processing gear, they take the drain off the cpu processing and RAM useage. Or get Cubase 5 and record there, (very minimal cpu overload problems), and bring your tracks into Pro Tools for mixing and mastering. (if you have to revert to one effect on one track mixing at a time in Pro Tools it still is worth it more than doing it on the Cubase system as the included fx plugins are far superior in quality and professional sound possibilities easily attained).

Just my two cents

Chuck

[Chingas]

I wish we had an update of what rytaddress finally decided to do...

[rytaddress]

Sorry it's been so long since I've been here. I ended up buying an M Audio Fast Track Ultra, set it up with my little laptop to be sure it worked, and then...took a break! I haven't done any recording with it yet. I pledge to give it a try (using Reaper and my little old Dell laptop) during the next couple of weeks, and I will report here what happens. Thanks again for the help! I wish I weren't so clueless. Hopefully I'll grow with experience.