Digital mixing test cd + Protools, TripleDat

geoffd99 · Post by **geoffd99** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:44 am

[ I put this in another thread, but it is so relevant, I thought I'd start a topic off with it. I have been looking for a multitrack editor, since Tripledat is 16 bit and non-XP. Such as Protools 6.7, Samplitude, etc. Why don't CW upgrade Tripledat? They'd sell loads - perhaps!]
>>>
There is a discussion of DAW quality, based around a test cd, here:

http://www.mercenary.com/3dauawdawsum.html

Also a discussion forum (with hardly any mentions of Creamware! but those that are, are positive), there is loads of interesting stuff here:

http://www.3daudioinc.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

>>> I still am no further down the line on mixing etc. My wife has just got an Imac with Garageband 2 and has plugged in a mic and a Korg X5D, and has written several great songs in no time at all - and they 'sound' great too! (Logic instruments in GB2, new Core audio...). Talk about going native!

I am thinking of getting an MBox (Protools LE 6.7) and use spdif output from the main CW pc, into the MBox laptop, track by track, for mixing etc at 24 bits/48KHz. Anyone done this?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: geoffd99 on 2005-03-31 10:45 ]</font>

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:35 pm

very good idea to give it an own thread

I've read through a part of the discussion in the 2nd link and found it pretty cool - that discipline in preparing and judging the mixes is remarkable. At least now everyone has a blueprint how to do his or her own benchmark setup...

but the result descriptions - lots of words for you, kensuguro

left me with one question: do we all compensate our non-linear response of the 2 sideholes in our heads the same way... ?

Creamware is Fairlight btw (if they used that OEM thing)

cheers, Tom

geoffd99 · Post by **geoffd99** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:38 am

Well there isn't much mention of Fairlight, and it is too boring to buy the CD just to find out if they rate it.
They have a huge discussion of an earlier cd, Neve vs Protools, where they all moan about PT being too flat, etc, despite more detail (the old digital = cold thing).
I hardly ever record real instruments so it's all a bit irrelevant. Do most CW people do techno / synth + sampler studio music? Seems that way sometimes. (I mean, I do!!). Vocals I record via a small Mackie mixer, thru Vinco, then the A-100 reverb, all fine. Also, any decent mastering studio will ramp up the sound anyway. I have Optimaster which is great, but I wouldn't master my own stuff, except for own use.

I still haven't quite bought the Protools MBox, I am resisting the whole concept, but to take a song/album to a big studio for editing etc, they like PT... rather than a load of exported tracks side by side.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: geoffd99 on 2005-04-05 16:42 ]</font>

marcuspocus · Post by **marcuspocus** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:52 pm

On 2005-04-05 08:38, geoffd99 wrote:
...
but to take a song/album to a big studio for editing etc, they like PT... rather than a load of exported tracks side by side.

Well, i would say, big (or small) studio work FOR you, you don't have to 'please' them, THEY have to make you happy, you pay them lots of $ for exactly for that.

So, my way of thinking is, you pay, you choose, client is king, and if they are THAT big, well, they should also have Nuendo/cubase/logic...

So, this protools versus other stuff is irrelevant.

24 tracks of pristine audio quality in 24 bits made with VDAT is all they need, i assure you!

If they can't manage this, CHANGE STUDIO!

My .02 cents

geoffd99 · Post by **geoffd99** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:51 pm

yes it was more to speed things up, since I also need an interface for my laptop, the MBox looked interesting, as it has PT LE 6.7, and 2 mic preamps (as my Mackie mixer has moved rooms).

marcuspocus · Post by **marcuspocus** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:52 am

Yeah, the preamp on the mbox, are ok, well, a bit more than ok

But, USB1 of the mbox is a bit flakey, dropout can happen at anytimes recording 2 track in 24bits/44.1khz. That's what i've seen using it so far anyway.

geoffd99 · Post by **geoffd99** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 9:08 am

Hmm the range of laptop boxes seems to be:
Digidesign Mbox
Lexicon Omega
Mackie Spike
E-Mu 1616m cardbus (PCM)
Various others like Motu Audiophile.

The first three have big software packages. The Spike looks quite good. I am thinking that 4 or more outputs would be useful for live work, so I might wait for the E-Mu 1616m which has 2 mic preamps and mastering grade converters (allegedly). It is out soon.

My need is for a playback box for rehearsing and live work, rather than a multiple input box like the Omega.

There is a genral discussion of all these at:

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread ... 067&page=1

geoffd99 · Post by **geoffd99** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:57 am

I am getting a Focusrite Saffire, if you are interested!