VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

tokyofan · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject: Mbox/Pro Tools alternative?

I've been using an Mbox and Pro Tools LE but am considering giving it up as Core Audio still isn't fully compatible with recent versions of Quicktime and iTunes.

What's a good alternate audio interface and audio editor? I'll most likely be using an external preamp and AD/DA converter so would need plenty of I/Os. Am running OSX on a G5. USB? Firewire?

Am doing mostly single track VO...sometimes will mix in a music bed.
I also have some Waves plug-ins...would they carry over?
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David Swinehart · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject:

Waves should carry over provided you select an audio editor that is compatible with the Waves format you're using. e.g. If you're using Waves' AU format, Apple Logic can read those, Cubase can read VST, etc.

I really like my Apogee interface. I'm using the Duet, though, which doesn't have a ton of I/O. For something with lots of I/O options, you might look at the Ensemble or the MOTU 828.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/ensemble.php

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio
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georgethetech · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:57 am Post subject:

Huge fan of the MOTU products, and if you have the scratch the Apogee Ensemble is the BOMB. You are out of luck with the Waves plugins, however, as they are RTAS and only compatible with Pro Tools. If you can wrap your brain around Logic, it is a very powerful DAW. I find Soundbooth much easier to grasp, and it will let you do layering of backing tracks for demos and sound for picture (which is what the program was designed for in the first place).
Even Amadeus Pro for $50 can do multitrack editing, and Reaper is a full blown multitrack production software for around the same price! Both of those applications can also support VST plugins, of which there are THOUSANDS, and many of them FREE.
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Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

I'll toss in a recommendation for Cubase LE. It's a poor man's version of Nuendo and the higher end Cubase programs from Steinberg. I began using it after a few frustratingly unsuccessful attempts at ProTools LE. One nice thing about Cubase LE is that it's bundled with any number of hardware interfaces, so I got mine with a Lexicon Alpha for less than $100.

That said, I still do 90% of my work in Sound Studio because I rarely need multitrack.

David Swinehart · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:25 am Post subject:

tokyofan · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:06 am Post subject: re;

Thanks for the all the suggestions! I just need something half-rack that allows me to bypass the pre and converters and use external gear. Can I do that with the Duet? How about something like the Edirol UA-25EX? Comes with Cakewalk.

I also emailed Waves about using their plug-ins with another audio editor suite but no reply yet.
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David Swinehart · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:10 am Post subject: Re: re;

tokyofan · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:17 am Post subject: re:

You're talking about the Duet? Can I use the Duet's AD/DA conversion with an external pre? What kind of audio editor a Hobo Tounge

s would I be able to use?
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David Swinehart · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: Re: re:

tokyofan · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:28 am Post subject: re:

Sounds ideal. Can I connect my monitors via TRS as well?
And then use the Duet as my default audio output device?
I hear Apogee conversion is top-shelf so am willing to ditch my RME AD/DA box as well.
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David Swinehart · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:45 am Post subject: Re: re:

tokyofan · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject: re:

You've got me sold so far! Will the Duet work with Digital Performer? Presumably, I could still use my Waves RTAS plug-ins then. If I used a third party a Hobo Tounge

, i.e. Digital Performer, Amadeus Pro, how would I switch on phantom power?
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David Swinehart · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject:

Haven't tried it with DP, but Apogee's site says it will work:

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet.php?section=compatibility

As far as control goes, the Apogee products come bundled with Maestro - which is simply a software control panel:

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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I use the Duet. Bought it for mobile a Hobo Tounge

s, and it works great with my Mac laptop and Amadeus software.

However, when I switched to Mac as my desktop, I started hearing with my Duet a small but noticeable background noise in my recordings. Not sure why. I don't notice it with my mobile setup. So for desktop I still use the MOTU Ultralite.

But the converters in the Duet are quite high quality to be sure, and it puts out a LOT of gain if you need it.

tokyofan · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject: re:

hm, that's a little off-putting. I emailed Apogee to ask if there are any issues with the G5 and got this reply:

Hello,

There are no issues with Duet's outputs. Sometimes there can be grounding issues, but those are usually easily remedied.

Best regards,

Brett Patrick
Tech Support Specialist
Apogee Electronics

David, are you using a laptop or desktop with the Duet?
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