Subject: Need advice re new ProTools setup

Hi guys,

I'm a total neophyte with MIDI and Pro Tools, a recent Mac switcher 17" MBP) after years on a PC, and I don't even own Pro Tools software yet. But I will, as soon as they release the Intel version. I'm a jazz tenor sax player and aspiring music producer, and I want to use Pro Tools to sample, sequence and mix other music as well as record myself on sax, through MIDI, and with my band. Ideally I'd like to be able to play certain tracks or beats from my laptop with my band, too.

I know that I need to buy some hardware to go along with the software for recording my saxophone and other instruments, but I don't know the first thing about what I need. Some sort of MIDI I/O piece for sure, but do I also need a mixing board? Do I need a compressor, pre-amps, and all that crazy stuff? I don't want to equip a whole studio, but I do want some sort of mobile set-up with the least amount of gear possible that allows for inputs from musical instruments, other mixing boards, MIDI controllers and turntables. Does anyone know what you need for that?

Additionally I'm looking for online tutorials or courses on Pro Tools -- does anyone have any to recommend?

Thanks in advance for any help and info you can provide.

I've run Pro tools on my ibook. I'm using the 002 rack, and a rack mounted mixer. I send the stereo outs to the PA.

So the laptop running Pro Tools >> into the 002 rack >> to the mixer (where all the stage instruments get blended) >> Stereo out to the PA.

Hope that helps. I think if you got this running through some monitor speakers in your home studio the same set up wpuld apply for a gig. Its also helpful if you pick out hardware (interface, mixer etc) thats rack mountable. This will save eons of work (plugging unplugging) and make it portable.