Subject: Protools LE or GarageBand?

Hopefully, this is the proper forum for this subject. I own a
Digidesign MBox, which naturally came with Protools LE. It seems to
have a better effects setup than GB. However, in order to do MIDI music
in Protools LE, I would have to purchase a synthesizer bundle or a
bunch of soft synths.

I guess what I need to know is how much aural control would I be losing
if I created music in GB? I'm most concerned about its overly
simplified compressor. If Protools is the way to go, what's the least
expensive yet effective way of getting a good synth and drum machine?
I've been told that a good soft sampler would be the way to go. I'm not
terribly fond of samplers as the sounds can be a little stiff.

Then there's the issue of AU and RTAS. The synths I really like are
only AU compatible, which leaves out Protools LE. If I wanted to buy
Octopus (http://www.linplug.com) I could only use it in GB.

I guess another way to go would be to find a copy of Logic Express 6
(I'm running Panther on a G4 laptop). Then I'd have better control over
the effects. Not sure I want to really go that route right now.
Somewhere down the line, when I can afford it, I'd like to buy Logic
Pro.

The floor is yours.

so, the first thought that came to mind -export your instrument files from GB and import them into PT probably won't work that well 'cos PT only runs at 48k, whilst GB really likes 44..1 (it can be persuaded to run at 48, but it's a pain in the butt). And every conversion costs you quality.. Take a look at Mackie's Traktion2 software. Built-in sampler, Samplitude SE, RMIV Drum machine cover a lot of ground, there's three or four synths included too. Runs VST plug-ins (some great stuff available free on the net.. Incredibly well thought-out, very simple to use. Will run at 48 or 44.1. Relatively cheap. Great audio quality. Very like a grown-up Garageband. Slightly buggy - doesn't like some third-party plug-ins mainly. Also check out MOTU's Digital Performer. It seems a little staid when you compare it to Logic Pro, but it's great in the quality/speed of results departments, and significantly more stable. It runs AU and MAS plug-ins under core audio, and Digidesign plug-ins under DAE. You're stuck at 48/96k 'cos of the M-box, though,when I think about it, so it may be a good idea to do your final sample-rate conversion from PT (compare with whatever programs you try. Mackie have a pretty fulll demo, MotU don't. Good luck in your hunting.
Cheers, Shaky

if you want to go nuts, pick up Logic Express. Then you can open up all your GB files (they translate directly) into Logic and export them with style. Heck, why not get Logic in the first place...?

If you have an MBox, you should actually have some snyth and drum machine capabilities. Most MBox's ship with a stripped down version of Reason, which includes an excellent drum machine module called "Redrum", plus there are various snyth modules included in Reason. You can access all of this stuff using the Rewire functionality (as an insert) in ProTools.

I have used used ProTools in the past and it is my favorite audio software to use because it is very powerful and also relatively easy to use once you get the hang of it. However, the RTAS plug-ins tend to be very expensive, and you are locked into using their hardware if you upgrade. This, IMO, is totally BOGUS. As a result of my displeasure at their policies, I am selling my MBox/ProTools set-up.

I have since switched to Tracktion, using a Mackie Onyx 400F interface. I couldn't be happier with my decision. As rover mentioned before, Tracktion is a great alternative to GB - it is more powerful, just as easy to use, and very cost effective (you can usually find it for $149). The biggest difference is that it doesn't handle loops as well as GB does.

Anyway, I'd advise checking out the capabilities of the ProTools -Rewire - Reason set-up. It may take you some time to put it together, but I think you'll find that it there is a lot of power there.

Mason

Hi. If you want a great DAW. Go to Guitar center and buy Live5 for the 42nd anniversary price of $299. Then in late September when Live6 comes out you can upgrade for free. Live is a very cool app. And at that price you can't lose. Check the Ableton website. And check out what Live can do. Logic exspress is cool also. BUT you have limits imposed. Such as only being able to record 16 audio tracks. With Live5 you have no limits. I have Live5 ,Logic Pro7 Reason3. So I'm not unable to hopefully advice. Check it out. Taylor

maybe someone can help me out as well... i currently have an imac, and a yamaha psr-293 keyboard...and thats it. im using garage band to assemble my tracks, but i also get most of my sounds through gb, i pretty much use the keyboard as a midi controller. other than that i sample noises with audio hijack). i F with the audio i get with peak 4 (reversing, speeding up/slowing down samples etc.). im growing rather bored of garageband and im looking for something new to replace it. basicly all of my audio creation relies on the noises available from gb... i really dont use instruments, so i think something like pro-tools might be useless to me... i need something as simple as gb (relativly) but more powerful.. and can produce more sounds...

also.. what is this "soundtrack loop utility" i just found in the bowls of my imac?

I use logic express because it supports most interfaces and my earlier stuff is on GB. I would like to dabble with pro tools but it doesn't support my interface.

eleveneyes uses both

I would be very wary of a buying a ProTools system unless it was one of their high end HD systems. You have virtually no upgrade path when you buy PT. Their LE system goes MBox ($450) --> Digi02 Rack ($1.2K) --> Digi02 mixer ($2.5K). IMO their hardware does not compete well against rivals in both price and performance. You can get a killer firewire interface through PreSonus, Mackie, or Focusrite that will sound better than the Digi02, and also cost half as much.

Once you buy an LE system you are stuck with Digidesign hardware. If you want to use ProTools without Digidesign hardware, your only option is to go to M-Audio stuff, but then you have to purchase the M-Powered version of ProTools!!!! There is NO crossgrade so you have to shell out another $250 to change to different hardware, on top of the M-Audio interface price. And, IMO M-Audio's firewire devices are not as good as the ones that I highlight above (I know everyone has different taste, but I didn't like them when I demo'ed them).

ProTools is actually my favorite recording program, bar none. But Digidesign's marketing scheme is so exclusionary that I was completely turned off by it, so I ditched my PT system in favor of a Mackie Onyx 400F and Tracktion. Better hardware and I like the software (although I liked PT better). IMO hardware is more important than the software. There are a ton of programs that will be able to do what you want, but finding the right piece of equipment to get your sounds onto disk is not easy.

Mason