My PC is ready for a Soundcard and Software, I've been considering the Digi001 then..

[Xochi]

This tech told me that the Audigy Platinum Ex would do everything that the Digi001 would do. I know that may sound crazy.
There are SO MANY ROADS to choose from!!
I would like to know if this is true.
Digi001 is $800
Audigy Platinum Ex is $250
And there are so many more.
Does the Digi001 have alot of effects?
Is it user friendly?
Is the statment by the tech true?
I would greatly appreciate it if you'd share your knowledge. Thank you.

[Jussblaze]

Before you buy digi 001 check out nuendo its way better than digi

[narcoman]

agree with the last post. Protools TDM is stunningly good, the LE stuff with digi001 is no where near as good as TDM (obviously, huge price difference, however people often buy this version of protools because its called protools. There are studios in our area who advertise themselves as "having protools") or Nuendo. Stay well clear, for the price nuendo wins easily ....
cheers

[bnt]

Nuendo is also a good option, but if you add at the price of the software a decent soundcard you'll see that Digi001 is cheaper.I think PT is more intuitive than Nuendo and easier to work with, but it's just an oppinion.You'd better see both of them in action before you make a choice.For PT there's PTFree to download at Digidesign's site, there probably is also a demo for Nuendo, check their site

[Xochi]

Thank You all Very Very Much for your input. If You lived down the street I'd buy you a beer or lunch or some water, whatever your into. Thanks.

[NFinity]

I have a Digi 001 and I have almost every Daw made, including Nuendo. Nuendo and all other Stienberg DAW's are great, very powerful tools, however they damn near require an engineering Degree to configure and function. PT beats most DAW's (dare I say all) in its user friendly-ness, ease of use, and percision mixing and automation. The others do not come close. The huge draw back is that DigiDesign realizes this and has made it almost impossible for lots of 3rd party hardware and even plug-ins are limited to their very expensive vendors. When you get into Pro Tools, know that you will be spending money for additional periferals like, Control Surface, Hard Drives (firewire was just added for support), Pluggins (MP3 converter is a $200 pluggin), and everything else you want to fatten your system.

The plus side is that it will always work and rarely crash. Digidesign shines as a company that provides seamless hardware and software.

[doctorfish]

First of all, the Digi001 and the Soundblaster Audigy are not even in the same ballpark, DIgi001 obviously wins hands down on this one. That tech probably doesn't know anything about recording. Maybe he read an article in a PC Gamer magazine.

Protools LE is cool, very powerful yes, but what do you really need? In my studio, I use Protools Free and Vegas Audio. (I also use Protools LE at a colleague's studio) I do primarily voice recording for English textbooks and demo projects for local bands, and Vegas wins hands down on ease of editing, user-friendliness. It's such a snap to use, and that doesn't mean it's low quality or doesn't sound good. I say it sounds just as good. Plus, there are lots of great and affordable DX effects.

Nuendo and some other apps may have more options like extensive midi capabilities, greater automation flexibility and such, but if all you really need is a good audio multi-track recording program, I recommend Vegas. And don't be fooled by the video features. I never touch them, and the audio features kick ass. Plus, it never crashes or hangs. My friend's Protools LE hangs quite frequently by comparison.

And remember that no program is perfect. Some people are die hard for one or the other, but that's silly. Find the one that suits your needs best.

Happy recording to you.

Dave



[This message has been edited by doctorfish (edited 05-01-2002).]

[bombastique]

i'm with the doctor on this one - comparing the audigy and digi 001 is silly. the sound quality alone is much in favor of the digi.

first off - what are your requirements? there may be a better/cheaper way to go than either of those, especially if you're looking for more effects. do you need software with that? what does the software need to be able to do - just audio or do you want sequencing? how do you want it all to work together with your other gear? do you need 2 inputs? 8 inputs? how many outputs?

answer some of those and we'll have a better idea of what to recommend...!

[Xochi]

When I started this Topic I didn't have a clue as to what was going on with DAW's. After about a month of studying and investigating, comparing and pricing. I've decided on getting the Digi001Factory. I did find out that the Audigy Platinum Ex records at 16bit and can play back 32bit.
I also did investigate Neudo, and Sonar. They ALL seem like exceptional software. However I do plan on getting a Mac within the next year, which is another reason for going the Pro-Tools rout. Also all great sounding recording studios "I've visited" have Pro Tools.
I am thinking Large. I'm looking at the big picture. The studio I'm putting together now is for home use, but I also plan on expanding and upgrading into what will eventualy become one of the greatest production companies of all time.
As for my current application of the studio I'll be recording everything from R&B(MIDI) Latin Rock/Jazz, with vocals and Classical Guitar. So most of my work will require no more than two or three mics at a time, realizing that in the future I may need to modify the studio for a different application.
For now what I would like to do is To record the songs I already have sequenced, and be able to sequence new songs. I'll also be recording songs consisting of Voice and Guitar. Then I'd like to be able to master them with the same setup(if possible), and burn CD's for duplication.
If you know of any software or hardware that can help this process please post a reply. My setup some planned and some I have is as such.
This is stuff I have:
Computer: Pentium 1.6 "Norwood" overclocked at 1.9 and running smooth/ EPOX EP4SDA+ Motherboard with SiS645 Chipset 400Front side Bus, 266DDR-RAM/ CDR 52X & CDRW Plexwriter 40-12-40a/ Western Digital WD800 7200RPM Hard Drive with Partitions at 20Gig for software and 60Gig for audio.
Mics: SM57, EV Vocal Mic

These are my best choices so far for my budget that I plan on buying within two weeks.
MXLV93M Large Diaphram Condencer Mic with switches, MXL603 Small condensor mic.
Digi001Factory.
I hope you dont mind the post being lengthy this time. I felt I had to explain myself better.
Thank you all for sharing your experience and information, and I hope to some day help you and others.
Xochi

[This message has been edited by Xochi (edited 05-01-2002).]

[bombastique]

Before getting into that Digi001, you may want to consider the MOTU 828 or 896. You're not limited by the 24 track limit and RTAS/Audiosuite plug-ins like you would be with the 001. There are WAY more plug-ins available in VST/DX format than there will ever be for RTAS. The 828 and 896 convertors sound better and it's also easily expandable and works with most software.

Just a consideration...

[knightshow]

Late reply, but worth it (I think)... as far as mastering application, don't settle for anything less than Wavelab. This is the best solution for computer mastering. It can make most anything sound commercial... ie. great levels, sparkle, overall sound (notice I said "most" because some stuff will never sound commercial in the ways I mentioned).

[Xochi]

Thanks for the info on Wavelab. I've heard great things about this software. I will get it.
Xochi

[wav master]

don't waste your money. I've known many a person to sell their 001 for a cubase or logic system and wonder why they bought it in the first place. Anyone seen any midi ports lately

[okion]

This may be a dup for you but...

3 words: Ease OF Use.
It is just so easy to use compared to everything else out there.

That said, there is no support for:

AISO
VST/VSTi
DirectX
Rewire
Suround Sound
MIDI plug-ins

The list goes on. However, if you are doing audio recording then it is a greate buy. For the price of low end MOTU hardware you get the hardware and the software, and you get both the Mac and PC versions, and they give you free upgrades. vs 5.3.1 wsa just released at no additional cost.

The hardware is nice too. There is a "monitor" function. basicaly a pass through to the monitors so you don't hav eto have PTLE running to jam if you have your whole studio wired to just pick up an instrument and play, the way I do.

The 001 works with Logic but not SX so if you are on a Mac it's a decent price just for the hardware. If you are on a PC though, you just might end up with a second interface and SX becouse of the compatability issues an the lack of decent MIDI.

Before the Apple buyout the 001 and Logic was a greate combo, and cheeper than Nuendo (which isn't really for music and is definaly not for MIDI).

Now I would say that if you are into MIDI at ALL!!!! and your on a PC get SX, and save yourself some hassle. PTLE does sound better IMHO.

[mrymuc]

One other claim that Digidesign makes is that for those of us at home, we learn the Protools software and then if we get a job in a studio with a TDM system, we don't need to learn that much new stuff. I've never worked on TDM but from screen prints I have seen, the software is pretty much identical with a few enhancements.

Mark