KVR Audio

Andywanders · Post by **Andywanders** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:02 am

Hi folks, I've just been shortlisted for a job at a music college. Most of it will be performance classes but they also want me to teach an 'introduction to music production' module. No problem for me, I've taught this before.

BUT...

They use Protools there, and I don't.

SO... I got hold of the Protools free and installed it onto a Win98 machine in order to try and figure it out (got the .pdf docs too).

QUESTIONS...

How much of this (the free version) is the same as the full version?

It doesn't seem to work with ASIO. Is this true?

If so, how can I record and monitor without recording everything that comes out of the stereo outs? I should mention here that this WIN98 machine has an Audigy card with ASIO drivers.

And finally (for now)... Do you think it's possible to learn enough about Protools from the free version? Well, at least enough to teach the basics.

I'm already familiar with quite a lot of DAW software, been a Logic user since it was Notator and I've used Cubase (the old one) as well as Tracktion (the free one) and a handfull of others (demos), so I guess I can figure out a lot of Protools free. However, any tips right now would be appreciated.

Cheers

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:27 am

The free version won't work with ASIO to my knowledge. However, all PT systems now come with an ASIO driver for all the Digidesign hardware, or the M-Audio stuff also. This is one disadvantage of the free one is latency.

The free version is VERY limited compared to any other version. I may be good for basics, but since it's based on an older version, don't expect it to have that much power. But it can be great for learning. However, since the version doesn't run on any latest operating systems, namely OSX or WINXP, the students will most likely not be able to use it themselves. Just something to think about.

I'd see if the college can maybe swing for an M-Box or something for you at least. They're not that much.

That all being said, if you MUST go with the free version, then you CAN learn a bit from it about the general idea of PT. But it's changed so much lately. And one of my instructors is a Beta tester for Digidesign, and version 7 is already being tested, so it's one more version added on to make the free on obsolete.

Oh, and one more thing. The "older version" isn't necessarily always bad, as many studios don't use the newest versions because what they have already works. But overall, still worth the little extra money to get the paid versions.

Good luck. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Koolkeys

Andywanders · Post by **Andywanders** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:40 am

Thanks for your reply Koolkeys.

The college studios already have the latest Protools systems with all the bells and whistles. That's what I will be using to teach the students.

I don't think the college will buy me an M Box system until the job is confirmed. So really I'm stuck with what I have at the moment.

As you say the free one doesn't have all the features but is okay for learning on, then that's probably okay. I think once I've figured out the basics and how to find my way around the software, then it shouldn't be too much of a leap up to the 'real thing'. At least that's what I'm hoping.

If I can't use the free one for recording, then I guess I can load in a few .wav files and try out the other features - editing, mixing etc.

What I want to avoid (assuming I get the job) is going in on day one and not knowing anything about Protools.

Anyway, I'll give the docs a good read and play around with it.

Cheers.

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:24 am

Have a look for the Peachpit Press book on PT5; that should help you get to grips with it a bit more than the dos...

Andywanders · Post by **Andywanders** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:56 am

whyterabbyt wrote:Have a look for the Peachpit Press book on PT5; that should help you get to grips with it a bit more than the dos...

Thanks for the heads up whyterabbyt. Will check it out when I get the chance.

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:02 am

These days you're getting an actual version of PT LE with all M-Audio cards. Maybe something worth to consider? I mean, they're very good cards too.
Not too sure whether it applies to the old Audiophile though - if so, it'd only cost you a mere 70 bucks or so.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:40 am

Hmmm, are they actually shipping that version with the cards now? I knew they were making a compatible version for M-Audio products. Does it make the cost of the cards go up much? Just curious.

Again, the free version will get you the basics with an older version, and should give you the right idea, but the leap will be pretty significant to the full thing, especially an HD system or even basic TDM. I agree that looking through some good books would do you well.

Koolkeys

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:52 am

umm. I dont think they are giving away Pro Tools with M-Audio cards. I think you can buy a version of Pro Tools if you have an M-Audio card.

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:54 am

PS: Pro Tools rocks, but i wouldn't consider the Win98 Free version much of an indication of this.

Andywanders · Post by **Andywanders** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:39 am

hoffy wrote:PS: Pro Tools rocks, but i wouldn't consider the Win98 Free version much of an indication of this.

Yeah, I agree. The free version is basically useless. But I have managed to learn quite a lot about Protools - at least I think I have - in only a few days from playing with it.

As for M Audio, I can't find any mention on their site about any PT version that comes free with their cards. They do say that LE works with some cards, but I don't think they're giving it away.

Anyway, I'll keep working with what I've got at the moment, even if I only learn a little, it's better than nothing.

If I get the job, then I will probably look into getting a Pro Tools system at some point.

Cheers

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:50 am

You know... The advice/opinions you've received so far are OK, but if you really want a thorough answer to all your questions, you oughta PM 'superprotoolsuser'

He's the resident authority on the ProTools line...

Andywanders · Post by **Andywanders** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:58 am

advaya wrote:You know... The advice/opinions you've received so far are OK, but if you really want a thorough answer to all your questions, you oughta PM 'superprotoolsuser'

He's the resident authority on the ProTools line...

Pantsdown666 · Post by **Pantsdown666** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:26 am

* Most of your playlist editing stuff will be much the same going from Free to LE, as well as the plug-in automation functions.

* There's a few terminology changes - when you teach them "Bouncing" (exporting), "Split-stereo" has been re-named "Multiple Mono".

* You'll be using "Groups" a lot less, as in the LE versiom you'll be getting (gasp!) stereo tracks.

* Check that your institution has downloaded the recent (free) "EQIII" updates from Digidesign, as they're miles ahead of the crappy EQ2 plugs you're using in the old free version.

* Essentially PT is really low on the free plug-in side, so if you want to get things at all interesting, and end up teaching there for a little while, make sure the institution has installed the available free plug-ins. There are some RTAS, a lot of Pluggos (if they're mac based) that will run via (free) Pluggo Runtime, and for a reasonably small investment for Fxpansion's VST-RTAS wrapper, you can get some free VSTs happening.

* Finally, when did they get their Mboxes?
If it's in the last two years or so, there will be some bundled plug-in software included : cut-down versions of Reason, Abelton Live and Sampletank, as well as the T-Racks EQ, IK's Amplitube and some Bomb Factory plugs :
http://www.digidesign.com/products/bundle/

Some other links for you :
(not sure if you're mac or PC there - I teach PT on macs)

http://staff.cofa.unsw.edu.au/~simonhun ... dList.html
My sound links page, lots of freeware, check the "free plug-ins" categories (RTAS, Pluggo, VST)

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=479837
my list of tested freeware mac VSTs in PT via the FXpansion wrapper

http://www.sfu.ca/sca/Manuals/147/ProTo ... Tools.html
Some old online instructions that I found for Protools 4 (one version back from your free version?)

Anyway, hope this helps
Simon

Sidhu · Post by **Sidhu** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:00 pm

You get a PT M-audio compatible version, for a price.
While it is stated to work with a few M-audio cards, there have been reports of it working very well with all m-audio cards, including the 2496.

And while pro tools (LE upwards) does have stereo tracks. The applet still does not support true stereo. It works with multiple mono. The stereo tracks are basically two mono tracks hard panned by default in one track space. All stereo material imported will be converted. The region list will also show any stereo file as xxxL.wav and xxxR.wav (when you expand the name).

I myself find the steinberg products a lot better and faster to work with. No big fan of PT am I. I think PT free will have a lot of bases covered. Most of PT has remain unchanged for a long time, for good reason.

When with the full setup study up routing in PT. It rules. Understand the Track list feature. the Beat Detective plugin. and shortcuts. Most of PT's efficiency will depend on keyboard shortcuts. I stopped using PT since version 6.2. duno whats transpiered since. But I hear they have introduced PDC in their TDM systems.

Oh! also understand TDM systems.

My 2paise.

luck!
Sidhu

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:11 pm

Seems as if PT LE indeed isn't part of the M-Audio card bundle. Actually I couldn't find much information of what's shipping with the cards at all. In the past there's been quite some bundle, such as Reason LE, GS LE, etc.

Protools Question