USB Audio Interface, etc.

[trappist]

What would you recommend? Obviously the sound card in my laptop isn't going to cut it with pro recording input/output. I've been learning Tracktion now (with many free softsynths I've d/l) for a month or so and realize I need a good USB external sound device. Today, someone recommended buying MBox with ProTools. Comes with a nice collection of plugins and obviously ProTools, but I'm not looking forward to abandoning one host/DAW for another--haven't even got Tracktion figured out yet.

So......anyone here have both Tracktion and ProTools? Pros and cons? Input is appreciated, as I'm an old hardware guy....even though I do graphic design all day at the PC, I'm not that excited about the additional glitches, latency, etc. that the computer brings to makin' music.

[IIRs]

Well, if you ask on this forum you're only going to get one answer..

Get Pro-Tools.

Only joking.. unless you have a specific reason for needing Pro-Tools (eg: you need external sync NOW and can't wait for T2) I would forget it: If you still feel you are learning in Tracktion, Pro-Tools is going to be duanting as hell!

All the essential features you need to make music are present in T1, and are (usually) much easier to find and more logical in their operation, especially if you aren't already used to the hardware equivalents.

The Pro-Tools plug-ins you are tempted by should be weighed against all the free VST's available (check the database here if you haven't already) none of which will work in Pro-Tools, and I'm not even sure if the MBox will work with any other DAW's should you ever change your mind.

That's without even considering what T2 will bring to the party soon..

Tracktion mate, it's a no-brainer.

[trappist]

none of which will work in Pro-Tools

You're saying I can't use Synth1, Crystal, Triangle II, etc. in ProTools?

So, what external sound device would you reccommend?

[IIRs]

You're saying I can't use Synth1, Crystal, Triangle II, etc. in ProTools?

Possibly via a wrapper..

[IIRs]

So, what external sound device would you reccommend?

Can't really, I use a pci card. Are you using the NFR version of Tracktion? If so a Mackie Spike might get you a full license just in time for the discount on T2..

[trappist]

I have the freebie Tracktion download. By the way--is that a full version, or a scaled down one? Since it was free and all, I assumed it was "light."

[IIRs]

Its a completely full and unrestricted version.

The only thing you don't get is the discounted upgrade to T2.. before you ask, we don't know what that is yet either, except we have been guaranteed it will be less than the difference between 1 & 2.

[elGringo]

If you only need one input, the M-Audio FastTrack USB is probably your least expensive option. Mine cost about $90; works great. See:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/F ... -main.html

[AndrewSimon]

So, what external sound device would you reccommend?

If latency is important to you then
CardBus like the the Echo Indigo would be the best

Then Firewire cards

USB is in the 3rd place.

[johnsholme]

USB is big time third place. Echo indigo i/o is the one you want. USB, especially since they're the same dang price is a waste. I tried usb with a really beefy desktop and was running back to Guitar Center with my reciept within' an hour. I DID like the M audio Firewire 410, but its spendy. They make a firewire solo you can find on ebay for like $180 new. The echo indigo is the bomb in my opinion, and the headphone amp has some ferocious output. AND CLEAN man. Just make sure you get the indigo IO, NOT just the indigo. The one titled IO is the only that goes in and out... the others just go out. And you need, of course, to have a pcmcia type II slot for the indigo... Good luck! Oh, scrap pro tools... go with tracktion... the learning curve is no comparison... cuz there is none, by comparison.