Pro Tools HD2 vs HD3

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Mark Stebbeds wrote:
> I anticipate recording 24 tracks simo maximum (when transferring from
> a 2" analog), and usually much less. 32 tracks maximum for mixdown

Then why not get your feet wet with a 002rack system first? PTLE is
limited to 32 active voices, so this fits within your needs - and it
can be had at a fraction of the cost of an HD system. Even if you end
up with an HD system, you can still pair the 002rack with a laptop for
a nice little portable PT rig.

The only catch is that you'll only be able to record up to 18
simultaneous tracks...but at under $1k, you're in PT land.

-Chris

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

The bangs pretty good. I would say HD2 would probably be enough for MOST of
your mixing needs, depending on the plugs you use since the instance count
varies. The thing about HD3 is the plugs (for the most part). Im mean
obviously HD3 is a more powerful system, but you could probably spend that
money elsewhere. With HD2, you will probably go out and buy plugs that will
equal or exceed the value of the HD3 pack, or you could do like I do and use
external gear and route it back in (when I run out of proc. power). It also
depends on the strength of your CPU and the ability to run RTAS as well as
TDM.

I kind of rambled there, but I hope that helped.


"Mark Stebbeds" <nospam@nospam.org> wrote in message
news:7d76t0hr05tqcb2m206q8lkb0eeon8rcoc@4ax.com...
> On 29 Dec 2004 11:35:38 -0800, "Chris Coleman"
> <lyndholmproject@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> I anticipate recording 24 tracks simo maximum (when transferring from
>>> a 2" analog), and usually much less. 32 tracks maximum for mixdown
>>
>>Then why not get your feet wet with a 002rack system first?
>
> My feet are plenty wet already! :-)
>
> I need to be compatable with the big boys, including TDM. Just
> wondering how much bang I can get out of the HD2.
>
> Mark
>

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

>I'm thinking about coming over to the dark side and getting a Pro
>Tools rig, but having a hard time determining if the extra cost of the
>addtional accel card (HD3) is worth it (necessary) for music mixing.
>
>I anticipate recording 24 tracks simo maximum (when transferring from
>a 2" analog), and usually much less. 32 tracks maximum for mixdown,
>with the usual amount of plug-ins.....you know, six or eight
>compressors, a handful of EQ, and a couple of reverbs, delays, etc.
>
>There is also the question of the extra plug-ins that come bundled
>with the HD3, and how useful they are.
>
>Any thoughts from you PT power users?
>
>Mark

It sounds like you'd be fine with fewer cards, like an HD 1 or even a used Mix+
(as long as you don't need 96/192 rates, and are willing to stay with PT
6.4/5.1, Digi's final Mix compatible releases). HD1 and Mix+ have equivalent
plugin power, and should be more than enough for what you describe,
particularly under OSX on a dual processor Mac (I'm assuming you're Mac based)
where a lot of additional RTAS or HTDM plugins can run on the second processor.
I'm still running a Mix+ system on a dual 1GHz G4 and have ample horsepower for
mixes far more plug-in intensive than you're describing. An HD3 Accel system
would give you 5 times as much TDM plugin power - *way* more than you seem to
need.

If you plan to use SCSI drives (recommended, but borderline for your track
counts) you'll ned a SCSI PCI card, which if you're running HD3 on a G5 means
you'll need a PCI expansion chassis too, which is expensive. G4s have 4 PCI
slots, but G5s have only 3.

The other cost issue is I/O. You'll need 24 hardware channels to do your 2"
xfers, so for an HD system you'll need 3 96 or 192 boxes (3 will require at
least a 2 card HD system IIRC) or two with one fitted with 8 additional A/Ds.
If you want to come back out to 24 hardware channels you'll need to equip the
other one with 8 more channels of D/A. So the I/O could easily cost as much or
more than the PCI cards.

The cheapest way to do it would probably be to get a used Mix+ (about
$2500-3000) and 3 888/24s (about $8-900 each). The 888s are not great
converters though (although they're still widely used in pro settings). An HD1
with two 192s carded up with I/O will cost a lot more (much more so if new) but
will sound better and have more of a future software compatibility-wise.

Best of luck


Ted Spencer, NYC

"No amount of classical training will ever teach you what's so cool about
"Tighten Up" by Archie Bell And The Drells" -author unknown