28 replies to this topic

[ajay]

Hey again guys!

Thinking of making the switch to Tools from Logic 5 (I know, I know). Looking at a 003rack.

I know digidesign have a list of approved hardware (computer hardware) but I cannot find it anywhere. Im upgrading my PC shortly and thought I may as well ensure all the components will work with ProTools.

Any other catches or things I should be aware of before swapping over?

Cheers fellas... I know its been a long time between drinks for me here

[Spectrum]

Hey Ajay,

Yeah, I think I know the approved list you mean, but all I can find is these:
http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=23876
http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=22905

One thing of concern to watch out for is "Digidesign is currently investigating reports of Pro Tools not launching for some users after installation of Internet Explorer 8 on either Windows XP or Windows Vista.":
http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=38111

And I recall there being a link somewhere there too re FireWire drives and approved Oxford Chipsets.

Best check out the PC section on the http://duc.digidesign.com/ for the latest in user experiences with PC hardware.

Any reason you didn't want to go down the Mac / Logic route? Mac Book Pros are coming in under 2 grand now.

But in saying that, I've just updated to PT8 LE, and first impressions are wow! Some really neatly implemented stuff in this newest update. It's really become a well rounded product now (and in many ways, caught up with the rest of the pack finally too).

Wasn't too impressed to discover one of the Digi002 Rack mic inputs has developed some nasty digital noise, even with nothing hooked up to it.

[ajay]

Thanks for that Spec 8)

Ill investigate.

Main reason for not going Mac/Logic route is cash.

The 003 (or all LE powered Hardware) is now bundled with ProTools8?

[Spectrum]

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The 003 (or all LE powered Hardware) is now bundled with ProTools8?

Yeah, expect so, and if not, the upgrade would be free.

Anders is your man (and my man too, seeing it was him who responded to my cries for help in working through the authorization screens on the website in order to get to the downloads section) for all such queries. Trust he'll be sure to chime in again any time soon.

[Spectrum]

Hey Ajay, did you see Niktu's selling his Digi003 Rack?

http://www.soundpunk...hp?topic=2422.0

[Anders]

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Trust he'll be sure to chime in again any time soon.

that he will!

Quote

One thing of concern to watch out for is "Digidesign is currently investigating reports of Pro Tools not launching for some users after installation of Internet Explorer 8 on either Windows XP or Windows Vista.":
http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=38111

Id just like to point out that the solution to this is uninstalling the IE8 update via add or remove programs. If you want to go straight there to do that now then remember to click the show updates box so you can see the IE8 item in the list. Full instructions for doing so are at the link above. This issue has a high priority so should be fixed with the next free CS update for Pro Tools 8. When that is released you will find it here www.digidesign.com/support/csupdates.

Welcome Ajay!

Yes there is a list of specs that you will need to follow. There are many different configurations you can use so here are are my recommendations, everything else you will find in the links below. Feel free to post further questions here if you need any clarification.

• Intel Core 2 Quad CPU
  
• Motherboard with the Intel P35 chipset
  
• at least 2GB of RAM (no more than 4GB)
  
• 1GB video card (if you have 3GB or less RAM) or a 512MB Video card (if you have 4GB of RAM)
  
• Windows XP 32bit or Vista 32bit (64bit is not supported yet)

General compatibility information for Windows and Pro Tools LE 8
http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=36859

Hard drive compatibility information for Windows
Pro Tools requires two hard drives. The first drive is for your OS and the Pro Tools program files. The second drive is for saving your sessions and audio to. These must be physically separate drives (not just partitions of the same drive).

The specs of the hard drives must be…

• SATA, IDE or Firewire connection (no USB)
  
• Minimum 7,200RPM drive speed
  
• NTFS file format
  
• Supported drive chipset if it is a firewire drive (see link below)

For full details on hard drive compatibility see this link:
http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=23140

Firewire chipset compatibility information for Windows
Digidesign firewire interfaces require a Texas Instruments (TI) firewire chipset. If the motherboard you choose doesn't have a TI chipset then you wilkl need to buy a PCI card which does. Digi have tested and qualified these cards so if do need a card you should buy one of these.
http://www.digidesig...35&itemid=23113

Optimizing Windows for Pro Tools
Once you have the hardware setup and Windows installed you should make these settings in the OS before installing Pro Tools.
Windows XP - http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=23664
Vista - http://www.digidesig...54&itemid=28469

Let us know how you go with the build and with Pro Tools 8!

[ajay]

Anders, mate that is EXACTLY the information I was looking for - you're a freakin legend! :clap:

I'm building a PC this week so it was a very timely reply!

In regards to a gfx card, is Tools really that intensive of graphics? I mean., we're not talking high speed 3D rendering here... It's inconsequential as my card will easily meet the requirements but im interested to know.

Thanks a bunch none the less!


Spec: yeah I saw that unit yesterday, heres hoping I can scrape enough spondoola together before someone else takes it!

[Anders]

@Ajay - a 512MB graphics card is ample for Pro Tools music production. My point is if you are using a video editor app or 3D games etc on your machine then you would go for the 1GB card.

[roloke]

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• Intel Core 2 Quad CPU
  
• Motherboard with the Intel P35 chipset
  
• at least 2GB of RAM (no more than 4GB)
  
• 1GB video card (if you have 3GB or less RAM) or a 512MB Video card (if you have 4GB of RAM)
  
• Windows XP 32bit or Vista 32bit (64bit is not supported yet)

[b]

Im considering getting the same thing and just got a new computer with Intel Q8200 2.33ghz w/ 4gb ram a 500gb hard drive + a 1tb hard drive 7200RPM &512 graphics card

So are these minimum requirements or recommended or just yours personally? Would this run fine or run like a dream? If its too much tax on the machine I was going to stick with Adobe Audition but Id like to add the phrase "I use protools" to my resume 

[Anders]

@Roloke - What is the motherboard in that machine? It's chipset is a very important piece of the puzzle.

Digidesign only qualify computers that run Pro Tools "to spec". i.e. a computer that launches Pro Tools but will only playback most of the time or only with a few tracks will not be qualified.

The configuration i have detailed is a cross between qualified minimum specs and some "extra guts" when i believe it is needed (also qualified specs).

[roloke]

Shoot, I had no idea it was so particular

Using the Intel 82801 PC Bridge 244E chipset

Where do i go to look for compatibility?

[Anders]

@ roloke - can you download PC Wizard and check the exact make and model of your chipset? It is shown on the first window you see when you open this program.

http://www.cpuid.com...cw2009_v188.exe

[roloke]

Intel G43/G45

[Anders]

roloke - OK in that case you should try a mates copy of Pro Tools on your machine before you buy it yourself. The G-Series chips have proven problematic with Pro Tools. Its a bit "hit and miss" as to how they perform. The main problem is playback errors when using plug-ins so when you test it make sure you load up the session with tons of plug-ins and see how it goes.

Alternatively, swap your motherboard for one with a Intel P35 chipset.

Good luck!

[roloke]

thanks for the info

[em]

Being that the 003 is firewire only, and if ur pc is usb only, then i would prob get the ADS pyro express card. It is one of the few digidesign approved usb/firewire adapters. It does not intefere with the bit stream as it is not a converter (there isnt such thing as far as i know) - you just insert the firewire card. I haven't used one myself, but was considering it when i wanted to install pro tools on the pc. Apart from the usb issue, for a multitude of reasons i decided the 003 with a pc would be a total biatch, on a mac it is just a matter of connecting and off you go, much simpler. I have heard tho that with ADS pyro there may be crash issues with programs like video editing software MediaStudio Pro. It's about $100 from a place near Factory Sound in Sth Melbourne, give them a call and ask them for the name of the business where u can get it cheap (if ur in melbourne that is). Good luck, am keen to hear how it all goes with ur pc.

[ajay]

Rightio So ive just built up a PC with those specs in mind. Its a beast!

Just looking around now for a good deal on a 003.

Any last minute advice!?

Anders - thanks again for your help mate!

[Spectrum]

^^^ So you're going new/secondhand on the hardware? If secondhand, just be sure all the plug-in licences + ilok is properly transferred over to you.

[ajay]

Id like to go new I f I can find the right deal. Ensuring licenses etc are all legit is part of that reason.

Cheers

[em]

pm'd u ajay.