Digi001 PT FREE: Some Questions

[hdgray]

I just started using Digi001 FREE; I'm on a Mac G3, and I'm planning to do my first experiments just utilizing the sound inputs on the computer (no sound card yet).

I'm wondering: is there somewhere on the web I can go to download .wav files to use as "sample tracks" to start learning with?

This is probably very naive as well, but can I actually use some kind of PCI Sound Card like Audio Media III with the free program, if I wanted to have better sound quality I/o?

Also, can I use Toast 5 to burn a CD from PTFree, or do I need a special program for that?

Can I sample sounds directly off of a CD in the CD drive on the computer, or do I need a special sampler software for this?

Leads and hints appreciated. Thanks.

[pokeefe777]

There's lots of places where you can get some .WAV or .AIF files to experiment with - do a google esearch.

As far as the audiomedia III card, IMO, it would definitely sound better than the onboard sound on your mac... and since Digidesign has announced the new MBox (USB soundcard with 2 Focusrite pic preamps and Pro Tools LE software for $495), you may want to look into that. The AM III cards may start selling for less, and you can get Digi Toolbox XP for under $500 - Audiomedia II and PT LE software, which is MUCH more useable than the PT Free software.


http://www.freakygamers.com/smilies/s2/contrib/navigator/usa.gif

Phil O'Keefe
Sound Sanctuary Recording
Riverside CA http://www.ssrstudio.com
pokeefe777@ssrstudio.com

[BagHun]

After you "Bounce To Disk" (make it an AIFF) from Pro Tools FREE you can burn a CD with Toast.

You can rip a CD very easily with SoundApp, a freeware application.

Some older AudioMedia cards are not compatible with newer Macs. Do some research (start at digidesign.com) before getting a used one. But I wouldn't get one of those, anyway. The low cost way is the new mBox from Digi, giving you 24 tracks, which is not quite yet available.

Another alternative is a small mixer, like one from Behringer. I've set one of those up on a Mac and used the built in sound ports (older Mac like yours probably - the new ones don't have a sound in port). Very cheap zero latency (no "slap back") monitoring. Ask me if you want more details.

I assume what you'd like to practice with would be a set of individual tracks to import into PTFree and manipulate as you see fit. I don't know of anywhere you could get those. If you find some mp3s like that, you can use SoundApp to convert them to SDII files, which is what Pro Tools uses.

[hdgray]

Thanks to both of you.
BagHun, this is interesting to me, as I'm just barely beginning to feel my way around Audio, and would like to do my initial experiments "on the cheap".

The MBox sounds interesting. The thing that holds me back from diving into Digi is the proprietary nature of their software: an often discussed topic I see.

Without a PCI soundcard, If I wanted to record a "sample" of a piece of music already existing on CD (or off the radio, etc.) would I simply go line-in from my boombox to the Mac's "in" jack, or can I actually put a CD disc right into the mac's CD tray and record my samples from it there? You can see by the nature of my questions that I'm at a very primitive level with this.

[BagHun]

Do this: Go to www.download.com (http://www.download.com) and search for and download SoundApp.

SoundApp is a music player and converter that will convert just about any sound type into any other sound type (will convert FROM mp3 but not TO mp3...get apple's free iTunes for that). SoundApp will convert CD tracks into AIFF or SDII format (the kind Pro Tools uses). Once you've installed and started SoundApp, put a CD into your Mac. Drag the CD icon into a new playlist in SoundApp. In the convert menu check the format you're converting to. The default settings are for Stereo AIFF files, the kind needed for burning a new CD. For using them with PT, select "Sound Designer II" and "Split Stereo". Select the track you want to convert, then hit the "convert" button. Choose your destination and that's all there is to it.

[hdgray]

Originally posted by BagHun:
Do this: Go to www.download.com (http://www.download.com) and search for and download SoundApp.

SoundApp is a music player and converter that will convert just about any sound type into any other sound type (will convert FROM mp3 but not TO mp3...get apple's free iTunes for that). SoundApp will convert CD tracks into AIFF or SDII format (the kind Pro Tools uses). Once you've installed and started SoundApp, put a CD into your Mac. Drag the CD icon into a new playlist in SoundApp. In the convert menu check the format you're converting to. The default settings are for Stereo AIFF files, the kind needed for burning a new CD. For using them with PT, select "Sound Designer II" and "Split Stereo". Select the track you want to convert, then hit the "convert" button. Choose your destination and that's all there is to it.

Thankk you kindly. I appreciate this information!

[rob millsap]

Baghun, Or anyone else...

I have a couple of questions for you...

1) You say you have set up systems with a small mixer using the older mac audio card with no latency....What is your solution for having multiple tracks in a session sync up with one another. After recording a track I find I have to nudge it into place with the original track so they will all be in sync. To do this I use the the wave tool and select a sync point.
Do you, or anyone have an easier method of placing tracks in sync when using Pro Tools 4.1.1 (PowerMix)


2) You mention using the SoundApp software to convert files in preparation for burning CD's......I am looking to purchase a SCSI CDRW for my old PowerMac but find that a software like, Toast is necessary for the CD burner to work with my computer.
Do you, or anyone here know if this SoundApp software will allow the Mac to function with the CD burner or is there yet another software required in order for the CDRW just be acknowledged by the older Mac?

Thanks in advance to all of you!

dreamers@bigzoo.net

[BagHun]

I've never used Pro Tools 4.1.1 but there may be a setting to automatically move recorded tracks a preset amount ("recording offset" or something like that). With Digital Performer, I set this amount by miking a click out of my speakers and seeing what the difference was. Otherwise I have to line them up visually and aurally.

SoundApp won't burn CDs, but Apple's free iTunes does. It's just a matter of will your old Mac work with iTunes and is a particular CD writer supported.

What model Mac do you have and what OS version are you running?

[rob millsap]

BagHun,

Thanks for the recording tip....

I am currently using a Power Mac 7600/120 with OS 8.6.

Am considering a XLR8 G3/500Mhz upgrade with income tax return...any thoughts?

Regards,
Rob

[hdgray]

Originally posted by rob millsap:
BagHun,

Thanks for the recording tip....

I am currently using a Power Mac 7600/120 with OS 8.6.

Am considering a XLR8 G3/500Mhz upgrade with income tax return...any thoughts?

Regards,
Rob

The problem with accelerating an old Mac like that one is bus speed: you increase the chip's power, but the system bus is just the same as it always was. I don't remember what it is for the 7600, but I don't think it's even 100mhz. I was told that I simply couldn't burn CD's on mine (7600/120) so I bought a used G3 b/w. I may be wrong, though.

[BagHun]

Hdgray is probably right.

I'm on a G4/400 AGP and I can't imagine working on anything less.

[hdgray]

Yes. I'd save the money you'd spend on some kind of an accelerator get-up and put it towards a newer mac and/or the recording software you want. The digital game is like so many other things: it becomes a losing proposition thru inertia after a certain point; you just have no alternative but to go with a faster system. I try to buy used equipment as often as possible to keep the depreciation rate as low as possible. It's like buying used cars. Once you drive a new car off the lot, it's used, and it's value drops immediately. Or something like that.