Is the HD1 worth it?

[rdolmat]

Hi Folks...

I'm running PT LE 7.4 on my Mac Pro Quad and it's working GREAT! Got tons of plugins, ins and rewires going on....Latency set to 256 and the CPU meter is barely 10% (oh yeah, I've also assigned only 3CPU to Pro Tools, so I can use CPU#4 for video playback and other things)...

anyway...is it really worth it to lay down $10,000 for HD1 just to get auto delay comp and TDM plugs? Or is that a huge waste of money?

anyone else consider this?

thanks!

[Slim Shady]

There's a lot more features that HD has over LE than the 2 things you listed. It also doesn't cost $10,000 for an HD1, it's closer to $5k for the card plus an interface.

[Sounds Expensive]

HD1 is just under $8000.00 (not incl. an interface) on the Digi site . . . where are you shopping?

[sunburst79]

If your work is video oriented than HD might make a lot of sense. It may sound like a pain but skimming the Pro tools Manual will reveal a tremendous amount of features that are HD only and videocentric.

The nice thing is with a modern computer you can get by with HD1 and run a ton of RTAS for your Plugs.

[nedd]

Just look at the automation posibilities of HD and it will make it worth investments. Then you can really learn it.

[rdolmat]

Originally Posted by Sounds Expensive

HD1 is just under $8000.00 (not incl. an interface) on the Digi site . . . where are you shopping?

I obviously also need an interface (96i/o)...and that's just under $2000...plus taxes...ummm..ok $9999 total.

I guess I can't use my Digi 002r with PT HD1...

THEN...it would be $8000.

anyway...who cares about the actual dollar amount..that's not the question here.

[Slim Shady]

Originally Posted by Sounds Expensive

HD1 is just under $8000.00 (not incl. an interface) on the Digi site . . . where are you shopping?

MSRP is a lot different that street prices. Any Guitar Center can get you an HD1 + interface for under $6k.

[rdolmat]

Originally Posted by Slim Shady

MSRP is a lot different that street prices. Any Guitar Center can get you an HD1 + interface for under $6k.

Dang! Can you send me a link to that? I went to the Guitar Center website and they have NO HD systems listed...

thanks!

[flommer]

Don't forget expandability and customization. Start with one card and you get, I think, up to 32 in/out. Add a card (and the interfaces) and you're up to 64 i/o. Plus you are not stuck with Digidesign's A/D and mic pres, which with LE you have at least a couple of your inputs with Digi only hardware..

192 khz might matter to some as well...

Really just depends on what you use Protools for, which you haven't really explained...

[Slim Shady]

Originally Posted by rdolmat

Dang! Can you send me a link to that? I went to the Guitar Center website and they have NO HD systems listed...

thanks!

I don't remember saying it was available on a website. Go to any Digi reseller, then you'll find out real prices. Digi enforces very strict rules about how their prices appear online (which is why most online stores that carry HD won't list ANY prices for it. i.e. Sweetwater's "Call us for special price") - perhaps making the gear appear to cost $10,000 is somehow in their marketing scheme, who knows, but that's the way they do it. You need to go talk to a authorized reseller, in person, in a store, and then you'll get an idea of what prices are actually like. I wouldn't necessarily recommend a Guitar Center either, I was just using them as an example that any old Digi reseller can get you HD for better than the prices you listed. Alto music in NYC is my favorite Digi reseller, but generally I buy from whomever gives me the best price.