What computer to buy for Pro Tools in 2019?

[anguswoodhead]

Hi gang
I’m out of touch with computers.
Currently on a 2010 12 core Mac Pro
Time to upgrade.
Stay Mac or go PC?
I work at 96k.
Use lots of plugins.
Will buy the new Antelope Audio Orion 32+ Gen 3
Help me buy the right machine to keep up with new releases etc
Thanks in advance.

[uptheoctave]

Personally I'd wait for the new Mac Pro unless you absolutely have to upgrade.

If you you want to stay with Mac right now you have to go an expansion chassis if you want to use HDX and every other computer is crippled in some way for a studio.

[Darryl Ramm]

What are the problems you are having now? You run a lot of native plugins or HDX plugins?

I would also be waiting for the new Mac Pro. I would be looking at memory and/or SSD upgrades to help with any issues you have now.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

Hi gang
I’m out of touch with computers.
Currently on a 2010 12 core Mac Pro
Time to upgrade.
Stay Mac or go PC?
I work at 96k.
Use lots of plugins.
Will buy the new Antelope Audio Orion 32+ Gen 3
Help me buy the right machine to keep up with new releases etc
Thanks in advance.

Question to ask yourself is are you going to stay with the HDX card? There's nothing in the current Mac line that has card slots.

Is the Orion going to handle all your I/O? If so you do know you'll only have 32 channels when running with the USB connection. You need Thunderbolt for the full capabilities of the Orion.

Depending on the answers to those questions like others are saying stay with what you have until the new Mac Pros come out. Something that would help your performance is to have your system drive as an ssd in one of the pcie slots if you have a free one (not knowing what your system drive is now). Would certainly be a lot cheaper than getting an iTrashcan and an expansion chassis for that HDX card.

[anguswoodhead]

Honestly the HDX card has been a disappointment.
I run at 96k so my voices are halved.
I’m constantly running out of DSP in projects.
And Ultimate 2918.12 is constantly crashing.
I’ve soent heaps on my Mac in the last 2 months.
New video card
New SSD’s etc
I’m pretty disillusioned.
I’m considering a big PC to be honest
And run Ultimate natively with Orion 32+.
Sell the HDX card with the 2010 Mac as a turn key system.

[The Weed]

If you are seriously considering a PC, talk to these people:

https://www.pro-tools-pc.com/

Guaranteed to work with PT and they support their computers fully. And no, I don't work for them. BTW, Steve the builder is here on the forum: guitardom. he's answered my and many others questions along with providing Trasher.

[anguswoodhead]

How do these specs look?

New PC running Pro Tools Ultimate
With 1 x HDX card...

What changes would you suggest?

[Darryl Ramm]

Quick feedback,

The HDX card is still installed? How do you plan to use that if it is already running out of voices? Adding native AAX plugins to your mix will eat more voices, not free up resources. Or do you intend to use HDX for tracking then switch interfaces for mixing? Do you need a HD Native card?

How are you intending to connect the Orion interface? USB right, because that Mobo does not have Thunderbolt.

Big 16 core I9... good, should have lots of oomph. Issue will always be cooling. Others will know better than me the best cooling options.i am not sure if there are any feedback in that mobo exactly with Pro Tools but you should search DUC and google online for that.

Windows 10 Pro... good it’s not 10 Home, so you can more easily disable automatic updates.

Fast PCIe/NVMe SSD... good, it’s the 21st century. But is 1GB enough for your VI samples and recording needs? You can stick all that on one drive with this NVMe technology if you want to or the mobo takes up to two of those drives.

Motherboard supports NVMe... good, up to two drives. Those drives want good cooling, make sure the drives have good airflow across them, no cables in the way etc.

Ideally make sure the exact DIMM make/model you purchase are approved/qualified for the mobo.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

How do these specs look?

New PC running Pro Tools Ultimate

With 1 x HDX card...

What changes would you suggest?

It looks awesome

[Benoni]

There's always the HP Z series. They are built like tanks and approved by Avid (if that matters to you) The Z840 or the latest Z8 will last you years.