Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

I'm currently running Pro Tools 8 LE on Windows 7 with a DigiDesign 002 interface.

Much as I love it, and it works for my needs it is getting slower and slower and clearly the time has come for me to upgrade. I've started researching the latest hardware and I'm overwhelmed tbf.

Please can someone recommend a simple system that will meet my basic requirements. I plan to get a new PC but which version of Pro Tools and which DAW?

I've never used more than 8 inputs at once for recording so I'm happy to stick with that limit, and I only really records guitars, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals. I've never used Midi but would like to learn at some point possibly.

Any help greatly appreciated. Not sure if it makes any difference but I'm in the UK.

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

#1-don't buy any PC from any place that doesn't build "DAW-specific" machines. Pro-tools-pc.com is one vendor that specializes in PT-compatible computers.(pretty sure you have some other options in the UK, too)
#2-Any new PC will come with Windows 10, so you will need to go with the current version of PT(or very recent like PT12 and newer).
#3-Since version 9 of Pro Tools, almost any interface will work, but 3rd party will almost always include some kind of routing/monitoring software. This will probably be a PITA to configure, but once its done, you should not have to revisit again(but I suggest saving screen captures of the proper settings)
#4-If you can afford the option of Thunderbolt on your new PC, get it. It gives you more options for interfaces and its much faster than USB(for lower latency while recording).
#5-options for 8 inputs are plenty. Focusrite and Presonus are plenty good. RME are better(and they seem to have the best drivers)
#6-Pro Tools or other? If you have old sessions you want to remix, then it makes sense to stick with Pro Tools. If you don't need to revisit old projects, Cubase and Studio One are worth a look, as is Reaper. If you don't mind the learning curve, any modern DAW is very capable. I stay with PT because I like the way it works, but you don't have to(unless you collaborate with other Pro Tools users a lot):-)

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

Desktop or laptop? Budget? Windows 10, latest version of Pro Tools, do all AVID recommended system optimizations.

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

Due to my relative minimal requirements I'm aiming at the budget end of things, but definitely planing on a desktop and to stick with PT.

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

16GB RAM min. Intel i7 10th gen or better. (Many use Ryzen, but I'm not knowledgeable on the Ryzen line.) More RAM and 11th gen i7 (or i9) if budget allows.

Take boot drive images as you go along - (Macrium Reflect free version works, or similar). Uninstall all bloatware. Go through all Windows settings (and basically turn all off). There's lots of guides and YouTube videos to help with bloatware & Win setup. Kill all unnecessary startup items. All AVID recommended optimizations. All Windows 10 updates. Latest versions of Pro Tools, plugs, iLok, & audio I/O drivers. Carefully do all these setup steps once, and you should be good to go.

This one's pretty cheap:
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desk...xd8940msreqwoh

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

Thanks I will have a look at something like that, although tbh it was more the non-PC hardware side of things I really need help with. Basically a recommendation for a small mixing desk with 8 inputs?

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

Analog mixer? Audio interface? Control surface?

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

Skip a mixer. Get a decent interface.

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

Personally, RME with their TotalMix and ARC USB Controller.

Re: Upgrade help from Digi Design 002.
 

I'm shamed to say that I don't actually know the difference.

What would my current Digi Design 002 count as?