Advice

[armytanker]

Ok...after hours of researching, I found no clear cut answer, or maybe I just didin't look in the right places. Let's start off with my specs; I have PT 7.4LE Mbox 2 pro on a iMac G5 with OS 10.4.11. Processor 2Ghz and 1GB of RAM(I know...I need more). My questions..
1. I'm looking to acquire a Mackie Onyx 1640i Mixer. Can I just not use the actual Mbox and replace it with the Mackie? Is the PT software enough to use with the Mackie? So basically, I want to know can I bypass the box and will the Mackie "recognize" and run my version of PT?
2. I'm somewhat proficient with this version of PT. Should I even update to a newer version?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

[nst7]

You can not use an non-Avid interface unless you're using Protools 9 or 10. You would need to upgrade to one of those if you want to use the Mackie as your interface. Protools 9 is discontinued, but you may be able to find it on ebay or something. Otherwise, you'll need to upgrade to Protools 10.

However, you won't be able to use either 9 or 10 on your G5. You'll need an Intel Mac to be able to run either of those. And it would need to have at least Snow Leopard on it.

[armytanker]

Hey thanks!! So now I have to see what mixers are compatible with what I got...time to restart my research...ugh!

[CME]

Originally Posted by armytanker

Hey thanks!! So now I have to see what mixers are compatible with what I got...time to restart my research...ugh!

It's a really short list if you want to stay on your current version. The 002 or maybe 003. Don't remember what version the 003 first shipped with. Unless you want to use an external mixer to send signals into the mbox. But you'll still be limited to the total number of inputs the mbox has.

[armytanker]

Ok...I need more channels/inputs. 4 just isn't enough. I really don't want to buy a new PC, new PT and interface...that's a few thousand dollars I don't want to spend...

[CME]

Well 002's are cheap these days and will work with what you have. 003's might also. Just make sure before purchasing. They both have up to 18 channels of I/O. All you would have to do is plug in and go.

Oh and you might could find a good deal on a clearance 003 that would come with PTLE8.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by CME

Well 002's are cheap these days and will work with what you have. 003's might also. Just make sure before purchasing. They both have up to 18 channels of I/O. All you would have to do is plug in and go.

Oh and you might could find a good deal on a clearance 003 that would come with PTLE8.

Note that to get the full 18 inputs, you need to add an 8 channel lightpipe preamp, AND a 2 channel SPDIF preamp. Plenty of choices out there, and I would recommend a used 003rack, for 2 reasons. 1-no power harness issue(like the 002) and, 2-the 003 has a wordclock connection, which will make clocking easier. You should be able to buy the 003r for $400 or less

[CME]

Yeah I'd second the 003. Just wasn't sure it was PTLE 7.4 compatible.

An just to clear it up a bit more. The base 003r only has 4 mic pres, the 003+ has 8 mic pres, and the 003 control surface only has 4 mic pres but a very nice control surface. And since you mention you want a mixer that would be where I start. You could add something like a digimax fs for 8 more pres via adat. And then add up to for more pres via the line ins later.

[nst7]

The 003 will work with 7.4. It originally shipped with 7.3.1.

[armytanker]

So, I have you spend to buy an 003, a mixing board and upgrade my Mac... way more than I want to spend.... have to think about this....