Originally posted by legion
MacRAND,
Soundtrack isn't good for an audio studio from the get go because it misses a major component: handling MIDI. If his intention is to integrate with analogue equipment, or wavetables, or sampling, etc.. he'll need MIDI at some point. A Logic/ProTools HD system (both, not either/or) would be best as a starting point.
I agree about the MIDI still being necessary... I don't know too many kb players that don't still love and use midi to trigger, sync and sample.
Still, my highest recommendation is the: inventory of current equipment/outlining of his needs/and speaking to a professional.
Done... been done... I've been talking to several gear reps... have been for quite some time... about 36 months. Let's face it, talking to reps is like talking to A&R guys. Watch your wallet and believe about half of what they say... but that's for another forum altogether.
I have a studio designer that I've been consulting with for well over 24 months. As a matter of fact, he was instrumental in helping us to make the decision to buy the property for the studio. (Still have to get approval on a septic system from the county Board of Health before anything starts. Been waiting on that for almost 3 months. Gotta LOVE it.)
Bottom line is that I am a newbie here, but I'm no newbie. I have quite a bit of experience in audio, production, computing and and imaging. My first introduction to digital video was way back in 1984 and I've been relatively keeping pace with technology since CPM 2.0.4a. (That's pre-DOS and wondoze for you kids.) That probably makes me ancient, but not stupid. The new studio is completely wide open as far as most of the gear is concerned. I have a reasonably decent budget, and it's all on the table for discussion. Which is all I was hoping to do by coming here and asking a question.
Look, the whole thing is that
some of you read that someone has an idea that you honestly believe you already have the answer to. That's fine, and I don't necessarily agree or disagree. What does it take to get that through to you folks? Is it that people just don't read a post in it's entiretly or is it that it's more fun to cut and parse words into things that aren't the intent of the originator.
I want to try to clarify a couple of things... AGAIN!
First; I'm NOT in LA
or NY. It ain't the same there as it is out here in the real world of low income musicians and churches. I get about 3 calls a month asking if I can either accept or transfer stuff from one softare package to another because the client is out of room, or doesn't have enough computer to do the job. This isn't about whether I WANT to run the programs for myself, it's to run them as a
service for the client. And YES I DO GET CALLS ABOUT CAKEWALK! 2 last month alone! Heck, I got a call last month asking about mini-disk conversion! I get calls for 1"-8, TASCAM 4track, Fostex, ADAT, DA-88's and on rare occassion even DASH.
Second; I stated that I'm already going to be getting an HD1 or an HD3 already. Give it a rest kids. I looked at HD about 6 years ago and didn't think it was ready for the road in a mobile recording facility. I still don't think it's road worthy. Thus, I will be integrating RADAR Nyquist for the rig AND the studio... so I need to be able to sync and transfer into and out of TDM... SYNC I/O already...
Third; all of my existing digital domain gear is obsolete... DUH! That's why I'm getting RADAR, TDM and Nuendo (at the LEAST) for a NEW brick and mortar facility... new facility, new gear. Also on the table for discussion: Sony DMX R-100, SSL C-200, Studer 950s, AMEK Media51 and the Yamaha PM1-D
Fourth; again as I previously stated, in coming across the announcement of the "Big Mac" at VA Tech, I thought it might well be an idea worth exploring putting together a small cluster. Why? Well, since in an IDEAL situation, each application "should", key word here is SHOULD be on it's own box. In using that criteria as a BASE POINT to work from, I come up with about 6 boxes and a server. e.g. the basis for a cluster.
Lastly; Using the starting point of that many boxes, (one per application), it would seem that it should not be that much more of a stretch to "strap" or cluster the horsepower together to actually be able to:
a.) Complete the projects that I am getting calls about fixing or completing.
b.) Take on an expanded client base of outside "producers" and "engineers" who are still using all these older prosumer grade sytems.
c.) Convert any existing tracks in these older prosumer systems into any other system including TDM and RADAR.
Thus the original point of my question.
So far the answers I've received in a nutshell:
I'm insane. - Technically I'm not. I've actually got quite a ways to go. The lightning did some serious damage to my CNS. I'm able to still walk reasonably well and I do have to take some rather serious medication to maintain the pain, but it didn't take my sanity. You guys who don't actually read the posts in their entirety are starting to push the envelope, though.
I don't know what I'm doing with a network. - Possibly, but being responsible for a network which churns about 2 Terabytes of images and data every 90 days, I'm competent enough to handle data throughput with minimal problems. I designed it and it more than gets the job done. I dunno, maybe 25 years in electronic engineering doesn't mean squat anymore.
I need to learn new software. - No kiddin'? (That's meant to be funny, not sarcastic.) I'm old, but I ain't stupid OK? If I'm willing to take on a cluster, I think I ought to be willing to learn new software... (that was meant to be sarcastic in a light-hearted way.)
whatever,
Max
Yes, let us know what you have decided to do... in detail.