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Pod Pro With A/d Converter

I'm looking to upgrade my system to include a Pod Pro and a new A/D converter to complement my Digi001 system. I'll be running the Pod Pro direct (without amp micing), so I wanted some advice on how people route their direct analog & digital gear to either a Lucid AD9624 or Apogee Rosetta.

My confusion lies in how it'll be best to clock this setup. Since only the Rosetta has WordClock "out", I'm assuming that's a better option for being able to use my new converter as a masterclock for both the 001 and Pod Pro.

But my questions are:

1) do people use the digital "outs" of the Pod Pro?

2) Would I be better off running the 1/4" analog outs into the Apogee or Lucid converter? Or would I be better off plugging the guitar straight into the Apogee and somehow inserting the Pod Pro later in the chain?

3) What is the benefit of something like the Pod Pro having digital "outs", but no digital "ins"? Would it be simply to bypass a poorer A/D converter than the Pod's?

4) Is there a need or benefit to using an external preamp like the RME RNP in conjunction with the Pod Pro? Or are external preamps really just for mics and mics only?

Thanks for any suggestions

Contour Shuttle Pro W/ Protools Le

I was looking for some opinions on using the Contour Shuttle Pro with ProTools LE. Would it be considered EXTREMELY helpful or just another one of those tools that saves a bit of time, but can be more complicated than it needs to be? I've heard it's meant for use with your left hand, thereby not really replacing your need for a mouse.

If anyone uses this, what kind of controls do you access in PTLE? Do you find it worthwhile, or would it be better just to splurge and get a dedicated DAW controller (Tascam, etc)?

thanks.

Groove Box Or (other) Recommendations?

I'm looking to expand my HARDWARE options for expanding my synth/rhythm/sampling experimentation. I guess I'd liken the style I'm getting into to Radiohead or Tortoise or something (mixing electronic and "acoustic" instrumentation).

I've played quite a bit with REASON, but I still prefer the off-the-cuff feel of hardware. I've been looking for a relatively cheap price range of $200-$400 at things like Korg's EM-1 & ES-1, Yamaha's AN-200 and Roland's D2.

Can anyone recommend one of these or another device that's a good box to really tweak up sounds with? Ideally, I'd love an audio input. And at the end of the day, i don't want something tweakable enough so that the sounds are nothing like the audio presets they began with. Basically, I want to have the flexibility to REALLY alter what comes in the box.

It's a tall order, but any help or opinions on the above devices would be helpful. Maybe there's just a realy great combo that I'm missing... like a synth module + outboard effects box.

I'm not a huge MIDI user, but would like to get a 2x2 or 4x4 MIDI interface for use with a few devices: A Yamaha CBXK1 keyboard MIDI controller, a Line6 Guitar POD2.0, and possibly a ProTools control surface (Motor Mix) in the future.

Are there any things I should be concerned about when buying? I primarily run Reason and ProTools LE (through a Digi001) ? are there any issues with manufacturers and software conflicts? Also, I'm running a G4/DP450 with a full USB hub. Are any products better than others at running through hubs, or should I connect them directly?

Or if I'm only planning to use the above devices, should I get something simpler with a MID Thru and just daisychain everything?

Thanks!

Apple Sound Control Panel & Digi001

I'm currently using the Digi001 as my output device in my Sound Control Panel and am wondering if I shouldn't. I like to have iTunes and DVD audio route through my 001 w/out having to launch ProTools LE to route the audio... which is why I have it set this way. I've read some posts recommending NOT to have it set this way ? that it seems to make audio software (ie: ProTools & Reason) conflict with each other.

I have a general misunderstanding of how the audio routes through the Mac & Digi001 and can't quite figure out how the drivers (ASIO Direct I/0 & Sound Manager) play into it. Let's say in Reason, what is the difference between selecting the ASIO drivers and Sound Manager?

Thanks for anyone's time in helping me understand this. I recently found this forum and am looking forward to getting some help and contributing some info that I DO understand.

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G4DP/450 OS9.2 Digi001