Trashing Pro Tools, Switching To Logic 6, need hardware advice Options

[a0k1a]

So this is what I have:

Powermac G4 Dual 867
1.5 Gig RAM
Digi 001
Pro Tools LE 6.0.1 with 1.1 CoreAudio Driver
Reason 2.0.1 (whatever) (waiting on 2.5!!!)
Oxy8

This is what I do:

Make beats using Reason. 1 painstaking track at a time.
Export loop as audio
Import audio to track in Pro Tools
Record vocals (just for listening purposes, lining up syllables to beats, whatever)
I use maybe 30 tracks total for a song (fillers, sound effects, background vocals, etc)
Take the tracks to a real studio and record my vocals for real
Mix down, press to CD
For use later on

So with that said...

Pro Tools LE 6.0.whatever is a great product in and of itself...minus the ceiling on MIDI stuff as most of you know. I've found that there are a limited of options as to RTAS plug-ins. And they're freaking expensive!!!

So, I'm back at the beginning.

I'm going with Logic 6. Probably platinum even though it is a bit much for my purposes at the moment eventually I will need every bit of it ( call it high hopes ).

So my question is this: What hardware should I use? Should I stick with my Digi 001 interface? Will Logic 6 vibe well with it? Any experienced users there?
I'm thinking about selling it all and going with an EMI 6/2m. But my concern there is a microphone. Any suggestions in regards to the mic issue if I do go with the EMI 6/2m? Should I be concerned about latency because it is a USB interface?

Thanks for ANY advice in regards to these and any relevant questions!

[Synthetic]

even though you can use the Digi001 hardware with Logic... I highly recommend maybe something like the Emagic Audiowerk PCI card or something else to use with Logic. I currently use Logic 4.8.1 on OS9 with my Digi001 and while it does work... I have more noticeable latency (lots more than when using ProTools LE 5.2) and seem to battle an error where it is not able to keep up with audio processing much more than in ProTools LE. Logic will let you use multiple sound cards or input devices as well increasing track inputs and outputs too.

yes RTAS do cost a lot but I think if you compare with free or cheap VST plugs... most (not all) RTAS will provide better sound quality in the end due to the mathmatics used and company reputations at stake.

There is a new little app of some kind I seen somewhere (search downloads here maybe) that will let you route audio directly into ProTools from Reason via directconnect or something like that I think too as another option.

Even though midi in PT is not up to par with Logic... unless you have good grasp of midi concepts... Logic may be too complex and actually hinder the creative process more than help because ProTools deals with midi in a more straight forward fashion. So unless you feel that you are limited by what you are able to do in PT then I would not concern over it and stay with PT as I have done some cool midi stuff from PT and took me a couple of months to get comfortable using Logic for midi. Just my humble opinion though

[a0k1a]

Thanks for the advice Synth Tone!!! Here's a stupid question for you. I've searched a lot of different places and none of them seem to carry the Emagic Audiowerk cards!!! Any leads on where I can get a hold of one?

[a0k1a]

Okay, I guess I didn't do as much research as I thought I had done. It seems that Emagic discontinued their Audiowerk cards. Anyway, I would still have to get a mic preamp if I went that route. So, I'm going to go with the EMI 6/2m, a mic pre-amp, Logic 6 Plat. I had issues with latency with the USB thing, but since I won't be recording more than at the most 2 tracks at a time there should be no issues. Don't you hate it when someone asks you a question and answers it himself? Thanks for your advice Synth....it seems I won't be banishing my Digi 001 altogether. I may have some use for it after all!

To the MacMusic Team: Thanks for your hard work with this site!!!

[Synthetic]

no problem... I wish I had known about this site a few years back as it might have saved me some headaches and dough too.

The Audiowerk cards can be found on ebay kinda cheap sometimes.

You could always do recording in PT using its preamps when using a mic to save on money but the setup your going for should work well too.

I use a Emi 2/6 with my laptop. Its ok unit but I am not 100% pleased with it. Beware the USB connection is a little sloppy and small movemment of cables or the Emi will sometimes cause crackles and pops. I am not real fond of RCA jacks either. I like just using 1/4" cables but I ended up getting a RCA to 1/4" cables.

I thought about selling my Digi001 a few times but just can't do it. I love going straight to PT when I have ideas that I want to record without midi as its just more comfortable to me when dealing with just audio tracks I also prefer to mix in PT because I like the way automation works... more simple and straight forward than Logic.

But I do my midi work and sampler work in Logic with the ESX24 sampler plug which just blows the Emu-2000 hardware sampler I used to have away for features and ease of use. Well good luck with your gear.... keep jammin;