Reason With Hardware Vs. Pro Tools Le(mbox), help Options

[iceman4]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if someone here could give some advice as to which descision I should make. My dilema is whether or not to purchase Reason(Educational Version) with Tascam US-122 or save my cash a little more and get Pro Tools LE(MBox). Obviously Pro Tools comes with a limited version of Reason as well as programs but I'm wondering about what is limited in these add-ons, especially Reason. I'm looking to plug my mic, bass, guitar and headphones without alternating cables like with my iMic at the moment . Thats the hardware front, and for the software, obviously sampling, drum machine, and synth, at least. So I figure Reason offers all of this along with the Tascam, but in the long run I was wondering if it was smarter to go with ProTools especially with all its plug-in programs and its professional quality. Also I've heard various problems with drivers with the MBox, also does anyone know if SampleTank 2 will be released with ProTools as a limited version?



Thanks a lot

Kyle

This post has been edited by iceman4: Sun 6 Jun 2004, 18:59

[Lord Pasty]

AHA... this sounds kind of familiar! You should check out

Forums>Getting Started>MBox users


There's been a lot of talk on there that may help you! I just went out and bought the MBox and have to say that the software bundle is quite generous (you have to get the factory bundle option). Can't say that I've done much with the thing yet, as I have to learn Pro Tools, but Reason has been great. Sample Tank comes with the MBox factory bundle with the option of upgrading to Sampletank 2 for $350.

Definitely check out the posts in the area listed above.

[arvidtp]

Yeah - reason that comes with the Mbox is limited to one NN-19 sampler, two subtracter polysynths, a redrum and a rex file player. That is it except for a reverb, a delay, a mixer and a simple compressor. And no version of reason will record and sequence audio. Also if you plan to edit any MIDI data after you record it at the single note level, i dont think reason's sequencer can do that either. If you want these capabilities you probably want a sequencer like logic, DP, Cubase, Pro TOols. (But Pro tools is not so great for composing I think) If you are a student, Apple's education store sells both express and pro logic versions at half price! [$150 and $500 respectively] I want to get one myself, I just have trouble deciding which because they both look like such a good deal, and being owned by Apple probably helps as far as compatibility an stability. I dunno.

[iceman4]

Ok...thanks for the advice well I'm wondering what the best software options would be if I were looking to edit midi input, record, create drum tracks, and use samples with my usb keyboard. Is there an all-in-one solution?

Thanks

Kyle

This post has been edited by iceman4: Mon 7 Jun 2004, 06:57

[arvidtp]

Well Logic pro is supposed to come with a boatload of top-drawer instruments that some say are better than those in Reason. I don't think they are as eclectic and/or as funky as those in reason, but they probably could be made to do similar, if not better, things. And their new space designer reverb is supposed to be superb.that seems pretty all-in-one to me.

don't know about drums, but I assume logic's built-in sampler (of which I have heard good things) has lots of drum samples. Express gives you I think 500 MB of samples for it and Pro maybe more? but with the pro version you can make your own too. But as I said I haven't tried it yet. I am just an Mbox guy right now and a bit regretting it due to Digi's artificial limitations and crummy drivers, though admittedly things are a little better since they released a better Coreaudio driver.

If you get Logic, Cubase or I believe now DP the awesome thing is that there are a load of Audiounit and VST plugins available, including many excellent free and inexpensive ones.

Also you might want to check out Ableton Live 4 which just came out with the addition of MIDI track support, though I'm not sure about its audio editing or instrument hosting capabilities. It mainly is an awesome realtime loop composition tool.

[iceman4]

Arvidtp...thanks so much for your advice. I checked out the logic's sampler, however, its not quite what I'm looking for. I'm looking for something that is similiar to reason's drum machine. Also I was wondering what you think would be a wise decision for hardware. Do you think the Tascam US-122 is a good choice, or should I consider other things in a similar price range?

Thanks so much again

Kyle

This post has been edited by iceman4: Mon 7 Jun 2004, 22:24

[arvidtp]

I dunno that much about hardware myself. Tascam is supposed to be one of the better manufacturers of USB intrfaces - people I know use them.

I have been looking at the edirol FA-101 10x10 portable interface that is band new, and it looks mad-killer, if a little expensive. But I have not heard any user feedback about it. It's all in how well the drivers work I think.

Firewire is I think better than USB for reliability and lowest latency (and more channels). I was also thinking you could go on ebay and try to get yourself an old 1st generation MOTU 828 - a super depedable, all around workhorse-good 8x8 firewire interface. Both the original and the Mk II (which has more channels and onboard mixing and even DSP of some sort I think) are supposed to be great - the studio at Brown where I go to school has a Mk II and everyone loves it. People I know use the older MOTU 828 and really like it still. You can get the older version for as low as $350 now or maybe even less I think. Got two mic pres and MIDI. But I havent used one myself, as I have been always stuck in a pro tools world I have yet to completely bust out of. haha.

Good luck.