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Post by nashbass on Jan 14, 2021 10:26:03 GMT -6
The M1 chip is built for, and is only compatible with, Big Sur. And Big Sur is not compatible with Pro Tools. From what I have read and heard, the M1 is also not downgrade-able to Catalina. So that does rule out any Macs with the M1 chip.
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Post by nashbass on Dec 12, 2020 17:58:47 GMT -6
Just saw that the 16" MacBook Pro with the M1 chip won't be around until the third quarter of 2021. Don't think I'll be waiting that long. So... Would you recommend upgrading to 32GB so it is fully prepared for any tracking / editing / virtual instruments / mixing scenario? Of is 16GB sufficient? Totally depends on what kind of work you do. If you're mostly audio or algorithm-VI based, 16GB might be fine. If you're a sample-based VI man, I'd go 32GB to be safe. But again, I would register my concern with that model in particular. The Apple Silicon Macs are proving to be much faster at a much lower price point and wattage. The iMac is one thing, but the 16" MBP is a different situation. Just think carefully before you take the plunge. If it's your best option, it's your best option, but I'd at least take a couple days to thoroughly research what might work for you in an M1 Mac. Watch some YouTube vids. Maybe a 13" MBP (or even Air) with an external monitor might work for you. No harm in thinking through all the options. I really appreciate your input, Mark. I'm factoring in the need to be mobile (hence, the MacBook Pro as opposed to an iMac) and needing/wanting the larger size. Add to that the fact that Apogee hasn't worked out any compatibility yet between the Duet interface and the M1 chip.
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Post by nashbass on Dec 12, 2020 12:15:46 GMT -6
Just saw that the 16" MacBook Pro with the M1 chip won't be around until the third quarter of 2021. Don't think I'll be waiting that long. So... Would you recommend upgrading to 32GB so it is fully prepared for any tracking / editing / virtual instruments / mixing scenario? Of is 16GB sufficient?
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Post by nashbass on Dec 12, 2020 11:13:01 GMT -6
Boy, this thread sure took off! I'm narrowing it down and I am now leaning toward the new 16" MacBook Pro. It'll keep me very portable and when I am stationary I can easily mirror it to a flat screen TV, as I would do if I had a Mac Mini anyway. So, probably my last point of consideration.... The 16" MacBook Pro comes stock with 16GB of memory. Would you recommend upgrading to 32GB so it is fully prepared for any tracking / editing / virtual instruments / mixing scenario? Of is 16GB sufficient? Thank you all! I wouldn’t buy an Intel Mac right now unless absolutely necessary. I might be able to hold off a little while longer but not much. I've been using an Apogee Duet for a number of years and I'd rather not have to jump into another interface as well. And as of a few days ago, from Apogee: "At the moment there is no maestro software compatibility for Duet on Mac M1 Silicon Macs specifically, this is expected to be compatible in a future update."
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Post by nashbass on Dec 11, 2020 18:15:35 GMT -6
Boy, this thread sure took off!
I'm narrowing it down and I am now leaning toward the new 16" MacBook Pro. It'll keep me very portable and when I am stationary I can easily mirror it to a flat screen TV, as I would do if I had a Mac Mini anyway. So, probably my last point of consideration....
The 16" MacBook Pro comes stock with 16GB of memory. Would you recommend upgrading to 32GB so it is fully prepared for any tracking / editing / virtual instruments / mixing scenario? Of is 16GB sufficient?
Thank you all!
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Post by nashbass on May 11, 2020 10:56:49 GMT -6
Thank you all for your input. One of my primary considerations right now (unfortunately, tied to my budget) is that my interface is USB and all the new Mac computers the last few years ditched USB 3.0 ports and now have USB-C which is basically Thunderbolt 3. The legitimate concern is that if the ports all change then I have to consider all my peripherals as well and I currently can't afford and new computer AND a new interface. I'm curious about processing, recording, speed, and how all things technical would work thru an adapter. Has anyone done this and been successful? Or have you either heard or personally found there to be issues when doing this? Thanks again!
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Post by nashbass on May 8, 2020 20:24:48 GMT -6
I currently have an iMac in my studio but it's beginning to get a bit sluggish. Time to upgrade. I'm thinking of going with a laptop this time around, mirroring to a flat screen TV, but also keeping me portable which will free me up to do occasional editing while on the road. I've had a couple conversations with engineer buddies here in Nashville but am just trying to gather up as much information as I can. I tend to like "new" stuff but the newer Mac computers have really changed the ports available. In my humble home studio, I just have an Apogee Duet interface. (I never need more than 2 inputs at a time.) The Duet has a USB connection. If I get a new Mac then I have to consider all the peripherals as well for their connectivity.
Suggestions on what Mac laptop would be best? Thoughts?
Thanks!
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Post by nashbass on Aug 13, 2018 14:27:45 GMT -6
Clay, I see you are using the Miktek CV4. Are you liking it? I bought into all the hype and bought one, only to be very unhappy with it. I found the high end very crispy and shrill on some vocalists. I intended to use it on an alto vocal. It was a horrible choice on that. I then modified an Oktava 319 and that worked much better on this voice. After a year, I went back to the CV4 and drew out the schematics. Then, seeing the design, I picked a new capsule for it. I got a Beesneez K7. Wow, what a huge difference. The CV4 is now one of my favorite mics. Smooth top end and controlled lows. So, if you are like me and not really digging the top end of the mic, a fairly simple capsule replacement turns and OK mic into a great one. Hey all, sorry for being non-responsive. I've been absent for a bit as I've been on the road and finishing up a couple record projects. mcirish, I have quite enjoyed the Miktek CV4. I've used it on alto female voices and male tenor voices (smaller voice male and the very strong-voiced Chris Rodriguez), as well on acoustic guitar. I actually got the mic slightly used from my pal Jim Daneker who is the MD for Michael W. Smith. Jim produced MWS's "Hymns" record and used this CV4 on Michael's vocal, Susan Ashton's guest vocal, and Wes King's acoustic guitar, then sold it to me. Thanks for the insight on capsule replacement. So far, I'm good. But I've been made hip to Mic Rehab here in Nashville and I've heard they can really up the quality of a studio mic, taking it from good to great.
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Post by nashbass on Aug 13, 2018 14:20:23 GMT -6
I have become friends with Bret Teegarden over the last few years as I purchased one of the early Fatboy Tube DI's and have used it religiously on the road and in the studio, and also added the Magic Pre to my studio arsenal. The gear sounds amazing and Bret provides fantastic personal service! Do yourself a favor and getcha some Teegarden Audio gear!
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Post by nashbass on Apr 20, 2018 8:54:56 GMT -6
Here is a video of Bret Teegarden talking about the Teegarden Audio products at NAMM 2017.
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Post by nashbass on Apr 20, 2018 8:43:31 GMT -6
Cool, Jim! I'm using an Apogee Duet interface but bypassing the mic pre's altogether, instead always using the Teegarden Magic Pre. Whether it's for vocals, bass, or a cello overdub, whatever it's used for sounds killer. Here is a little video of my good friend Matt McClure using a plethora of Magic Pre's on drums at Oceanway Studio in Nashville.
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Post by nashbass on Apr 20, 2018 7:17:22 GMT -6
Those Magic Pres are really special actually..... Not sure why they don't get more love? Give it time. 👍🏻
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Post by nashbass on Apr 20, 2018 7:16:43 GMT -6
What amp are you using with your amphions ? Currently, I’m using a Samson Servo 360. It’s serving me pretty well right now, but I ultimately want to get the Amphion 500 power amp.
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Post by nashbass on Apr 19, 2018 20:33:20 GMT -6
I've been acquiring some wonderful pieces of gear in the last couple years and wanted to give a shoutout to some of the companies that make such stellar products. I stay pretty busy in my home studio producing limited pressing records, doing demos, recording vocals, and cutting bass tracks. Here are a few key pieces in the chain.
Teegarden Audio Magic Pre Teegarden Audio Fatboy Tube DI (If you don't know, Bret Teegarden is a veteran Nashville engineer and he makes some fantastic gear!) Chandler Limited RS124 Compressor Amphion one15 monitors Miktek CV4 microphone Shure SM7B Radial MC3 Monitor Controller Triad Orbit T2 mic stand (I'm not impressed with things like mic stands very often but this thing is super cool!) Nice-Racks (www.nice-racks.com) - I started with a simple 2-space rack and then last year got a 14-space slant rack. David Tatelbaum does incredible work! These racks are built really well, they look fantastic, and they don't break the bank!
I'm interested in hearing about what key pieces are in your studio (large or small).
Peace and low notes, Clay
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Post by nashbass on Apr 12, 2018 19:38:01 GMT -6
All resolved. I really just needed a new interface. The new Apogee is working perfectly! No glitches or audio dropouts. A perfectly seamless and productive day in the studio. Thanks guys!
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Post by nashbass on Apr 11, 2018 20:12:15 GMT -6
I've been experiencing some inconsistent (but too frequent) audio dropouts when I'm in Pro Tools sessions as well as playing files in iTunes or even Dropbox. Interestingly, in PT, information still recorded. It's just that the audio disappears for half a second. I have all audio running thru an Apogee Duet and breaking out from there to run to a monitor controller and my speakers. I did a reset of the Duet as well as a complete uninstall / reinstall of Maestro. Alas, I still have some dropouts happening. Help! Do I just need a new interface? Advice welcome. Thank you! (BTW, this is time sensitive.)
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Post by nashbass on Jan 4, 2018 17:06:32 GMT -6
Happy New Year, everyone! I thought I would post a couple pictures to update you on how the studio turned out. A friend, who happens to be a fantastic woodworker, helped out by building me an amazing piece out of pallet wood to hang on the wall. We used some funky hangers that we found at Hobby Lobby. The new 14-space slant rack was built by Nice-Racks (www.nice-racks.com) in Cape Cod, MA. Currently, patch bay cables are hanging over an old pop filter clipped to the side of my desk. And, while two hangers at the bottom of my cable storage piece hold headphones, an amazing way to temporarily hold headphones at your workspace is by simply hanging them over a capo clamped to the edge of your desk. Attachment Deleted
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Post by nashbass on Nov 22, 2017 13:45:58 GMT -6
Hey all... I've been redoing my home studio and it's really taking shape. I'm building a cool wall piece that will have hooks for extra mic and instrument cables and a patch cord holder. The wall piece is designed but I haven't found the right hooks yet. I want something cool / earthy / industrial looking, not your typical Home Depot closet hook. Would love to hear and see some cool ideas. Thanks!
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Post by nashbass on Oct 16, 2017 8:20:33 GMT -6
Anyway... back to the initial point of this thread. What would be the preferred order of my new rack, top to bottom. How about....?
Tuner Furman power conditioner Teegarden Audio mic pre
Patchbay
Avalon U5 Chandler Limited RS124 compressor
Power amp
**Gaps between the gear reflect open spaces left in the rack for growth.
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Post by nashbass on Oct 15, 2017 20:39:33 GMT -6
I'm definitely not thinking of the $80-120 range for a Furman. I'm looking in the $600+ range. It doesn't make sense to run thousands of dollars' worth of gear thru an $80 power conditioner. As I mentioned earlier, an engineer friend of mine here in Nashville told me just the other day that ""The quality of the AC power is significant to the quality of the audio coming out of that gear."
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Post by nashbass on Oct 15, 2017 17:55:42 GMT -6
And, depending on the model, a Furman power conditioner can help clean and filter the power running thru your gear. Also, a basic surge protector can be useless after one good spike. A good power conditioner, however, is built to continue to stand up to power inconsistencies. An audio engineer friend recently said, "The quality of the AC power is significant to the quality of the audio coming out of that gear.... It will serve the best in keeping the audio clean in the analog gear as well as offering protection."
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Post by nashbass on Oct 15, 2017 16:50:26 GMT -6
RE: patchbay switches -- The Behringer Ultrapatch Pro PX3000 has top-side switches which make it easy for you to choose the mode for each respective channel (Normal, Thru, Half-Normal).
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Post by nashbass on Oct 15, 2017 13:46:47 GMT -6
Honestly, I'm about to order the rack. I'm looking at either a 12 or 14-space rack as what I have so far accounts for 10 spaces and I want to have a little room to grow. For my small space I am looking at the Behringer Ultrapatch Pro PX 3000. Though I don't have the patch bay just yet so I am open to suggestions.
And I do already have a 2-space rack made by the same rack builder. So I can easily set that on top of the new slant rack I'm getting. That opens up a couple spaces.
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Post by nashbass on Oct 15, 2017 13:33:19 GMT -6
Hey all,
I'm putting together a new rack for my small home studio and would appreciate input on how to best arrange and order the gear (top to bottom). And, if you'd be so kind, please illustrate why. The gear that I currently know will definitely be going in the rack is:
Furman power conditioner Patch bay Rack tuner Teegarden Audio mic pre Avalon U5 Chandler Limited RS 124 compressor Power amp
Expecting to continue adding with probably another mic pre. And who knows what else? Thanks so much!
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Post by nashbass on Oct 2, 2017 18:42:59 GMT -6
Adding a few more pieces to the studio soon and will be formally installing everything into a new "proper" studio rack. What power conditioner would you recommend for a small home studio?
FYI, the gear list includes a power amp, Chandler Limited RS124 compressor, Avalon U5, Teegarden Audio Magic Pre (mic pre), tuner, etc. I'll be adding another mic pre and assorted goodies.
Thanks for your input! Clay
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