Making the move to PTHD?

[Revson]

Ok, let me start off by saying that I'm completely addicted to eBay. Just a little while ago I was browsing around looking at different toys and thought I'd check out how much HD systems are going for. Right now, I see several people selling PT8 HD2/3 systems for around $3,000. Some of them will even come with a 192 or 96 IO interface. Compare that with buying a new Avid system of the same thing and you'll wind up spending 2-3 times that amount.

So for those of you who run HD systems, do you think now or in the near future would be a good time to make the move? Admittedly, it's been a few years since I've run PT exclusively, mostly because I didn't want LE and couldn't afford a $10k HD system, but I have been toying with the idea of getting PT9 lately. I'd probably have to get a new computer too because mine is a Frankenstein PC. Any thoughts or opinions on this are welcome. Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling too, I've had about 8 cups of coffee in the last 4 hours.

 

[BLUElightCory]

Does it say if they're PCI or PCI/E? I'd definitely avoid buying a PCI system.

I have HD3 Accel at my place, and I do love it. However, if I was starting from scratch I'd probably lean more towards a maxed out PT9/Mac Pro system with Lynx converters or a PT Native system - there just isn't as much need for TDM these days with the power of modern computers (unless you're doing some seriously heavy duty projects).

It also remains to be seen if/when Avid will release a successor to the current HD systems.

 

[Revson]

Pretty much everything in the price range is a PCI system and the PCIe's I found are about twice the price. That still isn't bad but if I was going to spend that much money I'd do what you suggested. Oh well, it was a fun thought while it lasted.

I probably will get PT9 soon enough, though, just so I can have another DAW to use outside of Cubase. I guess for doing what I'm doing now it's more than sufficient, but if/when I start my own place I'll make some serious upgrades.

 

[Mikaël-ange]

PT HD owner here...

Everything depend of what you need:

If you need a HD3 max go with pcie but if you need more like a HD5/6 go pci with magma chassis.

But if you need it, go for it.

 

[Revson]

Well my current need is little, but my want is strong. I really just wanted to gauge if the price was right to make the move, but since the systems I've found so far are on a dying technology (PCI), it probably isn't really worth it. I also figured if I got an HD system I could use that as kind of a name drop to drum up some business since a lot of the studios on my level here are running 003's and Mboxes. I understand how superficial that sounds, but the average musician knows just enough to choose HD over LE and their eyes go blank when they hear the word "Cubase".

But for now I'll stick with what I've got, maybe get PT9 soon, and spend my time getting much better at the craft until the need seriously arises for an upgrade. Thanks for your thoughts guys.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Well my current need is little, but my want is strong.

Then PT9 and a decent converter/interface should be right up your alley

 

[amarshism]

Hdn?

 

[Revson]

Then PT9 and a decent converter/interface should be right up your alley

Agreed. My FF800 does the job nicely right now, but in time I hope to upgrade to a Lynx Aurora system or something similar.

Hdn?

I don't know if I would go that route any time soon. A core card is still stupidly expensive and aside from having the HD name I'm not sure if there are any real benefits.

 

[DigitalMetal]

Theres nothing wrong with PCI if you use Windows PC's or Hackintosh's
Ive recently gone back to PTHD PCI after a year or so without one (i missed the TDM only plugins) Im running a magma chassis so i only need a PC with at least 1 PCI slot and thats not going to change for a while, there are loads of PC motherboards with 1 PCI slot but its sometimes bit of a game getting the right one,
Best place to discuss that is with the users over at the Avid DUC forum.
Anyway the bonus of HD is that you dont need a super fast computerm just a fairly decent (last 5 years kinda spec) and a good amount of RAM,
Ive got a good system that will last far beyond the current crop if Intel I7 machines and it can handle everything i throw at it,
But dont buy it if you dont know why you might want it, after getting used to HD i couldnt live without it, but you dont know what youve got till its gone huh !