M-Audio VS. LE

[paprika]

Im new to Pro Tools and all the hardware the is required for it. I have been searching the forum and I havent found this answer and Id like to know it when I purchase some hardware in the future. Im wondering whats the difference between the M-Audio hardware and the LE hardware? What can one do that the other cant? Please help me out, Im new to this stuff, really interested and wanna get into it. Thanks

[Sacred Spirit]

Concensus so far is that M-Audio hardware is not quite up to parr with Digi hardware. The good part of M-Audio is that it is likely more consistent with being a generic sound card and more choices. I don't own M-Powered, but the ProTools software should be identical to LE. Dollar for dollar, MBox is probably still the least expensive solution to ProTools.

[Digidesign]

You can find information on the differences in hardware and software betweeen M-Powered and LE systems in the Products section:
www.digidesign.com/products (http://www.digidesign.com/products)

Also linked from the M-Powered for Mac compatibility page:
www.digidesign.com/compato/osx/ma/ (http://www.digidesign.com/compato/osx/ma/)

On the lower right side of the main Pro Tools M-Powered for Mac OS X compatibility page, you will see the following, with links to the product pages:

Pro Tools M-Powered Information
Pro Tools M-Powered Product Section

Pro Tools LE & Pro Tools M-Powered Systems
Pro Tools LE software requires Digidesign hardware. Pro Tools M-Powered software requires M-Audio hardware. More Information:
Hardware Comparison Chart
Software Comparison Chart

[Loudnoize Ent.]

Concensus so far is that M-Audio hardware is not quite up to parr with Digi hardware. Dollar for dollar, MBox is probably still the least expensive solution to ProTools.



False!

Although I can vouch the Digi hardware to be very acceptable, I just finish a project using the AudioPhile 192 PCI-X card and I recorded and mixed with much satisfaction. When using the MBox, I could never do with the Latency and buffer errors and trust me, I had my share of it. I never needed the extra inputs so the 002 was of no interest to me. Besides, whay pay more when I can do exactly the same with paying less.

[mindnoise]

hey Loudnoize,

how does the AP192 ADDA compare to the 002 or even the 001?

thanks for sharing
regs

[paprika]

Thanks for the help. Oh and DigiDesign Ive already been through the whole site but since Im not super techy and dont know what all that stuff means I cant comprehend or even start to try and compare the LE hardware to the M-Audio stuff. Just one last question, which one is better to start off with and easier to use? Since my main problem will be getting used to everything and how it works. Thanks.

[Loudnoize Ent.]

Mindnoise, I'll tell ya.... I've worked with both the 002 and the MBox (not the 001) and I have to say that ALLLLL is sweet. I've even compared it to others (Motu 828 MkII) and for $600. cheaper, I swear this card is smokin'.... Sounds good and does the job just right. I mean what can I really say about a $179. card but for anyone who doesn't really need the extra ins, go for the PCI-X card. I say invest in better pre's, mics, monitors, etc...

[mindnoise]

Hi Loudnoize,

thanks! this helps me a big step to changing my gear!

I mean we all just want ot use PT, the rest is really secondary.

best

[Loudnoize Ent.]

Hi Loudnoize,

thanks! this helps me a big step to changing my gear!

I mean we all just want ot use PT, the rest is really secondary.

best



Hey Mindnoise. In fact many users would actually prefer the DIGI brand interface, only because it IS. It doesn't sound any better and actually less expensive to go the M-Audio route and expand the studio purchases elsewhere. I just completed a demo track for a major act and I'm delighted with the outcome. Now if DIGI can only give us the extra tracks and dual processor usage, I'd certainly be a happy camper.