Hi all - a couple of questions: I just spent a fortune on a 17" MacBook Pro specifically as the core of Pro Tools LE 8 and the center hub for related applications and processors, both plug-in and outboard hardware. This machine really was the missing link; I have a decent small but growing microphone locker, one really good stereo preamp that's more like a channel strip in that it has built in limiters and basic parametric EQ (a Langevin Dual Vocal Combo). To round out the input chain I have a dbx 166XL compressor/limiter/gate that I use very sparingly, mostly for vox and acoustic guitar. Sparingly is the key - if not careful, these dbx units will be pumping and breathing like Jennifer Gymshorts in Dad's Chrysler after the prom.
For final master mixes I use a Izotope Ozone 4 multi-function plug-in strapped across the main stereo bus for a touch of reverb and compression. This Ozone compressor is so good that you can squash the daylights out of a signal and it won't distort like many hardware compressors would - it'll just be squashed flat and lifeless. If ever there was a time for moderation, my friends, it's with compression.
So anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about my rig - the Mac is truly fast, powerful, classy, and rock-steady, A substantial step up from the SONAR/PC combination I used for years, and the ProTools - well, that's taking a while, but I'm tracking and working, which is what's important. Also, a big difference is that I'm able to work at 24-bit, 88.1K sample rate, which has made a difference in clarity, crispness, and depth -- and is something my PC rig just could not handle. It would freeze and stutter and do all kinds of weird stuff.
So I'm wondering: #1 - is there a simple way to shut off my Mac's internet connection? I only need it to upgrade and wish to avoid malware, spyware, etc. I'm connected thru a belkin wireless router. #2 - I just bought a blu-ray disk player that allegedly plays all kinds of high res music (for the home stereo - centered around a most killer Denon receiver that allegedly supports any format you can throw at it w/HDMI and that I bought at the very end of Circuit city's bankruptcy and closing sale. At the last minute, when there was more garbage than product, I spied a Denon AVR-988, normally a $1200 receiver - new in the box - for $350. Oh yeah.). #2b:If I bought an external Blu-ray recorder, could I burn, say, dts HD master audio and Dolby True HD? Are those separate software programs? Would I expect them to be bundled with a BD recorder" Is it possible in any way to burn music at at least 24/88.1 and listen to it played back on my serious listening living room rig? Or better yet, on anyone else's who had a compatible blu-ray player!
I got started with blu-ray with a PS3, as so many do. At the time, it was the cheapest route and the higher quality gaming was just gravy. Now, just two days ago, I bought a blu-ray player - a decent one from Panasonic, not a cheapo, dubious unit at all - for a mere $169. It was on sale from a normal $249, but the trend all around is down, down, down. The $200 Sony is near - I just got impatient. The Pana is a thin little unit - only about 1-1/2" at most thick. It's a normal 17" wide, but only about 9" deep. Slick.
If anyone has ideas about transferring high res music via Blu-ray, let's talk. Get some collective ideas rolling along.
For final master mixes I use a Izotope Ozone 4 multi-function plug-in strapped across the main stereo bus for a touch of reverb and compression. This Ozone compressor is so good that you can squash the daylights out of a signal and it won't distort like many hardware compressors would - it'll just be squashed flat and lifeless. If ever there was a time for moderation, my friends, it's with compression.
So anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about my rig - the Mac is truly fast, powerful, classy, and rock-steady, A substantial step up from the SONAR/PC combination I used for years, and the ProTools - well, that's taking a while, but I'm tracking and working, which is what's important. Also, a big difference is that I'm able to work at 24-bit, 88.1K sample rate, which has made a difference in clarity, crispness, and depth -- and is something my PC rig just could not handle. It would freeze and stutter and do all kinds of weird stuff.
So I'm wondering: #1 - is there a simple way to shut off my Mac's internet connection? I only need it to upgrade and wish to avoid malware, spyware, etc. I'm connected thru a belkin wireless router. #2 - I just bought a blu-ray disk player that allegedly plays all kinds of high res music (for the home stereo - centered around a most killer Denon receiver that allegedly supports any format you can throw at it w/HDMI and that I bought at the very end of Circuit city's bankruptcy and closing sale. At the last minute, when there was more garbage than product, I spied a Denon AVR-988, normally a $1200 receiver - new in the box - for $350. Oh yeah.). #2b:If I bought an external Blu-ray recorder, could I burn, say, dts HD master audio and Dolby True HD? Are those separate software programs? Would I expect them to be bundled with a BD recorder" Is it possible in any way to burn music at at least 24/88.1 and listen to it played back on my serious listening living room rig? Or better yet, on anyone else's who had a compatible blu-ray player!
I got started with blu-ray with a PS3, as so many do. At the time, it was the cheapest route and the higher quality gaming was just gravy. Now, just two days ago, I bought a blu-ray player - a decent one from Panasonic, not a cheapo, dubious unit at all - for a mere $169. It was on sale from a normal $249, but the trend all around is down, down, down. The $200 Sony is near - I just got impatient. The Pana is a thin little unit - only about 1-1/2" at most thick. It's a normal 17" wide, but only about 9" deep. Slick.
If anyone has ideas about transferring high res music via Blu-ray, let's talk. Get some collective ideas rolling along.
