Auto Tune and Pro Tools: First Steps and Basic Packages

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Permalink Reply by Lucas on February 10, 2010 at 11:14am

A mic, a DAW (pro tools) and a capable computer is a very good place to start. However, the Pro Tools Vocal Studio comes with a stripped down version of Pro Tools (M-Audio Essentials), and you might want to do some digging around on Digidesign's website to make sure it supports RTAS plugins. If it doesn't, you'll be very sad when you try to use Auto-Tune EFX. If PT Essentials does support RTAS, then it looks like a great way to get your feet wet.

The one thing your setup seems to be lacking is a quality audio interface. Few things are more important in a computer music setup than how audio is piped in and out. If you're stuck using built in audio drivers (especially if you have a Windows machine, where the audio infrastructure is notoriously bad), you might find yourself hitting a wall sooner than you'd like.

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Permalink Reply by Len Olhov on February 10, 2010 at 1:19pm

Thanks, Lucas!

Quick follow-ups: Let's say Pro Tools Vocal Studio doesn't support RTAS. What are my options? Buy Pro Tools 7.x or 8? Buy a separate microphone? Is there one you recommend, incidentally?

After I load that up, then I purchase EFX from the site and get going, right? Or am I too far ahead?

As to the audio interface, what do you suggest I do? Again, worst-case, will I at least hear the result through my computer speakers, however terrible? I might just start with that and then build to the interface you suggest.

Thank you again for your time!

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Permalink Reply by Len Olhov on February 10, 2010 at 1:24pm

A brief update...I found this link http://akmedia.digidesign.com/support/docs/ProToolsMPowered_DS_3650..., which says that the M software suite supports RTAS plug-ins, and can be used with a compatible piece of hardware. I figure the Vocal Studio would work out then?

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Permalink Reply by Lucas on February 10, 2010 at 2:15pm

It looks like that manual is for Pro Tools M-Powered. What comes with the Vocal Studio is Pro Tools M-Powered Essentials. Two different things, one costing $99, one costing $299. The reason I brought that up is because this page:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProToolsVocalStudio.html
lists some restrictions on audio effects (check the "full features" section) for PTM-P Essentials, but doesn't directly state RTAS support. I know that the full blown M-Powered does fully support RTAS. I spent a couple minutes looking, but couldn't find anything conclusive. It might be worth shooting digi an email to confirm before you buy.

You can certainly get by without a dedicated audio interface. Everything you hear will still go through the normal channels and out your computer speakers. You just might run into the limitations of your default audio driver, in terms of how many tracks your session can have and how much latency there is. The quality of sound will be lower, and might be subject to pops and clicks if the driver doesn't like how hard you're making it work. This also depends on how powerful your computer is. Which interface to get is a whole other topic, as they can range anywhere from $100 to $10,000.

Since you're just getting started, you probably shouldn't sweat the audio interface too much. Try out the Vocal Suite and see if you take to it (making music on a computer isn't for everybody). There's a definite learning curve but the simplified version of Pro Tools might ease that. If you get to the point where you start to grow out of the Vocal Suite, you'll have a much better idea of what you need.

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