Moving Back To Sa And Need Some Help! Options

[Ric]

Hey guys

I've got a few questions and would really appreciate some help!

After living in the UK for the last 9 years I've decided I want to go back to SA so I've joined a Music Production course starting out there next year. I'll need to sort out a decent PC to run Pro Tools. Are there any recommendations on where to buy/build a PC? Shops or internet sites? Also where could I get an Mbox 2/monitors/other equipment from at a decent price? I will be living in Johannesburg.
And which internet providers would you guys recommend when I get out there? There seems to be quite a few!

Thanks in advance

Will be back in SA next month! Can't wait!
Ric

[AnalogLearner]

Hey,

If you can get signal n your area, get Neotel www.neotel.co.za. 2c a MB

[matta]

Hi
For all your software and studio equipment come to Retro Music. We specialize in this field. Check out our website www.retromusic.co.za or drop us a mail on info@retromusic.co.za or call 0114540005. We on Linksfield Road, Dowerglen (ask anyone in Jozi for Linksfield rd) and we can certainly help you.

If you want to advertise your services why not take out a banner ad? Kind of seems a little troll like to just jump into this thread with this unsolicited sales pitch for your first post... you have not provided anything usefull in your post... how about answering some of the posters questions directly?

Ric, my suggestion is buy a Mac... It will run Windows on Boot Camp out the box or if you want integrated environments use Parallels. It isn't worth the effort to get a FULLY compliant PC (just read the compatibility charts on the Digi site) when MOST Mac models work right out the box. I'd try get a refurb unit from the UK Apple store, if you go with a portable like a MacBook or MacBook Pro it will have an international 1 year warranty.

To be honest your pricing in the UK is going to be ALOT better than in SA on most pro audio gear, supply and demand, and the turn over is much higher across the pond so you can pick up some great 2nd hand deals on eBay/Gumtree etc. Re Digidesign locally, there is Eltron/Tuerk Music and I think Spescom as well who are local agents.

RE ISP's, I'm using Afrihost, loving the service/support and only pay R25 a GB, much more than what you are used to paying in the UK, but WAY less than most ISP's locally. You just have to pay for your ADSL line rental on top of that cost.

Cheers

Matt

[RobF]

Burn the troll!

Most of the ISP's have got packages offering unlimited bandwidth, without contract, at reduced speeds during business hours after exceeding your cap (usually 30GB over 10day period). They can be pricey but when you're transferring huge amounts of video and audio around the planet, it balances out pretty fast against the top-up option. I'm on Nexus at the moment, though SAOL offered pretty good service.

There's a pretty strong rumour flying around that Paul at Eltron is packing it in sometime soon, so if you do go the PT route, it's probably best to deal with Spescom

[AnalogLearner]

Hey,

Im with Matt on the Mac side. Buy a Mac and get it done with. I dont normally like to start the silly war between computers and Mac but its true. Mac is a tool, not a toy. Plus the new iMacs are seriously powerful for the price and Pro Tools likes hugging Mac all day

Also, if you do come here... Stay away from the cheap Mac options... some people are really dodgy here with them.

[Ric]

Wow! Thanks for the great advice guys. Thought I was gonna have to wait ages for a reply!

@ Matt and AnalogLearner

I've never used a Mac before! Been put off by the price I guess. Looked at the refurbished ones here in the UK and they're still a bit pricey for me. I wasn't aware of the PC/Pro Tools compatability problems! Maybe I'll just have to wait a bit longer and save up for a Mac. I'll be visiting the UK at least once or twice a year so maybe I could wait to buy one then. It's gonna be hard though!

I found a South African site called Comx (comx-computers.co.za) where I could build a nice PC for pretty cheap. Has anyone used this site before?

I'm definitely not gonna rush into buying a Mac/PC until I'm 100% on it.

Thanks so much
Ric

[RobF]

I've used ComX before, it wasn't the most wonderful experience. YMMV I guess. Check out www.prophecy.co.za. Pretty good pricing, great service and good advice - works for me

[fly*]

If you want to advertise your services why not take out a banner ad? Kind of seems a little troll like to just jump into this thread with this unsolicited sales pitch for your first post... you have not provided anything usefull in your post... how about answering some of the posters questions directly?

Post deleted. C'mon guys, you should know better than that

Ric, my suggestion is buy a Mac... It will run Windows on Boot Camp out the box or if you want integrated environments use Parallels. It isn't worth the effort to get a FULLY compliant PC (just read the compatibility charts on the Digi site) when MOST Mac models work right out the box. I'd try get a refurb unit from the UK Apple store, if you go with a portable like a MacBook or MacBook Pro it will have an international 1 year warranty.

Agreed, I sell both and take my word for it...Apple is cheaper hands down Not only that, but Pro Tools just seems to like Apple better, it'll run smoother and more reliably. It must be said tho, I am quite interested to see what happens with Windows 7. My initial reactions have been very positive about this OS

Re Digidesign locally, there is Eltron/Tuerk Music and I think Spescom as well who are local agents.

As of the 1st of November, Eltron have stopped supplying Digidesign. Sales have now been split with Spescom handling HD distribution and TOMS (aka Midi Music) handling the LE side. So if you're looking for an M-Box, your best pricing will come for TOMS.

Studio supply wise, I would look at either Turnkey or TOMS, its xmas so they should have some nice deals going, but as always, it pays to shop. Also don't forget the MIO classifieds, there are some great 2nd hand deals to be had

[matta]

Ric,

Digidesign is VERY specific as to what is supported on a PC with Pro Tools... down to the chipsets on the Firewire cards and motherboards... skips ONE of these steps and you will be in for a HUGE headache.

I used to run Pro Tools on a PC with XP (5 years ago) and it was fairly stable, but I followed the comptabilty charts to the letter, only used an Intel chipset, only 3 models were approved at the time, had to import my PCI Firewire card from the US because it had to be a Texas Instrument Chipset, had a dual boot system with my audio apps on one, no connection to the inet etc... a REAL pain to work around.

I bought my first Mac 3 years ago and straight out the box I loaded PT from and got to work on sessions within an hour... as Maldwyn shared, a tool.... not to say you can't get AMAZING PC's, but ones for Audio like the HP ones that are Digi compliant out the box cost as much or more than the Macs!

Cheers

Matt

[fly*]

but ones for Audio like the HP ones that are Digi compliant out the box cost as much or more than the Macs!

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