cutofmeat

Dave, Thanks for asking and for the update. I have thought about Mac and actually have not completely ruled it out. here's my deal: I've used Cakewalk since the early 90's. I got Pro Audio 6 in the mid 90's. I've put a lot of hours in and I've learned a lot. I have a lot of unfinished songs. I recently began "taking them to the next level." I'm not into mixing, mastering, and tweaking. I recently took my best song and worked with a guy who uses Sonar. We took what I'd done, kept a lot, recorded some tracks from scratch. He mixed and mastered. I'm very happy with the outcome. I know all the advantages of Mac. Reliability. Stability. Compatibility between LE and the Digidesign interface. I've looked into Pro Tools LE. I know Pro Tools is industry standard. I'd love to be compliant. But I'm not trying to set the world on fire, not running a studio. I'm just trying to make music to share it with a few folks. I'd eat up a lot of time in converting my Cakewalk stuff. Although, I have to say that most of my audio stuff, I'd want to re-record. The audio tracks are mostly dummy tracks -- riffs copied and pasted together as a way of writing the song. I have some PC plug-ins which I like. Pro Tools LE seems to have minimal plug-ins. I also am concerned about the unknown Mac-Windows issues in burning CDs, copying CDs, and other possible limitations once the songs are complete. I also use MIDI initially for drums and keyboard parts. Because I'm not a drummer and keyboardist. I can get ideas down. But I rely on Midi editing heavily. Pro Tools limited midi editing capabilities disappoint me. So, I'd have to get a midi sequencing software, too. A Mac/Pro Tools rig is already more expensive than a comparable PC/Sonar system. The Mac midi software adds more expense. That all being said, I have endured lots and lots of frustration with Cakewalk and PCs. It's hard to put a value on having more confidence in stability and compatibility. I've learned that part of the problem has been my PCs -- the 1st, Compaq; the 2nd, a Dell. I've done a lot of research and know better than that now. I'm actually glad you asked. Perhaps I should try to get a little better feel about "issues of burning CDs, copying CDs, and other possible limitations once the songs are complete in dealing with a PC- dominated world." Maybe those issues aren't so daunting. Regards, Jerry

I plan to look into whether there is a difference in the production of the UK machines versus the US machines. There is a post within the last 2 months in which the author said he had a Carillon system, had problems, returned it to base, and was planning to write a review, after he gave the company a chance to remedy the problem.

Dave, Thanks for the response. Sorry to hear of your problems. Jerry

John, Thanks for the very helpful reply. What recording software and soundcard came with the computer? Also, I notice from their website that they seem to have a user forum which only customers can see. Do you see many complaints about not getting problems fixed? Thanks, Jerry

I'm considering purchasing a Carillon turnkey system with the PC, Sonar and the M-audio 2496 PCI soundcard. Does anyone have any experience with Carillon and/or one of their systems? If so, what was your experience? What does everyone think about the idea of purchasing from these folks, as opposed to having a local computer guy build one according to the same type of specs as Carillon uses? I'm in the southern US; they're up north. I've been unable to find a local computer guy who is familiar with the specific issues posed by music recording PCs. Carillon presumably sells systems which they've already troubleshot. If I encounter problems, I can go to one company, and that company should be accountable for problems, regardless of whether the fault is with the PC, software, or soundcard. The local computer guy may be tempted to blame the problem on the software or the soundcard, when he really doesn't have the answer. Thanks in advance for the help.

Dave, Thanks. And I'm looking forward to the update. I've spent much time fighting computer issues. I'm putting a lot of time into researching my next purchase. And I'm hoping I can substantially reduce the headaches. Jerry

Dave, If you received your Carillon turnkey music recording system, please let me know what you think. I'm considering buying one.

Does anyone have any experience yet with a Carillon turnkey music recording system? If so, please let me know what you think. I'm considering buying one.