Advice needed for AV Pre & Post setup

[Andy M.]

Not sure where to ask this, so if it's in the wrong place, please move it...

 

Anyway...

 

I've been offered a job with a new company and they want me to come up with a detailed spec for an AV post-production and audio studio. I know Logic can handle the audio side no problem, but what about the video editing..? That's not my area of expertise so I need some advice (I need the job too).

 

So for software; would a combination of Logic Studio and Avid (or whatever else for video) be good enough? They want to be able to make short movies (corporate videos and ads etc.) by shooting on location and cutting/editing in their own studio.

 

As for hardware; I originally recommended a beefed-up MacPro, but they're put off by the price. So would an iMac be powerful enough to handle basic AV post work and Logic with say 48 tracks of audio..?

 

And what else would be needed to get up-and-running? Audio interface (Apogee?), displays etc...

 

The studio is small; big enough for 3 or 4 people and maybe 2 or 3 in the vocal booth. They already have a pretty powerful Windoze PC with Sonar installed and a couple of flat-screen displays. Also, there's a Yamaha O1V sitting there doing nothing - could this be incorporated..? And if so, how?

 

I'm joining this company as an audio engineer/producer and composer but they also want me to be involved in the film production side too, even though they know I don't have much experience with film. This is because it's a new company and they're trying to keep the overheads down at first. For me, it's a challenge and a chance to grow professionally so I very keen to make it work.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

[gsilbers]

is the windows pc available? or is that pc for someone doing audio or just video or both? everything?

 

an imac with finalcut studio2 will run about 3k. in it u have soundtrack pro for audio post and FCP can do very decent work on a imac.

 

something to control soundtrack would be nice. logic control or something

[Roger Paolo]

That sounds like a very nice job there!!

 

Well here's my consult for your company at 75quid per hour LOL

 

For running logic with 48 tracks the new iMac (or a less beefed up pro) is more than sufficient. For video I find it a little harder to tell, it depends heavily to what extend they want to edit video. iMovie, which comes with iLife, has a lot of possibilities and runs perfectly on my friends iMac. When you want to move up to programs like Final Cut it would be worthwhile to browse some video editing forums.

 

For the studio: the 01v can be expanded with an mLan card, changing it into a good audio interface, remote control and digital mixer with very good preamps (the latter it already was, obviously). The connection between the iMac and the mixer would be a firewire cable carrying the midi and audio signals, so other interfacing is not necessary.

 

The most important thing in the studio in my opinion are the monitors. After working with a set of behringers and moving up to a set of Adam's recently, I can tell I would happily cut back on some other investments to buy a decent set of speakers.

 

If you want to know more about mLan and the 01V card etc. please PM me, I know some guys who have this setup and who I think would be happy to give you some more info.

[Andy M.]

is the windows pc available? or is that pc for someone doing audio or just video or both? everything?

 

an imac with finalcut studio2 will run about 3k. in it u have soundtrack pro for audio post and FCP can do very decent work on a imac.

 

something to control soundtrack would be nice. logic control or something

 

Yes, the PC is available. They got it before I was offered the job. But now they want me and I want to work with Logic, so they're considering the Mac route. However, I am used to working with both platforms - no preference, as long as the job gets done - but I like to compose with Logic. So, what were you thinking with regard to the PC..? Do you have any recommendations?

 

As you say the iMac will be able to handle this, it seems a more logical choice (excuse the pun). I will Google Finalcut and check it out - those prices seem reasonable (US Dollars?).

 

Cheers

 

 

Note: the guys setting this up are business people, not creative or technical.

[Andy M.]

That sounds like a very nice job there!!

 

Well here's my consult for your company at 75quid per hour LOL

 

 

For running logic with 48 tracks the new iMac (or a less beefed up pro) is more than sufficient. For video I find it a little harder to tell, it depends heavily to what extend they want to edit video. iMovie, which comes with iLife, has a lot of possibilities and runs perfectly on my friends iMac. When you want to move up to programs like Final Cut it would be worthwhile to browse some video editing forums.

 

For the studio: the 01v can be expanded with an mLan card, changing it into a good audio interface, remote control and digital mixer with very good preamps (the latter it already was, obviously). The connection between the iMac and the mixer would be a firewire cable carrying the midi and audio signals, so other interfacing is not necessary.

 

The most important thing in the studio in my opinion are the monitors. After working with a set of behringers and moving up to a set of Adam's recently, I can tell I would happily cut back on some other investments to buy a decent set of speakers.

 

If you want to know more about mLan and the 01V card etc. please PM me, I know some guys who have this setup and who I think would be happy to give you some more info.

 

Thanks for that info about the O1V Roger, that sounds like a good idea. I will check back with the company to find out if it already has an mLan card and probably get back to you for more info.

 

I'm with you on monitors - totally agree.

 

So far, both replies indicate that an iMac will be good enough - my new boss will be glad to hear that. I will check some video forums for some more info on software.

 

In the meantime, thanks very much to both of you for your insights, I really appreciate it.

 

Cheers

[Roger Paolo]

look at www.mlancentral.com for the card, it is called MY16 and retails at about 460 dollars.

[Andy M.]

Thanks again Roger. Do you know of a good video production forum?

 

Cheers