Last updated 17 Nov 08
When I first wrote this page in 2003, Pro Tools was expensive and it took a fair bit of work to put together an affordable system using the old Audiomedia III sound card. There's nothing wrong with that route if you don't need the latest version of Pro Tools, so click this link to go down to those old instructions if you want.
Pro Tools MBox2
Getting Pro Tools at an affordable price and installing it on Mac or PC is pretty easy now. The original MBox is still available on eBay and perfectly good, in fact some audio engineers prefer its sound quality. However for broadcast work you won't go wrong with the MBox2, which is an external audio interface about the size of a very thick paperback book with all the analog and digital connectors and controls you could reasonably need to make radio. It comes with the current version of the Pro Tools software and plugs into a USB port on your computer, and can be found at around £275 all in. It does NOT work with all types of computer, so check the compatibility information on Digidesign's website before committing yourself (note particularly the processor type [eg Pentium IV] and the operating system [eg Windows XP]). Just make sure you follow the installation instructions carefully.
ProTools MBox Micro
If you've gone over to digital recorders you'll rarely need the full MBox 2 interface, because you transfer sound files straight into the computer by USB cable, and this is where the MBox Micro comes in. A tiny unit, not much bigger than a "Memory Stick", it also plugs into a USB port, also comes with the full Pro Tools LE software and is even cheaper at around £180. It has similar compatibility requirements but if you have a suitable laptop then this is a superb travelling editing system, perfectly capable of making full-length broadcast-quality and award-winning radio programmes in a far-off hotel room.
Pro Tools using an Audiomedia III sound card and "LE" edition software "upgrade"
(This section written 2003/4, not updated since, still basically correct. © Mike Hally 2003/4)
If you've tried "Pro Tools Free" and got fed up with its limitations, or its instability on a PC, or just can't use it because your computer is too modern (PTFree doesn't work with Mac OS X or Windows XP) then there is an affordable alternative
Pro Tools LE (about £50) plus an Audiomedia III sound card (about £90)
Considering the cost of most Pro Tools systems, this is a bargain. Unsurprisingly Digidesign didn't publicise this option much! However you will need a bit of help finding the two items (and I'm talking about desktop systems, not laptops).
The software:
I recommend getting this first as you never know when Digidesign's pricing may change drastically, whereas there will be used Audiomedia III cards around for a long time to come. On the other hand, Audiomedia III cards on eBay are often advertised with Pro Tools software (with a valid serial number) so it depends how confident you feel!
Now the following instructions apply to the UK version of the Digidesign site, as at November 2004. You may want to check how it works in your country before buying either hardware or software -- my advice is given in good faith but no explicit or implicit guarantee!
Before you order, just check the "compatibility" section of the Digidesign website. Not all Windows PCs are supported (for example AMD processors may work, but not guaranteed -- genuine Pentium II or later is safer)
The ProTools website is at www.digidesign.com
click "digistore" in the top right corner, then in the Digistore front page click your country on the drop-down list (top right corner again).
Next click the "Pro Tools upgrades" link on the left side of the page.
Click the latest version of "Pro Tools" on the next page. At Nov 2004 this is "Pro Tools 6.7 LE software upgrade". Although it says "upgrade" it's the full product, provided it's used with the right piece of Digidesign hardware.
Continue following the links to order and pay for it. When it arrives it is NOT suitable for the Audiomedia III card! Don't worry -- just fill in the Registration Card and include a covering letter asking for an earlier version of Pro Tools. Tell them you have an Audiomedia III card, whether it's a Mac or a PC you are using, and what operating system you are using (ie Mac OS 9 or X, or Windows 98 Second Edition or ME or XP). There is a free "downgrade" and you can hold onto the latest version ready for next time you upgrade your Mac or PC.
If you need assistance with this procedure ring Simon Caton at Digidesign UK (01753-653322 and select option 2) or email Digidesign European Customer Support Note also that if you buy registered software from a private seller you can agree a change of ownership, details at the Digidesign transfer page, entitling you to support and upgrades.
Audiomedia III sound card.
You need this card. ProTools LE only works with Digidesign hardware and this is the cheapest option. It has a digital input, a digital output, an analogue input and an analogue output. That's all you need to make radio programmes. It is no longer made by Digidedesign but there are lots of good second-hand ones about and there's usually a few for sale on eBay. It is a PCI card which means it fits nearly all Macs since the old "Nubus" series (7100, 8100 etc) -- email me if you need more advice on that one. It also physically fits virtually all PCs (except laptops) but needs a Pentium II or later to be sure of working (see Compatibility documents on the Digidesign website). Check the VERSION before buying -- Digidesign's compatibility documents will explain whether you need a QA, QC or QE version (again I'll advise if you're unsure).
Bidding on eBay
If the idea of bidding for goods on the other side of the world makes you nervous, don't worry. eBay is amazing and I've had no problems with over 40 sales and purchases. Log into www.ebay.co.uk if you're in the UK and you'll see any goods available to this country. As a new user you'll need to create an account -- you can use your own name, but don't use your full email address (spammers comb eBay for their victims). Enter "Audiomedia III" into the search box and see what comes up. When you find one that sounds OK, don't bid yet!
1) Carriage: The first catch with buying from the USA (the most likely source) is postage. Many sellers specify FedEx which is very expensive. Email the seller and ask politely if they are willing to use US Postal Service insured mail (most are). That's about $15 to $25. The price for a good second-hand card is so well established (around $120 and falling) that some sellers offer a "Buy It Now" option at a good price -- if you agree to that price it ends the auction, saving time all round.
2) Card Revision Number: while you're emailing the seller, ask them what version the card is. It's printed on the back and if they can't or won't tell you, don't touch it. Early cards don't work with all versions of ProTools (for example you need "QC" or later with a Mac G4 running OSX). See my notes 3 paragraphs above this for more info.
3) Import tax: the second catch with buying from outside the EU is VAT. Often Customs let an occasional one go. But you could be charged VAT on the sale price plus the Royal Mail's charge for collecting the tax! Allow about £25-£30. DO ask the seller to put the actual sale price on the outside of the package (otherwise you could get taxed on full list price). DON'T ask them to put an artificially low price on the parcel -- Customs aren't daft.
4) Bidding: once you're happy with the extra costs of carriage and possibly tax, fix your maximum bid price and start bidding. Don't be tempted to go above it -- there will be others. Experienced bidders often bid in the last minute of an auction so take time to see how it all works.
5) Paying: some sellers accept credit cards, but don't email your details, phone them. Most accept "PayPal" which is an excellent service related to eBay. It allows you to pay any seller using a credit card securely.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
1) Getting the bits is the hard part. Just fit the PCI card (or find a friend who knows what to do), load the software and away you go. If you're using it on a PC with Windows you will also need to load another piece of software that allows other programs on your PC to use the new soundcard (just follow the instructions on the CD).
2) Sit back and look smug at getting a good-quality ProTools set-up for under £150.