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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Setting up a MAC Editing Station

Ketch Rossi

Ketch Rossi

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Okay, first of all I'm new at this, even so I have been working with various applications, FCP, Color etc. will be my first jump in to the world of editing, so please keep it in mind :).

For now I'll be using my 17" Unibody MBP with SSD built by Silverado, but currently have the standard 4MB of memory, do I need the 8MB for editing on it, and if so, any suggestion to the upgrade put and from were.

As I will be reopening KETCHFRAME in Vegas, I will get a fully buffed up MAC Pro from Silverado, but for now I have to make good with the MBP.

I currently have the Apple 30" Cinema Display, which I use for my photography editing, will this be good for the editing? Or will I be better with 2 24" LED Cinema Displays?

Keyboard wise will something like this http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/pro-line-apple-1799p.html be okay? Or what do you suggest.

Basically what I'm looking for is in some general and also detailed help in setting up a temporary editing station out of my MBP, with something that I can move to the full size MAC PRO editing station with out having to replace everything.

If items are costly its okay, I'll get them one by one if I have to, but I like to have the best I can get, so that when Pro editors come to work on something with me, they will have the tools they need.

So I appreciate in advance all your inputs.

Thanks
 
In my opinion, LED backlighted LCD displays seem to be more neutral in color reproduction (I have tested TVLogic and HP Dream Color) than normal LCD with touch strong magenta comparing to CRT. I haven't tested it with Apple LED, though. I'd recommend HP Dream Color because it could be set in the monitor as 709.

Add Matrox MXO2 or MXO2 mini to that system then you will be able to even adjust Procamp from the HDMI connection more than adjusting alone with the Dream Color.

But MBP does not really give you smooth operating with full size HD format. 1K editing or R3D proxy would be fine, and MXO2 let you monitor in HD. But when you convert to HD video format, then maximum possible is actually DVCPRO HD only. ProRes formats don't really work well on MBP with external video monitoring (without it does work okay). You might want to see how comfortable your system work before you commit to it.
 
I would suggest a 42' panasonic 11 series plasma, your 30 inch cinema display dual monitor setup. The HP Dreamcolor is nice as well but for the money I would rather have a larger secondary monitoring device such as the plasma. This is a nice setup if your not too concerned about making it color critical. If so, a Cinetal is going to be your best bet but pricey and I think you can get them up to 42' as well.
Honestly, I refuse to edit on my laptop unless absolutely necessary. I wouldn't recommend it.
Good luck!
 
As Mike mentioned, Panasonic is nice but you can't really depend on it for evaluating the gradation. You won't know what is creating the banding, the display or the data itself.

If you disregard grading, Panasonic series 11 is very impressive to the clients. Also provides more choices for the inputs. But lacks rich resolution for the color gradation and there are problems with burn in problem of plasma.

And yes, don't rely on current MBP. I agree to Mike. Cheapest Mac Pro would do so much better than expensive MBP.

Kaku
 
Thanks guys, yes definitely, not editing on my MBP, I have it hooked up to the 30" Cinema Display, and I can hook it up to 2 smaller Cinema Displays, and this will just be temporary set up till I reopen the Studio, then a MAC PRO will take over.

Will look in to the Matrox's and the 42".

ciao
 
KETCH,

You're welcome.

By the way, HP DreamColor laptop with 4 core and esata worked well as the editing workstation. Hope Apple catches up with that soon.
 
Id use 2 x 23 displays for edit and one Dreamcolor display for media viewing probably via a Kona LHi or Black magic card. I think the Red Card may be more suited depending on the source media. What ever you do monitoring wise make sure the environment is good so you have proper balanced lighting and suitable back lights set up against a neutral grey wall. Im sure you know all this already.

Make sure you have a well spec'ed GPU capable of Open GL rendering, most of the apps take advantage of this technoligy these days. Fast internal dive arrays using enterprise spec drives is also a good move on the macpro. Avoid the cheaper non enterprise drives.

We tend to use Genelec 8020 audio speakers via a simple volume and monitoring device such as a Mackie Big knob, The new Euphonics audio controler is very nice also. The Logic keyboards are a must, there's a new one for Color which is worth getting for a pro set up in addition to the FCP keyboard.

This is a non exaustive list but I can expand if youd like.
 
Oh, since Dave showed off his knowledge in audio, my recommendation would be KRK Rokit5 and PreSonus Monitor station if you don't have buck to buy Genelec.

Dave, I heard there would be new BigKnob released, did you see or hear about it?

And yes, what Dave mentioned about the environment is very important.
 
Kaku Ito said:
Oh, since Dave showed off his knowledge in audio, my recommendation would be KRK Rokit5 and PreSonus Monitor station if you don't have buck to buy Genelec.

Dave, I heard there would be new BigKnob released, did you see or hear about it?

And yes, what Dave mentioned about the environment is very important.
Click to expand...

Don't know about new Big Knob's but s a plug and play device they work quite well. If you hear of any new version then please let us know.

I don't know the KRK Rokit5's but the main point is consistency through out the suites being used so theres no supprises going from one suite to another. Given unlimited budget then Id buy ATC10ASL's or ATC 20ASL's, they would be superb but probably the 20ASL's are only needed for finishing work. If you've got a posh room to rent out then all this stuff helps.
 
Dave,

I heard that Mackie is updating Big Knob, I'll let you know when I find out.

We use KRK Expose 8 for our main monitor for the DAW and use Rokit for NLE workstation for the consistency. We used to use PMCs but switch to KRK. KRK Vseries (now VXT) are often used by musicians but I'd say those make easier to edit longer with some low end manipulation (so you can bare to work with raw materials) and Rokit series are made more for mixing but very inexpensive. I'd say they are the best for the low price range.
 
Thanks again guys for the advises, and yes asa Pro Photographer/Retoucher, I'm well aware of the environment necessity of cool light and a light wall background, plus off course a well Calibrated screen.

But totally new in editing motion images, so your advises are much appreciated, as there is just too much stuff out there that you can choose from, and don't want to end up getting something just because it looks fancy and nice, when it might not perform as well as other less obvious models.

So thanks again and please keep them coming, at the same time I'm goggling it all :)


Is this okay? http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/pro-line-apple-1799p.html or do I need the one with the numbers?

I could only find this for Color http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/pro-line-apple-1812p.html

ciao
 
Here's another vote for the plasma display as your monitoring / color correcting display. It will give you far more accurate black levels than the HP Dreamcolor. The Dreamcolor is great for an LCD, especially in its price range, but for the same money you can have that 42" 1080p plasma. Yes, really.

As for other displays.. I personally feel too restricted on anything smaller than a 30" LCD these days. I can make due on smaller on a notebook, but it's still painful. I don't like working on two 24" displays, once again it just feels unnecessarily cramped, I would rather have just one 30". But two 30" is even better if you have the room. Actually a 30" plus a plasma monitor is a good combination. I like to hang the plasma about 10ft. away and above my main display.
 
Thanks Jeff,

with the Studio reopening I will have the same set up as before, a MAC PRO with Triple Graphic cards, supporting 2 30" Cinema Displays, One HD Projector that shoots to a Electronic Draper 133" HD gray screen and to a 300" Silver screen.

The addition of a Plasma display will have to be contemplated if you guys think that colors will be more accurate via the Plasma.

But for now I'll be using the 17" MBP attached to one 30" Cinema Display.

What I'm looking for is to get accessorized with the right tools to begin with, that I'll use on my MBP and then still be able to use them once upgrading to the Multi screen MAC PRO system.

The keyboard is also something that I have to get now, problem is I already have one for CS4, which has now become my main stream of editing platform for Still work, then I need one for FCP and need to know if the same type of keyboard will be the same across the FCS platform of programs, or if lets say I need a completely different one for Color, if so links to the right items would be appreciated.

As far as audio goes I think I'll be going with the Blue Sky series.

ciao
 
KETCH ROSSI said:
Thanks again guys for the advises, and yes asa Pro Photographer/Retoucher, I'm well aware of the environment necessity of cool light and a light wall background, plus off course a well Calibrated screen.

But totally new in editing motion images, so your advises are much appreciated, as there is just too much stuff out there that you can choose from, and don't want to end up getting something just because it looks fancy and nice, when it might not perform as well as other less obvious models.

So thanks again and please keep them coming, at the same time I'm goggling it all :)


Is this okay? http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/pro-line-apple-1799p.html or do I need the one with the numbers?

I could only find this for Color http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/pro-line-apple-1812p.html

ciao
Click to expand...

Personaly Id go with the larger keyboard as there tends to be a good deal of numerical work typing numbers in. If you using Color then you definitly need a Color control surface, its a whole new app with a control surface, dont skimp on this. I use Tangent panels here but the Euphonics is reportedly good also.
 
Yes Dave, I definitely like the Tangent products, I came across them at the same time I seen the JL systems, just need to know a bit more which one to go with as there is a large variety of system set ups form both companies, including the new Wave system from Tangent.

Now I need to go with the best bang for the bucks, but it has to do the job right.

Will surely go with the full size keyboards.

Btw, I found the Tangent Wave for $1,614 http://www.proflixsales.com/products/control-panels/tangent-devices-the-wave-panel-wave.html so pretty good deal, and it now works with Apple Color!
 
Ketch, you probably don't need the plasma if you already have the projectors. Also keep in mind your color space / gamut available for output from the Mac. Currently, any standard video outputs (DVI or DisplayPort) only support up to 8 bits/channel. If you want full 10bit+ you will have to get that from something like a Kona card. Instead of triple graphics cards in a Mac Pro I would go with something more like this:

Slot-1 : Standard video card like the ATI 4870

Slot-2 : RED Rocket

Slot-3 : AJA Kona LHi (or similar I/O card, possibly Kona3)

Slot-4 : SAS/SATA HBA, possibly with onbard RAID support.

And you're full...
 
I noticed people talking about speakers.. Being a sound guy for ever i can throw a few things out there.. And in my head I believe this goes for video as well. Tell me if im wrong.

In sound, speakers for reference monitoring are just that. U can spend 100 dollars on monitors or 10,000 on monitors.. if you dont know your speakers your mixes will still sound pretty bad. The NS10's were used on soo many huge hit projects... and i am not sure if you have ever heard them.. but to me they sounded like garbage. So basically what i did, is this. I took 5 of my favorite songs that i believed to be mixed perfect, went into a store and they setup a group of speakers. Adams, Genelecs, Mackie, Dynaudio etc. I put my songs on.. and ran them threw all the speakers.. To me it was like this

Adams (ribbon tweeter was too much for my ears) so when i heard the song if it was me at the mixer, i would have pulled out some of the high end.

Genelec's (too muddy and bassy) so in my mixes i would have pulled bass out.

The mackies and dynaudios were the best to my ears personally. I decided on the Dynaudio BM12a's because to me they just sounded perfect from low - high and i would have never touched my mix by using those songs as a reference.

I would think video would be the same. Some people like the glossy screens, some the matte, some people like plasma, DLP, LCD etc... i think its what ever you are most comfortable. Personally to me, i think the smarted thing for me would be to pull my tv in my bedroom i watch every movie on and throw it in my studio or just get the same one because as a reference purpose, i know what movies look like on it and when im editing my movie if it looks weird on that screen i know somethings stranger.. where as maybe if i bought a different screen that screens brightness maybe a little higher or lower then what im used to and ill be tweaking out pieces of my film for no reason.


Hope this helps i know its a lot of babbling.


Mark
 
Surely getting the RR Jeff, and will have the guys at Silverado do the instal of the everything on the system, not sure of final configuration, other then I need connectivity for FOUR Monitors.


Mark, when I talk about speakers is more about sound system, as I will use the same space for viewing MOvies, as well as for viewing Dailies and Sound Post work, not at a level of professionally and specifically built sound studios, but for firs 5.1 Certified sound creations, then what ever we can not do in house will go out.

I previously had a 7.1 installed, overkill at the moment, but a 5.1 will be absolutely included.

A par of monitoring speakers possibly on the desk top as well.

ciao
 
KETCH ROSSI said:
Surely getting the RR Jeff, and will have the guys at Silverado do the instal of the everything on the system, not sure of final configuration, other then I need connectivity for FOUR Monitors.


Mark, when I talk about speakers is more about sound system, as I will use the same space for viewing MOvies, as well as for viewing Dailies and Sound Post work, not at a level of professionally and specifically built sound studios, but for firs 5.1 Certified sound creations, then what ever we can not do in house will go out.

I previously had a 7.1 installed, overkill at the moment, but a 5.1 will be absolutely included.

A par of monitoring speakers possibly on the desk top as well.

ciao
Click to expand...


ahh i understand... Sorry about all that then :) .
 
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