Pro-Tools Free Replacement / Substitutes?

[Uncle Dub]

So my little Sony Vaio laptop, which I've left running Windows ME crashed and had to be re-installed, and I can't find my CD-R of Pro-Tools free. I run M-Powered on my main machine but have been using the laptop, PTF and an off-brand USB interface for making 'field' recordings.

So what are my alternatives, buy a compatible interface? Something like an M-Audio transit and M-Powered? Does Audacity save Pro-Tools sessions or would I have to export track by track as WAV files?

[LazarusLong]

first off, what has that laptop ever done to you to deserve Windows ME? Snarkiness aside, http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastTrkUSB2/ comes with "M-Powered Essentials", which is the current equivalent of Pro Tools Free.

Otherwise, grab any M-audio interface and rock out with Pro Tools M-Powered full on your laptop. But for chrissake, put XP on the thing!

[Uncle Dub]

Mainly because PTF will only run on the old 95 based versions of Windows, the NT based ones will not run PTF.

So it's M-Audio, MBox or nothing for Pro-Tools?

What happens if I finally buy the MOTU 24io I've had my eye on for my main setup, am I only able to use Digital Performer with it?

[Bro Shark]

Dude, props for rocking PTF as long as you have, but it's time to move on.

[LazarusLong]

What happens if I finally buy the MOTU 24io I've had my eye on for my main setup, am I only able to use Digital Performer with it?

MOTU interfaces are not tied to any OS or DAW.

[jmiller]

Just install the copy of ProTools MP you already own on your laptop. You'll just need to pop in your ilok when you use it (assuming you've got a suitable protools compatible interface as well).