A bunch of questions concerning Mbox 2 Mini recording bundle and related things

[carsoste]

Hi,
Since I've purchased, but have yet to fully explore my Mbox 2 minirecording bundle because I'm still trying to find the right computer to record on it with and additional equipment to augment it, I have some questions. Googling these hasn't really got me very far. (I'm asking these now to avoid headaches later, when I actually start to use it.) Here are my questions:1. Does the Mbox 2 minibundle have phantom power? 2. Is or are there any particular preamps that I have to buy in order to use it? 3. Can one record voice and guitar or voice and keyboard simultaenously with the Mbox 2 Minibundle? (In the past, I've always mutlitracked and recorded my guitar or piano first and then sung over the recrording of those instruments, but I think I could have far more lively recordings if I could record both at the same time.) 4. Does anybody know of a relatively inexpensive ($60-80) large diaphragm omnidirectional mic that I could purchase to record an Ibanez acoustic/electric guitar with? 5. Is it necessary to have a compressor/limiter when recording with the MBox 2 Minibundle?(This was my original plan, but due to some financial changes, it appears I may have to add a compressor to my equipment once I'm at the mixing stage.) 6. Does anybody know of a website where I could buy affordable yet good quality used recording gear? I've tried Musicians Friend Scratch n' Dent, but that hasn't really worked nor has ebay. 7. Finally, does anybody know of a website or possibly a book that teaches one how to build absorbers/reflectors and bass traps? I think it me be more cost effective to build rather than buy them.
Thanks and I hope someone out there can answer my questions. I realize there's a lot of them. Also, thanks to everyone for answering them in the past.
Best wishes,
carsoste

[Anders Molin]

The MBox Mini has two inputs, one mic/line (with phantom power) and one line.
So you need an external pre amp if you want to record from two mics at the same time.

Regarding computer... I'm a Windows guy, but for pro tools I have a macbook pro, pro tools just works so much better on the mac (unfortunately )

I never use an outboard compressor when recording, I prefer to record as "raw" as possible, and then add compression later. If you do it when recording, you have no chance of removing the compression.

[guitarmagic]

Just to add you don't need an outboard compressor for mixing either. Pro tools comes with plug ins you can use.

I agree Molin Pro tools tends to like mac a lot better than pc. I've worked on both systems and the pc is usually less stable.

[carsoste]

Thanks. I really appreciate your advice.