DigiDesign MBox 2 or Mini Bundle

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dmossjr

New member
Hi, all -

I'm a newbie to recording, but not to the music field. I'm about to purchase some recording equipment, and after much research I've decided to either purchase the MBox 2 or the MBox Mini with Pro Tools LE.

All I really plan on recording outside of the computer sequencing is Vocals and perhaps piano.

Question: For a newbie entering the field and getting my feet wet, do I really LOSE anything by purchasing the Mini instead of the MBox 2? I ask because I can get a packaged bundle at guitar center or sweetwater of the Mini, Pro Tools, mic, monitors, etc. for about the same price I'll purchase the MBox 2 alone. While I realize all these items aren't the top of the line purchases, they should still give me a decent set up to learn on, yes?

Any other recommendations on Interfaces/programs would be appreciated...

Thanks!
 
The Mbox 2 has 2 mic in's which would be great for your piano stuff.
Pianos are normally double mic'd (one pointed towards the lower keys,
one towards the higher) and it can really widen the sound.

On the other hand, I would strongly recommend the bundle. It seems to
be worth more than an MBox 2 alone. The only real difference being that
the Mbox Mini only has one mic in (which isn't bad - i'm running mbox 2 and
rarely use the 2nd mic in). A decent microphone and monitors are essential
to start recording and mixing.

It mightn't hurt to take a look at the M-Powered route. From what I believe
it's pretty much the exact same software as LE, and the advantage being
that there are more options for interfaces. With LE, you're stuck with mBox's
or Digi00x's, but there's a wider range for M-Powered.

I've no experience with M-Powered but it'll be worth taking a look at. ;)

Are you running PC or Mac btw?
 
Thanks for the thoughts! I'm running a fairly new IMac - a pretty big system, but could probably juice it up a bit. I'll take a look at M-Powered (not sure what that is - another USB system? I'll look it up...)

How are the virtual instruments with the ProTools LE? Really only looking for strings, etc. to add into the piano & vocals. Music is more orchestral than anything...but I suppose in the future I could invest in other plug-ins, yes?

Thanks again for the response!
 
dmossjr said:
I'll take a look at M-Powered (not sure what that is - another USB system? I'll look it up...)
Click to expand...

They're generally firewire interfaces, could be USB though. Usually M-Audio
but there are other compatible 3rd party interfaces I believe. Don't quote me
on it though :p

To me it just seems like a better way to go as you have more options on
interfaces, more of what you want and less of what you don't.

dmossjr said:
I'm running a fairly new IMac.....How are the virtual instruments with the ProTools LE? Really only looking for strings, etc. to add into the piano & vocals. Music is more orchestral than anything...but I suppose in the future I could invest in other plug-ins, yes?
Click to expand...

If you're running Mac, and into synths/samplers and composing your
own music, I'd suggest Logic. Never really used it myself but I've always
heard it's been more of a composers tool than any other DAW. You don't
require an interface to work it or mix on it. If you want to record
though, you'll need an interface. Once again, the beauty being that it's
more flexible interface-wise than PT LE, I believe. And I read in Computer
Music magazine that the synths generally go for cheaper than PT ones.

On the other hand, nearly any synth you can get for Logic, you can get for
PT. Some good, some bad, some great. And I know I'm throwing all these
names at you and saying "LOOK AT THIS!!" :p but, Propellerheads Reason
is fantastic for synths and samplers. The ones that come with it are
phenomenal. It can be used as kind of a plugin, and controlled
through your DAW (Pro Tools/Logic etc.), or on it's own.

Propellerheads have also released Record, they're own DAW. So it now
handles audio aswell as MIDI, and all the instruments/devices that work
in Reason are readily available inside Record. Once again, haven't tested
myself but it could be your thing.
I'd suggest trying to source some demo software of Reason first though. A
lot of people try it and can't get the hang of it. There are books on it though
that could be good for getting you up-and-running. :)

dmossjr said:
Thanks again for the response!
Click to expand...
No problem :D
 
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