What should I buy to add a couple more inputs to my mbox2?

[14yearoldkid]

Hey so i have an Mbox 2 which has only two inputs, I was wondering what would be a good interface to buy that has SPDIF so I can hook it up to my Mbox 2 and have a couple more inputs? Do you guys recommend doing this? Also sorry if I posted this in the wrong thread...Thank you

 

[timvdwest]

Okay. I've spent way too much time now trying to answer your question. In a nutshell it comes down to it that you're really gonna have to fork out a lot of money for expansion for your mbox 2.

You can do it, but it just doesn't seem viable to me when its gonna cost you more than you paid for your interface.

Another thing - are you set on using protools? If I was you I would sell the mbox and get myself a firepod. This will cost you US$100 less than you paid for the mbox but you're gonna have 6 extra channels. The only disadvantage is that you have to use Cubase LE, unless you wanna fork out some more for a better application.

Just my opinion. Use it, don't use it.

 

[timvdwest]

Sorry made a mistake. Its gonna cost you US$50 less Check out http://www.music123.com/PreSonus-FP10-10x10-FireWire-Interface--Firepod--242036-i1368483.Music123

Bargain!

 

[14yearoldkid]

Well I am kinda set on using Pro Tools, it is the industry standard no? But damn now I feel dumb for buying an mbox with just 2 inputs... =[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ So you don't advise buying an extra interface just to hook it up via spdif? for just two channels? thanks

 

[timvdwest]

Pro Tools is the industry standard, but then again do you really need it? It's purely a preference thing for me what software you use and not all professionals even use protools (even though a lot of them do).

If you are just recording in your spare room for a hobby there is no reason you should have to use protools.

You can get an ART DPS II for about US$200. Two channel mic preamp with spdif out - I don't know if you can find anything cheaper than that.

Check out http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...tereo-Tube-Preamp-with-Digital-Out?sku=180631

Hope this helps!

 

[omtayslick]

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--SAMCVALVE

 

[TimOBrien]

ART DPS II preamp. S/pdif outs will give you two more channels.

Big Hint: Always buy MORE i/o than you ever THINK you'll need. Not uncommon to make that mistake....

 

[noisewreck]

How about Digi 002 or are they on 003 now? Might want to look at eBay for used ones too. How about second Mbox2?

 

[guido #2]

You can only run one Digi LE box at a time. In other words, only one MBox at a time.

If your computer is a tower that takes old fashion PCI cards, the real deal out there is a Digi 001....

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

old fashion PCI cards

God, I hate Moore's Law...

Hey 14yearoldkid, take the money and give it to your parents; they probably won't tell you, but they need it more for keeping that oversized roof over your head right now than your do for playing with more music toys. And they'll probably wind up paying you back tenforld in other better ways.

G.

 

[omtayslick]

God, I hate Moore's Law...

Hey 14yearoldkid, take the money and give it to your parents; they probably won't tell you, but they need it more for keeping that oversized roof over your head right now than your do for playing with more music toys. And they'll probably wind up paying you back tenforld in other better ways.

G.

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[SouthSIDE Glen]

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Hey Tom,

My apologies for a rather off-topic post. I'm not sure which part your questioning.

First, Moor's Law states that computing power/capacity doubles every 18 months. I just thought that when I saw the phrase "old-fashoned" applied to PCI cards. Stick around computers long enough like I have, and one gets real tired of having to chase new technology every time one turns around. Those of us that still have an truly "old-fashoned" S-100 bus card laying around in the basement somewhere next to their 8" floppy disk can only choose between smirking in humor or wincing in pain when they hear that interface technology which is four or five (or more?) generations newer than that is already considered "old-fashioned".

Second was probably even more useless, but it just seems to me that someone who is not yet old enough to legally hold a job that is looking for more than the two channels of simultaneous recording he already has might find that the people actually paying for it may find that his foregoing those extra two channels now may pay itself off in an extra 8 or 16 channels from them in two or three years, just out of appreciation for having the money now to help with the mortgage.

G.

 

[omtayslick]

Hey Glen,

Never heard of Moore's law, so I guess I learned something new today. Thanks.

I also wondered at the reason for the rest of your response too, since nothing was said about the kid's parents or their financial circumstances.