a few questions

[some156]

i am getting a digidesign m box this week and i will be recording on a new mini mac computer. I will be using a studio projects b1 condenser mic. For now there will just be probaly guitar, vocals and maybe bass. So my questions are

Should i get a new audio card are does the m box make up for that.

If ever i want to record drums will i need a mixer.

Also i have only worked with a cheap version of cubasis (cubasis vst) will it be hard to learn to use the m box. thanks

 

[bennychico11]

the Mbox IS a soundcard, so you'll be fine with just that.
if you want to do drums too, yes you'll probably benefit with a mixer with more preamps, however you will still only be able to send a stereo signal through the mbox from the mixer (in other words you won't be able to change anything after you get it into the computer...you can't turn that snare drum down while keep the other sounds the same).

I find Pro Tools to be one of the most logically laid out programs and very easy to use...but I may be biased since I've used it a lot. Just don't get frustrated right when you get it and give up, read the manual.

 

[some156]

couple more questions

so if i upgraded to i think the digidesign 001 or 002 i could record drums with no problems that you stated in your first reply.

Second if i have a condenser mic hooked up should i always have phantom power turned on thanks

 

[reshp1]

so if i upgraded to i think the digidesign 001 or 002 i could record drums with no problems that you stated in your first reply.

Second if i have a condenser mic hooked up should i always have phantom power turned on thanks

Yes and Yes

I went the route of Mbox first and then upgraded to the 002R when I needed more inputs too. The 002R is very nice and has a ton of features over the Mbox, but the Mbox is good to learn on because the software is identical. Protools is like most other recording DAW platforms, it's got it's own quirks but you should be able to pick it up pretty quickly. I highly recommend "The Musicians Guide to Protools" by John Keane.

A condenser mic will always need phantom power to work. Make sure you have the mic plugged in before turning on the phantom, and turn the phantom off and let the mic sit for 10-20sec before unplugging the mic.