MBox opinions?

[JonathanRay]

I've got a laptop (40gig, CD Burner, 512 RAM, 1.4GHz), and I need to do portable recording, but something that will still work well in my home studio. Does any have any expierence or opinions for the MBox? Thanks!

 

[AlexW]

Good for what it does; but there are other comparable units. Get it if you want to work in Protools LE. The mic pres are pretty decent. It's only got two ins, two outs, so you're limited to that. I used one for quite awhile and liked it fine--no major issues.

 

[JonathanRay]

I've never used Pro Tools but I've read that it's the standard. I've been using Acid 4.0 Pro and it seems somewhat limited compared to what I've read about Pro Tools. I figured this was the perfect time to learn!

Can I listen to my band in real time as I record through the MBox? If so, can all the applied effects be heard in real time as well? I was just wondering because, could I just run straight from the MBox, to a headphone amplifier, to all our headphones. For playback and editing can I listen through those same headphones? Thanks!

 

[AlexW]

The Mbox has a low-latency monitoring feature where you can essentially listen to the signal going in. And yes, you could connect the headphone output of the Mbox to a headphone distributrion amplifier that everyone could listen to. But again remember you can only record two tracks at a time with the Mbox, so unless you're submixing I can't really see needing to have too many people listening in at one time. As for monitoring with plugins, you'll definitely be able to monitor the existing tracks with their assigned plugins. I've never really tried running plugins on new tracks as they're recorded, so not sure about that.

The only thing with Protools LE is it always has to run with one of their interfaces hooked up to it (Mbox, Digi 001, Digi 002/002R). It's very likely you may want to expand beyond you're two track limit at some point and then you'll be forced to upgrade to one of the other Digi units. Just something to consider.

 

[AlexW]

One more thought--check your laptop specs against the minimum system requirements listed at the Digidesign site. Very important to avoid potential problems.

 

[GOODLAND]

I've got a laptop (40gig, CD Burner, 512 RAM, 1.4GHz), and I need to do portable recording, but something that will still work well in my home studio. Does any have any expierence or opinions for the MBox? Thanks!

I used the Mbox for a while and it worked great. The pre-amps on it are pretty good. The quality of the unit is not the issue here, it's whether you are going to ever want to use more channels simultaneously.

 

[JonathanRay]

Can I record 2 tracks with the MBox, then after recording go back and record another 2 tracks ontop?

 

[AlexW]

Yep. Current versions of PT LE let you have up to 32 tracks. This includes your master fader and any auxillary tracks you decide to use as well.

 

[JonathanRay]

Gotcha, I can't imagining needing more than 32 tracks. Hopefully I can get the hang of Pro Tools pretty quickly. It seems really powerful.

 

[AlexW]

I like it and it's very straightforward to use. Have fun.

 

[ssscientist]

The one BIG handicap from my perspective is that it has no midi ports. None at all!

I think 'protools' is over-hyped and under spec-ed and the more people who've never worked with an audio sequencer before repeat the myth that it's 'become the industry standard' the ickier it gets...

I recommend spending half as much on any one of the three dozen USB/Firewire intefaces on the market that do both allow you to record both audio and midi and get a human-priced software package like Tracktion to go with it. You wind up spending less, getting more and making out big in the long run.

 

[Astriaal]

I own an Mbox. It's not bad, but it's not great value though. I'd look at the mackie spike if I was you. It has similar features but can also record up to 96k as opposed to the 48k maximum of the Mbox, plus it has MIDI connections, it also seems to be more sturdily built which will probably be important if you plan on lugging it around a fair bit (with a laptop system, why wouldn't you?). From memory it also has some kind of dsp built in too so u can run some included effects without taxing your computer too much but i cant really remember that much about it so dont quote me on that. The mackie spike comes with tracktion.
Another option is the lexicon omega. i dont know as much about this unit but it has 4 ins instead of 2, and comes with cubase (le i think) and some plugins (a lexicon reverb?). Cubase is arguable as "industry standard" as protools in a lot of ways, its MIDI implementation is certainly far better than protools. If my mbox was stolen and I was still after a portable budget recording solution I'd personally go with the mackie. Just my 2 cents...

 

[JonathanRay]

Now I have no idea on what to go with . It'd be nice if the mackie spike or lexicon omega worked better than the MBox, mainly do to its price, but I need ya'lls opinion. I've never used any of the 3's software so I'm not particular to any one. Though I need something simple enough to jump right in, but still gives me a lot of room to grow. Which would you guys reccomend? The Digi Design MBox, Mackie Spike, or Lexicon Omega? Thanks!

 

[SonicAlbert]

I personally would say go with the Mbox. The software is very well developed and mature, easy to use, and full featured. The midi features have come a long way, and Digi keeps improving them over time. Since it sounds like you are intending to use the Mbox for recording your band and not heavy midi sequencing, the pro audio orientation of ProTools suits your goals. Finally, compatibility is an issue in my opinion, and you'll find it very easy to trade session files if they are recorded in ProTools. I don't personally know anyone using Tracktion professionally, or Cubase LE for that matter, although I do know a ton of people using ProTools and/or Digital Performer.

I have an Mbox and a Digi 002r. I started with an Mbox and went to the 002r because I need more tracks out (up to 18 on the 002r). Both boxes work great, and the software is tops for recording audio. Digi includes a bunch of software plugins as well, so you have those to work with right out of the box.

As far as latency, there is a no latency monitoring feature on the Mbox, but that is without internal fx. If you want to apply the internal fx while listening back, then you have to route the signal through the interface. There will be some latency in that case. But that is true of *any* of these units that are being recommended to you. It is the nature of the beast: there will latency if you run your audio through the hardware, into the software, and then back out again. This will happen with any and all DAW's. You control the amount of latency by setting a buffer in the software. How low you can set it depends on the speed of your computer.

So again, in my opinion Digi's Mbox/ProTools is a great choice.

 

[JonathanRay]

My dads friend owns an awesome pro recording studio here in Fayetteville, NC. He uses Pro Tools so I might be able to get some lessons from him.

 

[AlexW]

Yep, I forgot to ask you what kind of music you'd be recording. I've never used Midi and don't plan to, so the lack of an interface on the Mbox never bothered me. Another point is that if your Dad's buddy lets you come in and track off hours or something on the cheap, you can upload the sessions on your laptop PT LE rig and have fun mixing them.

 

[deepwater]

I just bought a Tascam FW1884 from AMS for $1000.00 thought that was very good deal.

 

[JonathanRay]

Alright guys I'm spending money tonight! I need mics, mixer, mbox, you name it, but I gotta start with the most important thing first - the MBox. I'll just get the hang of it while using my 2 mics on drums, radio shack mixer, and DI guitar for now until I purchase the mixer, mics, etc. I would greatly appreciate any motivational support as I don't want to regret the purchase. So I'm doing the right thing, right guys?

 

[SonicAlbert]

I thnk you're doing the right thing, but everybody else is going to have their own opinion. Maybe your store has a return policy, just in case you really hate it for some reason.

 

[JonathanRay]

I'm probably going to purchase it from Musicians Friend. I'm not sure if they have some type of return policy.