Mbox2 vs Audiophile Firewire

[Mo-Kay]

I'm in the market for a small Protools setup.

I wanna record vocals and instruments, just 1-2 tracks at a time, and be able to feed some outputs to my mixing desk (pref more than 2)

I would get a digi 002 if I had the money, but I just don't. Combination of M-Audio FW410 and Protools M-Powered was my idea, but I got sick of delaying my purchase every time bills came around.

SOOOO

I've been browsing ebay... and have come across 2 possibilities: a setup with a Digidesign Mbox2, or an M-Audio Firewire Audiophile.

Mbox 2 hardware features

Firewire Audiophile hardware features






(1 E = 1,3569 USD, but never mind that)

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possibility 1:

I've just won an m-audio firewire audiophile on e-bay for 125E

since this interface has no preamp, I was thinking SP VTB1 for 120E

ofcourse, Protools M-Powered is needed, wich is about 250E

______
TOTAL 445E
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Possibility 2:

I can buy a Digidesign M-Box 2 with Protools Software,
Ignition pack and the extra Factory Bundle for 325E

Since I don't have any spdif gear
I might add an M-Audio Flying Cow converter,
right away or later on for extra in-and outputs, for about 200E

_____
TOTAL 525E
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As you can see, in the end, it will cost me about the same.

I'm a music tech student, and I wanna be able to record and mix my own stuff at home, but also be able to take stuff into the studios at school (both Digi002 and HD setups are present).

Sound quality is ofcourse my top priority, but PLEASE do NOT make this a discussion about samplerates... I'll prolly be using 24 bit 44.1/48 khz anyway.
Rather than that, comments about the hardware are very welcome.



Looking forward to some usefull comments, thanks a lot


Mo-Kay

 

[Dr Biscuits]

Hey Mo - it's a tough call because you're sacrificing something either way, but given what you want to do, and your budget restrictions, I'd go with the Mbox...
First off, the Mbox has 2 preamps where as the Audiophile system you quoted would only include the one, so tack on more $...
The preamps that come in the Mbox (I'm not sure if they've changed them since the original - I had that one and they were Focusrite) are not the best you'll ever hear by any stretch but certainly pretty good for the money... I've never used the Studio Projects unit you listed, maybe someone else can shed some light on that one... I'm always leery of preamps that only cost $100 and offer "toooob" sound, but I could be wrong with this one.
Another issue is that with Mbox you get LE, as opposed to M-Powered... they are essentially the same, but LE does include more free plugins, and has support for DV toolkit and digitranslator, as well as the Control 24 surface (which is probably not an issue for you right now )
Well, that's my thoughts... hopefully some other people can give you some more info about that preamp, or the quality of the convertors in the Audiophile vs Mbox - hope it helped a bit!

 

[dgatwood]

I'd personally point you towards adding a Peavey PV8 to the FW Audiophile. Four excellent (IMHO) pres for $110.

For audio software... interested in a copy of Cubase SX 1.0 (w/ dongle)? I have a copy I bought on a partner discount (and never used) for sale in the FS section of the board for half what you'd pay for M-Powered, and it's a much more powerful piece of software, particularly if you upgrade to the current version at some later date.

You don't mention if you are using a Mac or a PC. If you're using a Mac, you might consider Digital Performer. It costs quite a bit more, but it's worth the difference, IMHO.

 

[Mo-Kay]

Thanks for the comments so far, but I haven't really seen any arguments about why I should choose what...

Oh and the audiophile doesn't have preamps at all...




yeah I'd look for another interface, but I wanna work with Protools.
I use a mac btw, an Imac G5

 

[MessianicDreams]

i was in the same boat as you a few months ago - sound tech student in need of a PT setup.

i realised that i would do most of my tracking in the studios in college - better mics, pres etc etc, and that i would be mostly mixing at home.

i decided to get the Mbox 2 as it would give me PT, it would allow me to do the basics i'd need in recording terms (4 simult inputs, if you get a converted for the S/PDIF). and i'm very happy with it.

i guess they must be shipping with PT7 now, if it doesnt i strongly suggest you get the upgrade (should be available free to you) as they've made some great changes in the DAE engine which makes the whole thing more efficient, and certainly runs much better on my laptop. it also handles MIDI muuuch better now..


EDIT: if you plan on doing any "serious" recording with your set up, i suggest you go the m-powered route, as upgrading should be cheaper with m-powered than LE, as the only upgrade from Mbox 2 is to get a 002 or 002r..

remember that PT LE will only work with digidesign interfaces and m-powered only works with m-audio interfaces.

 

[Mo-Kay]

I think I might just go the Mbox route, since it's a complete package at once, and when I upgrade, I might as well just save up and go for the 002...

The concept of plug-n-record is very appealing to me...


anyone know about those mic pres in there?