Need Your help...

[Antho141]

I know this discussion has been probably been poseted many times but when I searched it really wasnt no help...I will soon be running pro tools 8 on my asus gameing laptop with an Intel core 2 duo processor, 64 bit with 4 GB of RAM, windows 7 and well Im pretty sure these are the right specs to run PT8 right??? but anyways Im stuck in wondering If I should buy the mbox mini or the mbox 2. I really do not use Midi and I only need one mic input but I have heard the mini has slow problems and latancy issues, different mic pres..so I ask that youll please help me out and explain any differences and any reccomendations on which mbox I should pick??

 

[pezking]

Pre-amps are the same, converters are the same.

As far as I know, both units are identical apart from the obvious - I/O count.

I've certainly not experienced issues with the Mini compared to the Mbox 2

 

[Antho141]

What I/O and what do you think about my laptop specifications?

 

[pezking]

Are you asking what I/O is? Inputs and outputs... What I'm saying is the difference between the Mbox 2 and the Mbox 2 Mini is the number of inputs and outputs and preamps you've got.

As for the spec of your machine, well it sounds good, but the real important thing is the chipset, and processor model.

 

[Trumpspade]

Yeah, what PEZKING said.......

The Mbox mini is the same as the 2, except with the 2 you get another input and midi. If you only need 1 input and no midi, you don't need the 2.
I bought the mini and shortly after, I grabbed the 2 for a good price. The 2 definitely gives you more options.... But it's a matter of what YOU need and what YOU'RE trying to do!

(Remember, it's good to think a bit long term! You may need midi at some point, and/or you may need to record more than 1 track at a time.) Just a thought especially if you have clients.......

 

[pezking]

Midi wouldn't come into my thoughts as you can use any USB midi interface with Pro Tools.

What would come into mind is the extra pre-amp and SPDIF you get with the Mbox 2

 

[Antho141]

how can I find the chipset and processor information at??

 

[Trumpspade]

Are you asking what I/O is? Inputs and outputs... What I'm saying is the difference between the Mbox 2 and the Mbox 2 Mini is the number of inputs and outputs and preamps you've got.

The question was "To explain the difference between the two, and add any recommendations".
Your statement simply is not true! I failed to mention SPDIF, my bad! But along with the SPDIF option and the 2 I/O's, MIDI is very much part of the differences between the two Mboxes.

Midi wouldn't come into my thoughts as you can use any USB midi interface with Pro Tools.

I don't think he was asking what comes into your thoughts.......

I find it useful, because all of my input devices are running thru one machine. If you don't need the extra I/O's, along with MIDI, stick with the mini.

 

[Antho141]

another one of my WTH questions...lol what is spdif??

 

[pezking]

The question was "To explain the difference between the two, and add any recommendations".
Your statement simply is not true! I failed to mention SPDIF, my bad! But along with the SPDIF option and the 2 I/O's, MIDI is very much part of the differences between the two Mboxes.



I don't think he was asking what comes into your thoughts.......

I find it useful, because all of my input devices are running thru one machine. If you don't need the extra I/O's, along with MIDI, stick with the mini.

Firstly, I don't like your tone. I don't believe in spoon feeding people with answers which have been discussed to death on the forum, and which a simple google search would bring up. Secondly the question was "What I/O..." and it didn't make any sense, so I did my best to answer what I thought he was asking.

Finally how is my statement not true? Oh wait sorry I didn't mention the fact that they come in different boxes and have different names. Pfff.

Inputs/Outputs on Mbox 2:

2 x Analogue (Preamp on each input channel)
2 x Digital SPDIF
1 x MIDI

Inputs/Outputs on Mbox 2 Mini:

2 x Analogue (Preamp on first input channel)

So again how was what I said "simply not true"?

All I was saying is that Midi is not that big a deal when it comes to interfaces because 1. The majority of Midi keyboards have USB connectivity and 2. You can buy a Midi interface which will work in tandem with the Mbox for about £15/$25 anyway, so it shouldn't really be a big factor when considering the future. What is far more important is the SPDIF and extra preamp.

another one of my WTH questions...lol what is spdif??

A digital connection type. See here for more info.

 

[Trumpspade]

Firstly, I don't like your tone.

I could really care less, ummm Sir?.....

I don't believe in spoon feeding people with answers which have been discussed to death on the forum, and which a simple google search would bring up.

Really? Then why even respond?........ I suppose you don't believe in your belief because you just spoon fed him!

Finally how is my statement not true? "What I'm saying is the difference between the Mbox 2 and the Mbox 2 Mini is the number of inputs and outputs and preamps you've got."

That's false advertisement! By the way, the box has nothing to do with the product, it's the variables that matter in your choice........

 

[Trumpspade]

And lastly, I'll remove myself from this discussion and I apologize to you Antho141 for even addressing Pezking. I have been a member of this forum for some time now, and I have learned alot. I don't mind sharing knowledge that I have obtained over the years, even if you can google the answer. (That is how I learned alot, by people taking time to help!) Good luck in your endeavours..... Stick around, you'll learn alot!

 

[pezking]

I could really care less, ummm Sir?.....

There's a proper way to disagree with someone, and you do it in a rather offensive way. I have no problem with you (or anybody else) disagreeing with me, that's fine; but do it politely for the sake of the forum.

Really? Then why even respond?........ I suppose you don't believe in your belief because you just spoon fed him!

Spoon feeding would have been explaining precisely what SPDIF is. I chose not to because somebody else has gone to the effort of typing a wikipedia article on it, and it's quite informative on the matter.

That's false advertisement! By the way, the box has nothing to do with the product, it's the variables that matter in your choice........

How is it false advertisement? I'm not advertising anything! I've stated a few facts about the matter.

I actually have extensive experience with these interfaces and their specifications, and all of the other interfaces available for Pro Tools. The differences I outlined above, concerning the numbers of inputs and outputs (and I'm including Midi and SPDIF with that, I/O is not limited to analogue connections like most people seem to think) and the number of preamps are the only differences between Mbox 2 and Mbox 2 Mini. Ok ok, there's the difference in the number of knobs and the size of the units, but that's obvious no? Please Trumpspade, if you disagree with that statement, then please by all means disagree, but please actually correct my statement rather than immaturely saying "Nah, you're wrong".

Now... back on topic.

Antho141 - I am happy to help you decide which interface would be best for you. What I would recommend doing the most though is going to the respective product pages on the Digidesign website and reading through the differences. If there's anything you still don't understand on there, then by all means post a message on here.

I hope my posts have been more helpful to you than not

 

[pezking]

how can I find the chipset and processor information at??

Sorry I missed this post earlier trawling through the inane guff.

Can you tell us the model of your computer?

Alternatively there will be a way to find the information by going to a menu on your computer - sadly I don't have a windows machine close by to help you with this. It will be in a menu called Hardware Profiles or something in Control Panel - but this is going from memory (a fair while back )

Anyway if you can get the model number of the computer itself, I should be able to search for the info.

 

[Antho141]

thanks pezking I would really appreciate you doin that for me/the model is ASUS Notebook g60Vx Series
Processor-Intel core 2 duo CPU P7450 @2.13GHz
Installed Memory(RAM)-4.00 GB
System type:64 bit operating system
Windows 7 Home premium

Once again thanks this would save me from so many headaches and stress...lol

 

[pezking]

Right so a quick search shows me you've been asking this stuff on another forum - and you've come across the fact that Pro Tools for Windows 7 is still a public beta. Sadly I can't give you a definite answer on whether or not it will work.

The best source of information regarding this is the DUC (Digidesign User Conference). There's a thread there on Windows 7 linked to here. The page the link begins at shows somebody with the same processor as you. They are currently experiencing problems but they are common problems with a lot of Win7 users, so this may not be down to the hardware.

The best thing I can suggest is ask a friend if you can use their Pro Tools system to test if it works, or take your laptop along to a store and ask if they will help you install to see if it works. Alternatively, to make 100% certain that it will be ok, wait until Pro Tools is qualified with Windows 7.

Just to clear up some information you've received on the other forum, whilst most of the M-Audio interfaces can be used with Pro Tools M-Powered, they do not include the software. You would have to purchase the software at extra cost, whereas the Mbox range includes the Pro Tools LE software at no extra charge.

Sorry I can't just tell you "It's going to work!" I'd love to, but sadly it's a bit more complex than that.

 

[Antho141]

Thanks Pezking Yea Ive been asking around this stuff is drivin me crazy...lol what is your opinion on the m audio profire 610??

 

[pezking]

I don't have a great deal of experience with the 610 as I've only used it a few times.

I do however own the Profire 2626 which uses the same preamps, and I wouldn't be too surprised to learn if the 610 had similar converters.

It performs very well indeed.

Compared to the Mbox, the specifications (noise, dynamic range etc.) are incredibly similar, with the Mbox coming out slightly on top. I doubt most people would hear those tiny differences to be honest.

As for how they sound compared to each other I don't really know as I've not tested them side by side, but what I can certainly tell you is that any difference between them is not "night and day" and will be very subtle.

At the end of the day I'd go for whichever suits you best. The profire 610 has two headphone outputs for example, which may be beneficial to you. It also has more line outputs which again may be beneficial. I suspect the 610 + Pro Tools M-Powered might end up more expensive, but you're best off checking with the shop you're going to get it from.

HTH