Thoughts on Digidesign's MBox?

[D'eviltoone]

Honestly, if I could afford it I'd likely go with a stand alone digital 16 track recorder. I have been using a Tascam 4 track 424 to get nice results but I want to go digital as well as gain greater room to include more instrumets.
Background: I spend huge amounts of time writing and layering progresssive rock style music. I'm strictly a one guy operation, so simultaneous inputs isn't a big deal. I have tried Cubasis VST & Cubase 5.1 VST with frightenly poor results. I couldn't get the midi to work, I couldn't even work with multiple tracks. I was hopeless.

I have a korg N364, several guitars, a drum machine. I really like the Combination sounds from the Korg and would like to input them as "analog" and stay away from midi. The only midi part would be the drum machine I guess.

The sales people in Vancouvers 2 biggest music stores are pushing the MBOX. But with my past experience with Cubase I am a touch skeptical and frightened to spend $800 on a product that will only frustrat me. Given my level of ignorance with computer based programs and my ambitious goal of creating many layered prog rock can anyone give me advice on MBOX, or maybe a better alternative.

Computer = P4 1.5, 1 gig of rd ram and am using Windows xp with a Audigy 2 platinum sound card with 180 gig of hd.

Thanks for any replies

 

[manning1]

once again im going to recommend powertracks for the umpteenth time.
use the forum search for my previous posts. it will work great on your pentium and is only 29 bucks. 48 digital audio tracks, great midi sequencer etc. just try the demo from pgmusic.com if you think im lying and talk to forum users at pg. you wont beat this product for value for money.
in fact youll spend tons of money and still wont beat it.
recording using it is mighty simple.
next youll need some sort of a mixer for laying down audio tracks. a lot of folks on here like the yamaha mg for cheap.
all the best.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

I like my Mbox- but I've been recording for 15 years and digital for 5 or 6.

As good a product as the Mbox is (especially with the factory bundle- plugs are freakin' expensive so get 'em on the cheap when you can!) it's not the best way to start if you are confused already.

Pros:
-The mbox and pro tools work together seamlessly. That removes a layer of complexity.
- Pro Tools is simple to use and its inteface is designed to mimick audio hardware conventions. Its fairly easy to learn.
- Mbox is good bang for buck: good pres and convertors, insert points for external hardware (while tracking), and comes with the software.

Cons:
- No upgrade path. Pro Tools locks you into expensive hardware upgrades if you want mor (or just different) inputs.
- Its a significant investment if you aren't really sure what you want.

I started with n-track ages ago and my built in soundcard. I used that until I knew what I could do with it and what I couldn't. THEN I upgraded because I knew what I wanted. With the level of confusion you seem to be talking about, I'd be very wary of spending much money.

Start small and work with it till you understand what you need next: you'll save money AND know more about what you are doing than most people.

-C

 

[D'eviltoone]

Right then, start small and... hmmm, that's not something I do naturally. But I'll look into n-tracks first. Thanks for the advice

 

[SuperSkyrocket]

Hey Chris!

Can you tell me if the mbox comes with a full version of protools? I've read some reviews saying that it won't import mp3s and some of the effects are demos.

I have the Lexicon Omega with pro tracks plus and it will import mp3's but the export is a trial. I'll have to pay another $29 to export to mp3 all I want. Also many effects are demos.

They claim to be complete solutions.

 

[bennychico11]

Mbox is perfect for the cost. And it's not 800 dollars. You can get it for about 400-500. Focusrite pres (which, if you think about it, the cheapest dual preamp you're going to find by Focusrite is around 400-500 dollars, but you don't get editing software with it). Comes with Pro Tools, which in my opinion is great, it's also small and portable. So you can take it with you on the plane or something.

However, if you are really reluctant about getting into a computer based system and feel like you'd be happier sticking with a stand alone...then forget pro tools and just buy a stand alone. why work on something you don't want to if you know you can do better on something else?

As far as Mbox not doing mp3s....no, you have to buy the MP3 option which 20 bucks. this will let you import and export them both (or you can just buy the export one for 20 bucks too...but I don't know why you'd buy only the export one).
I don't know why you want to be working with MP3s...but if it's a big need you can always find some shareware/freeware program online to do it for free. I think the whole reason they want you to buy it separate is because you need to purchase the actually MP3 codec license. A lot of people don't realize that the process of creating an MP3 is copyrighted by Frahenhoffer-something (sorry, don't know the real name of the company). And therefore it is required to be licensed out to people. Most programs that play MP3s back or rip MP3s (such as iTunes or Windows Media Player) have already bought the license for you to use. And therefore you don't have to pay each time you use it.

And yes, some of the effects that come with LE are demos. Not all of them, but some. But I don't know which ones are for sure.