Digidesign Mbox

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External Audio Interfaces

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Digidesign

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List of user reviews Digidesign Mbox

Digidesign Mbox By moosers on 08/07/2009 Music is my profession

Characteristics

The original Digidesign Mbox will still get the job done even with all of the new interfaces that Digidesign has put out in the last few years.  To me, this is just as good as some of the newer interfaces that are comparable in make up and will cost you less if you get it used (as these are no longer being made).  This audio interface will allow you to run any version of Pro Tools LE and runs via USB to your computer.  It has the capabilities to record two tracks at once as it has two microphone preamps with both XLR and 1/4 inch connections.  It has phantom power as well as RCA connections and an output on both the front and the back for headphones.  It also has 1/4 inch outputs so you can send this to monitors and also has SPDIF capabilities (which I haven't used). 

Utilization

Setting up the Digidesign Mbox is really easy and will only take a few minutes.  You can only use this interface with Pro Tools LE, but I'm assuming that if you are looking into a Digidesign interface that you are doing so for the reason that you can indeed use it with Pro Tools.  Simply plug in this interface via USB to your computer and it will guide you into how to get everything going.  It is very easy and will only take a little bit of time to get everything going.  Like I said before, you can only record two tracks at once but that is usually enough for home studio owners looking to just get down some ideas or do some basic recording.  I don't get too much latency with this, but that really depends on your machine.

Getting Started

Everything about the Digidesign Mbox is really straight forward and even if you don't have experience with Pro Tools or audio interfaces, the Mbox makes it as easy as possible to learn and figure it out.  The Pro Tools software is the best feature about getting the Mbox as it allows you to have the same software used by the pros and gives you the ability to switch between your home LE rig and HD systems in professional studios if you so chose to.  The manual for the Digidesign Mbox is put together pretty well and will definitely outline everything you'd need to know, but it isn't necessary if you don't have one.

Overall Opinion

I first used the Digidesign Mbox a number of years ago and don't use it anymore because I have another Digidesign audio interface that I use, but this will still get the job doing for doing basic recording or for simply running Pro Tools.  While the preamps really don't sound all that great, but if you are doing demos or just getting down some ideas which is what I would imagine most people are using this for, it is fine.  The best part is that you can get this fairly cheap now that it is an older model and you can run Pro Tools on the cheap!

Digidesign Mbox By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Characteristics

No midi, which is fine with me cause I'm an audio freak... to hell with midi! This has also been assessed with the Mbox 2, but if you're cheap and want to buy the original to save money you are gonna have to invest in a seperate midi interface. I'd look into Motu. My biggest complaint is it takes the whole length of your recording/project to export (example if you have a 5 minute song, it will take 5 minutes to export... a HASSLE if you're really impatient like myself). Also you only get a free 30 day trial for MP3 importing/exporting which is an utter JOKE IMO, but hey...

Price paid: $400 USD

Utilization

It can be a hassle at first, but if you're familiar with DAW and DA-Sequencers you should pick up on it fast. They all do the same exact thing just a little bit differently, these damned manufacturers LOVE to be special. I picked it up on my own just by foolin around a couple days, if necessary there is always the instruction booklet man!

Getting Started

No repairs, no installation problems, so far so good.

Overall Opinion

An industry standard, it really gets no better. The Focusrite preamps could use a lil tweaking, other than that I have no complaints other than my ole mic is the REAL problem.

I can't say I love it, but I like to use it. Nowadays I'm just using it for recording my samples to my computer then I work with them in other software programs. I used to use it for major recording which I now do at a different setting. But this cuts the mustard for my needs, it's GREAT for mixing and adding efx. 400 bucks for a interface AND a industry standard top of the line program, I really can't complain.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: DaOriginalBlade ( 4-, 2006)

Digidesign Mbox By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Characteristics

The overall features are good. I think Digidesigns should have a entry level interface with firewire support.

Price paid

289.00

Utilization

If your familiar with DAW's you can use this right outta the box.Again it's a good piece, not great but good. It could use some firewire support to solve the latency problems.

Getting Started

Pretty solid piece. I have yet to drop it, nor do I want to, however the fit and finish is nice.

Overall Opinion

Pretty good sound quality.

I don't love the M-Box. Let's just say I in deep like with my M-Box. It was cheap (price),and it allows me to get the job done.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: dutty (January 1-, 2005)

Digidesign Mbox By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Characteristics

LACKING! i say this because other manufacturers have included more I/O, MIDI, and more tracks (limitation due to their use of USB 1.1)

Price paid

$420

Utilization

I like ProTools interface for a few reasons. the main reason is because their is SO much information available on their software and tutorials it is easy to find out what you need to know if this is your first attempt at making music. at first i hated the fact that their isn't a right click context menu in the application but once i got use to using the keyboard it is so much faster then i use to be with Nuendo. you can even buy stickers that fit the top of your keys exactly and show you the keyboard shortcuts for like $10 so it isn't hard to lean to use the interface at all. my main problem with the PT LE software is you get a ton of demo RTAS plugins with the software and the damn things have no uninstall file and they do not show up under ADD/REMOVE program their is a section of the DUC (digidesigns forums) that shows you what files to remove from the program directory to get rid of the demos but it didn't work for me. PT also takes a long time to load and i hate that. also, the real time export is a pain. sometimes you just want to bounce it as fast as your system can process the files like other applications offer especially if you just had to go and make one small change and you do NOT need to listen to the whole track. To import MP3's to use in your project you need a plugin that is like $300 or more. and don't think you are going to be doing audio for video via timecode because the DV kit plugin that provides this ability is like $1,000! OMF import is also a plugin that costs hundreds of dollars so unless you got the money to drop dont expect a simple transition of all your old projects into PT (most decent application support OMF out the box and i heard that digidesign actually created this format).

Getting Started

The box feels sturdy, the usb plug in the back is a little weak if you ask me i bent mine an my cable doesnt sit in their correctly anymore and will disconnect from time to time. PT is one of the most unstable applications i have ever used also. it doesnt lock and freeze on me but it just is so damn picky about the system it is being ran on. make sure that you check that your system will run PT software before you make your purchase.

Overall Opinion

Considering the price the sound quality definitely acceptable.

honestly i have not used other mobile products like this one so i cannot compare it to another products preamps, converters, and final sound. but i can tell you that i have made some music that sounds a lot better then what i expected with this device and a $100 mic. i am not mad that i got this because i have not used anything else and this is allowing me to make music better then i expected to be able to at this price point but i hear their is more for less out their. my biggest issues are with the software and you can always use the MBox hardware with any other software so if you do find yourself in a position where some of the things that digidesign wants to charge you hundreds extra for you need to use you could just buy cubase or any other application for a fraction of the cost of the DV kit that has all of the necessary features to run with the MBox and be all good.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: www.MerkRecords.com ( 8-, 2005)

Digidesign Mbox By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Characteristics

The feature are unsurpassed for the price: SPDIf I/O, USB, 48v phantom. They should upgrade the USB to USB 2.0 capability though. Integrates well with Sampletank's 4.4 GIG wav sound Library! Unlimited potential

Price paid

$500

Utilization

Everything's simple, the book's easy to read, setups simple, but as is always the case in more advanced mixing MIDI SYNC can be a bit tricky the first few times.

Getting Started

Perfect!

Overall Opinion

The strongest point about the Mbox is its price. Real cheap but must have in any home studio.

All home studios should have an Mbox. I have had the oppertunity to upgrade to the digi002 but why? I can connect it to my laptop, always grinding. The Mbox has dual Mac/PC compltibality. I produce my beats on a PC burn to 700MB disk, take to a studio with Mac and upload without a problem, that's what's it's about.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 2-, 2005)

Digidesign Mbox By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Characteristics

Strong points: compatibility with studios all over, editing, Weak Points: Only 32 tracks, which should be plenty for most, but is a small amount compared to other DAWS. No off-line mixdown (bounce)...gotta do it in real-time. Many effects require stopping playback before plug-ins can be added.

Price paid

400

Utilization

USB audio interfaces just don't handle as much as firewire/PCI interfaces. I can use many more plug-ins in other DAWS.

Getting Started

It seems very sturdy, like it would handle the portable situations that it seems intended for. Many engineers use these away from thier TDM set-ups.

Overall Opinion

Sound Quality: Good for a $400.00 unit, espeically with this many features (2 preamps w/fantom power, software w/effects, editing, etc.). If you are skilled at mixing, the MBox sound will not get in your way.

I like it quite a bit, but quite frankly, this is "settling" until an upgrade to Digi 002 or TDM.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Girl6 ( 7-, 2004)

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