Digidesign MBox 2 USB, Computer Hardware Options

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Comments about:

Digidesign MBox 2 USB

NO fw 400/800 and NO 24/96Khz?? Idiots. Everyone else is. Ah well, living in the past these days Digi is me thinks.

I have a great "home setup" around a Hammer 9632 192khz with Logic Pro, was hoping to have a Digi box too for edits/transfers but lack of 96k and no firewire means this is a no no.

Shame....
Bobbi Style
CEO
LTL Records

(ProTools HD3 owner too.)

I had one other question. You mention "transfers". What do you mean by that? If you're a HD3 owner, what are you lacking that a Mbox with 96kHz offer? My LE sessions import directly into HD systems. If I was going to do some really high fidelity work with mics, I'd go to a studio and not use the Mbox at home.

I'm just trying to understand the "transfer" statement you made. A HD3 system costs around 10K. That's a lot more than a 0.5K system. java script:emoticon(':-/')
smilie

Thanks!

~Dale

Hi Dale

To answer your questions the HD3 is not at my home studio, hence the need for an MBox to "transfer" from ProTools sessions to Logic Pro. 96khz is my usual record/mix depth so it also needs this compatibility to open and export the sessions correctly (also incase of last minute edits). As I am only doing this function I do not wish to purchase a 002R for instance so I am disappointed at their lack of 96khz. The MBox 1 is better specked with Focusrite pre's and being almost identical in other areas. A lack of 2 headphones is annoying but livable. USB 1 is just plain stupid when everyone else is either Firewire or USB 2 and USB is real "glitchy" too. Even though I don't need it for recording and all of the things it is designed for I still have an opinion of what it is and how it compares in the market place. At the moment, an M-Audio FireWire box with PT LE will have to do instead, which is sad as Digidesign should have a better base box than their freshly acquired M-Audio company

I watch Digidesign's development as I have over a decade invested in them in hardware purchases and overall "devotion" to their format and software platform. It worries me to see them abandon the end that could float them as they concentrate on their ICon series of products (which I would love to own). Word of warning to them, they killed of AMS-Neve and SSL from being the large industry standards for music/postpro/video mixing etc. and they were the relative "small guy" when they did this. (Hello Euphonix anyone?) If they ignore this end of the market then they too will be bumped off. It also worries me that their software is way behind the market. To slip in such largely important areas is a big concern when you have so much invested in their products and for your own career and overall income. As for calling them idiots, I would call a friend an idiot if he or she did and equally stupid move also. They need to know this from their users and reevaluate their current trend to re-bundle plugin packages with hardware to get people to buy while not developing updates (I know, 6.4-6.9 software updates) or new products that are truly a step forward.

But to sum it up, this product is way below market standards and is not worth the money and most Digidesign users know that the new Focusrite Saffire Box was going to be the new MBox 2 and the one Digidesign has delivered is nothing more than a re-boxed slightly reworked original MBox minus the Focusrite hardware. Sad but true. Let's hope Digidesign manages to rediscover their innovative side and start making some great new products for Digidesign fans LIKE MYSELF who are having difficulties in justifying continued investment in their products and customer devotion. (The HD range hasn't been updated in over 18 months either.) They were the leaders for a long time, I wish they would be again.

Regards
Bobbi

Ref:
Focusrtie Saffire
http://www.focusrite.com/productdetails.as...?id=38&iRange=5

M-Audio 410
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Fire...re410-main.html

Hi Bobbi,

I completely understand your point of view, believe me. I'm not trying to promote a certain product, either.

I do actually see this as a transition product, though. You know that there were issues with the Focusrite preamps in Mboxes. Some say that they were rejects or seconds (perhaps out of spec), etc. Digidesign has redesigned the hardware and there are much better A/D converters. The preamps are better, too. MIDI I/O has been added. These are not M-Audio guts with Mbox faces. Also, ProTools LE software is different than the M-Audio version. I'm sure you know that but I thought I'd mention it for anyone that's reading this.

What I do know is you get ProTools LE software and a interface that is pretty darn good for 500 bucks. I don't know of any software/hardware combo that is equal to it. Tracktion and Spike? No. Cubase package? No. Look at the feature lists. They don't compare. Internally, I can have a sample rate that is only limited by CPU. When I record vocals or a guitar on my home studio, I putting down concepts and ideas that I can take to the studio. When I get to the studio, I can transfer my stuff directly into a HD system and begin working on it. I think that's the idea of the Mbox. It's not cutting edge. If anything it's trailing edge. What it will do is provide a consistant software package that people can learn on and then transfer their ideas to a professional studio.

I do understand your point, though. I try to cut thru the hype and get straight to the point. I see Mbox 2 as a nice tool but not lacking in any way.
USB works fine on my Mac. I run a Mac because they're less fussy.

Perhaps I'm not at your level. My ears may not be that good. I just see Mbox 2 as an entry level (foot in the door) way into the ProTools world. When I look at what people are using in the professional world, I see ProTools, Macs, Live, Reason, NI stuff, Logic Pro and a few others. That's the software I use, too (except Logic Pro). The only thing holding me back is lack of talent and time.

Thanks for your insight. I appreciate your answers and point of view.

Peace.

~Dale