Mbox2 First impressions, Article Options

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Comments about:

Mbox2 First impressions

[abcdaniel]

How low can you set the buffer size for the Mbox 2, both within ProTools and in other software? Is it finally possible to get playable (for softsynths etc) latency on the Mbox?

[edge100]

A very fair and balanced review. Thanks!

I particularly liked this statement:

"My stand on this subject is that for audio interfaces in this price range, the microphone preamps have only one function: to power the mics."

Truer words were never spoken. People always argue about who makes the better mic pres in the $500-$750 audio interface range (Digi, Presonus, Focusrite, M-Audio, MOTU, Mackie), and the truth is this: they're all FINE. Even Behringer makes good pres these days. None of them will ADD anything to your sound, like a higher range pre will. And they will impart some of their own cloudiness onto your tone, but all in all, they do their job well, and you can make quality recordings with them.

The jumping off point for higher end pres is the FMR Really Nice Preamp or the DAV BG-1 (particularly the latter). Anything below that is basically the same. Stop worrying about it and make music.

[zoundman]

The mBox 1 puts a great strain on the cpu. (at least mine does)
If you open a moderate session in protools with a few synths (G5 2x1.8 1.25 ram)
it will "choke" very easily. I think it's the drivers.
I can open "huge" sessions in LogicPro7 with the G5's built in audio and out the s/pdif.
I really hope the mBox 2 fixes these issues since I need to open Protools for some projects and the mBox 1 is sometimes useless.

[abcdaniel]

zoundman, have you looked into the M-powered stuff from M-audio? i wonder how well they work... Anyone? Better or worse than the Mbox? Have been thinking about getting some firewire or PCI M-powered qualified audio card, but haven't got around to it yet.