Digidesign MBox 2 USB, Computer Hardware Options

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Comments about:

Digidesign MBox 2 USB

[BobbiStyle]

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.)

This post has been edited by BobbiStyle: Fri 2 Sep 2005, 16:06

[lotan]

Can somebody tell me what's the new deal on that? I really don't get it?

[MKallen]

very, very weird. no higher support for 96k and firewire... I've been waiting to see what Digi's next move would be, and I think it's backwards. And what's with that stupid handle looking thing too?

[mapmap]

yeah i don't get that handle at all....

does it serve some other function? like to prop it up on a desk??

[Rockyroad]

> does it serve some other function? like to prop it up on a desk??

Yes it does do that. And its removable.

[thedomus]

At least the old one had two headphone outs...useful!

[beatfreq]

I'm guessing the license for the Focusrite pre amps in the old Mbox was up. They needed to add the MIDI because everyone else has it. The thing I don'tunderstand is why not USB 2.0? 1.1 sucks.

M

[thepzl]

joke. just a dongle to run PTLE at only 48k, crippled as it won't let you use other interfaces, crippled like the 002 that still won't even let you mix multi-channel, even though the hardware is there! but their drivers suck to use it with anything else? who are they, Microsoft?

[doggg powder]

48khz....pfffffffff.....
really innovative...lol....and only 495$.

No Thx

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.)

Sounds like you have a nice home system. Sounds like you have a lot invested in it with what you describe. Do you think it's fair calling the people at
Digidesign idiots for having an entry level system? You can't buy a license of Logic Pro 7 for under a thousand (legally with taxes) and you get no interface. Granted you get A LOT of software but what if you're just starting out?

I see a lot of people poo-pooing Digi. I happen to like their stuff but also use other software, too. You're a pro and should know that 96 vs. 48 is not all that there's to it. Remember that the A/D converters make a huge impact. Also, the software makes a huge difference.

I don't know, it just seems harsh to call people idiots. As a software/hardware engineer, I admire their stuff. There's got to be a reason that so many people use ProTools. It can't be all hype. It's the same as Macs dominating the entertainment industry.

Best wishes to LTL Records!

Peace,

~Dale

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

[BobbiStyle]

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

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

[rickenbacker]

Any company that releases a USB 1.1 audio interface in this day and age must have been living in (a) a cave or (b) a commercial vacuum for the past couple of years. Pro Tools, schmo tools - the spec of this product, released into a very competitive marketplace in 2005, is beyond a joke. In fact, it's almost an insult to anyone who ends up seduced by Digi's glossy adverts and winds up buying one, only to find they can't use it with any other software and they're stuck with a product that was hardly cutting edge three years ago.

A lot of people like to record everything at home. They won't be transferring to a bigger setup in a big shiny studio, ever. They're only going to buy one interface and they'd like it to be a good one. So, IMHO, Digi are selling these people very short from the get go. Of course, if it's only intended for Butch Vig to knock up a few rough demos on the plane whilst on tour, it's a fine product.

But for a home or project studio, it's sorely lacking in too many areas. For less money, you can have a FireBox, a Saffire, an FA-66, an M-Audio box etc etc and use whatever software YOU want to use. And still be able to record rough demos on the plane whilst on tour.

Also, increasing the internal sample rate of a sequencer doesn't improve the live acoustic audio you've already recorded - it just makes the files bigger. You don't capture more detail retrospectively. You need an interface that captures and converts at a higher sample rate in the first place. The Mbox 2 is not that interface.

[dave-g]

It's so sad to see "what could have been" with the new mbox when you look at a great product like the Saffire. the saffire is basically a "wish list" that many of us on the digiforum were asking for in the next mbox, almost every feature, even the ones that we didn't ever expect to see like on-board DSP! at least someone listened!

it seems that the marketing folks at digi are more worried about cannibalizing market share of the 002 than making a great entry level product that would attract even more users into the pro-tools world. it's really short sighted though as a lot of folks just getting into recording are going to buy hardware based on specs and recommendations since they don't have experience with any particular software yet.

bad things happen to big companies don't listen to their customers and act purely on marketing projections and the quarterly profit mentality. i wouldn't be surprised to hear how digi tells investors that they are "disappointed by slow sales of the new Mbox2" which are well below our projected sales..."

I have the feeling that this "new" product is digi's way of buying time until they can figure out what they are going to do without having focusrite as a development partner... i do like the M-Audio FW interfaces (i've got the FW410 for location recording) but they don't have the cred that focusrite had so it may take a while.

only time will tell!


Dave-G

[toddr]

So I paid $500 for a presonus firepod brand new, with 8 nice mic pres and 2 inserts and spdif I/O and cubase le, how is the mbox 2 for $450 going to sell,

USB 1.1 ??? How can they not upgrade to usb 2.0 I mean walmart sell usb 2.0 drives and etc, and Digi cant even make it 2.0 or even Firewire 400

So this sucks bad, they add some new crappy software (plugins) add Midi I/O and thats IT?????

OH and they totally scrapped the INSERTS on the mic pres, NO INSERTS
And last but not least it is still 24bit/48k which is the now almost obsolete DAT Specs, jeese even M-audio has crappy firewire interfaces, get with it Digi,

they take the guts from the old and shove it in the new,

any more info on this would be great, I cant even find the real specs on this thing
Digi's specs for the mbox 2 are quote " Pristine Sound" what the hell does this mean?????
you would think they would at least rip off the presonus Firebox,
Digi only cares about the HD systems because thats where the real money is made

Im out

[dangt]

Gee, you people are making a lot of fuss over his, get over it! and go make some music on your own crap systems.

So we can do the same on our crap set-ups.

It seems like a good product. pretty much a 4-tracker with Midi
and a killer software bundle. good entry level set-up or mobile set-up.

Each to their own choice. I feel the Digi products and sound software will continue to rule the sound production market for a while yet, cause of the quality of product and superior sound ability. you can esily get caught up in specs and numbers but its about what you produce and hear, that determines the quality of a product.

[toddr]

well your right about that, go make music, its the finished music product that counts right?, which is usually a 16bit/44.1 CD anyway

I just think that Digidesign is a huge company with alot of design experts and I believe if they tried to go firewire or 24/96k on the mbox 2 , then they would lose a ton of sales on the 002 rack because half of the 002 rack users are using less than 8 tracks anyway, some are just doing overdubs or 2 track mix stuff, 002 rack has been selling constantly while sales of the old Mbox are slowing, so I see why a new box could help them and us ,but they could still get the others to drop $1199 for a 002 rack,

its kinda cool looking and the lay down function is nice but they could have impressed a little better like apple does or Presonus, or RME

but if you dont have to have PT LE there are better options, besides files are files, AIFF, .wav, whatever you can use any software nowadays, who cares about what the starving big studios are using, their starving..

[dave-g]

I guess the thing that really burns me up is that you can drop $500 on a brand new (but totally outdated) interface which can barely meet most people's needs, or you can drop $1100 on interface with FW but has this power harness issue that's like a ticking time-bomb waiting to let you down in the middle of a session.... I don't like the odds. oh wait, I guess I could spend $10,000 on a rock solid pro tools system, but I'd have to sell a kidney or two and maybe a liver, oh wait can't sell that, it's damaged...

that's why for $500 digi should have thrown us a bone (instead of giving us one). I'm tired of marketing weasels running companies, engineers should be running companies! don't get me wrong, I love pro-tools, it may be the best music production software out there, I just wish that the affordable (under $1000) interfaces matched the quality of their software.

dave-g

[citypigeon]

i like the fact you get a version of melodyne within..... thats handy

what put me off both the mbox's so far is that the interfaces look like they belong in a toy shop - i know its not pro, but anything over £200 shouldn't need to look cheap.....(its superficial but cheap looking equipment makes me think it will sound cheap)

thats beside the point though since the first mbox did good anyway, but i do think that digidesign needed to bring something new and haven't - its still a fairly good package (audio + midi interface and a sequecer) but nothing new

maybe they didn't want to upset people who just bought the first mbox


cpcpcpcp

[dave-g]

it's funny you mentioned the industrial design (or lack of thereof) the new mbox. I posted on digi's site how they subscribe to the "cheap has to be ugly" approach that car companies use. it doesn't really cost much more to make a product "better" looking, but LARGE companies rarely will do it, after all they want to give you yet another reason to fork over more money to buy the higher-end and better looking product.

I also put on the digi site how "the only way the new mbox would look good is if was covered with a brown bag of shame..."

they deleted my post in less than 2 minutes!

hehe, i actually felt like i made a difference that day

[teleblues]

Well, Ive been waiting patiently for the new Mbox, seems to have been a waste of time, as it is really nothing new (except the price) For $500 bills it would have been the hottest thing on most little studios Christmas lists if it had what is really the standard of the day ( 192, or at least 96Khz, and Firewire) This "new" Mbox doesn't do anything my crappy old Tascam US-224/Garageband studio already does.

You've lost a potential customer Digi...

[thedomus]

You have to remember that design is a personal thing, we all look at that differently. One could say the slimmer look fits better in a bag with a laptop, especially with the handle "off"!
The mistake here, it seems, is that the competition at that price point are offering more to the consumer, e.g. Sapphire, with on-board DSP, surround monitoring possibilities. Now that they control M-Audio they probably felt firewire was already covered and that the M-Box still had a select niche to fill that none of the M-Audio devices could.
I hate to say that snobbery might come into this, you say Digidesign...Pro's go OK, M-Audio ...woaaah thayt could sound crap...yaa!

[ullanta]

(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

Is there something specific you want upgraded in the HD range? Why bemoan lack of updates - they're just frustrations unless you need 'em!

[BobbiStyle]

(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

Is there something specific you want upgraded in the HD range? Why bemoan lack of updates - they're just frustrations unless you need 'em!

HD updates not needed?

The specs of the hardware are 24bit 192khz max, the bit depth of their software mixer is not 64bit, no use of "freeze files", not 32bit file compatible, most TDM's are not 192khz compatible etc.... For the enormous hype and dollar figures you'd expect them to lead the market. I could go on but this is supposed to be about the MBox 2 which I feel everything has been covered by everyone here, even Digidesign via a blatant marketing man's comments, which is exceedingly funny eh?

Let's hope the find many hats with rabbits in this year.... :-)
Laters....
Bobbi Style

http://www.BobbiStyle.com/
http://www.LTLrecords.com/


This post has been edited by BobbiStyle: Mon 12 Sep 2005, 05:58

Any company that releases a USB 1.1 audio interface in this day and age must have been living in (a) a cave or (b) a commercial vacuum for the past couple of years. Pro Tools, schmo tools - the spec of this product, released into a very competitive marketplace in 2005, is beyond a joke. In fact, it's almost an insult to anyone who ends up seduced by Digi's glossy adverts and winds up buying one, only to find they can't use it with any other software and they're stuck with a product that was hardly cutting edge three years ago.

A lot of people like to record everything at home. They won't be transferring to a bigger setup in a big shiny studio, ever. They're only going to buy one interface and they'd like it to be a good one. So, IMHO, Digi are selling these people very short from the get go. Of course, if it's only intended for Butch Vig to knock up a few rough demos on the plane whilst on tour, it's a fine product.

But for a home or project studio, it's sorely lacking in too many areas. For less money, you can have a FireBox, a Saffire, an FA-66, an M-Audio box etc etc and use whatever software YOU want to use. And still be able to record rough demos on the plane whilst on tour.

Also, increasing the internal sample rate of a sequencer doesn't improve the live acoustic audio you've already recorded - it just makes the files bigger. You don't capture more detail retrospectively. You need an interface that captures and converts at a higher sample rate in the first place. The Mbox 2 is not that interface.

Yes, I'm fully aware that the limit of input into the Mbox its internal sample rate. What Bobbi was suggesting is using the Mbox to transfer files. He's got a killer system as is. I was trying to understand WHY. I will say that if wish to mix internally, it's not your interface that is limitation.

Digidesign is not marketing the product as cutting edge. It is marketing it as budget ProTools system with the latest ProTools software.

I see this kind of war going on all the time. ProTools vs. Whatever, PC vs. Mac. You don't have to the latest stuff to make good music. A lot of music is still made with old gear. You guys out there that are software snobs or have a chip on your shoulder about some particular gear are the worse sort. People poo-poo a product because of their fears. I guess there's always got be something to hate, eh?

It just makes me laugh. I read an article about the Beastie Boys' last release. No live instruments and they used Reason for everything except vocals! They're not in a forum bitching about ProTools or some other thing. They're making music with the same stuff that we can buy. I could take a Reason session (96k sample rate max) that I made in ProTools LE and give it to them and they could import right into their killer ProTools rig. Simple. If you don't understand the value in that, you're just plain stupid and have no idea about how things are done.

I don't even have ProTools, either! My mind IS big enough to see the value of that kind of rig. People don't like how it looks? My GOD you're idiots! Do you ever look at music? WTF?!?! The end product is what matters. What your EARS hear NOT what your eyes see. This place must be full of teenagers or something. Small little minds.

This isn't about you, personally. I'm NOT attacking you. People just have to get over the fact that you don't need the latest software or hardware to make good music. 196k sample rate with $hitty music doesn't make the music better! So, people, quit racing your computers, put away your credit cards and make some music!

How do I delete my account on here? I've wasted too much time on this.

[abcdaniel]

Yeah, of course the music is the most important. And good music has been made with the most shitty equipment. What matters for an artist is that you are creative with the equipment you use. ProTools is what many of us use when we are creative, what we feel is most easy on our creativity, and of course we have to bitch about it when it starts to suck. This is our tool, dammit! The people who like PT the most, are probably the people who bitch the most too, and it is a good thing. We have to bitch, so they know at Digi what we want, before we start to search for alternative equipment. Digi, I said it before, I say it again: You cannot throw bedroom artists a bone now and then in this day and age. Bedroom artists are already the future.

[_T2k_]

Two words: ridiculously overpriced.

Asking $500 in Fall of 2005 for a USB 1.1 48K only something with no sync option is ridiculous, no matter how you try to justify it.
Compare it to their own M-Audio FW1814 for $600 or even just to FW410 for $400... both runs PT yet offers a full class higher quality, features, everything.
Heck Motu's Traveler only $300 more and that's two classes higher quality in everything...

As an Avid Xpress Pro HD and Avid MC Adrenaline user all I can say this is the classic Avid/DD arrogance, their arrogant pricing. Screw them and say no to this waaay overpriced ancient piece of crap.

This post has been edited by _T2k_: Mon 12 Sep 2005, 19:15

[rickenbacker]

celticdale didn't last long, did he?

[toddr]

yes celticdale I see your point, the reason anyone on here is bitching about pro tools le and Mbox 2 is because no one wants to spend $450-$550 on some plastic crappy blue box with tiny writing on it and no inserts and only 48k and slow USB 1.1, when the whole system runs on that slow and unreliable usb connection, why spend money on a nice computer to plug in crap, because of PT LE, big deal, that le software is the biggest, hungryest program on the planet, with USB No one will pay that price to have compatibility, Im sure sweetwater will sell out the first few bunches, but then they will realize they have been screwed by Digi once again,
Digi is so far behind on this piece of crap they have no idea. I would fire the whole design team and marketing team as well, this is a poor attempt to stay in the $500 bracket, they should be ashamed,

Oh and celticdale, while I was writing this comment, I am buring a 24 track mix with my $399 Saffire/cubase le without a hitch, so I am making music and wasting no time at all.
Have fun updating your plug ins after they update PT LE every month, they wont work, it's digi's way of saying "thanks for all your money sucker!"

[thetaxi.AN971]

I would venture to say that Digi didn't upgrade to 96k or Firewire in order to not compete with the 002. I mean, if you were trying to sell a Firewire device that was 96k, why would you sell another one that's half price?

[toddr]

Yes you have a point there, its all about what we can afford,

[gkeys]

Man, I've been wanting to say this for a long time... since I got the Mbox for touring with this lil'G3 back in May, 2001... using PT5.2... Focusrite ain't got a clue! How they've managed to hook DigiDesign into teaming up is way beyond me!

(My) Mbox has NEVER booted properly and I have to plug/unplug the USB cable 2+ times before it will run... EVERYTIME! How about that USB 'lagtime'... it's fine for recording the mix on a live gig BUT... multitracking? NO WAY!

I wouldn't trust another Focusrite product if my life depended on it. Les'we forget... MIDI? I am not sorry to say Focusrite S*CKS... and their preamps? OK... in a bind. I've been wanting to upgrade to a better Mac 'cause I use a Digi001 on an old'G4 in the home studio. Just can't afford it so... added more mem(to1Gb), waiting for Panther to come in and the 'last' Digi001 upgrade I just ordered... that should suffice for another year(or two?).

There's just way too much stuff out there to keep up with... I like knowing how to use what I got and as until I get faster than it does the G4&001 will do fine.
ps... I prefer to actually "play" my keyboards rather than program. Also looking into the MPowered setups... interesting stuff!

George "Keys" Izquierdo
http://www.zymondo.com

[BobbiStyle]

Hi GKeys

Actually, the issues you have with the MBox are not Focusrite caused issues. Their preamps wouldn't cause these issues. 100% Digidesign errors there mate. USB is also notorious for latency too. The 001 and such are awesome though.

Cheers!
Bobbi
:-)

[gkeys]

Hi Bobbi,

Thanks for the comment. How about the fact that the Mbox came with no MIDI... was that a DigiDesign thing? I forgot to mention this but, how about the actual physical design of the mbox? ever try to pack that thing for a trip... I finally went to the grinder and took those stupid little wings off! Portablity? Just put it in a simple square box so I can pack it!

Before I went digital with my studio in 2000, I asked everybody I knew for their opinion... the majority replied... "Mac & ProTools". So I went with it... my only regret is the price of ProTools and their RTAS stuff. Ya'gotta'wonder at this point, is DigiDesign gonna'get off their high horse before long or do they even realize the hounds are at their heels?!?!

I have been looking at Logic7 when I get the next Mac (whenever that is) but I do love ProTools!

L8r G8r
George

[geokie8]

OK I'm brand new (both to this forum as well to computer recording). I'm in the market for a new PC and want to record music as well. I have a BOSS 1180CD but I think I want to e-bay it and start with computers. I'll get a PC (not a Mac). I know I'm on the wrong forum for that, but you guys seem knowledgeable and passionate and the platforms are pretty much interchangeable, so let's not go there.

I just got back from Sam Ash and they recommended the M-Box 2. I was skeptical of the USB connection and spent a lot of time trying to determine if it was 1.1 or 2.0. I have no software preference (i.e., I don't know a Pro Tools LE from a Cubase SE). I want to do all the normal things (EQ, compression, delay, etc., and wouldn't mind a bunch of other tricks (pitch correction, etc.). I don't need to record a whole band (but wouldn't that be a nice option?).

Let's assume I spend between $1000 and $1500 on the computer and get a fast enough chip, enough RAM, and two hard drives. What interface should I get, (or does it really depend upon the software that comes bundled)? What's the best value at $500? At $1000? At $1500?

Please help me out here.

[dave-g]

welcome geoki, i have the feeling you aren't going to get many replies here. it's not because you choose to use a PC either, it's because we only read this thread to bitch about how bad the new mbox is and what fools digi thinks we are. i know i've done my share on this and other lists! i've actually had all my mbox2 posts deleted on the DUC forum, so i know digi loves me, not.

anyway, you're one of the lucky ones, all us folks using PTLE are stuck with either this low end crap box 1 or 2 or we'll have to shell out real loot to get something only slightly better, but you can have your pick of some of the new and exciting things out there. if i wasn't in this boat i'd be buying:

Focusrite Saffire - onboard DSP and 24-bit/192kHz processing for $399!? can't go wrong there. i still might get one, just to play around with.
Presonus FIREBOX - 24-bit/96K and cubase for $299
M-Audio FireWire 410 24-bit 192kHz. i actually bought one of these for a project and ended up using it way more than i should have. some folks had problems with theirs, but mine has always worked fine. mine came with Reason adapted and Ableton Live lite version (what ever it was called i loved it and upgraded to the real one!) and now it's a good path to go pro tools in the future.

hope this gives you a starting point. if i were you i'd post your message on another forum (to get the PC folks advice) and start your own thread because this one's going to get buried amongst all the complaints.

enjoy!
Dave-G

[geokie8]

Hey, thx for taking the time. I'll check these out in more detail (they have come across my radar as I've searched for info).

I will take your advice and ask around at some other forums (if I can find any). This forum was invaluable as it seems to have steered me away from the M-Box 2 (which does sound like a pretty decent deal on its face).

Thx again,

geokie8

[lepetitmartien]

As long as we are not a Pc site at all (doesn't mean we don't like, it's just not the purpose) as far as I know, protools on PCs is still not that great, you should have a look on the DUC to check.

Also, Digidesign means proprietary software linked to hardware, it can be just a bore sometimes (especially in the compatibility issues).

Fortunately there's plenty of good interfaces in that range as dave-g hinted.

Now please, if you want some advice about the pc itself, please, keep it in open bar

[abcdaniel]

Has anyone bought Mbox2? Anyone tried it? What are the pre-amps like? What about latency, is that down?

It is a piece of vintage gear, yeah, but, if you're stuck with PTLE... might as well get the details. Might do some kind of trade-in with my old Mbox, before Digi scraps Mbox1 compatibility...

Next post I complain, promise!