If you want to start exploring pro recording, this is the way to do it.
Written: Jul 16 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very economical way to get into pro recording.
Cons: Depending on your recording needs, there are only 2 inputs.
The Bottom Line: MBox is a great because it puts you on the same playing field as major studios.
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| jsampedro's Full Review: Digidesign Mbox Sound Card |
OK, I am not going to bore you with too much of the technical specs of the MBox. If you really want the specs go to www.digidesign.com and read all of them to your hearts content. There is one thing that every one thinking about buying an MBox (or for that matter any Digidesign product) should do is this:
GO TO THE WEBSITE TO CHECK COMPUTER COMPATIBILITY!!!
If you have a Mac G3 or better this is generally not going to be a compatibility issue, but if you have a PC, there are some pc models that will not work with it.
Once you have made your that your computer is compatible with the MBox, you are well on your way to using the same software that a lot of major studios are using. This comes in very handy if you ever plan on taking your recordings to a bigger studio to get them mixed or mastered.
Because MBox uses ProTools, it gives you almost seamless integration between major studios and project studios (assuming they both use ProTools).
This was a big selling point for me because as a musician, I wanted to have the flexibility of being able to record at home at my convenience and then be able to take it to a larger facility if I would need to. This would save alot of time and money.
One of the things that I was not that impressed with were the Focusrite preamps that come inside MBox. I realize that Focusrite has a good reputation, but I think they could have done a little bit better in the preamp department. This is not to say that they are bad, they are more than adequate, but if you are looking for a cleaner (better?) sound, I suggest you invest in an outboard preamp like I did.
As far as working the ProTools software, there are literally endless possibilities for the pro, and at the same time accessible enough for the beginner/novice.
Digidesign has a very extensive help section both on their website and in the program, but if you mind reading pdf files on your screen or can't realistically print the 500 page instruction manual, I suggest that you pick up a book at your local Borders or Barnes & Noble on how to perform basic operations and go from there.
The portability aspect is also a big deal. Though I don't have a laptop, the MBox gives you the opportunity to literally take a studio everywhere you go. If I ever get a laptop, I will definitely be taking it everywhere...
In retrospect, purchasing an MBox was one of the better investment that I could have made for starting up a home project studio, and I would do it again without hesitation.
The only thing that will keep you back is the speed of your computer and the size of your hard drive (remember that audio files can get HUGE!)
FYI: I used my MBox to record and produce both my latest full length CD as well as a couple of songs on compilation collections, and some demos. I say that to say that you can use it from the most basic things to the most advanced.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400.00
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Epinions.com ID:
jsampedro
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Member: Javier Sampedro
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 4 members
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