Mbox (3) Hardware Expansion Options

[davidisinla]

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out. I've searched and searched the internet and can't seem to find a succinct answer.

How can I expand my Mbox 3? How can I take advantage of the s/pdif inputs? If I add a pre amp to any of the inputs can I record each of the pre amps inputs on separate tracks? Is there a specific adapter I need to do any of these things? Do I need to forget the Mbox 3 and start with a different device?

If you can help, thanks.

[Dism]

Originally Posted by davidisinla

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out. I've searched and searched the internet and can't seem to find a succinct answer.

How can I expand my Mbox 3? How can I take advantage of the s/pdif inputs? If I add a pre amp to any of the inputs can I record each of the pre amps inputs on separate tracks? Is there a specific adapter I need to do any of these things? Do I need to forget the Mbox 3 and start with a different device?

If you can help, thanks.

Anything with S/PDIF should connect to S/PDIF. You only need S/PDIF cables. It's 2 I/O. So, you can record 2 seperate channels or a single stereo channel.

[davidisinla]

Thanks. I am not finding many preamp options with the s/pdif outputs -- at least not at a price that doesn't mean I should have just bought the Mbox pro or 003 to begin with or now. I guess I'm primarily looking for a two in/two out electric guitar preamp that would allow me to use the s/pdif leaving the two XLR inputs for mics.

Not a huge deal but the box isn't really able to handle what the GC salesman said it would handle (four inputs) unless I figure out how to use the s/pdif for something useful (to me.) I have to change setups and record a bass, electric guitar, vocals, and acoustic guitar separately. Not really what I had planned for me plus three friends playing for fun.

Anyone ever used a mixer and just mixed a bunch of tracks into one or two tracks using the XLRs? Is that a viable option?

Any suggestions or a you're out of luck bud would be appreciated.

[Dism]

Originally Posted by davidisinla

Thanks. I am not finding many preamp options with the s/pdif outputs -- at least not at a price that doesn't mean I should have just bought the Mbox pro or 003 to begin with or now. I guess I'm primarily looking for a two in/two out electric guitar preamp that would allow me to use the s/pdif leaving the two XLR inputs for mics.

Not a huge deal but the box isn't really able to handle what the GC salesman said it would handle (four inputs) unless I figure out how to use the s/pdif for something useful (to me.) I have to change setups and record a bass, electric guitar, vocals, and acoustic guitar separately. Not really what I had planned for me plus three friends playing for fun.

Anyone ever used a mixer and just mixed a bunch of tracks into one or two tracks using the XLRs? Is that a viable option?

Any suggestions or a you're out of luck bud would be appreciated.

Well, a popular S/PDIF preamp is the API A2D. Quite a nice piece of gear with both high end pres and high end clocking for the price of either or. You're right, there aren't a lot of S/PDIF options that are in the lowball price range. Even a mixer wouldn't exactly be cheap...

If your issue is I/O... you're probably better off getting something with more. Considering the recent release of Pro Tools 9... there is a plethora of affordable interfaces with plenty of inputs available for the price (or even lower) than the MBoxes. The 2626, for example, can be found for around $500 and will give you 26 I/O with 8 pres already built in.

[albee1952]

For SPDIF inputs, I also recommend the API A2D(if you can afford it). If that's too much $$, then look at the ART Digital MPA(around $400 and quite decent).

[davidisinla]

Thanks. It's looking more and more like changing my interface may be the best way to go.

So with PT9, what are the constraints to what interface I can hook to a Mac? If anyone knows where to point on the avid site that would be great too. I couldn't find anything specific. And that could be a preamp with many i/o or a mixer/preamp with many i/o? Suggestions in the $500 range?

Thanks for the help.

[Dism]

Originally Posted by davidisinla

Thanks. It's looking more and more like changing my interface may be the best way to go.

So with PT9, what are the constraints to what interface I can hook to a Mac? If anyone knows where to point on the avid site that would be great too. I couldn't find anything specific. And that could be a preamp with many i/o or a mixer/preamp with many i/o? Suggestions in the $500 range?

Thanks for the help.

There aren't really any constraints, beyond that an interface can use up to 32 I/O.

M-Audio 2626 can easily be had for $500. Has 8 preamps, 16 channels of ADAT and 2 S/PDIF. Total of 26 I/O.

[albee1952]

+1 for the M-Audio 2626, or the Focusrite Liquid Pre Saffire 56.

[DigiTechSupt]

I checked out a 2 channel mic pre from Audient called the Mico - really nice piece if you're looking for a mic pre that has a lot of different 'flavors' that can be dialed in.