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Old 09-12-2020, 03:42 AM
Will Russell's Avatar
Will Russell Will Russell is offline
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Default replacement for Mbox3

Hi all,

The time has come for me to upgrade my secondary production machine to Catalina, which of course marks the end of the run for my beloved Mbox3.

I was alway impressed with the audio quality and rugged construction of the Mbox3. What would you suggest for a quality replacement with similar features?

So far I'm considering the RME Babyface Pro. Comments? Other options?
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Electric Wilburland Studio
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Old 09-12-2020, 04:03 AM
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

Focusrite and Presonus have got good reviews
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Old 09-12-2020, 08:59 AM
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

So far it looks like either an RME Babyface or an Apogee Duet.

Anyone have actual experience with both?
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Old 09-12-2020, 10:55 AM
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

I replaced my MBox 3 Mini with a PreSonus Studio 24c. I'm very happy with it.
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Old 09-12-2020, 11:28 AM
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

I used the Apogee Duet 1. gen. for years, and all I can say is it sounds great, and I'm shure the newer version sounds at least as good. Only minus, I think is the breakout cable. Very untidy.

I have the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, and I think it sounds lovely. Scarlett series offers lots of quality for your money IMO.

The RME stuff gets much praise too, of course.
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Old 09-12-2020, 11:58 AM
Darryl Ramm Darryl Ramm is offline
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

What exact computer interface (USB 2? 3? ... ), Thunderbolt 2, 3 ... etc are you looking for? you mention USB models you are looking at but you could be giving away a little latency vs thunderbolt.

What IO features do you need? SPDIF? on optical or coax can be present or not at this price range. Same with MIDI... do you need either? Do you want any monitor control features? How important is hardware monitoring to you? if you need to learn to use a hardware mixer software app I would take time to flick through the doc for that.

UAD and Motu also make nice interfaces.

Apogee make nice products but the breakout cable adapter on the Duet would make that a non-starter for me. (ha I see Ben mentioned that as well. Apogee seem to have a blind spot for cable silliness. I dealt with funky cables on their small JAM guitar interfaces... owned several, and they still have not worked that out on their latest JAM Pro... they should have been just used a USB-C port on the device).

Last edited by Darryl Ramm; 09-12-2020 at 12:31 PM.
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Old 09-14-2020, 07:22 PM
Jayster Jayster is offline
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

Can I use a Mbox 2 interface with Pro Tools 2020.9?
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Old 09-15-2020, 12:41 AM
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayster View Post
Can I use a Mbox 2 interface with Pro Tools 2020.9?
PT 2020.9 requires High Sierra or later and Mbox2 drivers are very old. You can try but do not expect success
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Old 09-18-2020, 10:33 AM
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

Apogee Duet II will fill your needs.
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Old 09-26-2020, 05:51 PM
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Default Re: replacement for Mbox3

I ended up getting the RME Babyface Pro FS and am very happy with it. Immediate improvement in sound, very well built and well featured.
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