Please Help Uncertain About MBox 2 Mini!!

[Alexrkstr]

Hi guys,

This is my first post, please be kind.

I am considering getting the MBox 2 Mini. But my main concern is that because it is USB 2.0 it will not have the latency that I want or that the computer CPU might be too strained.

I have a 1.8GHz Pentium 4 with 1GB RAM Dell.

My biggest fear is that the transfer of data since it is at 24bit will drown my computer and I won't be able to record audio and MIDI with minimal latency.

Should I look at something else? My budget is only $300.

Thanks

[slh]

Mate,

lesson number one with Pro Tools - always check the compatibility specs.

They are posted on the Digi website. Sorry, I haven't checked them but they will give you your answer.

regards
simon

[Alexrkstr]

Mate,

lesson number one with Pro Tools - always check the compatibility specs.

They are posted on the Digi website. Sorry, I haven't checked them but they will give you your answer.

regards
simon

Minimum recommended is:
Intel Pentium 4 or Xeon Processor (2.4GHz+)

Asus P4C800-E motherboard

Intel 845/845E/845PE, 850/850E, 865PE, 875P, 915GL/915GV, 925XE, 945G*/945P*, 955X* chipsets with Intel Pentium 4 processors

*Also qualified with Pentium D processors.

Like I said I have a 1.8 GHz I don't know if this will suffice. Also have a 9U539 Processor 7W080 Card (circuit) planar motherboard. Will my computer crash?

What system can I use with my computer?

[msg6794]

you're not gonna be able to do much of anything on a 1.8ghz P4, unfortunately. i tried once. i could open basic sessions (2 or 3 tracks), and not much more. i upgraded to an AMD 64x2 3800+ and can do Way more. full sessions with heavy plugin counts, etc. i'm upgrading again soon to a Core 2 Duo, most likely an E6700...

[Obsidian Dragon]

The Mbox 2 Mini is adequate for the number of inputs and outputs it has. It actually uses USB 1.0/1.1 and not USB 2.0 but even at that it is adequate. As the posters before indicated, the problem is not with the Mbox 2 Mini but with your computer. Digital Audio is quite processor dependant with ProTools LE since it is native processor based. Do yourself a favor and get as fast of a computer as your budget allows. More importantly is to ensure you get the computer with the tested compatible parts (specifically chipset) to avoid compatibility problems.

[Alexrkstr]

So even though the 845 chipset it has has been approved you guys still think it will not run more than 3 audio tracks???? That seems a litle unrealistic. Any one with a 1.8 here?

[markblasco]

I was running a 1 gig pentium 3 with a digi001, and was able to do complete band recordings. Granted, I couldn't use a lot of plugins, but I don't see why any pentium 4 shouldn't be able to play and record at least 16 tracks with minimal plugins.

[sunburst79]

Keep in mind that you should be able to find a much faster socket 478 Pentium 4 for really cheap these days.

It wont be a Athlon64 but you could definitely speed up your system by popping in a faster Proc

You just need to double check you socket type and front-side bus speed a 1.8 is slow enough it could be a Willamette or socket 423 and at that point you cant upgrade a thing really.

The chipset is really the main thing so your home free there.

[dubhausdisco1]

"you're not gonna be able to do much of anything on a 1.8ghz P4"

That is just not true.... I HAD a 2.4 P4, and now I have been forced to use my 1.6 ghz AMD (2100 xp), I also have used a P4 1.6 ghz........ the only difference is the number of plugs you can use.
I have gotten 32 tracks easily...

[casperfun]

My 1.6 ghz Intel Celeron M processor is able to play the demo session on the 6.4 Ptle cd while running on PTLE 7.0 platform on a OO2R & Mbox 2. Just done this recently. Not much further testing.