Adding extra Interface through S/PDIF

[steveos69]

I have an MBox Pro with Pro-Tools 10 on an iMac OSX10
I need extra inputs.
I want to connect my old MBox 2 through S/PDIF.
Hopefully this should give me 2 extra inputs.
I have it connected properly... I think.
but I can't seem to make it work.
I've fiddled around with hardware, playback and I/O settings.
Any suggestions?

[crizdee]

Originally Posted by steveos69

I have an MBox Pro with Pro-Tools 10 on an iMac OSX10
I need extra inputs.
I want to connect my old MBox 2 through S/PDIF.
Hopefully this should give me 2 extra inputs.
I have it connected properly... I think.
but I can't seem to make it work.
I've fiddled around with hardware, playback and I/O settings.
Any suggestions?

Hi,

You can't have 2 Mbox interfaces at the same time! you'll need another interface with a different driver to do this.



Chris

[steveos69]

That's not very smart on Avid's part!
So they're squeezing themselves out of the market...
Making you buy a different brand!

I was hoping I could just use my MBox 2 as an external pre-amp :/

[albee1952]

If you power the "external" Mbox from a powered USB hub, and then set Pro Tools to clock to SPDIF, that might work

[nst7]

The main problem is that the Mbox 2 does not function as a standalone converter, which is what you need. That's not just an Avid thing, most interfaces don't have that function, as it adds extra cost. Ironically, the new Mbox 3 Pro does have that function (if you got a second one). But that would be more expensive than you need.

Also, you don't just need two more inputs, you need two more mic preamps as well, if you're going to record mics through them.

So what you need is a combination of a two channel A/D converter with Spidf out, and a two channel mic preamp (or two one channel preamps). Or another interface that can function like this.

Or, a box that functions as a preamp with digital out. The cheapest one you will find is the ART Digital MPA, and that's $399.


To make a long story short, if you need more inputs, it will be far easier, and just about as cost effective, to just buy a different interface that has the amount of inputs you need.

I highly recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 as being the best value under $500. It's the same as the (also very good) Focusrite Sapphire Pro 40, only it's USB instead of firewire, but works just as well, and is more versatile, since firewire is disappearing from more and more computers.

[steveos69]

Thanks for your replies!
nst7... can I connect the Focusrite Interfaces to my MBox with S/PDIF?
Or do I have to completely replace my MBox?
I'd hate to see a good MBox Pro just go to waste!

[nst7]

Yes, you can connect the Focusrite through Spidf to your Mbox Pro. But if you have the new Mbox Pro, it will function as a standalone converter. In that case, it might make more sense to reverse that setup. Use the Focusrite as your interface, and add the Mbox via Spidf to get two more channels.

All of this depends on how many more inputs you need. The Mbox really only has 4 usable inputs, because 5/6 are the useless 1/8 mini or RCA inputs. And Spidf would require a separate purchase, as mentioned. If you think you'll be using at least 6-8 inputs on a regular basis, then it makes sense to just get an interface that has that ready to go right out of the box.

The new Mbox is a great unit. You may decide to use two channels of it into another interface via Spidf, or you may decide it's better to just sell it.

[albee1952]

Another overlooked SPDIF-equipped preamp is the DBX-386. You can buy these second hand for under $200 and they sound fine(I have one on the SPDIF input of my 003 right now)

[nst7]

Yeah, I forgot about that. Good suggestion.

[steveos69]

Thanks for your help nst7.
If you use one of the Focusrite interfaces... do they have Low Latency monitoring with Pro-Tools?