How to set up a MBOX2 Pro as a standalone firewire interface

[Quicksilver]

Ok folks I am a proud owner of a MBOX2 Pro Factory.
I say proud so far because I haven't opened the software
or the hardware or anything else.

But before i get all excited about Protools i have some initial
work to do that requires careful consideration. Here's my project.

I Have several projects i have completed in Garageband
and I am aware that these songs can be exported track by
track to ProTools LE. But until i get to that point I would like to
add some additional vocals and other parts before I make
that transfer. What I would like to do is add these additional parts
by using my new MBOX as my firewire interface to plug in my
mic's and additional instruments and do some recording.

In order to accomplish this the directions from Digi says
The MBOX must be used as a stand alone and to use it
as a stand-alone i CANNOT install Protools.

My question is, what is the detailed (step by step) process for the
setup to use it as a stand alone interface and what do I need to be
aware of when doing this setup so that it's successful the first time.

If you have and experience and have successfully gone thru
this process i would love to hear your experiences.

Many thanks from a "FUTURE" protools user.

[Matt Whritenour]

you have to install the Core Audio drivers
that come from this page http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?...d=100&eid=2724
Software CoreAudio Driver OS X for Intel CoreAudio Driver 7.x Intel Mac CoreAudio Driver OS X for PPC CoreAudio Driver 7.x PPC


idk if those links will work, but that will allow garage band to see your mbox.
i'll also add I don't use a mac and I've only used Wavelab and Windows Media player
but us PC users use the ASIO driver not the Core Audio

[K.B.]

Yup works here too. No probs using my MBox with Melodyne and Audition using the Digi Asio driver.

[Quicksilver]

KB and Matt;

Thanks for the response. I hope that's all there is to it.....

Originally Posted by K.B.

Yup works here too. No probs using my MBox with Melodyne and Audition using the Digi Asio driver.

[spkguitar]

If you are planning on using Pro Tools eventually, it would be a better idea just to install Pro Tools. It installs the ASIO and Wavedrivers by default, and you don't have to install the separate drivers.

Having the separate drivers installed when installing Pro Tools can sometimes cause problems.

[Matt Whritenour]

Originally Posted by spkguitar

It installs the ASIO and Wavedrivers by default,

do mac's use the asio and wavedrivers? i thought they used the core audio drivers

[spkguitar]

Originally Posted by Matt Whritenour

i thought they used the core audio drivers

Absolutely correct; I forgot I wasn't in the PC specific forum.

[Balty]

Originally Posted by spkguitar

Absolutely correct; I forgot I wasn't in the PC specific forum.

But this is good to know. Since the question is valid for Mac, and PC users alike. I hate being redundant in starting a thread, just because it's not from my thread. Make sense? Anyway, I too want the ability to not only record, but playback through my Mbox 2 mini. And when doing so... I mean... wav/mp3 files. Can this be done by using a 3rd party player as suggested here by Matt when "Media Player" was mentioned? I've installed Protools, but can't playback with anything else but. What I'd like to do is have a ability to use this generically on another PC (away from my PT box). Yet have the Mics, and speakers work.
Sorry if I high Jacked sorta. Actually I think I'm "piggy backing"! lol.

[spkguitar]

On the PC side, the ASIO driver can be used for both playback and recording, so if you are using a program that has ASIO capabilities, then you can use the Digidesign hardware for recording in that/those program(s). (see the individual program documentation for whether it supports ASIO and how to set it up in that particular program).

The Wavedriver on the windows side is playback only. That means that for any programs that use/require the regular windows drivers for recording (i.e. Skype, and many others) you will not be able to use the Digidesign hardware to record with. You can playback using the Wavedriver, but not record.

Quicktime/iTunes has a long known/reported conflict with the Digidesign Wavedriver. If you want/need to use Quicktime or iTunes, you should just stick to your computer soundcard.

The whole procedure is covered in the Windows Audio Drivers Guide which is referenced in the Getting Started Guide section on setting up third party software to use the Digidesign hardware.

[Quicksilver]

Getting back to the Mac install. The other comments may have corrected this but you cannot install ProTools and expect to be able to use the MBox as a stand-alone Firewire interface with GarageBand. Digi is very specific about this in their instructions. You must use the core Audio download for this purpose.

Originally Posted by spkguitar

If you are planning on using Pro Tools eventually, it would be a better idea just to install Pro Tools. It installs the ASIO and Wavedrivers by default, and you don't have to install the separate drivers.

Having the separate drivers installed when installing Pro Tools can sometimes cause problems.