New Pro Tools Mbox Personal Recording Systems

[Stingray1122]

Just curious, but no one has yet mentioned this. How does it sound? Seems like it should be an improvement over the older models, and I know this is completely an opinion, but does it sound good, great, or awesome?

In my opinion the new Mbox family sounds great. I've listened against many competitive interfaces as well as other Avid interfaces throughout the development process. Our #1 priority with this project was to create an interface with truly best-in-class audio performance. I'm sure as units make their way out into the field we'll hear more opinions. It's definitely better than the ProFire 2626 and Mbox 2. While specs don't tell you how it sounds here are a couple worth mentioning...

Mic Inputs (Balanced)
Dynamic Range (A-wt)

• Mbox: 110 dB
• Mbox Pro: 110 dB
• Mbox Mini: 106 dB

THD+N, 1 k, -1 dBFS

• Mbox: -100 dB
• Mbox Pro: -100 dB
• Mbox Mini: -94 dB

EIN Unwtd, 54 dB gain, 150 R

• Mbox: -128 dB
• Mbox Pro: -128 dB
• Mbox Mini: -128 dB

the manual clearly states that through spidf external clocking cannot go above 48khz, just like the old one

This apears to be a typo in the manual. The new Mbox Pro can sync from S/PDIF or Word Clock at sampling rates up to 192kHz and the S/PDIF input works in either configuration.

Okay, I'm sold on the mbox pro either way, but I'd like to know more about the built in reverb. Is this the same one that is in the Eleven rack(which if I remember right is based on Reverb One)?

regardless of how good it is, is whether it could be used as an effect while mixing, or if it's only designed for tracking.

..and, is this DSP exclusively for Pro Tools, or is it available for other DAWs?

This is a different reverb than the Eleven Rack and is exclusive to the Mbox hardware. THe reverb is intended for tracking purposes only. It is accessible fromt he Driver Control Panel cue mixer and is available no matter what software you're using (I've added reverb to my iTune playback just for kicks).

[cserv]

So why is the Mini still using USB 1.1?

[Dism]

Originally Posted by cserv

So why is the Mini still using USB 1.1?

No DSP, only 2 I/O, still at 48k/24 and last remaining device to have a Mix knob. In terms of features, it's still pretty much the same as the old Mini. 1.1 works perfectly fine with all the newer USB ports. No reason to go to 2.0, really.

[Dism]

Originally Posted by Stingray1122

This is a different reverb than the Eleven Rack and is exclusive to the Mbox hardware. THe reverb is intended for tracking purposes only. It is accessible fromt he Driver Control Panel cue mixer and is available no matter what software you're using (I've added reverb to my iTune playback just for kicks).

Great news!

Suddenly there is incentive to buy an MBox for more than just Pro Tools.

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by Stingray1122

This apears to be a typo in the manual. The new Mbox Pro can sync from S/PDIF or Word Clock at sampling rates up to 192kHz and the S/PDIF input works in either configuration.

You the man! This box looks great, really well thought out for giving people just what they need (nailed it for me, at least - I just need to be able to get my front end into Pro Tools with low latency monitoring and perhaps a little reverb for overdubs at my home studio).

And to think I almost picked up an 003 on ebay the other day!

[John_Toolbox]

Originally Posted by Stingray1122

This apears to be a typo in the manual. The new Mbox Pro can sync from S/PDIF or Word Clock at sampling rates up to 192kHz and the S/PDIF input works in either configuration.

Awesome. I kind of figured that was the case, it wouldn't have made sense to put a limitation on it like that.

Originally Posted by Stingray1122

This is a different reverb than the Eleven Rack and is exclusive to the Mbox hardware. THe reverb is intended for tracking purposes only. It is accessible fromt he Driver Control Panel cue mixer and is available no matter what software you're using (I've added reverb to my iTune playback just for kicks).

I can't wait to hear it, hurry up and get those mbox pros shipped out!!!

[joeldadrummer]

Hey Ray.

many Web Ads say the interfaces are USB, but the pics have Firewire 400. which is it?

Also, is the breakout cable for the Midi/Clock and S/PDIF included in the box, or a separate purchase?


Very glad these are here now...been a long wait!

thanks!

[Spencer!]

Are the Mbox and Mbox Pro using identical pre's? And are the converters the same, other than the Pro's ability to do 192kHz?

[spicemix]

Will these include a free upgrade to PT9 which will be announced in the next few months? If not, is there any reason we should not wait for those announcements before considering a purchase? (other than keeping your lights on)

[kptkarl]

Why no FW800 on the Pro? All the iMacs and Macbook Pros have only FW800. I know you can get a FW800 to FW400 cable however it's a PITA to daisy chain other FW800 devices this way!!!