Mbox family driver support for Mac OS Catalina

[JoelG]

Just a note about the end of support dates mentioned earlier - those are the end of repair parts and service, not driver updates.

But I doubt there will be a driver update for the Mbox (opinion only).

Joel

[Pazuzu]

The reason the Mbox 3 Pro driver isn't Catalina-compatible is because it's 32-bit software, which Catalina doesn't support. Why Avid didn't offer a 64-bit driver for Mac years ago, as 64-bit has been supported by Apple since Lion, is definitely a mystery. I have an old 48 kHz/24-bit MOTU 828 MK1 from 2000 that MOTU makes 64-bit drivers for. I don't think it would be that hard for Avid to make 64-bit drivers for their prosumer products, even if they are discontinued. Also, aside from Catalina compatibility, wouldn't 64-bit drivers improve the overall performance of the interface? My Mbox 3 Pro works as good as anything out there, and when I'm forced to get rid of it (sooner than later, unfortunately), it'll probably still be in excellent condition and doing everything any prosumer interface currently on the market can do. At least I didn't spend an extra $700 on Black Lion Audio mods for it, like I had planned on doing. Forced obsolescence is terrible.

Unfortunately, I don't think they have any interest in supporting their prosumer line of products, which is a shame. Avid, if you're reading these things, throw us poor prosumers a bone and give us a 64-bit driver for Mac (and PC, assuming they don't have one), at least for the Mbox 3 Pro. A little kindness today would seed customer loyalty tomorrow, when we might be studio owners with decent cash to spend who remember you guys sticking by your product line.

[Ben Jenssen]

Years ago, I prolonged the life of my Mbox 1, when it was abandoned by Avid or Digidesign or whatever, with driver software from these guys:


https://www.usb-audio.com/


Worked well for years, excellent service and support.


Not shure about their products now, but someone might find it useful.

[averna]

Just in case some Avid official is around here:

[ ] There will be an updated Mbox Pro driver (soon)
[ ] We have no intention to provide an updated driver
[ ] We have no idea what's going on, so let's have a drink

Tick as appropriate, would be really helpful.
Thank you!

[JoelG]

I can't give an official answer, but I'm 99% sure there won't be an updated driver for these.

Joel

[[email protected]]

I too am in the same situation. I upgraded to Catalina and my 2013 Mac sailed with the OS, quite fast, I have upgraded to a SSD and 32 Gb of memory. I would like to use Catalina but b/c the Mbox 3rd Gen is end of life I am stuck with High Sierra. Are there any recommendations of a replacement for the MBox. I would not have an issue with spending around 600 to 800 dollars for a good one. I Have a Sono 88 keyboard with the older interface connection, so whatever box I get, will still have to work the keyboard connection.
Thank you!

[Ben Jenssen]

Seems like nobody read my previous post so I'll say it again: usb-audio.com.
They make drivers for lots of stuff including mbox. 59euros, catalina compatible, and they have a demo:
https://www.usb-audio.com/download
As I said; I used their software for years, and can recommend them.

[Gesida]

Sound interesting Ben.
Anyone tried this?

[Ben Jenssen]

Originally Posted by Gesida

Sound interesting Ben.
Anyone tried this?

I used their driver software for years to drive a original mbox on a small mac setup when Avid no longer supported it with their driver, I think it was OSX 10.6-10.8 appx. Solid software, easy to install, always updates to keep up, never a problem.

Anyone on a mac w/Catalina and a mbox that doesn't work because it lacks a driver: Download and install the demo, run PT, and you'll know in 30 minutes if it works or not. I'm pretty confident you'll be back to work with your mbox within the hour, and never look back.

The demo beeps every 30 minutes, I think.

[averna]

Ben, you're talking about the original Mbox, as far as I know this was a USB Interface. The Mbox Pro (3rd Gen) is a Firewire Interface, so this probably won't work.