Mbox2 vs Mbox2 Pro for monitoring with Rosetta 200

[Violet]

Does anyone have this setup? I heard on another thread that you can't monitor through the rosetta 200 with an Mbox 2. Can you with an Mbox 2 Pro?

Thank you.

[nst7]

You can monitor through the Rosetta with either the Mbox 2 or Mbox 2 Pro. There has been some confusion about this because in the cheaper one (Mbox 2) the spidf will only mirror what's going through the main 1 & 2.

Keep in mind with the Rosetta or any other converter you will then need a solution for monitoring because you have no volume knob. This would be the same requirement even if using a 003.

There may be another option, such as using a Dangerous Dbox (top notch conversion and monitor control) just for your D/A and monitoring, and a 2 channel A to D (only) converter for going in, such as the Mytek ADC 96 or 192. Both together may not cost much more than the Rosetta with a decent monitor controller.

[Violet]

A Mackie Bigknob and a Rosetta 200 is 'way' cheaper than what your suggesting. But I do appreciate the help.

But I really don't understand this mirroring 1 and 2 business?

[nst7]

The only problem is that not all monitor controllers are created equal. The cheaper ones, like the big knob, may actually subtract from the nice quality you're getting from the rosetta. You might look at a Presonus Central Station, which is a little more, but better quality, from what I've heard.

Also keep in mind that you'll need to have an external preamp to use with the Rosetta. The inputs are line inputs only. That's another cost to consider.

The mirroring refers to the fact that the spidf will only transmit the same thing that's going through the main outputs. It's really not a big deal unless you're doing some very specific things. For example, let's say you have a rackmount effects unit with spidf inputs/outputs, like a Lexicon reverb. And during mixing, you want to send your lead vocal through that reverb unit, keeping it digital the whole way. In the Mbox 2 Pro and 002/003, you could assign an aux channel to the spidf to go to that effects unit and back in. While still using the main out 1 & 2 for your monitoring as usual. In other words, the spidf can be separately assigned to whatever. You could not do this with the regular mbox2. You can do it on the way in, but not on the way out because it will only output what's going through 1 and 2. Kind of an odd design but that's what it is.