MBox 2 Pro- quick question from prospective buyer

[emmanuelle2]

Hi. I mostly play keyboards. Am I correct to say that you can plug in two 1/4 inch stereo inputs (or I guess four mono 1/4 inch inputs) into the MBox 2 Pro for simultaneous recording? Thanks in advance...love the forum!

[EGS]

Yep. Go to the Digidesign.com, and read-up on the Mbox models. Pretty through info and specs. Ditto on the computer compatibility pages. A bit of research now will save you trouble later.

[filosofem]

Technically, no. AUX In (Analog In 3-4 in Pro Tools) are Line level Inputs (Tip-Sleeve) with Trim knob on front panel. DI 1 and DI 2 on front panel are Tip-Sleeve Inputs only that require -20 dB pad to be engaged. Mic/Line In 1 & 2 are combo jacks for XLR or Tip-Ring-Sleeve connections only on rear panel. But the Mbox 2 Pro does have simultaneous S/PDIF and Analog, (coaxial) RCA, no Optical which some Keyboards support. Also keep in mind, the Mbox 2 Pro also has MIDI Time Stamping, the only other Digidesign device that has this (currently) is Digidesign's MIDI I/O.








filosofem

[emmanuelle2]

Thanks for the answer, but I'm a bit confused. I don't know what things like "tip sleeve" mean? So are there only two 1/4" inputs suitable for keyboards, or are there more than this of the same quality? I'm not really interested in any other inputs to be honest. Thanks.

[filosofem]

I don't know what things like "tip sleeve" mean?

Tip-Ring-Sleeve (Scroll down)

So are there only two 1/4" inputs suitable for keyboards

Yes, exactly the point, the Mbox 2 Pro only has two Mono TS (Unbalanced) Line level Inputs (AUX In - Analog 3 & 4 in Pro Tools) suitable for Keyboards and/or Sound Modules. Were as the 002R has 5-8 Balanced (TRS) Analog Inputs suitable for Keyboards and/or Sound Modules, but do accept Unbalanced connections. As EGS has already said, yes you can have four Analog Inputs, but the remainding two are DI Unbalanced (TS) Inputs on the Front Panel that require the -20 dB Pad to be engaged. The 002R equivalent would be 1-4 Analog Inputs.

Splitting hairs, yes, however it needed to be noted.

(Mic/Line 1 & 2 on the Mbox 2 Pro (Rear Panel) are only Balanced Inputs and as far as I can work out, will not accept Unbalanced connections).








filosofem

[filosofem]

(Mic/Line 1 & 2 on the Mbox 2 Pro (Rear Panel) are only Balanced Inputs and as far as I can work out, will not accept Unbalanced connections).

This quote above, posted by me, is incorrect and I apologize for the misleading information. Mic/Line Inputs 1 & 2 on the Mbox 2 Pro (Rear Panel) do indeed accept Unbalanced cables. It seems that a faulty quarter inch TS cable, led me to an incorrect assumption about the Mbox 2 Pro's rear panel Mic/Line Inputs, not accepting Unbalanced connections. It was not my intention to mislead the original poster and by my own standards this is truly not acceptable, please accept my apologies!






filosofem

[Hemluth]

Sorry, but I don't get this.

If you put a keyboard into the DI-inputs on the front, what happens? Nothing?

Can't you put the keyboard htrough the mic lines as well as the line inputs?
(Can't you somewhat connect it through spdif as well?)

[filosofem]

Yes, you can use DI 1 & 2 Tip-Sleeve Inputs for Keyboards but you need to engage the -20 dB Pad. As with the Mic/Line 1 & 2 Tip-Ring-Sleeve Inputs on the rear panel (which can also input TS cables) also requires the -20 dB Pad to be engaged. But the AUX 3 & 4 TS Line level Inputs do not require the -20 dB Pad to be engaged and hence a more suitable Keyboard input. The Mbox 2 Pro only has two Mono Line level Inputs, where as the 002R has four Mono Line level Inputs.

Yes, the Mbox 2 Pro has simultaneous Analog and Digital (S/PDIF) I/O's.










filosofem