difference between Monitor Outs and Line Out 1-2 ?

[MGalway]

Hello folks -

this may seem like a silly question, but, on my MBox 2 Pro, what is the difference between the Mon Out L & R sockets and the Line Out 1-2 sockets? Aren't they just a copy of one another? I can't tell the difference from the manual.

[nst7]

It looks like they are a copy of each other. It's the same way on the 003. You can see in your session that the main output default on your tracks and master fader says "1 & 2" as opposed to "monitor out" even though it is in fact coming through the monitor out. I guess the main reasons for having a separate 1 & 2 would be for easier organization when making stems for using an external summing box, or for outputs to mix in surround sound.

The product page lists "6 analog outputs" even though it looks like 8 with the monitor outs. But it lists "8 simultaneous outputs" because it's counting the spdif out, which is actually separate.

[sunburst79]

I don't have a MBox Pro but would bet that the Monitor Out jacks have a corresponding Volume knob on the front and the Line Outs do not.

[Alio 45]

Not too sure about the Mbox but usually Line outs would go to your 2 track master recorder (External CD recorder for example) while the monitor outs would go to your control room monitors. The line outs should be unaffected by the monitor volume control so that when you're mixing down you can (although it's not recommended for listening purposes) adjust the monitor level without it effecting the level going to the 2 track.

Al