Who's Enjoying Their MBox? Let's Share

[junkgear]

Most post here when they have a question or a problem, but I'm just curious about how people are using their MBox.

My setup is a home studio where I mostly compose my own music. I like to record in the box, so this typically has me recording guitar and bass using the instrument inputs, using the MIDI ports for keys and mic inputs for acoustic guitar and an occasional vocal.

I find the MBox to be super flexible for both recording and general use.
The variable Z on the inputs work well with my various guitars. It can bring some sheen to my Strats and tame a bright guitar if needed. I often use the control input for Wah effects or to control other parameters like rolling the distortion level for different parts of a song. The FX loop has also come in handy when I want to use a specific effect from a hardware box that I just can't seem to replicate with plug-ins.

It's also been great to use it as a mixer, using MBox Control to set up different mixes for the various outputs. Oh, and speaking of outputs, I really enjoy being able to switch between main, alt and BT outputs right from the box. I don't use BT for tracking/mixing, but it is really nice to listen to a completed mix on a set of BT speakers across the room just by switching outputs.

Stability on Windows has been great too.

What are your success stories?

[Daniel Sasso]

I run an ADR studio and upgraded my setup a few weeks ago. I think it is an awesome hardware, pretty clean pres. I dont use bluetooth either but I did a few tests and it appears to be pretty solid connection.

Talkback feature it is a must for me, very happy with that

There are some features that I think it could be better, like, my standard setup is recording using a shotgun and a lav, or a U87 and shotgun. I need to set different gains, sometimes I need to adjust both gains at the same time. The first thing that I did was to LINK channels, but when I do this, MBOX uses the same gain for both channels, no good for me, OMNI I/O had a link feature that preserves individual gains.

Switching from inputs using the big wheel is cool, but if I need to toggle between 2 inputs using ONLY the big wheel is a little bit time-consuming, If I could change input number using User Actions Buttons will be much more agile to me, but this is not possible at this time.

If I could control input gains in pro tools would be very nice too.

Besides that, like I said, it is an awesome hardware.

[albee1952]

If I had a hand in designing the physical package, I probably would have done a bit different, but having said that. I am quite happy with it and its way beyond my needs. I retired an HDN card/192 and have had essentially zero issues. Just wish it would power on from my master power switch

[MightyT]

I’m totally enjoying setting up and learning about my MBOX, MBOX Control, and ProTools.

I’m a Drummer with many goals in my use case for my MBOX …

1. Install both Tannoy Reveal Main Studio Monitors and Amazon Echo Studio Alternate Consumer Reference Monitors.
2. Install Xvive Wireless System with In-Ear-Monitors.
3. Install Beyerdynamic DT880 Headphones.
4. Install Yamaha EAD10 Drum Module with snare Trigger.
5. Install two Overhead Drum Mics.
6. Install Dell Inspiron 3020 Windows 11 PC.
7. Instal MBOX Control and Pro Tools Studio DAW.

My Home Use Case case is multi fold fold …

1. Practice Sessions with music playing through all four monitors and IEMs.
2. Recording Sessions with music playing through the IEMs and recording through the EAD AND Overhead Mics to the MBOX to the DAW.
3. Mixing Sessions through Pro Tools DAW with Beyerdynamic DT880 Headphones.

I’m still very new and building my setup. Enjoying the journey!

[tomhartman]

Originally Posted by junkgear

Most post here when they have a question or a problem, but I'm just curious about how people are using their MBox.

My setup is a home studio where I mostly compose my own music. I like to record in the box, so this typically has me recording guitar and bass using the instrument inputs, using the MIDI ports for keys and mic inputs for acoustic guitar and an occasional vocal.

I find the MBox to be super flexible for both recording and general use.
The variable Z on the inputs work well with my various guitars. It can bring some sheen to my Strats and tame a bright guitar if needed. I often use the control input for Wah effects or to control other parameters like rolling the distortion level for different parts of a song. The FX loop has also come in handy when I want to use a specific effect from a hardware box that I just can't seem to replicate with plug-ins.

It's also been great to use it as a mixer, using MBox Control to set up different mixes for the various outputs. Oh, and speaking of outputs, I really enjoy being able to switch between main, alt and BT outputs right from the box. I don't use BT for tracking/mixing, but it is really nice to listen to a completed mix on a set of BT speakers across the room just by switching outputs.

Stability on Windows has been great too.

What are your success stories?

I've been trying to figure out how to do in PT what I can do in Cubase as far as listening to different mixes.

I have 3 Aux channels, each being fed different mixes from groups in PT. Like, a full mix, a mix with no lead vocal, and an all instrumental mix. Trying to figure out how I could quickly listen (headphones ) to each of those with the Mbox Studio. I'm really thick when it comes to this stuff In Cubase you have a control where it's reasonably easy to set this up. Any ideas or can it even be done?

Very happy with the unit btw. Only gripe is that that using DVerb for a monitoring verb was not the greatest choice for me personally. Reverb One would have been great.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by tomhartman

Only gripe is that that using DVerb for a monitoring verb was not the greatest choice for me personally. Reverb One would have been great.

Yes, if you are new to Pro Tools, a better reverb is probably the first thing to add. Personally, I love the IK Classik Reverbs. Next, I would check out the Slate everything bundle as their Reverbs can cover almost any music project you could want(and several of the other plugins work very nicely such as the 1176 variants, the Distressor and DeEsser).

[tomhartman]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Yes, if you are new to Pro Tools, a better reverb is probably the first thing to add. Personally, I love the IK Classik Reverbs. Next, I would check out the Slate everything bundle as their Reverbs can cover almost any music project you could want(and several of the other plugins work very nicely such as the 1176 variants, the Distressor and DeEsser).

No, I'm talking about the built in reverb in the MBox Studio....a little more DSP and we could have had something good sounding..

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by tomhartman

No, I'm talking about the built in reverb in the MBox Studio....a little more DSP and we could have had something good sounding..

Aha, yes, but its fine for what it needs to do. I always use the IK Classik reverbs and create my headphone mixes from the session by using send controls on all tracks. Old habits die hard

[TimothyJohn]

Hey everyone! I was so excited to see the perpetual Pro Tools Studio offer from Sweetwater. I was a music educator, and PT cost a modest $99 annual fee. I used PT quite a bit. In 2018, I left teaching to pursue music on different levels. But PT without the discount was just too much to pay. What a killer deal Sweetwater & Avid put out there! Oince I authorized Pro Tools Studio a few days ago, one of the things I've been enjoying is opening PT sessions from as far back as 2013. In the last year or so, I've been using Presonus' Studio One DAW. Love it. Great DAW. However, you simply cannot replace 5 yrs hands-on intense experience w/PT. Amazing how much I still remember. And since 2018, PT has made a lot of improvements! For example, Pro Tools Aggregate works seamlessly as originally advertised/intended! Avid Link also works so much better. In '18, the common practice was not even to install Avid Link. I've only used the MBox Studio briefly. But I am already impressed with its layout, and of course the MBox Control Software is great; not to mention the fact that I am using Apple silicon. My last PT computer was a MacBook Pro, 2.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7. VERY hot!! Remember those days? Loud fans! The motherboard fried, but due to a class action suit, Apple replaced it out of warranty for free. Apple silicon is soooo much better!!

One Complaint re the MBox Studio: the power supply. It seems a bit flimsy PLUS the cord is so short. Anyone know of a decent replacement?

And one heads-up to everyone. On my Avid Account, under MBox Studio, I see "Perpetual Product" on the left. However on the right I see "Your Plan Expires on Sept 6, 2025". (one year). I called Sweetwater. They said it was a mistake. I then reached out to Avid thru a drop down text box. Larry at Avid said no, PT Studio does NOT expire in one year. That refers to the support plan as well as updates. After a year, Pro Tools will still function, just no more updates or support. $199 yearly for that. Also, this MBox Studio plan includes Sibelius Subscription for one year. After that, NADA. You must pay $99 annually for access to Sibelius Subscription.

I'm very happy to be using Pro Tools again. Such an incredible piece of software.

Also, Studio One has nothing like the DUC, and seeing familiar names has been a treat as well!!


Again, does anyone have a replacement power supply in mind?

[junkgear]

I can't suggest a direct replacement power supply as I'm sure using anything other then the OEM would void the warranty and any damage as a result of an improper power supply would not be covered.

Having said that, I typically use these as replacements for various devices I have. They are good supplies and I've never had one fail. You just need to get the proper voltage, current and plug. The MBox shows 12VDC @ 3 Amps in the specs. Plug is center positive, not sure what the dimensions are though.