Mbox Pro 3 on Windows 10 with Pro Tools 2020.3

[unkJE]

This works for me on Windows:

Onboard audio for Pro Tools: Conexant 20672 SmartAudio HD version 8.32.43.0

Mbox Pro Setup:
Sample Rate: 48000
Preferred Buffer Size: 64

Windows Sound:
Playback Tab = Onboard Audio (Speakers)
Change Playback Tab to Mbox Pro for CDs, DVDs, You Tube, etc.
Recording Tab = Avid Mbox Pro

Pro Tools Setup>Playback Engine
During Session, change your H/W Buffer Size:
64 Samples for Recording
1024 Samples for Edit/Mix/Bounce, etc.

[ahh_ceh]

These settings work for me too.


However, I started getting clicks and pops while vocal tracking very recently.
Possibly since the new update.
Been troubleshooting and tracked the problem down to the interface or a software issue.
(definitely not my external preamp, like I thought. Sometimes I was getting the clicks and pops during playback, but not always)
I'd never had a problem with the Mbox Pro 3 and handling large loads before. Very off.

Running the Duet for Windows now for tracking sessions in the meantime.
Going to try to replicate click and pops while recording vocals with Duet this weekend.

[shadyS]

For me, mbox pro is not being read correctly when used as the default sound device on windows 10 ... it can play a few seconds of any audio and then goes silent.. have you encountered this problem?

When i open pro tools it works just fine!

Really annoying when i want to play anything on my speakers (plugged into the mbox) .. HELLLPPPP

[unkJE]

To use another DAW, or to play CDs, DVDs, Podcasts, You Tube, etc., I found it easier & quicker to use another laptop.
Otherwise – I have to restart the Pro Tools computer, which demands that the onboard audio (and not the Mbox Pro) be set as Default Device, in Windows Sound Playback tab.

2nd easiest way:
Quit Pro Tools
In Windows Sound Playback tab, select the 1st option:
Speakers (Avid Mbox Pro) as Default Device

Mbox Pro’s Control Panel – Setup button (3rd from right @ top), select Sample Rate
Increase “Preferred Buffer Size” from low (64) to high (1024)
Load button (1st left @ top) – change your Pro Tools Preset to your Mbox Pro Preset

Turn computer off

Turn Mbox Pro off

Turn Mbox Pro on, then

Turn computer on

Play CDs, You Tube etc

Next time you want to use Pro Tools, reset & restart.


However, if there’s a quicker way, I’m “all ears”!

[albee1952]

Best practice for Windows setups is to set Windows to use the on-board sound card as the "default Playback Device", which leaves the interface(M-Box) to be controlled by Pro Tools exclusively. The simple/cheap solution to playing other sounds(WMP, Youtube, etc) thru your monitors is to add a small(cheap) mixer to your setup. All you need is 2 stereo line inputs(1 set for the M-Box outputs and the other set for the soundcard output). This is a suitable option on a budget:
https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-502...9812165&sr=8-2

Another option is to add a monitor/source selector like the Presonus Monitor Station 2, Audient Nero or similar. Yes that's a lot more money, but having used a Presonus central Station for years, I can't live without it(or similar). A real plus is that some of these allow you to connect the computer via a digital SPDIF connection(which sounds 100 times better than the mini TRS analog output)

[shadyS]

Thanks a lot unkje for the quick response... i've tried step by step but it's still not working for me :/ i never had any problem with the mini mbox thou.

I think at this point i might follow albee's advice and just buy a tiny mixer for monitoring, but since im also using adobe audition for some projects, i wouldnt be able to use the mbox on it, so thats another issue i just thought of

[shadyS]

Ok so i've found a workaround! thought i'd share it for whoever will need it.

Since it can be used as a standalone, i tried this:

After holding the "spkr" button on the MBOX PRO and putting it in stand-alone mode while still plugged into the laptop (spkr button starts blinking), I used an RCA cable plugged in into SPDIF, and connected it with a RCA/AUX adapter to the HEADPHONES mini jack input of the laptop, switched the default playback sound of windows to the laptops sound card (realtek in this case).. and voila :S

Not perfect but works like a charm ! i guess to switch back to pro tools monitoring ill just press on "spkr" and put back the pro tools settings in the mbox control panel

[albee1952]

You probably can use the Mbox for inputs to Audition, but it would playback via the computer sound card(make the Mbox inputs available under the Sound Properties Recording tab)

[shadyS]

It works when switching back audio hardware from ASIO4ALL to mbox, but can not really hear what im recording unless i switched it back oh well better then nothing