bypassing preamps on mbox

[Rod Elledge]

Coudn't find any previous answers on this specifically- I'm planning on buying an mbox and building Allen's under $600 machine. Yet, I'd like to push the sound quality as far as I can with my small setup by getting a higher end preamp and converter. Is it possible to bypass the Mbox preamps or will they remain in the signal path and degrade the quality of the pro level equipment? (I'm not a sound engineer by any means so sorry if this is an obvious question)

Thanks for the input .

[Chris Cavell]

If you get a seperate set of pre's and an Analog to Digital converter with SPDIF outputs...you can bypass the pre's and the converters on the MBox entirely. (What I'd recommend if your looking to upgrade the MBox as far as possible without moving to a 002). If you simply wish to bypass the pre's and still hit the mbox' converters, you can use the return side of an insert cable to send an unbalanced signal straight to the converters of the MBox.

[where02190]

Plug into the TRS inputs of the M-box to bypass the mic pres.

[lemix]

Hello Rod,

...and Welcome..

I'm planning on buying an mbox and building Allen's under $600 machine. Yet, I'd like to push the sound quality as far as I can with my small setup by getting a higher end preamp and converter.

My logic would dictate to purchase that Mbox, set up your computer, plug in your source ( what microphones will you be using, btw? ) and record away. Those pre's are actually pretty decent.
If you are not satisfied, rent a couple of pre/AD boxes that will eventually fit your $$$ range,
and compare your results.

happy tooling,

[where02190]

I agree with Lemix, the M-box pres and converters are very nice, and you'll be spending at leadst 4x the cost of the M-box to get any significant improvement.

[Rod Elledge]

Thanks all for the input -(Sounds like I may be underestimating the pre's on the Mbox) - As far as a mic I'm leaning toward the AKG C-414B (mainly for vocals and acoustic guitar) -
Thanks again!

[where02190]

A pair of 414's are it for me on acoustic gtrs, and an excellent choice for vocal mics.