Mbox Studio - Questions about USB connection and the control app

[And#PT]

Hello,

I bought an Mbox Studio and unfortunately I'm not entirely happy with it. Perhaps someone of you can help me with a few questions?

Various settings can be adjusted in the Control app. The "DIM" button is at the bottom left. Below this button is a small window where the DIM level is entered. The default setting is 6 dB. Unfortunately, this value is unsuitable for studio use and is too small. I would like to change this value to a DIM level of, say, 30 dB. Unfortunately, I can't make this desired change in the small window. I can't find any other way to set this value. Do you know how/where I can change this value?

In the Control app, the two external switches, among other things, can be programmed or assigned in the top menu bar. When I close the Control app, the functions I assigned (Talk or DIM) no longer work. The external switches only work when the app is open. Is this necessary, or is this a software bug?

In this pulldown menu for the switches, you can select various functions as "latch" or "momentary." Am I confusing this function? In my case, the switches behave exactly the opposite way around: if I select "latch," they function as "momentary," and if I select "momentary," they function as "latch." Is this a bug?

In my studio work so far, I've always had the following effect with the "TALK" function (which can be found on many controllers and mixers): When I press "TALK," the talkback microphone is enabled AND, AT THE SAME TIME (!), the DIM function is activated. This makes perfect sense. This doesn't work in the Mbox Studio. I have to use both switches and control them in parallel with two external buttons (or with one button with two switching contacts). To do this, I have to assign TALK to Switch 1 and DIM to Switch 2 in the Control app (although the DIM level of 6 dB is much too low, as I mentioned above). This works, but unfortunately, there are no more switches available to use any other desired function. Have I missed something, or has this not been taken into account in the programming? We have an S6 in our large studio, and it works there too.

Finally: Unfortunately, I can't find any information or recommendations regarding possible cable lengths for the connection between Mac and Mbox Studio. The included cable works perfectly, but is too short for our needs. For various reasons, the Mac must be about 7 meters away from the Mbox Studio. I've tested almost 10 different USB cables and USB extenders, etc. None of them established or maintained a reliable and stable connection. These included very expensive cables that convert the USB signal to fiber optic and then back to USB. So far, I haven't been able to find any helpful information on how to solve this problem. I have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 interface connected to another computer (Mac Studio M1). I had the same problem there. However, I was able to find definitive information there that the maximum cable length should not exceed 2 meters. I can't find such clear information anywhere for the Mbox Studio. Do you know of a solution that might allow me to achieve the 7 meters required in my case?

After reading a few things about the Mbox Studio before purchasing it, I was initially pleased because it implemented some practical features. At least, that's what the advertisement says. Now I have the device, and I can't hide a slight disappointment. I'm using the latest devices, software, and firmware: MacStudio M4 Max, Sonoma v.15.4, ProTools v.2024.10.2, Control App v.1.0.2.

Can anyone of you help me with this, give me information, etc. that I haven't been able to find yet (if it can even be found anywhere)?


Andi

[rnostrant]

I will have to double check that some of this is possible with my own MBOX, but I can at least answer some of the questions.

1: For the Dim amount, I believe that is adjustable by pressing and holding the DIM switch for a second or two then using the monitor encoder to adjust the Dim amount. It might range somewhere between -4db and -15/-20db, but again, this needs to be checked.

2: For the footswitch commands not registering when MBOX Control is not open, I believe that MBOX Control needs to be open, since all the hardware is routed through the software. The 4 user assignable buttons likely work this way as well, since MBOX Internal commands can only be run when the Control app is open or in the background.

3: For the footswitch mode being reversed, it might be a polarity thing with the footswitch. Usually in other software there is a polarity function for correcting this, but in other applications you may need to either hold or release the footswitch while booting up MBOX/Control app so it reverses the polarity on start. Otherwise, this is probably a bug.

4: I don't believe that having DIM+TALK at the same time is possible, unless using the method you are using. Like you, I have not seen an option or hidden function that would allow for auto Dim on talkback.

5: Coming dark on this topic as well. I will try connecting MBOX with different cables but it is likely that it won't work. I would assume that the cable that Avid provides may be a purpose-built cable or that MBOX requires a really short cable. Considering the large bulge on one side of the USB connecter, it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Yeah this product is amazing most of the time, but these flaws and also hidden software quirks is probably a design choice so it doesn't compete with something like Carbon or the MTRX family. I personally hate how the hardware is locked by software for internal routing, outboard integration can get quirky.