mbox preamps

[sipi1910]

how is the quality of the mbox pre amps?

thanks,
wayne

[auxsend1]

Somewhere between the OO1 and the OO2. Sorry, I know that doesn't help much. I have an MBox, but I don't also have a OO1 handy to compare it to. Of course, you're also talking about different converters as well.

Maybe someone has done a straight up preamp only comparison??

[vf124]

Maybe someone has done a straight up preamp only comparison??

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">It's been done...try a DUC search [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[auxsend1]

I found
this thread
but I don't think it ever resolved....

[c_hebb]

I read that they are the same as the Focusrite Platinum's. Interesting is that when the Mbox was first introduced all the ads boasted it had class A mic preamps. Now they make no more mention of it..., I wonder why?

If I was to guess, now I have no true idea, I'll bet the 002 has the same preamps as the Mbox. But now that's just a guess!

Update:
Well here are some specs on the 002 vs. Mbox's preamps. But I don't know what all is involved in preamp specs:

002,
Mic E.I.N (unweighted):
* Inputs 1-4: -127 dBu @ 65 dB gain, 150 ohm source, 20 Hz — 20 kHz

vs.

Mbox,
Mic E.I.N (unweighted):
*Inputs 1-2: -126 dB @ 40 dB gain, 150 ohm source

Did I lose my bet or is there more to it?
Confused,
Chris

[sipi1910]

i appreciate the replies everyone.i havent heard the two but if i was to go by what people are saying i would probably say the mbox sounds better but is limited in its abilities.i guess it all depends on what you specifically need.thanks for the help again.

wayne

[ProdInfo]

Originally posted by c_hebb:

If I was to guess, now I have no true idea, I'll bet the 002 has the same preamps as the Mbox. But now that's just a guess!

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The Digi 002 and Mbox do not use the same microphone preamps. The Digi 002 uses a design that is based loosely on the preamps that are found in PRE, our 8-channel, world-class microphone preamp. Mbox uses a design from Focusrite.

[Egghd]

I have an Mbox and I must say I was very pleased that a $499 box that came with LE software was so well thought out and sounded good. The mic pres are usable.

[lynxxx]

I have found so far that I got far fatter tracks with(for instance) a Shure SM-58(guitars or vocal) and an old analog mixer in PT-Free, than I am with M-Box pre-amps. It doesn't seem to have any headroom.I have to go past 80% on the M-box input to get signal in the yellow on the screen meters. It's better with my Rode NTK but not what you'd expect from a powered mic. Direct bass isn't too bad but sounds "hollow" not fat. Yes, I'm selecting Mic, Line, Inst settings as is appropriate. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Egghd]

I have found so far that I got far fatter tracks with(for instance) a Shure SM-58(guitars or vocal) and an old analog mixer in PT-Free, than I am with M-Box pre-amps.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Going into the 1/8" Mac audio plug??? What happens if you go from that mixer into the selected line input of the MBox?