Product: Digidesign Mbox2 Mini
Price Paid: USD 200 USED
Submitted
11/09/2008
at
01:56am
by
bilco
General
:
1
Well, I'll give it credit for being in a sturdy metal case, compact and designed to be portable. It would be suitable for the road if it were more reliable. I can not get past the intermittent distortion when playing back tracks, no external preamps connected, no monitors connected, no mics or guitars connected, just playing back tracks with the ibook and monitoring through headphones.
I have an Mbox1, which I love. It does not have this problem.
Connectivity
:
1
USB 1.1
Why is anyone still messing with USB?
I/O
:
4
1 mic preamp and it has a DI too. I have only recorded bass through the DI. I liked the DI in the Mbox 1 better, although this one does provide more gain.
Power
:
3
Bus powered
Technical specs
:
1
Yes it has direct monitoring, so you can hear the distortion without experiencing any latency!!
Other
:
3
It came with the usual Digi bonus software, which is pretty much useless hamstrung versions of software aps
Overall
:
1
I do not recommend this unit for anyone because of the random distortion sound that it produces when playing back a session through headphones. I can't tell if it is just the headphone amp or what. I do not have this problem with my Mbox 1 or Digi 002 Rack. If it were stolen, I would not replace it. If it were destroyed, it would probably be me doing the destroying!
I bought it used from someone online for $200. I can not in good faith sell this piece of junk to anyone. I will give it to someone with a big warning of what they can expect. At least they will get the PT LE software that came with it.....
Product: Digidesign Mbox2 Mini
Price Paid: USD 250.00
Submitted
05/10/2008
at
02:28pm
by
Dean Madonia
Email: deanmadonia at yahoo<dot>com
General
:
2
I was just about to switch to logic 8, but I was in the middle of a project on proTools and I wanted to be able to work in the hotel rooms and on the plane etc on the weekends, so i bought the MBOX2 MINI. What a mistake.
This thing is very portable and has two 1/4" analog ins, one XLR input (optional phantom power) and two 1/4" analog outputs and pads switches. Simple but handy.
If it were more reliable I would give it a hardy thumbs up. it is not reliable. I have had problems with drop-outs in my headphones. i called tech support and they had me try 4 pairs of headphones before they began to accept that something was wrong. the problem is intermittent and does not effect recording.
I also have problems with low or screamingly high, distorted signal from my mic. I as worried that my AKG 414 was broken and had something wrong with the capsule. i am having the same trouble with my Shure beta on the road. I got so pissed that i decided o write a review.
Connectivity
:
1
USB only.
I/O
:
1
The preamps sound Ok when they are working and not doing their weird distortion thing....The headphones cue sounds good and loud (when working) and there is a mix adjustment for the recorded tracks and the one you are recording.
Power
:
1
Powered by USB
Technical specs
:
No Opinion
Other
:
6
The real reason for getting this is to use PT 7.4 i am in love with elastic time. i was disapointed to have to downgrade to Tiger to use this software. i am also disappointed that Kontact 3 does not play well with PT 7.4. Digi and NI blame each-other (how unusual, software companies not stepping up to address a problem).
there is ome bundled software - mostly useless.
Overall
:
2
i have had a lot of trouble with this unit - I have called Digi a few times. useless. Now my free support is over and they will not talk to me unless I pay.
I really wish I had bought Logic and never gotten back into ProTools. i have had to install a million updates and bu fixes, downgraded to Tiger, and I cannot smoothly use NI's Kontakt without a lot of trouble. For a company that is supposedly an industry standard, they are not so great.
ProTools works very well if you happen to be using an older, approved operating system, version of ProTools and older virtual synth software that has been on the market for awhile. Just like McDonald's is not in the hamburger business but really the real-estate business, Digi is not in the softwar business, but really the hardware business. They REALLY wan you to buy their crappy hardware (or pony up and get the HD). with the speed and power of a mac 8 core, there is absolutely no reason to have to use any external DSP, and no other programs require it. I hate Digi for this (and for all of the trouble I have had with them and their lack of knowledge re other industry standard programs that should be able to work with PT).
Buy a Mac - get Logic.
