If you’re thinking of choosing a Pro Tools audio recording and mixing solution, then you’ll want to pick up a digital audio converter unit as well. Given that MBox was designed specifically for use with Pro Tools, you may as well get yours from the same source if you’re planning on using Pro Tools HD to turn your music lyrics and songwriting ideas into the Next Big Thing. They’ll throw in a copy of Pro Tools LE if you buy an Mbox 2 interface, which is a compelling reason to choose MBox in and of itself. Another compelling reason is that MBox is a fantastic line of converters.
What is it, anyway? The Mbox 2 audio interface is designed to be the gateway between your instrument and the Pro Tools HD (or LE, or studio, or m-power, or any other variant within the Pro Tools alphabet soup) recording software. It’s also compatible with most other digitial music recording software products.
The mid-level model in the MBox fleet, called Mbox 2, is comprised of a few things:
- a/d and d/a converters
- preamplifiers
- USB powered
- headphone monitor interface (so you can hear what you’re recording or mixing)
For a variety of reasons, Digidesign has created powerful music recording software that relies on a suite of specialized interface hardware and software components to connect the musician to the recording software (See Pro Tools HD vs Apple Logic for a more thorough comparison). While adding interface units adds cost and complexity to your recording studio setup, the idea is that your end product can benefit from the added attention to signal path details. Accomplishing the analog-to-digital conversion and signal refining in a peripheral hardware component frees your computer’s central processor to do more high-performance number crunching necessary to create your masterpiece.
Other recording software solutions also have use for an audio interface unit, but it isn’t always a necessity. MBox is generally compatible with the lion’s share of music recording software offerings. If you like Pro Tools, then Mbox 2 is the logical choice for your interface, as MBox was specifically designed for Pro Tools use. It’s also a great choice for the majority of other music recording software offerings.
Other musical resources:
Should I buy Studio 9? – Pro Tools HD vs Apple Studio Logic – Do I need MBox 2 Audio Interface? – Violin Lessons and Life Achievement – 5 Tips for buying Cheap Guitars – Finding good Guitar Straps – How to Teach Yourself Guitar – How to Sing Better – Distortion pedal deals – Save on Electric Guitar Strings – Software to record violin – How to find good quality guitars for cheap – How to find cheap electric guitars for sale – Good cheap guitars – MBox audio interface – Cheap guitars for sale – Why the pros use Pro Tools HD – Pentatonic Scale Part 1 – Pentatonic Scale part 2 – Pentatonic Scale part 3 – Pentatonic Scale part 4 – Pentatonic Scale part 5