Buy Pro Tools Mbox (3rd gen)Pro Tools Mbox (3rd gen) Product Description:
- Includes Pro Tools LE software
- Compatible with most major audio software (Pro Tools LE, Logic, Live, Cubase, and more)
- Bus-powered USB 2.0 connection for maximum mobility
- Professional-grade circuitry and converters deliver exceptional audio performance
- Up to 24-bit, 96 KHz sample rates
Product Description
Professionals around the world have long been using Pro Tools systems to create award-winning music and sound for film and TV. Now you can get the same world-class results in your personal studio with Pro Tools Mbox-a complete, integrated, computer-based music creation and production system. Designed by the same engineering team responsible for our high-end Pro Tools/HD systems, the Mbox hardware interface features a premium analog signal path and high-performance converters for exceptional sound. The included Pro Tools LE software is the same platform used in commercial facilities arounf the world-ensuring pro studio compatibility and delivering everything you need to compose, record, edit, and mix music. Mbox also provides third-party drivers for rock-solid integration with nearly every popular audio recording application.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful.
Decent Preamps and Flexibilty, not very reliable at low latencies
By Gideon October
The new Mbox 3 is a decent little box with some nice possibilities. You can connect your nice mics to the preamps and get a good sound. The Mbox can upgrade your recording options on your laptop. The box comes with Pro Tools 8.0.4, which is compatible with WinXP and Win 7.The biggest problem I had with the Mbox 3 was the buffer size and the limits of a USB 2.0 interface. I wanted to trigger Superior Drummer with my V-Drums using the Mbox's midi connections. It works, no doubt, but the lowest buffer setting you can get is 128. Not exactly ground breaking latency timing. Superior goes down to 64, and I've heard 32 is possible in some situations. Fine, I thought, I'll just stick with 128.Unfortunately, that's when the problems really begin.If you try to record a stereo 24bit sound with you mics at a 128 buffer size, you are going to get pops and distortions. I did all the optimizations recommended by Avid, had clean installs of XP, and Win 7, tested on 2 different computers, using Pro Tools and Reaper. I got the same unacceptable clicks and pops during wav file recording on 128 and 256 buffer sizes. The only buffer that works (fyi it came defaulted to this setting) was 512. Now I know why they set it to that buffer when you install it.Sure, triggering Superior Drummer through toontrack solo worked fine. It's when you want to record AND have low monitoring latency you run into the pops. Not a uncommon problem but one I hope they would have fixed by this point.It seems in the last 8 years I have tried to own USB interfaces and hoped they would replace my PCI cards and other sound devices. They never can measure up to the standard.Ohwell, there's always USB 3.0 coming soon...
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
Powerful hardware and software combo with minor flaws.
By Tony Huynh
Installing the drivers and Pro Tools into my computer took some time, but it was a breeze. I had never used Pro Tools before so I was a bit worried about the learning curve. Fortunately, the package comes with a tutorial DVD that will get you started recording in no time. Plus the internet is jam packed with articles and youtube videos to have you learning more advanced technique with a little bit of time and patience.One of the reasons I got this package was because I wanted to upgrade from a USB microphone and move up a level from using Cool Edit Pro. I had just bought a brand new computer and wanted something more powerful and more responsive. My computer settings exceed that recommended by AVID for using Pro Tools. Unfortunately, there was some minor clicks and pops due to the latency/buffer settings. I had to set them to 512 to get smooth settings even though the default was 256. This was on a computer with an i7 processor, 4 gigs of ram, and a dedicated harddrive so the software/hardware communication still needs to be optimized some more.The AD/DA converters are amazing. I hooked up a Rode NTK and was instantly blown away by the preamps on this box. Sure you're not gonna get the same quality as a dedicated preamp, but for 450 bucks, the amount of detail and clarity you get is amazing. The only complaint I have about the preamps is that I have to turn them almost all the way up (nearly 80% of max) to get the levels I want. Maybe it's because I'm not using the phantom power since I have a dedicated power supply for the valve microphone.The final complaint I had was that the Mbox I received had an internal defect that caused it to playback tracks at a lower pitch and speed if I set session to anything higher than a sampling rate of 44.1khz/24bit. It took me hours of research before I found out the defect was unresolvable with any patches or driver resets. So if you're reading this and you're having the same problem, call up AVID and they will replace your mbox for free given that you still have your warranty. So big thumbs up to AVID for having AMAZING customer service.I've been using this for almost 4 months now and those are the ONLY problems I have run into thus far. RTAS plug ins worked phenomenally, the sound quality you get from Pro tools and the Mbox are really clear and highly detailed. The preamps on the headphones are amazing too - I use them with the Audio Technica m50s and it can nearly blow out your ear drums. Also, this thing is built like a tank. Compared to my friend's plastic M audio fast track, this thing looks and FEELS professional. You're not gonna get a steal with this thing, but you get what you pay for. If you have the money and are in the market for a USB interface, spoil yourself a bit and get this thing.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Absolutely perfect interface if it has what you need
By Sean
Other interfaces in a similar price range I've owned or still own and how the mbox 3 compares:1) Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 with DSP: The focusrite has very transparent pre-amps, but has a noticeable "hiss" when turned up to a good useable level. Many other users have mentioned this as well. I prefer the mbox 3 pre-amps because I can turn it up more without any negative effects, and I prefer the sound Mbox more.2) Roland Octa Capture: The octa capture has more bang for the buck and integrates seamlessly with Sonar X1. The pre-amps are crystal clear. The Mbox 3 reportedly has better converters. The big issue for me with the octa capture was that I had some issues using it with Pro tools 9 (but maybe with the latest update it is working smoother), otherwise it is a flawless unit.3) Apogee Duet 2: You can't go wrong with either unit, but I have a super powered PC desktop I use in my home studio, so it made more sense for me to sell my Duet and keep the Mbox 3.The mbox 3 is great if it has what you are looking for in regards to inputs and outputs. As far as build quality, looks, and function its a 10/10. For the price, it definitely is lacking in features, but one could say that about the Apogee duet 2 as well. I have already taken my mbox 3 on the road with me for a month trip and it performed flawlessly. I ended up purchasing the mbox 3 pro, and kept the mbox 3 for travel purposes as well as laptop use.Definitely a great interface, especially when used with pro tools, ableton, or cubase. For some reason, the mbox 3 has issues with Sonar X1 for me and I get drop outs.
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