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Digidesign Mbox 2 Audio Interface (Macintosh and Windows)

Mbox 2, Digidesign's Pro Tools LE-based portable studio, offers novices and pros alike command of any project and full session compatibility with other Pro Tools systems, all the way up to Pro Tools|HD systems. The Pro Tools LE software included with Mbox 2 shares many of the same features as the award-winning software used by professionals worldwide. With its spectrum of features, Mbox 2 -- Digidesign's most affordable Pro Tools LE product -- works hand in hand with your creativity to bring your ideas to life. Learn More...

    • New from $449.00
  • Installment Plan:4 payments of $112.25
    • free ground shipping
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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10

Feature:
Negatives: could use a firewire out instead of usb 2, also an RCA out woulda worked nice for some mixers...the midi was kinda pointless since USB based midi stuff is where its at for speed and reliability. (I used to hate midi until USB MIDI came along). Also, the outs coulda been xlr 1/4" combo's... Finally...the shape is kinda funny. Not "haha" funny but yaknow. Positives: ALL round nice looking, sounding, and portable. The addition of the "monitor" level was friggen brill! Very nice features that are easy to use. The budget pass to the big leagues. I've sent tracks of here in PT sessions to Los Angeles for mixing and they were great. l

Quality:
looks nice, fits decent except for the handle kinda makes it wobbley. Built like a tank. I use it on the road all the time. More cheap hotel room recordings you'd imagine.

Value:
could be cheaper since there is the friggen mbox PRO, 003, and 003 with the mixing interface!!!

Desirability:
It is nice, easy to use, world class. Your pass into the realm of Pro Tools! I could make great music without it, but it's made tracking and mixing and the overall sound quality Im looking for and i waste WAY less time that should be used creai

Sound:
It sounds just as good as any other pro-tools interfaces at this price level, and even other program interfaces or soundcards. BUT! When you add a mic, nice mic pre-amp, good guitarist it sounds amazing!

Ease of Use:
If you had the mbox 1 then this is a walk in a park...A nicer cleaner park with better trails! The simple plug and play is pricss

Support:
poor. elusive.

Overall:
I plan on using it untill th 004, or "003 pro crack edition" comes along!

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Overall:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Feature:
It can get tideous editing with a mouse, hurts the neck. If the Digidesign mixer wasn't so expensive things would be much easier. I can't even figure out how to get the program running now though. It may need an upgrade. I just upgraded because I got a new computer that's intel-baised. It's not my computer. It worked last night and not now. I've never been able to speak with a digi support tech. The company actually has a recording that says due to high call volume we are unable to take your call, click.

Quality:
I actually may be dealing with physical problems now. This MBox2 was purchased in December of 2005. It should last longer than two years, ya think? Can't get help with it though. Very frustrating!!!

Value:
It's pretty expensive to not have the support that's often needed.

Desirability:
I like that it's pretty small. I don't really get the handle that it rests on. It kind of puts preassure on the chords in the back. I like that it's very simple.

Sound:
In 2005 released an album that was recorded in a bedroom using pro-tools. If you want to get a good production it's more than capable.

Ease of Use:
I'm actually quite surprised at how easy it is to use when it's running.

Support:
I cannot reach anyone ever!!! They actually hang up on you if you've been on hold too long.

Overall:
I would love to be able to have this program work correctly. I don't want to search for another recording program. Besides I've way too much money into it and it's supposed to be the best. I just wish they'd answer their phone.

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Overall:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Features:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Quality:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10
I Want It:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Feature:
DON'T BUY MBOX!I have never regreted a purchase more than this. I was talked into this instead of the Omega by some idiot kid at Guitar Center (I guess I'm now the bigger idiot.)Everything I read about the nightmares people were having came true. The Digidesign support is a nightmare. I couldn't even register it online. It said there was a syntax error and gave me websites to go to so I could research syntax problems. I couldn't even go back a page to see what I inputed. After a week of trying to lay down a simple track, I called customer service. I waited over an hour and got an arrogant jerk who determined I need a new computer. Even though mine is 1.8 gig with a gig of ram. I purchaced a new computer, paid extra for overnite Sat. delivery, and it won't authorize. Plus the box is noisy as hell. DON'T BUY!

Value:
I'm over $1200 into this and haven't laid down a track

Sound:
Noisy as hell

Ease of Use:
DON'T BUY MBOX!I have never regreted a purchase more than this. I was talked into this instead of the Omega by some idiot kid at Guitar Center (I guess I'm now the bigger idiot.)Everything I read about the nightmares people were having came true. The Digidesign support is a nightmare. I couldn't even register it online. It said there was a syntax error and gave me websites to go to so I could research syntax problems. I couldn't even go back a page to see what I inputed. After a week of trying to lay down a simple track, I called customer service. I waited over an hour and got an arrogant jerk who determined I need a new computer. Even though mine is 1.8 gig with a gig of ram. I purchaced a new computer, paid extra for overnite Sat. delivery, and it won't authorize. Plus the box is noisy as hell. DON'T BUY!

Support:
The Digidesign support is a nightmare. I couldn't even register it online. It said there was a syntax error and gave me websites to go to so I could research syntax problems. I couldn't even go back a page to see what I inputed. After a week of trying to lay down a simple track, I called customer service. I waited over an hour and got an arrogant jerk who determined I need a new computer. Even though mine is 1.8 gig with a gig of ram. I purchaced a new computer, paid extra for overnite Sat. delivery, and it won't authorize. Plus the box is noisy as hell. DON'T BUY!

Overall:
I'm over $1200 into this and haven't laid down a track

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Feature:
When recording in digital (via spdif) no problem but when u are playing, u can not hear the sound of what u play. There should be a monitor option for that. And USB 1.1 of course...It is old! But ProTools LE is top-end software I think. And very powerful.

Quality:
Switches and knobs could be better...They look a little chinese.

Value:
A little bit pricy.

Desirability:
It is the heart of my mobile music wokstation.

Sound:
It has nice pres. Used it for both vocal and instrument recordings, and the result was excellent. Without a preamp, the recorded sound didn't requir eq when mixing. Also a perfect sounding audio card when playing vsti or soft synths. It has high gain for outputs.

Ease of Use:
Very easy...That's all.

Support:
Very bad...Very bad...Very baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddd...I don't live in USA. And I've solved my problems by myself or with the forums via internet. But none of them with the support of digidesign.

Overall:
Happy with it.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Feature:
Some handy plugins with the factory bundle.

Quality:
No problems

Value:
Worth it!

Desirability:
Software has some personality, but hardware pretty dull - but that's not what it is about.

Sound:
The quality is good IMHO. I write for TV and have had no comebacks

Ease of Use:
Software is great for audio recording. The only major setback for me was automatic delay compensation - which makes the use of the UAE cards a bit cumbersome.

Support:
Good user forums but local support not good.

Overall:
I've had my MBox2 for over a year now and work on it almost every day. I've not had any snags with it and the quality has been more than good enough for my home project studio. Some people feel it should have been able to handle higher sample rates, but hey, higher sample rates is not the only quality issue. Stuff like mic's etc. are much more important, and the most important is the music you make.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10

Feature:
Features are okay, this is my entry level hardware. Works well for people recording their own songs. Does have some nice features, some i didn't even know about.

Quality:
Great! I have carried it all over the place, and it hasn't had any troubles. I have not dropped it or anything like that, and i put it in a secure place, but it has held up well. Although, i do not recommend dropping it to test it...

Value:
Pretty good price since it includes pro tools.

Desirability:
looks cool, design is good.

Sound:
Good product, sounds good for its size and everything.

Ease of Use:
please read this and really understand! applies to this, and all other recording devices. Although this one is very easy to use, if this is your first hardware, you will not be able to take it out of the box and use it seamlessly. I don't care who you are. I highly recommend reading the manual about it and especially pro tools before you screw something up. It took me days of playing with it before i finally broke down and pulled out the manual and the pro tools dvd. It makes a world of difference when you do!!!!

Support:
Tried to register it and the thing was in Japanese and know one knew why? hmm... who cares, i gave up.

Overall:
Good product, recommended for sure for entry level recorders! It is tough though, considering it only has two inputs. I do find it difficult to keep time between drums, guitar, etc and to mix them all seamlessly. If you are a small band starting to record, definitely get something bigger, like the Lexicon Lamda or Omega, depending...

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