Main

Digidesign Mbox Mini USB Audio Interface (Macintosh and Windows)

Ultra compact, USB-powered Pro Tools LE audio workstation delivers high-quality sound and analog I/O (2x2 simultaneous channels of I/O) in a small package for singer/songwriters, solo musicians, and pros on the go at a price that’s truly affordable. Learn More...

    • New $295.00
    • free ground shipping
Write a Review:

Overall User Ratings

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

Individual User Ratings

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

Feature:
Nice and small: perfect for portability and laptops.

Quality:
I could probably depend on this little guy for plenty of years to come! But to be honest...we only bought it for the software for our Digi 002...lol. Well a friend of mine did and he didn't need the hardware and gave it to me. If I could sell it for like $200, I sure would.

Value:
I think the price is right for what it is.

Desirability:
It's alright. Like I said earlier, it's small and portable especially for someone with a laptop being bus powered. Sexy? It's a piece of hardware!

Sound:
To be honest...other interfaces in this league sound pretty much the same. It's really how you work with what you have and the final output that really matters. Just think...they never had stuff like this back in the 50's...so why would people be so determined that they can't get good sound quality just because the pre's aren't API pre's or something? Most people out there using these devices are amatures anyway. And if you're just using softsynths...the pre's don't even make a difference anyway until you start recording.

Ease of Use:
Install the software, plug it in when it tells ya, and you're ready to go. Couldn't be any simpler. Why people are having problems is beyond me. But I would suggest they get a "real" computer. I've never had problems with my mbox mini, delta 1010lt or even my HD 192 I/O so, it's not that protools has bugs...or is difficult to install and use...it's the operators that are the problems.

Support:
Never had to call Digidesign for anything except to see why it was taking so long for my Control|24 to get to the house.

Overall:
The thing I don't like most about it is the fact that it doesn't act like a regular sound card for certain functions. You have to edit the registry or use the Digi MME helper just to get it to play sounds out of normal programs like IE explorer, iTunes, Battlefield 2...etc. But other than that, it does what it's supposed to do!

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

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

Feature:
it comes with protools le, which in my opinion offers a wide variety of features that makes you appreciate digidesign's commitment to pro recording systems. it's not called protools for nothing.

Quality:
it's a pretty sturdy piece of equipment. i've actually dropped mines a couples times and it still works like a beauty, though i do not recommend you try dropping it to see how it holds up, hahaha.

Value:
well worth the $295 price. name me something else that will give you the same immaculate sound quality for such a low price!

Desirability:
well, compared to the old mbox, the mbox 2 and mini mbox 2 both sport nicer designs. although still not the sleekest looking thing ever, it's not bad on the eyes. but quite frankly i'm more concerned with the way something works than how it looks, and it doesn't get any better than this. if your looking for pro recording/editting hardware & software at an entry level price, you cannot beat the $295 price of the mini mbox with protools.

Sound:
I used to own the emu 1616m, and let me tell you, this makes that seem like child's play!

Ease of Use:
some people may find it a little complicated at first, but come on! this isn't a toy. but once you get the hang of it, it becomes so easy you won't even notice your using it.

Support:
i have yet to call them for support, which is great. the emu 1616m....well, thats another story, haha.

Overall:
if you're an aspiring artist or engineer, looking for something that will give you the best possible sound quality out at a bargain price, look no further than this, because you will NOT find something better at a lower price than this. i highly recommend getting the mini mbox 2!

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

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

Feature:
Portability is important.....I think.

Quality:
As I said, preamps/radio tuners are crap. The metal housing is good but the knobs wiggle easily inside it which makes me wonder.

Value:
This thing should be $200

Desirability:
No sex appeal. Yes portable appeal though.

Sound:
I pick up radio stations on preamp #1 and a high pitched hum on preamp #2. The headphone/monitor out is fine though.

Ease of Use:
If you know pro tools, that's what it is.

Support:
Just don't ask Digidesign a question about Pro Tools training and you'll be okay.

Overall:
I use it for songwriting and editing on the go and for that purpose, it works fine.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

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

Feature:
Not many features but can't beat $300 and some change for entering the Pro Tools world. If you're into music, this could be the beginning of a career.

Quality:
The Mbox Mini 2 and the software, for the price, is unbeatable. But remember the price and don't expect it to resemble a $3.5k pre.

Value:
Probably the best value out there for getting on a pro recording software level at an entry level price.

Desirability:
I've wanted Pro Tools for years. I went to seminar in 2002 that convinced me that the PC and Pro Tools weren't quite compatible with each other at that time. So I waited - now is the time. I have it, it works on my PC.

Sound:
Sounds awesome - it's pro level

Ease of Use:
Hard to use - steep learning curve. Be prepared to learn for a while.

Support:
I have called support, checked their web site, emailed them and got response back. They are in the know.

Overall:
I am looking at this as an investment in the future - the future of recording my songs and potentially the future in career terms, as learning Pro Tools proficiently could mean making some money. I'm in the field of web design and making money using programs that are similar in scope, except geared to the visual and not audio. I intend to use this program until I die. Be careful if you have a PC. Make sure that you read everything about the types of PC's that are compatible with Pro Tools. Make sure that you're willing to give up a lot of your PC for running the Tools.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
well it dosen't have spdif... but it has two input... so you can record stereo... mostly people dosen't need more than 2 inputs... if you need more than two just find something else... but if you are noobs then and looking for othe interface which also has two inputs... then this is better... cause this is expensvie for 2 inputs but it has protools... though you are not professinal... it feels great to use pro's tool... and learn much easier...

Quality:
for noobs this is very good i was wondering but after having this... i don't regret at all...

Value:
i am recordng mostly my classical guitar so two input is ok... and protools...!

Sound:
it has great sound and you know what? i guess you will not recognize difference along with this price range...

Ease of Use:
just plug and play... or listen to music... you can use grageband if you want or live 5... maybe other sequencing programs too...

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

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

Feature:
The plugin bundle is awesome. Haven't used the interface enough to know about the quality of it.

Quality:
I rate this so low because this product will not work on a large percentage of PC configurations. I have a total of 4 PC's, and unbeknownst to me at time of purchase, the program will not work on any of them. I visited a Pro Tools seminar in 2003 and I was eager to get it at the time, but it wasn't supporting PC. I'm not a believer that it supports PC currently either based on my experience so far.

Value:
I would give this a 10 if I could just get this thing to work the way that it's supposed to. I know that there is a monster program behind all the trouble.

Desirability:
Of course Pro Tools is sexy.

Sound:
Sound quality is awesome. I'm not familiar enough with most of the recording software out there, but of the handful that I am familiar with, Pro Tools easily surpasses them and is in another league.

Ease of Use:
Learning curve? How much time do you have? You better be ready for that. I have spent 5 10 hr days and I can't get this thing to work on my PC. If you own a PC, you better check the specs real thoroughly or you're in for a real surprise. It seems to have some bugs on PC platform on top of that. Too bad because this thing really has some major potential.

Support:
I've never experienced support like this. I've been on the phone with Dell, HP, Adobe, Macromedia, Microsoft, and I've at least been able to reach someone. I can't even reach these guys, whether attempting by e-mail or by phone. I waited 20 minutes on a paid call, as they don't have a toll free number, and I was still on hold. This is a very complex configuration for PC. It requires support, especially if you look at the possibility of your computer even being accepted to run it. The info on supported PC configurations should all be out in the open so that a consumer can make a wise decision before purchasing the software. I have never purchased a software that simply did not work at all on my system.

Overall:
I'm already searching for another product since I can't get any answers from Pro Tools. Sad because I know that they are the bomb. All I can say is that I wish I had a Mac.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

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

Feature:
2 inputs, 2 outputs. For me it's basically $300 so I can edit on the go. Probably won't do much recording with it.

Quality:
The case is solid, but the knobs wiggle inside the case.

Value:
Not worth the price but there's not a more portable option.

Desirability:
For me, appeal is that it's portable.

Sound:
24/48, sounds good.

Ease of Use:
If you know pro tools, it's easy.

Support:
Digi's tech support is not bad. Don't ask them about PT certification though, they have no clue.

Overall:
If digi comes out with an even smaller option with 2 outputs for under $150 I'll sell this and go with that.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no