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Digidesign MBox Audio Interface (Macintosh and Windows)

Mbox is a 2-channel USB audio peripheral characterized by Digidesign and Focusrite performance, specifically engineered to offer you precision sound in a very small, very portable package. Featuring acclaimed Focusrite mic pre amps, Mbox couples high-quality components with a 24-bit input-to-output signal path to guarantee the fidelity of your sound throughout the production chain. Learn More...

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Overall User Ratings

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

Individual User Ratings

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

Feature:
It's got everything you need. If you need more inputs that another story all-together, but if 2 inputs at one time is all you need, there's 32 tracks and loads of limiters/effects. Don't NOT use them.

Quality:
I won an award and was voted a fan favorite on the websites I posted the music made from this tiny powerhouse. Make sure you have a good computer.

Value:
What do you want for a few hundred! This thing replaces thousands in gear. If you are a songwriter, you need one.

Desirability:
Its' so simple yet you can do so much inside this le world.

Sound:
Use all you've got when you mix. Set up your compressors, and always use the dither on the master channel when mixing down. Hit it with everything in the box to make it come to life. That's why the stuff is in there to be used. If you don't have a clue on how recording works, that's what you need to find out and overcome. Don't blame this box if your tracks don't sound right. It's the person using it, not just the box.

Ease of Use:
Very easy to use. I never give anything a 10. 9 is a 10 for me. Yes, there is a learning curve unless you know your way around a pro studio. Don't be affraid to use everything it's got!

Support:
Never needed it.

Overall:
I can not think of a better tool for the home songwriter.

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

Feature:
I hate that you're pretty much roped into using Pro Tools LE with this thing.

Sound:
When it works, it's tight.

Ease of Use:
I have had numerous problems getting this to run on WINXP laptops. I was shopping around doing the dance of trying to buy a laptop that met the MBOX requirements. There forums are full of people stuck in a world of trial and error trying to find machines that will work with this thing. And the "suggested" computers from DIGI are so out of date they are useless. It finally dawned on me, I don't need to find a notebook that will support my MBOX, I need to find a USB audio interface that is more compatible with the laptops out there.

Support:
I've called a few times. Always get a human being, still no real solutions though.

Overall:
I'm in the market for another unit. I'm tired of trying to get my computers to work with my MBOX. It's time I find something that will work with my computers.

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Overall:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Value:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
I Want It:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10

Feature:
I think a basic click track or built in metronome would make this product a little bit better. There is no way to syncronize tracks.

Quality:
I don't know about howw well made the m-box is. It has never worked long enough to wear out.

Value:
It is the re-sale value that really hurts. The pro yools software is not re-sellable and it is a major hassle to try and transfer ownership of the m-box.Digidesign doesn't offer software upgrades or support to the 2nd owner so the value drops immediately after you buy it.

Desirability:
If you are a musician you will waste a lot of valuable practice and jam time trying to use the m-box

Sound:
I have had a terrable time trying to get my m-box to function well.I have a great computer which well exceeds the system requirements listed on the outside of the package that the m-box is sold in.You really have to customize your computer to get any results.

Support:
Don't even try to get a hold of Digidesign over the phone. I have never gotten through to a person.If you have a question email them and they will get back to you in 3 days . They don't really answer the question that you are asking most of the time

Overall:
The system requirements of the m-box are totally misleading.I can't use my m-box for the simplest applications without a malfunction.I don't have these problems with any of the many applications that I use my computer for.

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

Feature:
The pro tools software seems to have numerous tools, but for basic live voice recording its overly complicated. I am responsible for recording our church services and the previous guy purchased this system. He never figured out, and it took my several months to get it right.

Quality:
Seems to be well made. No problems w/ hardware in 1st year

Value:
I think for our application (live voice recording) we could have purchased something else for less that would work better.

Sound:
Sound quality seems very good.

Support:
I actually had good experience w/ tech support. However, if you go to their website they only gaurantee like 4 windows machines that it will work with. The overall system is a memory hog, and fairly unstable. (they do recommend having a dedicated hard drive for recording, which I imagine would help w/ stability)

Overall:
I have already started to look for something more stable for our application

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Overall:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
I Want It:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Sound:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10

Feature:
min.

Quality:
i dont even think it feels as sturdy as a paperweight.

Value:
u get to learn protools for under $500...thats about it.

Desirability:
i want to throw it out.

Sound:
The preamps on this are focusrite's reject preamps. The clock source is also crap.

Overall:
dont be fooled by the focusrite pre's. you would be better off with an emu card for a/d with spdif in, and a GOOD solid focusrite digital preamp.

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

Feature:
Has the minimum number of features to get someone started. Nothing special.

Quality:
Looks like it's built well. Then again, I only had it for 3 weeks.

Value:
Already own Cool Edit, Cubase, or something of that sort for recording? THEN M-BOX IS NOT FOR YOU! The value for the hardware is a "1" but since their software is pretty much as good as any other $200 recording software, it makes the rating even out a little. If you're starting from scratch...M-box might be what you want. If you already have a software, you can easily get a much more flexible and better setup from: Behringer UB1202 ($90) MXL 990 ($120 with boom stand and shock mount) M-audio 2496 Audiophile ($110) And you still have money left over (plus now you have a decent mixer, a microphone and a much more flexible interface). And you can always upgrade in the future without worrying about being stuck to the same company.

Desirability:
It's cool to have around for people to see that you have Protools I guess.

Sound:
Sounds pretty decent...the preamp isn't bad at all. It's not the best either though.

Support:
I didn't even bother...if I couldn't get it to load even after cleaning up my whole computer and reinstalling Windows...they aren't going to be much help. I'm far far farrrr away from computer illiterate and if I can't tell what the problem is, then the problem is too big and shouldn't exist.

Overall:
Depends where you stand. If you have a software you like, don't switch over. If you're starting from scratch and don't know what to buy...m-box will get you started...for a little more money you can have a much better setup though.

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

Feature:
This product will make you hit a dead end.Even though you can upgrade to higher digi products,still not worth the trouble.Plus if you compose your music via MIDI pro tools is not for you.I have to create my midi files in a different program,then record it in my m-box manualy,but the pain is ligning up the tracks right.

Quality:
I find m-box very anoying,because i'm used to go straight to the back of the PC,but m-box is just useless sitting on top of..whatever you put it on.Extra room.

Value:
I'd say the software itself is worth the price alone.But theres that catch again with being unable to use any other soundcard.So again not worth it.

Desirability:
Dont want it anymore!!!I hit the dead end!!!I want more outputs to monitor my mix with different speakers,but then you have to unplug the trs 1/4 inch plugs every time you want to change speakers.And you cant play more that 2 speakers at a time.

Sound:
The sound is wonderfull,no problems with it.I love how the preamps.

Support:
Called them once,and had a problem fixed the same day,lol,good enough for me.

Overall:
I'm allready looking in to getting maybe Cubase sx3,or something similar that will let me create midi and audio in one place.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10

Feature:
I also record live instruments and they sound great

Value:
It's worth it's price.

Desirability:
Looks can be deceiving and the Mbox definitely fits this category. It's small but it does more than any other program that I have used for the price. Definitely a way to get in with professional music production.

Sound:
Sounds very pro studio-like. It sounds better than I ever could've expected from something so small. Portable. I use Reason with it and the results are marvelous.

Support:
I broke my I-lok card and tried to call for a new card but I had to call several different numbers before I was told that I had to order it from the internet. It would be better if it were easier to obtain a new I-lok card but I guess everthing else was ok.

Overall:
I Rewire different programs like Reason, Project5, and Sample Tank which really expands what you can do with the Mbox. I would definitely get another one if this one was stolen. It wouldn't be the same without it.

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

Feature:
I Love the editing on this software very easy to use I can`t what to get home and mix Songs

Quality:
Very reliable Headphone jack could be better/ two volume control would be nice

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

Feature:
FocusRite plugins. 24 + 16 bit. 44.1+ 48kHz. S/PDIF digital out for DAT. 2 XLR plugins. very basic and compact, high quality setup.

Quality:
No Problems so far have owned for about year. Good quality. What worries me is the connectors and the plugins/sleeves of all the equipment after unplugin and repluging everything= not enough i/o. basically a mic and a instrument. 2 speakers type setup. Still made well

Value:
i think for $400-500 its a great value for a beginer or anyone with a hobby or a need for a basic semi-pro set-up.

Desirability:
Its small and it doesn't take much space on my desktop. kinda plasticy-looking but not bad.

Sound:
(MAC version) It's not analog of course so its not the absolute best for music (unless you get a analog filter $$). But still the quality is extremly good. I take sound classes for film and everything in film is done in Protools and is considered Protools-quality. Used with Wave Plug-Ins alot things are possible. the FocusRite plugins that accompany the bundle work fine and are a steal for the combo.

Support:
i think i was on one of digi designs caller lines for maybe 30-40 minutes just to ask a question. There hours are limited and i'm pretty sure gotta pay for the call (not toll free).

Overall:
I'm a Mac user and I use a couple different work stations and my own home setup and I have seldom problems and whenever the was they were major like the computer crashed. I put ProTool's sound software on par with what Photoshop is to Image software. If your a dj producer/musician or sound mixer/designer in need of a small computer based setup its a good quality option or a solid price.

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Overall:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * . . . . . . 4 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10

Desirability:
Are you serious?

Sound:
Ever since I have owned the MBox (2 years) I have had nothing but problems with Pro Tools and Windows. Their support for Windows sucks. Do not expect Pro Tools to work with any 915 & 925 Intel chipsets which are on most new pc's. It does not work and DigiDesign can't give an answer as to when it will.

Support:
They won't help you after initial support is over. I think it is for 30 or 90 days...I forget. When I did call them they were quick to get me off the phone and not very supportive.

Overall:
I sold my MBox on Amazon...glad to be rid of it.

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

Feature:
Almost everything you could need for a box like this, i just wish it had midi i/o. once you figure out how to deal with latency with the mix knob and proper buffer settings, it ceases to be an issue. i also dislike the fact that if you plug into the back headphone jack it disables the front.

Quality:
Seems very sturdy. it travels a lot in my backpack, and has yet to show any wear and tear.

Value:
the real "value" here is the software. the box itself isn't amazing by any means, but what it does, it does pretty well. it's 2 in/2 out. no if's and's or but's about it. main outs mirror the headphones, etc. but you can record in stereo, it has good, quiet pre's, and Pro Tools LE is 24 tracks, and the plug-ins as good as your computer will let it be. considering the price of some small harddisk all-in-one units, and the plug-in availabilty for pro tools, it's well worth the money. it's mobility is great too.

Desirability:
um.....yeah.......it's a blue and off-white box with 4 knobs and some buttons....you decide.

Sound:
Pre's are good, but i do have to get the gain up there (3 O'Clock-ish) to run some of the mic's and instruments i've used with it. the A/D/A conversion is great for the price. i've been actually recording an album using the scratch-track to massive overdubs method, and it's working great....slow going, but great nonetheless. very clear sounding through and through.

Support:
lost my registration number, and digidesign was right on top of it for getting me another copy.

Overall:
If i lost it, i'd probably replace it, maybe save up for an 002 rack so i could have more inputs and midi I/O. I chose the mbox because i can lay down ideas at home, and then take them to just about any studio in the world and drop the sessions right in.

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Overall:
* * * . . . . . . . 3 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * . . . . . . . . 2 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
pro tools rules

Quality:
made extremely well

Value:
good value but only if your single musician

Desirability:
good box wish it did more .....kinda like a real sex life haha

Sound:
great sound but has some play back and latency issues at times

Overall:
already searching for the Digi 001 or Digi 002 ...yup wasted 3 months trying to get it to do what the books say it can do (they DO NOT say that it CANNOT play back and record at same time)

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Quality:
it hasnt broke yet.

Sound:
i just bought it not too long ago, but so far so good. i produce beats w