When the digital recording revolution swept the home studio world, Digidesign was right at the forefront with the Mbox: a USB audio interface that sounded great, performed reliably, and offered easy portability for the mobile recordist. All this came at a price that made it easy for anyone to get into serious digital multi-track recording (the fact that it came with industry-standard Pro Tools recording software didn't hurt either). With the upgraded Mbox 2 line of interfaces, Digidesign has taken a classic design and made it even better, and the Mbox 2 Mini represents the easiest way to start producing amazing audio. While small--and decidedly affordable--the Mbox 2 Mini still boasts incredible fidelity, a crystal-clear preamp that supports professional studio microphones, and of course, access to industry-standard Pro Tools recording and mixing software.
Mini, Yet Mighty
At a compact 1.75 by 5 by 6 inches, the Mbox 2 Mini was built to travel. As such, it's USB powered--no external power supply necessary--and housed in a rugged metal chassis. Fearlessly travel with a 2-in, 2-out digital studio, complete with a single high-quality mic channel. Even without external power, the MBox 2 Mini is capable of providing a true 48v of phantom power, necessary for connecting top-notch condenser microphones. Both channels feature a new -20db input, making the Mbox 2 Mini capable of recording a much wider variety of sources than its predecessor. When you're mixing on the road, you'll love the clarity of the high-quality headphone amp, but the Mbox 2 Mini also sports a pair of balanced 1/4-inch outputs for hooking up pro-grade monitor speakers when you get back to the studio.
Celebrated Sound Quality
When the MBox hit the market in 2002, home recordists and professionals alike were amazed by the sound quality for its price, and the MBox 2 Mini more than lives up to that stellar reputation. The Digidesign-produced microphone preamp is the very definition of transparent, but both analog input channels benefit from the Pro's ultra-clean and ultra-stable converters. The MBox 2 Mini supports up to 24-bit, 48 kHz sampling rates for better than CD-quality digital audio recordings. One of the best features on the original MBox was its input/playback monitor mix control. It's on the MBox 2 also, and it enables simple, latency-free overdubbing, meaning you'll be able to craft layered, intricate arrangements without ever worrying about the audible hardware delays or distracting playback echos inherent in many interfaces in the same price range.
Industry-Standard Pro Tools Software
For home recording enthusiasts and pro engineers alike, one of the most attractive parts of the Mbox 2 Mini package is the software it comes with. What does "industry-standard" really mean? For starters, Pro Tools HD systems are found in the biggest hit-making recording studios around the world. Truly, it's rare to find a professional studio without a Pro Tools rig, and the projects you start on your MBox 2 / Pro Tools LE system can be effortlessly imported into any Pro Tools HD rig. And then there are the reasons that Pro Tools is and has been the industry-standard: ease-of use, powerful editing and mixing flexibility, and incredible sound quality. The LE version that ships with your MBox 2 Mini offers most of the same operations as the top-of-the-line HD systems, including parameter automation, non-destructive audio editing, and support for RTAS instrument and effects plug-ins. Speaking of plug-ins, Pro Tools LE comes with a formidable supply of them, including synthesizers, guitar amp simulators, reverb processors, pitch bending tools, and the amazing Beat Detective LE, a one-step find-and-replace utility for drum tracks. Both Pro Tools LE and the MBox 2 Mini are fully supported by both Windows and Mac operating systems, so no one has to feel left out of the Digidesign phenomenon.
If you've been hesitant to step up to a true Pro Tools recording system, the time for waiting is over: there's never been a Digidesign interface as affordable as the Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini. Buy it now through zZounds, and you'll also get our renowned customer service at no extra charge, not to mention the best shipping prices in the industry. There's never been a better mobile recording solution.
zZounds is an authorized dealer of Digidesign products.
What's Included Mbox 2 Mini
USB cable
Pro Tools LE software DVD-ROM installer (includes electronic versions of user guides)
Registration information card
System Requirements Digidesign-qualified Windows Vista- (32-bit Business or Ultimate), Windows XP- or Mac OS X 10.5-based computer
Minimum 1 GB of RAM
DVD-ROM or equivalent optical drive for software installation
Available USB port for Mbox 2 Mini system (USB hubs not supported)
*Digidesign is constantly working on supporting the latest computer configurations. For the most up-to-date system requirements, compatibility information and online support, please visit the Digidesign website.
**Please see Digidesign's online compatibility information for specific details on supported processors and chip sets.
Digidesign Warranty
Digidesign offers a 90 days parts and labor warranty.
If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 650-731-6300
Meet Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini the worlds smallest, most affordable Pro Tools LE recording, editing, and mixing system ever. Whether youre a singer/songwriter whos new to recording or a seasoned pro on the go, Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini packs professional features into a robust, ultra compact, easy-to-use audio workstation to record and mix music wherever your inspiration takes you. And with its diminutive size, Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini literally puts the power of Pro Tools in the palm of your hand.
Like its Digidesign siblings, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Pro, and Mbox 2 Micro, the Mbox 2 Mini delivers superior sound quality and includes plenty of powerful creation tools for composing, recording, and mixing music. It comes with award-winning, easy-to-use Pro Tools LE software, which provides you with many of the same tools the pros use on major recordings and in films. And because Pro Tools is the industry standard, you can use your Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini-recorded sessions in any Pro Tools-equipped studio around the world.
Digidesign Hardware
Mbox 2 Mini is professionally and durably built to withstand all the knocks and bounces it encounters as your traveling companion, and delivers superior sound quality.
Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini Hardware Features
- Professional sound quality (up to 24-bit/48 kHz)
- Two simultaneous analog inputs and outputs
- Zero-latency monitoring
- Compact, rugged metal enclosure for maximum portability and durability
- Powered by USB (USB 1.1 connection, cable included)
- Front-panel volume control and monitor mute switch
- Two analog monitor outputs
- Stereo headphone output
- 48V phantom power
- Kensington Security Lock
Digidesign Pro Tools Software
Pro Tools software is used in countless professional studios around the world, and includes all the tools you need to easily compose, record, edit, mix, and master your projects with pro results every time.
Pro Tools Features
- Award-winning Pro Tools recording, editing, and mixing
- 48 simultaneous stereo audio tracks (expandable with Toolkit options)
- Includes dozens of pro effects processing plug-ins and virtual instruments
- Professional MIDI sequencing with dedicated MIDI Editor window
- Integrated Score Editor based on award-winning Sibelius notation software
- Full Elastic Time and Elastic Pitch to easily adjust timing and pitch on your tracks
- Unique Beat Detective LE automatic groove analysis and correction tool
- ReWire support for streaming you favorite applications right into Pro Tools
- Support for the Digidesign C|24 and Command|8 control surfaces
- Huge selection of compatible third-party plug-ins and software options
- Works on Windows and Mac computers
Bundled Mbox 2 Mini Plug-ins
In addition to M-Audio Torq LE DJ software and an incredible 8 GB collection of pro-quality loops from industry sound heavyweights Big Fish Audio, Pro Tools software includes a comprehensive bundle of amazing virtual instruments, effects, and utility plug-ins.
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.
Feature:
Nice and small: perfect for portability and laptops.
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.
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.
Manufacturer 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.
The Wow Factor:
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!
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!
Style of Music: Hip Hop / R&B
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Digidesign MBox 2 Mini Customer Review
Sound:
I used to own the emu 1616m, and let me tell you, this makes that seem like child's play!
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.
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.
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!
Manufacturer Support:
i have yet to call them for support, which is great. the emu 1616m....well, thats another story, haha.
The Wow Factor:
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.
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!
25 of 32 people
(78.13%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Return Exception
Avid products that include Pro Tools software cannot be returned once the manufacturer's seal has been broken. If a product is found to be defective, you must contact Avid customer support at 650-731-6100 to obtain a case number. If Avid determines that the product is defective, contact our returns department. details
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