Instead, each analogue input features separate XLR mic, quarter-inch balanced line and quarter-inch instrument DI sockets on the rear of the unit, with the controls on the front panel. Neutrik Combi connectors are no longer used, and the M Box's analogue insert points are also missing in action. Once again there are two analogue inputs, although since Digidesign's partnership with Focusrite is no more, the associated mic preamps are of a different design from the originals.
In terms of features, the M Box 2 has a great deal in common with its predecessor. Unlike its predecessor, the M Box 2 allows you to record analogue and digital inputs at the same time. If you really wanted to save space and lay the M Box 2 flat, you could just leave the handle off altogether, so the alternative faceplate seems pretty redundant. According to the manual, this saves space and allows the unit to sit flat on a table top, but the one supplied with the review model was barely smaller than the handle, and still tilted the front panel upwards. The handle can be swapped out with an alternative, solid piece of blue plastic if you prefer. The smart moulded plastic case can be stood on its end or arranged horizontally in this case, the carrying handle attached to the front panel tilts the front of the M Box 2 up slightly, making it easier to see the settings. The much-imitated look of the M Box has changed completely, although the new design is equally distinctive. (Or how about a PCMCIA card along the lines of Echo's Indigo IO? Please?) Instead, they've replaced the M Box with another USB 1.1 device which offers an almost identical feature set: the M Box 2. A change of plan from Digidesign seemed inevitable, and many people expected them to turn to USB 2 or Firewire to achieve a higher channel count, or perhaps just to drop the M Box altogether and extend their support for M Audio hardware to include USB interfaces such as the Fast Track Pro and Mobile Pre USB. M Audio and other companies such as Edirol and Terratec also make USB devices that are much cheaper than the M Box. There are plenty of affordable interfaces around which use the higher-bandwidth Firewire protocol, including those made by Digidesign's partner company M Audio, which are now compatible with Pro Tools. Recently, the M Box has faced increasingly stiff competition.
DIGIDESIGN MBOX 2 PRO REVIEWS PC
A simple stereo-in, stereo-out USB audio interface, the M Box allowed anyone with a Mac or PC to call themselves a Pro Tools user without breaking the bank and its clever circuitry meant that the Focusrite-designed mic preamps could derive phantom power parasitically from the host machine's USB port, making it a truly go-anywhere system. In the three and a half years since the original M Box was introduced, it has become one of Digidesign's most successful products. This issue can be fixed by taking a few precautions.Digidesign have given the most affordable interface in their Pro Tools range a makeover, with a new case, new preamps and some additional features. Once I put the wall circuit computer and monitor and the amp on the UPS too the noise went away. This creates a ground loop and results in the high freq. My midi ports were also powered by the UPS. I had the problem initially on this box because my computer which powered the box was connected directly to the wall circuit while my audio was going through an amp w hich was powered by a UPS. The real issue with the mbox is a ground loop issue.
If you ground the audio circuit you will decrease your audio performance. There is a reason why audio circuits are isolated from ground - it improves the signal to noise ratio. I saw a video on UTube advocating soldering a ground wire to the circuit board. It comes out the audio out ports and is a definite no-no on your audio tracks. There is an issue I have seen a lot on the internet which I also discovered - a high frequency noise when the box is activated. This is a great way to get into Pro Tools without spending a lot of $$.
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