Mbox 2 Pro and Mbox 2 Pro Factory
News FeedMbox 2 Pro is a new, portable, audio/MIDI production system from Digidesign® that is available now. Building on the same industrial design of the Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Pro takes the system to the next level, providing high-speed FireWire-powered connectivity, more simultaneous audio I/O and connection options, and studio-grade 24-bit/96 kHz resolution to deliver high-definition audio in a compact, easy-to-use interface. Plus it offers professional features, including MIDI Time Stamping support, Word Clock I/O, and dedicated studio monitor outputs.
Mbox 2 Pro includes award-winning, easy-to-use Pro Tools LE™ software, offering many of the same features that top studios rely on to compose, record, edit, mix, and master Grammy®-winning albums and Academy Award®–winning film sound. It also comes with over 50 bundled plug-ins and applications, including DigiRack™ plug-ins, Bomb Factory® plug-ins, Xpand!™ sampleplayback/ synthesis workstation, and Pro Tools Ignition Pack™.
Mbox 2 Pro Factory includes the same hardware and software bundle as Mbox 2 Pro but adds five additional Digidesign and Bomb Factory plug-ins (worth over £600) and an iLok USB Smart Key.
Key Differences between Mbox 2 Pro and Mbox 2
The following are the differences between Mbox 2 Pro and Mbox 2 (for a more detailed list of specifics, please see the Mbox 2 Pro vs. Mbox 2 Feature Grid below):
- More I/O: Mbox 2 Pro supports more simultaneous I/O than Mbox 2.
- Higher sample rates: Mbox 2 Pro supports up to 96 kHz sample rates****; Mbox 2 only supports up to 48 kHz sample rates.
- MIDI Time Stamping support: Mbox 2 Pro supports MIDI Time Stamping (MTS) for highly accurate MIDI timing; Mbox 2 does not support MTS.
- Phono preamp: Mbox 2 Pro features a phono preamp, allowing for direct connection of a turntable; Mbox 2 does not have a phono preamp.
- Word Clock I/O: Mbox 2 Pro features Word Clock I/O ports to easily lock to external sources; Mbox 2 does not include Word Clock I/O ports.
| Feature | Mbox 2 Pro | Mbox 2 |
| Total simultaneous channels of I/O | 6 in / 8 out***** | 4 in / 2 out***** |
| Analog inputs | 4 | 2 |
| Analog outputs | 6 | 2 |
| Dedicated monitor outputs | Yes (mirrors channels 1 and 2) | Yes |
| Mic preamps | 2 | 2 |
| 48V phantom power | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum resolution |
24-bit/96 kHz**** |
24-bit/48 kHz |
| Phono input | Yes | No |
| Stereo S/PDIF digital I/O | Yes (RCA) | Yes (RCA) |
| MIDI in/out | 1 in / 1 out (16 channels in and 16 channels out) | 1 in / 1 out (16 channels in and 16 channels out) |
| MIDI Time Stamping support | Yes | No |
| Word Clock I/O | Yes | No |
| Headphone outputs | 2 stereo headphone outputs with independent level controls and alternate source switch |
1 stereo headphone output with dedicated level control |
| Connection | FireWire (IEEE-1394) | USB 1.1 |
| Power source | Powered by FireWire or included power supply | Powered by USB bus only |
| Digidesign control surfaces supported |
Command|8, Control|24 | Command|8, Control|24 |
| Pro Tools LE software | Yes | Yes |
| Pro Tools Ignition Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party drivers | ASIO, Core Audio, Wave | ASIO, Core Audio, Wave |
***** Total simultaneous I/O channels require use of both analog and digital I/O.
