mbox, what do you recomend using?

[Guitarplayer546]

so i just got a laptop recently and laptop recently and im looking to get something asap for recording purposes. so far the mbox's that ive seen range from 300-900 bucks for the mini/reg/pro versions of them. would anyone have any other suggestions as to what i can use? reason iwas planning to get an mbox was because it actually just comes with pro tools.

anyways ill be finding out more soon, just thought i would ask some of your guys/gals opinions

[Nicko_Shmicko]

Im gunna get the m-box mini just for recording on my own, that thing looks good.

[Moseph]

Is pro tools mandatory for you?

The cost of devices (with comparable feature sets) is basically half that of digidesign products (sometimes less) if you choose to go with a system that doesn't require pro tools. Many come with OEM software such as Ableton Live Lite or Cubase LE (which are somewhat comparable to Pro Tools LE).

[Guitarplayer546]

im just looking for something that will be a quality program that comes with something like an mbox so i can start some recording. the mbox mini is about 350 bucks and it comes with pro tools.

other suggestions ill be glad to look into

[Jon]

what's the deal with pro tools anyway? surely a (quality) multitrack is a quality multitrack program?

Anyway I'd go with something from M-Audio - you can run Pro Tools on them, they're a fraction of the price, and they come with Ableton Live Lite.

[Moseph]

Virtually all recording interfaces come with some sort of OEM recording software.

M-Audio tends to bundle Ableton Live Lite and Reason Adapted with their products.

Tascam tends to provide Gigastudio LE and Cubase LE with their products.

Lexicon usually gives you Cubase LE and Pantheon Reverb LE.

EMU tends to bundle lots of OEM software with their products.

The bottom line with Digidesign is this: do you want Pro Tools and specifically Pro Tools? While it's true that the majority of professional studios will have Pro Tools in-house, making it vital for cross-compatibility but is that something you really need?

Pro Tools is a good program, but so are a lot of other programs. It's a matter of personal preference, and I recommend finding other suitable software if you're just learning. You won't know the difference anyway since you're just going to be learning your first software.

[cadencethefire]

hey TS. I went the same route as you, i got an mbox2 and everything... and honestly i wish i had spent the 500 bucks on something by tascam or presonus

check out this thread for what i gave the last guy:

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=508470

EDIT: Thanks Moseph, i'm getting a tascam FW 1804 Rack in the next month or so

[Guitarplayer546]

ya it doesnt matter if its pro tools or not moseph, something that i can start learning how to record on and to learn a program etc, if its cheaper great lol

[Jon]

the presonus firepod looks like proper sex, I'm going to either get that or a m-audio fasttrack pro.

Bit of a difference I know, I just don't really need to be able to record drums etc.

Saying that I have a pretty disposable income, so why the hell not?

I have a drumkit downstairs, if I set up some mics on that, and then mic or DI some guitars, and have some mics set up and stuff, I can just have people over to record.

Again, *why the hell not*?

[cadencethefire]

wanna trade the firepod for my mbox2?

[Jon]

I don't have it, I was just talking about it :confused:

Unless you're not talking to me, which would be a good explanation.

[cadencethefire]

actually i was trying to make a funny but i fayled