One of the most exciting advances in the last couple of years has been the de-coupling of Pro Tools -- the industry standard recording software suite -- and it's interfaces. Previously, in order to use Pro Tools, you had to have the interfaces that went with it -- and vice versa.
Now, with Avid's new-and-improved Mbox Mini, you can have the power of Pro Tools, alongside Avid's legendary hardware quality, in a small, desktop-sized package. While it's not the most powerful interface on the market, it can get the job done for anyone whose needs are simple; the Mbox Mini is an ideal solution for an acoustic singer-songwriter or voiceover actor looking for a simple, robust platform to start recording.
What's inside the box?
Now, with Avid's new-and-improved Mbox Mini, you can have the power of Pro Tools, alongside Avid's legendary hardware quality, in a small, desktop-sized package. While it's not the most powerful interface on the market, it can get the job done for anyone whose needs are simple; the Mbox Mini is an ideal solution for an acoustic singer-songwriter or voiceover actor looking for a simple, robust platform to start recording.
What's inside the box?
Inside the Mbox Box
The Mbox Mini is an elegant design; it's a sleek, black box, powered via USB bus (eliminating the need for any type of external power supply). On the connection end, you'll find a single combination XLR and TRS 1/4" jack with a world-class, phantom-powered microphone preamp. You'll also find two more 1/4" inputs, along with two 1/4" balanced monitor outputs, a 1/4" headphone output, alongside pad and impedance controls.
On the front, you'll find gain control for your two channels, alongside a large, smoothly-controlled volume knob.
The Mbox Mini isn't bundled with any software; instead, you obtain the software you want and license it separately. It's compatible with Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Sonar, and many others; in fact, if you're using a Core Audio- or ASIO-compatible software package, the Mbox Mini will work perfectly fine for you.
Learning to use Pro Tools? Check out the basics with our FAQ on How to Start a Pro Tools Session.
On the front, you'll find gain control for your two channels, alongside a large, smoothly-controlled volume knob.
The Mbox Mini isn't bundled with any software; instead, you obtain the software you want and license it separately. It's compatible with Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Sonar, and many others; in fact, if you're using a Core Audio- or ASIO-compatible software package, the Mbox Mini will work perfectly fine for you.
Learning to use Pro Tools? Check out the basics with our FAQ on How to Start a Pro Tools Session.
Sound Quality
Used in a test setting, the Mbox Mini performed beautifully. In fact, I liked it's preamp quality a lot more than it's older cousin, the Digi 002-R; the preamp sounded silky-smooth with a solid top and bottom end extension; the converter sounded nicely colored with a warm, analog-like presence, very reminiscent of early Apogee converters. The Mbox Mini can record as high as 24-bit, 48kHz in resolution.
The monitor outs and headphone out of the Mbox Mini sound clean, with plenty of drive. Used as an all-in-one solution, the Mbox Mini fills a lot of gaps in one tiny package.
In order to get the most out of the Mbox Mini, it's advised to use a computer with at least 2GB of RAM. In my testing, I found that 4GB was a lot more optimal, and provided for a much easier, hiccup free experience when using both Logic and Pro Tools 9 with the Mbox Mini.
Overall, for the price -- around $275 -- you can't do much better; while you'll still have the cost of software to add in, you'll be getting a world-class piece of gear for a small price; after all, once you've made that software investment, upgrading interfaces later on can be a lot cheaper. Mbox Mini is a great place to start.
Just buy a Pro Tools interface? Check out our guide to learning to Mix in Pro Tools.
The monitor outs and headphone out of the Mbox Mini sound clean, with plenty of drive. Used as an all-in-one solution, the Mbox Mini fills a lot of gaps in one tiny package.
In order to get the most out of the Mbox Mini, it's advised to use a computer with at least 2GB of RAM. In my testing, I found that 4GB was a lot more optimal, and provided for a much easier, hiccup free experience when using both Logic and Pro Tools 9 with the Mbox Mini.
Overall, for the price -- around $275 -- you can't do much better; while you'll still have the cost of software to add in, you'll be getting a world-class piece of gear for a small price; after all, once you've made that software investment, upgrading interfaces later on can be a lot cheaper. Mbox Mini is a great place to start.
Just buy a Pro Tools interface? Check out our guide to learning to Mix in Pro Tools.