Avid Technology Mbox Pro User manual

Mbox Pro User Guide

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Avid, Avid DNA, Avid Mojo, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS,

Avid Xpress, AVoption, Axiom, Beat Detective,

Bomb Factory, Bruno, C|24, Command|8, Control|24,

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Digi 002, DigiBase, DigiDelivery, Digidesign,

Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Intelligent Noise

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DigiTranslator,DINR, DV Toolkit,EditPack, Eleven,HD Core,

HD Process, Hybrid, Impact, Interplay, LoFi, M-Audio,

MachineControl, Maxim, Mbox, MediaComposer, MIDI I/O,

MIX, MultiShell, Nitris, OMF, OMF Interchange, PRE,

ProControl, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, QuickPunch, Recti-Fi,

Reel Tape, Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Sibelius,

Smack!,SoundReplacer,SoundDesigner II,Strike,Structure,

SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan,

TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune,

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Product features, specifications, system requirements, and

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Contents iii

Chapter 1. Welcome to Mbox Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Mbox Pro Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Conventions Used in This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter 2. Mbox Pro Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mbox Pro Front Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Mbox Pro Back Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Chapter 3. Installing and Connecting Mbox Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Chapter 4. Making Studio Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Connecting Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Audio Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Connecting a Microphone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Connecting Instruments to the Mbox Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting Keyboards and Mixers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Connecting Inserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Connecting Digital I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

MIDI Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Word Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Using a Footswitch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Chapter 5. Using the Driver Control Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Stereo Mix Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Layouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Contents

Avid Mbox Pro User Guideiv

Chapter 6. Using the Multi Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Using the Multi Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Press and Release Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Press and Hold Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Hold Duration Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Appendix A. Using CoreAudio- and ASIO-Compliant Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Configuring Mbox Pro for Third-Party Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Configuring the Apple Sound Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Appendix B. Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Environmental Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Safety Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Chapter 1: Welcome to Mbox Pro 1

Chapter 1: Welcome to Mbox Pro

Welcome to the Mbox®Pro FireWire audio and

MIDI interface from Avid®.

Mbox Pro provides your FireWire-equipped com-

puter with six channels of analog audio input, six

channels of analog audio output, two channels of

S/PDIF digital audio input and output, MIDI and

Word Clock I/O, and two front panel headphone

outputswith independent levelcontrols. Mbox Pro

provides professional-quality mic preamps and

24-bit/192 kHz analog-to-digital and digital-to-

analog converters.

Mbox ProintegrateswithPro Tools®software,and

is compatible with third-party audio and MIDI

applications that support the CoreAudio (Mac) or

ASIO (Windows) standard.

Mbox Pro Features

The Mbox Pro provides the following:

Audio Inputs and Outputs

Mbox Proprovides upto eight discretechannels of

input and up to eight discrete channels of output,

using the following analog and digital I/O:

Analog Inputs

• Two channels of analog audio input with high

quality microphone preamps (inputs 1–2). Each

input channel 1–2 provides:

• 48v Phantom Power and inserts

• Two XLR/TRS (Mic/DI) combo connectors

onthefrontpanel, and two1/4-inchTRS Line

connectorswithswitchable +4/-10inputlevel

on the rear panel

• Mic preamps feature a –20 dB pad and soft-

limit switch separately on each analog input

channel

• Mic/DI signal is adjusted by the Gain knob

for each channel

Avid Mbox Pro User Guide2

• Two additional channels of analog audio input

with high quality microphone preamps. Each

input channel 3–4 provides:

• 48v Phantom Power and inserts

• Analog input jacks include two XLR Mic

connectors on the rear panel, and two 1/4-

inch TRS Line connectors with switchable

+4/-10 input level also on the rear panel

• Mic preamps feature a –20 dB pad and soft-

limit switch separately on each analog input

channel

• Mic signal is adjusted by the Gain knob for

each channel

• Two channels of analog audio input via RCA or

1/8-inch connectors (Aux 5/6). Each input chan-

nel provides:

• Analog input jacks provide an unbalanced

line input on either RCA connectors or a 1/8-

inch mini stereo connector (common for con-

necting most MP3 players)

• Inputs are fully functioning inputs to

Pro Tools as well as providing an alternate

monitor source using the Speaker button

Analog Outputs

• Six balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog outputs,

supporting line level outputs, multiple stereo

monitors, or up to 5.1 surround monitoring

• Insert jacks (1–4) for inserting external

processing devices on input channels

• 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, supporting

sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz,

96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz

Digital I/O

• Two channels of S/PDIF digital input and out-

put. S/PDIF inputs are available independent of

and in addition to analog inputs 1–6. S/PDIF

outputs are always available in Pro Tools

MIDI

• One MIDI In and one MIDI Out port, providing

16 channels of MIDI input and output

Other Capabilities and

Specifications

• Front panel “Multi” button, assignable to a

variety of common Pro Tools functions

• Low latency direct record monitoring

• On-board tuner

• Two 1/4-inch (TRS) stereo headphone outputs

(A and B) with independently adjustable level

and routing controls

• Controlroomfunctionalityincluding front panel

Dim/Mute, Mono and Speaker/Source switches

• Footswitch jack for starting or stopping play-

back or punching in and out while recording

• Multi-pin port (DB15 connection) that handles

Word Clock, MIDI, and S/PDIF via included

breakout cable

Chapter 1: Welcome to Mbox Pro 3

System Requirements and

Compatibility

Mbox Pro can be used with a qualified Windows

orMac computerrunning Pro Toolssoftware 8.0.4

or higher.

Mbox Procan be also be used with a qualified Mac

or Windows computer running any other Core Au-

dio- or ASIO-compliant software.

Mbox Pro hardware drivers must be installed be-

fore you can connect and use your Mbox Pro.

A DVD drive is required to use the Drivers In-

staller disc (included with your Pro Tools software

package).

Avid can only assure compatibility and provide

support for hardware and software it has tested and

approved.

For complete system requirements and a list of

qualified computers, operating systems, hard

drives, and third-party devices, visit:

www.avid.com/compatibility

Conventions Used in This

Guide

All of our guides use the following conventions to

indicate menu choices and key commands:

The names of Commands, Options, and Settings

that appear on-screen are in a different font.

The following symbols are used to highlight

important information:

For Pro Tools installation instructions, see

the Pro Tools Installation Guide.

For Mbox hardware drivers installation in-

structions, see Chapter 3, “Installing and

Connecting Mbox Pro.”

Convention Action

File > Save Choose Save from the

File menu

Control+N Hold down the Control key

and press the N key

Control-click Hold down the Control key

and click the mouse button

Right-click Click with the right

mouse button

User Tips are helpful hints for getting the

most from your system.

Important Notices include information that

could affect your data or the performance of

your system.

Shortcutsshowyouusefulkeyboardormouse

shortcuts.

Cross References point to related sections in

this guide and other Pro Tools guides.

Avid Mbox Pro User Guide4

About www.avid.com

The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best

online source for information to help you get the

most out of your Pro Tools system. The following

arejust a fewof theservicesand featuresavailable.

Product Registration

online.

Support and Downloads

Contact Avid Customer

Success (technical support); download software

updates and the latest online manuals; browse the

Compatibilitydocumentsforsystemrequirements;

search the online Knowledge Base or join the

worldwide Pro Tools community on the User Con-

ference.

Training and Education

Study on your own using

courses available online or find out how you can

learn in a classroom setting at a certified Pro Tools

training center.

Products and Developers

Learn about Avid

products; download demo software or learn about

our Development Partners and their plug-ins, ap-

plications, and hardware.

News and Events

GetthelatestnewsfromAvidor

Chapter 2: Mbox Pro Hardware Overview 5

Chapter 2: Mbox Pro Hardware Overview

Mbox Pro Front Panel Features

Figure 1 identifies controls, indicators, and input and output ports on the front panel on the Mbox Pro.

Input Combo Jacks (Mic/DI)

These combination jacks (Mic/DI) provide XLR

and 1/4-inch (TS) inputs for Input channels 1

and 2.

Gain/–20 dB Pad Switches

These knobs adjust the input gain levels of Mic/DI

1and 2,or Mic3 and4. Turnthe knobclockwise to

increase gain, and counter-clockwise to decrease

gain.

If your input signal is too hot even with the Gain

knob at a low setting, pull the Gain knob out to en-

gage a “pad” that attenuates the signal by –20dB.

Front/Rear Input Source

Switches

These buttons select the input source for input

channels 1 and 2. When “out”, the front panel

Mic/DI input is active; when “in” the back panel

Line Input is active for that channel.

Figure 1. Mbox Pro front panel

Headphones A and B Volume knob

Gain/–20 dB

Master Volume

knob

Gain/–20 dB Pad switches

Pad switch

Input combo jacks

Multi button Power indicator LED

Dim/Mute

switch

LED ladders

(inputs 1 - 4)

Mono

switch

Speaker source

select button

Headphone

outputs

Soft

Front/Back

input source

Soft

Front/Back

input source

switch switch

switch

limit switches

limit

Mic/Line

input source button

48V switch

Avid Mbox Pro User Guide6

Soft Limit Switch

These switches engage a soft limiter on that chan-

nel, applying a smooth, overdriven tape-type lim-

iter to strong input signals.

Mic/Line Input Source Button

These buttons select the input source for input

channels 3 and 4. When “out”, the back panel Mic

input is active; when “in” the back panel Line In-

put is active for that channel.

LED Ladders (Inputs 1–4)

These four 8-segment LED ladder-style meters il-

luminate green in the presence of audio signal, and

illuminate red when the signal is about to clip

(overload)the input.The LEDs areassociated with

signals routed from inputs 1–4.

48V Switch and LED (Phantom

Power)

The 48V switch toggles phantom power on/off for

all mic input channels. The LED, when lit, indi-

cates that 48V phantom power is active on the

XLR Mic inputs.

About Phantom Power

Most condenser microphones require phantom

power to operate. Dynamic microphones do not re-

quire phantom power to operate, but are not

harmed by it.

If you are not sure about the phantom power re-

quirements for your microphone, refer to your mi-

crophone’s documentation or contact the manufac-

turer.

Master Volume Knob

The Master Volume knob adjusts the output level

of the assigned Monitor output pair. The Master

Volume knob is assigned to an output pair (1–2,

3–4, or 5–6) in the Control Panel. See “Master

Vol” on page 31.

Dim/Mute Switch

The Dim/Mute switch affects the output volume

for control room outputs as assigned in the Driver

ControlPanel setup (by default, Lineoutputs 1 and

2.) See “Control Room Assignment” on page 31.

The switch has two functions:

When pushed, Line outputs 1 and 2 (or the cur-

rently assigned Control Room outputs) are

dimmed. When Dim is engaged, the switch

LED lights solid.

When pushed and held in, Line outputs 1 and 2

(or the currently assigned Control Room out-

puts) are muted. When Mute is engaged, the

switch LED flashes.

Mono Switch

The Mono Button sums the control room outputs

to a mono signal (delivering that identical signal to

both speakers) via the Driver Control Panel or the

Mbox Pro. When engaged, the Mono LED lights.

Although phantom power can be used safely

with most microphones, it is possible to dam-

agesome ribbon microphones with it.Always

turn off phantom power and wait at least ten

seconds before connecting or disconnecting

a ribbon microphone.

When using phantom power, the Mbox Pro

maximum current per microphone is 10 mA.

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