[Digidesign MBox] Advices needed, please

[mirko]

Hallo
So here I am, still looking forward to ending my switch by acquiring a proper music package for my Panther Powerbook 1,25GHz.

I previously was interested by the forthcoming Steinberg System4 bundle but after reading that so many Mac users had problems with it, I am now looking elsewhere...

I still have the following issues :

• I do only record 2 tracks at a time.
• I would like to recycle most of my Cubase VST5 PC projects... if only, the audio files (WAV) would be okay.
• I have a limited budget.
• Whatever I'll buy, I need a stereo pair of XLR in and 24bit resolution (48kHz is acceptable).
• I already own a Steinberg Midex8 with all the required OSX10.3 drivers so I do not need a MIDI input.

This time, I found the Digidsesign MBox package to be quite sexy but I have a few questions as well as an "executive summary poll" :

• Does the MBox audio interface work with Cubase SE (in case I purchase it in order to re-import my files) ?
• How compatible is Protools LE with my MIDEX8 ?
• Does ProTools LE 6.1 handle ReWire ? VSTI ?
• Does ProTools LE 6.1 handle ReCycled loops ?
• How good and stable is it ?
• I heard about minimalistic MIDI support, is it *that* bad ? (I used primarily a 4 year-old sequencer, before).
• How good is the output quality ? the stability ?

Thanks for your invaluable help.
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[ion]

does it have to be protools?

Logic Platinum or Logic Audio is another option, and a bloody good one at that, especially with the A62 also made by emagic.

ok plus points, based on my own experience:

1. MIDI is a breeze in logic
2. You can import REX files into logic easily.
3. Rewire with Reason works a treat
4. Logic is very stable (i'm on version 6.3.1 running on a g4 466mhz with 1gb RAM)
5. the output is good, well obviously limited to one's mixing ability

The downside? Well, Apple (who now own Emagic) have streamlined the product range. Theres not Logic Pro and Logic Express, Logic Pro is basically the Platinum version with ALL emagic softsynths bundled whilst the Express version is basically the old Big Box - Logic Audio with ES1, ESXP24 and EVP73.

Good luck,

ion

[mirko]

does it have to be protools?

Well, I heard a lot of very good things about ProTools and I had a bad experience with Logic (didn't like its ergonomy, BTW)...
And the interface you mention doesn't have XLR.
Thanks
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[toaster]

pro tools, especially the low end stuff, can be hard to get a good sound out of, in my experience. but since you said you don't like logic, however, i'm at a loss for other suggestions....

the mbox/PTle set up will probably be ok for you, but maybe consider getting a third party interface (MOTU, etc.) and using the software you already know (cubase)... i find FauxTools to be a cery cumbersome interface for me, and that it's strengths are only apparent when using it in a real studio environment (i.e. PThd rig running as a 'tape machine' with a nice neve or ssl or something).

i dunno. i say stick with what you're familiar with.

cheers,
john

[toaster]

oh, noticed you're in Bern! that's an amazing city! I played there this summer with Jojo Mayer at Dampfzentral (sp?)... was a great time, wikkid party.

cheers,
john