to MBox2mini or not MBox2mini?

I'm asking for some advice:

at the moment I'm learning to produce songs on my MPC500 but am still obviously a novice at eq'ing and applying tasteful amounts of effects.

I'm considering buying an mbox to use ProTools as I have used a friend's copy of 7.4 previously and like the interface, etc. The only other instrument I have is a Edirol PCR keyboard that I use with Reason.

However, money is tight and rather than the Mbox2, I was only looking buying at an mbox2 mini, which has RCA outputs but no MIDI. I've been told I could use a USB-MIDI cable in addition to the mbox2 mini and that would still be within my budget...

If I bought the Mbox2 mini and then just used the RCA outs to record my songs in stereo would this still be OK? My understanding is that MIDI is useful in that I could then record each MPC track with negligable latency onto individual tracks in ProTools and then selectively eq and add effects onto these individually with everything lining up perfectly.

What do other people here do? Am I wasting my money buying the Mbox2 mini or is this OK for my level of production?

I own an mbox 2 and not having the additional inputs midi/audio is definitely a pain when it comes to porting the beats over to PT 1 track at a time. That said I feel the limitations with the bigger mbox 2 so I really would not recommend going the mini route. It all depends on your situation which only you know best, I am growing out of my present setup and looking to a an 003 while your just getting started. That said take the sage advice given to me which is, buy the right gear once instead of the wrong gear twice.

Good luck also BTW upgrade to PT 8 it is so sweet

dont even go the mbox route, the mini is a waste of money.
its a quick fix that soon becomes a hassle.

Thanks for the advice [email protected] -

If I wasn't going down the Mbox2/Pro Tools route - what do people suggest?

It now seems like (from what I"ve been told here and what I've learnt in the meantime) that the Mbox2 mini is a waste of money and would be a hassle to use for what I want it to do.

Is it basically ProTools or Logic or Cubase?

Here is something to save you time

Pro Tools- Is the industry standard and does everything pretty well, but can be a bit pricey to start, and you must use one of their hardware options.

Ableton- Rising in popularity for creating music on the fly especially for djing. Also it seems Akai and Ableton have been partnering up since they released a hardware conroller for Ableton Live. The only knock against it seems to be it can have a bit of a learning curve, especially if you have never used audio software before. That said If I was to start over I would give Ableton a go for sure.

Logic-Best Midi options, and bundled with a ton of virtual instruments, does not have the flexibility of Pro Tools or Ableton.

Cubase and some others are good but for the money I would only play around with those 3 I listed above, and Maybe Digital Performer if your doing video work.

Let me be clear you will regret buying an mbox 2 mini, it is extremely limited and you will regret pigeon holing yourself later. That said look around ebay for mbox2's you will be surprised at the dealsyou can find.

Cool thanks for that clear response.

I hear you and agree with everything you've said.

I'll read some more on using ableton and how you can use it as a multi-tracker (and add effects to each track) as I've only ever thought of it as "Live" software instrument or perfect mixtape maker.

Last question (for today!):

If not tied to ProTools - which interface would you get? The local shops try and sell me Edirol every time I walk in there!

I have not done research on any other interfaces than pro tools ones in any real detail, but my answer to that question would be an interface that is made for the software you are end up trying to use. For example the digi 002/or 003 they combine the interface AND the control surface which simplifies everything alot. You can always upgrade your signal path with expensive mic pre's and other toys later, so to me personally control integration is paramount.

That said I have heard good things about mackie onyx mixers but their out of your price range as well.

I run a Digi 003 in my main studio and an Mbox2 at home. Plenty can be done with an Mbox. Granted there is a price issue but I constantly have to send/recieve session files from other studios for projects. Compatibility alone makes it worth purchasing. Also plenty can be done on a Mbox. Check out my 2 submissions on the last MPC mixtape. I wasnt able to use my commercial lab for the mixes so I did them at home with the Mbox. Im not a fan of the mini because it just doesnt give you enough options. A second hand mbox2 will get a lot done. It will also hold its resale value so in the event you want to upgrade you can sell it and get most of your money back.

co sign what pound said. An mbox or mbox2 is perfect for your first setup, but a mini looks like a waste of money

Thank you to FIVE@mac and poundaproblem - I'll keep researching and do as you suggest.