question

i have a mpc1000 and i want to buy a audio interface and i was thinking the mbox mini 2 since its exactly the amount of money i have right now. Is this a smart move?

Also im using windows vista and i know pro tools now supports it but will it work right on a year old hp laptop?

I prefer Cubase to P'tools for beat making--and find they are pretty on par for band recording. The Mbox scenario works well for most folks, so long as you only want to record 2 channels of audio at a time. I considered going that route, but since I like to be able to mic up a while drum kit, or do some band recording from time to time, the PreSonus firepod (now firestudio) seemed like a MUCH better option. Many ins&outs, midi, SPDIF, and comes with cubase. It's a bit more than the Mbox, but for me, opened up a lot of additional recording options.

I personally like protools. If you don't, you aren't stuck with it per say, but you will keep telling yourself it's not worth it to change (atleast i do lol).


I know alot of people who just plain didn't like the mbox, i don't know why. It seems simple.


Don't buy the Mini though, it doesn't have midi. I think it's one of the most critical parts of taking your hardware and working with software. I do know of a few people who never use midi, i think even then, it would be good to have that option. You can buy a seperate midi interface too but i feel the point of an interface is an all in one package.

My .5 cents.