DigiD Mbox 2
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1. iG 62 4 8 si Transport window 3 Click Record Enable in the Transport window to arm Pro Tools for recording The Record but ton flashes red to indicate that Pro Tools is ready to record 4 When you are ready to start recording click Play or press the Spacebar 5 Record your performance 6 Click Stop in the Transport window or press the Spacebar when you are finished recording To play back a recorded track 1 Click the track s Record Enable button a sec ond time to take it out of Record mode 2 On the front of the Mbox 2 turn the Mix con trol fully right to Playback 3 Click Play in the Transport window or press the Spacebar to start playback 4 Click Stop in the Transport window or press the Spacebar to stop playback Recording a Pro Tools Session 9 Importing Audio from a CD To import audio from a compact disc 1 Launch Pro Tools 2 Choose File gt New Session 3 Set Session Parameters in the New Session di alog as needed or leave at their default settings For details see the Mbox 2 Getting Started Guide Mame the session sm ADO DRIVE F Save as type Fro Took Session pil Semon Paranstert Ando Fike Typa G ampie Aate WEY 44 1 kHz VO fm Stereo Mx New Session dialog 4 Choose where you want to save your session 5 Type a name for your session and click Save2. Open Session Er Close Session Ctr 5hift TW Save CHr 5 ave 45 Save Copy In Revert to Saved Send via DigiDelivery F Import d QuickTime Movie Ey k J Choosing Bounce to Disk from the File menu 3 In the Bounce Options dialog choose Outputs 1 2 as the Bounce Source 4 Choose BWF WAV for the File Type 5 Choose Stereo Interleaved for the Format 6 Choose 16 for the Resolution and 44100 for the Sample Rate 7 If you are changing the sample rate of the bounced file choose a Conversion Quality set ting For details see the Mbox 2 Getting Started Guide 8 Choose Convert after Bounce and click Bounce Bounce Bounce Options Bounce Source Dut 1 2 Stereo v d Compatibility Enfor Enforce Avii V Fie Type Format Stereo Interleaved Resolution 16 v Sample Rate 44100 Convert During Bounce Convert After Bounce Import After Bounce Cancel Bounce Bounce options for creating CD burnable tracks 9 In the Bounce dialog give the bounce tracks a name and choose where they should be saved Save Bounce As Folders Save in O Audio Files Filtered Dream Mi Save Cancel File name Save as type WAY wav Entering a name for the bounced file 10 Click Save Pro Tools begins bouncing to disk Pro Tools bounces
3. Basics Mbox 2 Version 7 0 1 w Copyright 2005 Digidesign a division of Avid Technology Inc All rights reserved This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the express written consent of Digidesign Avid Digidesign Mbox 2 and Pro Tools are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology Inc in the US and other countries All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners Product features specifications system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice PN 9320 18186 00 REV A 10 05 Introduction Welcome to the Mbox 2 Basics Guide This guide is designed to give new users specific methods for accomplishing common tasks with the Mbox 2 desktop audio interface and Pro Tools LE software Once you are familiar with basic Mbox 2 opera tion we recommend that you read the Work ing With Pro Tools tutorial in the Mbox 2 Get ting Started Guide For the most complete information on using Pro Tools see the Pro Tools Reference Guide Online Resources Many resources for learning to use Pro Tools are also available online at the Digidesign Web site www digidesign com including the following DiSK Digidesign Sound Knowledge Instruc tional material about how to use Pro Tools in cluding DiSK Flix movies that show how to do a number of common tasks using Pro Tools DigiZine An online magazine for and abo
4. amplifier Mixer 14 Mbox 2 Basics Guide Connecting a MIDI Device to Mbox 2 To connect your MIDI device to Mbox 2 1 Connect a standard S pin MIDI cable from the MIDI Out port of your device to the MIDI In port on the back of Mbox 2 2 Connect another MIDI cable from the MIDI In port of your device to the MIDI Out port on the back of Mbox 2 MIDI Out MIDI In Mbox 2 MIDI connections Monitoring MIDI Instruments with Mbox 2 If you have a MIDI instrument that has analog outputs you can connect it to Mbox 2 to moni tor its output To connect your MIDI instrument for monitoring in Pro Tools a Connect the MIDI instrument s audio output to a Line TRS input on your Mbox 2 Input 2 right channel Input 1 left channel Mbox 2 connections for line level stereo input source Recording MIDI on an Instrument Track Pro Tools Instrument tracks provide both MIDI and audio capabilities so you can record MIDI and monitor audio from software and hardware instruments To create an Instrument track and configure it for recording 1 Choose Setup gt MIDI gt Input Devices and make sure your input device is selected in the MIDI Input Enable window and click OK 2 Choose Track gt New and specify 1 Mono In strument Track then click Create Creating a new Mono Instrument track 3 Select View gt Mix Window gt Instruments to display the MIDI co
5. that correspond to the different signal strengths Mix control Mic DI output by different types of instruments Selector Input 1 Gain level control DI Input Instruments such as electric guitar Or electric Dass that usually have a lower level of output than line level instruments use the DI Direct Inject input Line Input Line level devices including elec tronic audio sources such as mixers samplers keyboards turntables and synthesizers use the Source selector and Gain control for Input 1 Line input 3 On the front of the Mbox 2 turn the Mix con trol fully left to Input To use a guitar with Mbox 2 4 On the front of the Mbox 2 carefully turn the Gain control to the right to increase the input level of your guitar 1 On the back of the Mbox 2 plug your guitar cable into one of the DI inputs Input 1 DI gt P When you record a guitar or any mono in strument that uses only one source input you will hear the sound in only one side of the stereo field Pushing the mono button on the front of the Mbox 2 brings the sound from one side of the stereo field to both sides The Mono switch does not affect the audio being recorded It only affects how you hear your input to the Mbox 2 Connecting guitar to the Input 1 DI connector 6 Mbox 2 Basics Guide To use a keyboard or mixer with Mbox 2 1 Plug your keyboard mixer or other audio source into either t
6. that you have configured your computer and its MIDI settings For more information refer to the Mbox 2 Getting Started Guide 6 If you are using an external MIDI device and connected its audio output to Mbox 2 for mon itoring in Pro Tools click the Input selector of the Instrument track and choose the corre sponding audio input This step is not neces sary if you are using an instrument plug in no input we gt In 1 Mono gt In 2 Mona SIPDIF L Mono SIPDIF R nnn interface bus plug in 3 Choosing an audio input for an Instrument track 7 Inthe Mix Window click the Track Record En able button to enable the Instrument track for MIDI recording Track Record Enable button Enabling an Instrument track for MIDI recording 8 Make sure Options gt MIDI Thru is selected 9 Play some notes on your MIDI controller and look for the track s MIDI Velocity meter to move Remember MIDI is not audio and the MIDI Velocity meter is not registering sound output but MIDI activity MIDI Velocity meter MIDI meter in Instrument track showing MIDI activity 10 Adjust the audio output level of the Instru ment track with its Volume fader Volume fader Adjusting the Volume fader on an Instrument track To record MIDI on the Instrument track 1 Verify that the Instrument track you want to record to is record enabled and receiving MIDI 2 In the Transport window click Return to Zero to st
7. 6 Put the source CD into your computer s CD drive 10 Mbox 2 Basics Guide 7 Open the Workspace browser by choosing Window gt Workspace The Workspace browser is a window where you can find audition and manage your audio files Help Mix Chrl w Edit krl Task Manager Alt Workspace Project s Browsers Opening the Workspace browser 8 In the Workspace browser click the Audio CD icon to show the files on the CD 9 Click the speaker icon in the Waveform col umn to audition the audio file Press the Space bar to stop playback G Workspace f Audio CD D T T wolume EH Audio File Track02 cda Trackn3 cda Track04 cda amp Track05 cda FRA Audio File Audio File Audio File Audio File Auditioning an audio file in the Workspace browser 10 Drag the audio file from the Workspace browser to the Track List in the Edit window to import the file to a new audio track BarsiBeasts 1 i J9 17 Min Secs oo ono O2O Oo30 040 E li li smp J gt Jiz0 i Workspace QQJoceeoe Audio CD D T T Volume aE Audio File amp 8 a Track0z cda Audio File a m amp Track03 cda Audio File Tracko4 cda Audio File amp I lt All gt amp Track05 cda Audio File i s w Dis Dragging an audio file from the Workspace browser to the Edit window Track List To play back the new tr
8. ack 1 In the Transport window click Return to Zero to go to the beginning of the track 2 On the front of the Mbox 2 turn the Mix con trol fully right to Playback 3 Click Play in the Transport window to begin playback 4 Click Stop in the Transport window or press the Spacebar to stop playback Importing Audio from a CD 11 Creating an Audio CD from a Pro Tools Session Pro Tools does not create audio CDs directly but you can create stereo audio files from your Pro Tools sessions that can be used by most CD burning software Bouncing Audio to Disk Use the Pro Tools Bounce to Disk feature to combine all your audible tracks into a single master audio file After the new audio file has been bounced to disk you can burn it to a CD If you are bouncing down audio from 24 bit res olution to 16 bit CD resolution you should use a dither plug in on the main output For de tails see the Mbox 2 Getting Started Guide To bounce audio to disk 1 After you have finished recording and mixing a session in Pro Tools select the length of the session in the timeline ruler or on a track plus an additional amount of time to avoid cutting off any reverb tails that might continue past the end of the last region Session audio selected and ready to bounce 12 Mbox 2 Basics Guide 2 Choose File gt Bounce to gt Disk io Edit wiew Track Region Event AudioSuite Option Hew Session Ctrl M
9. are done in real time so you hear audio playback of your mix during the bounce process though you cannot adjust it TSE GRY SB ae a TER ER AE OE E ee iranran ranana an ada andsin iant zerr i Bouncing to Disk Time Remaining 2 14 type Control period or Escape to cancel Burning a CD After the bounce is completed you will have an audio file that is ready for burning onto a CD Quit Pro Tools and launch any common CD burning application to burn your bounced mix to CD 56 i Make certain that you configure your CD burning application to create an audio CD rather than a data CD Creating an Audio CD from a Pro Tools Session 13 Mbox 2 and MIDI What is MIDI MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface data is not audio and has no sound MIDI is a way for musical devices to communicate MIDI is data that can trigger a MIDI device such as a keyboard or software synthesizer In order to create or play a MIDI recording you must have a MIDI controller or sound module real or virtual connected to the computer through the MIDI ports on Mbox 2 or another MIDI interface Audio from your MIDI instru ment can be monitored through the Mbox 2 or sent to an external mixer MIDI sound module a G o oo Ean ET AeA cia a e E aa ETT AT IN THAU OUT LLLLELELELELELELLEL LLELELELCELELELELDEE EELMINE TETE PNT MIDI keyboard controller Signal paths for MIDI instruments To
10. art recording from the beginning of the ses sion You can also record to a selection in a track or from the cursor location in the Edit window Fast Forward Go to End Return to Zero Rewind Play Online Stop Record Enable aE aa ab ba Lbs an a Transport window 3 Click Record Enable in the Transport window 4 Click Play in the Transport window or press the Spacebar to begin recording 5 Play your MIDI controller or input device 6 When you have finished recording click Stop in the Transport window or press the Spacebar The newly recorded MIDI data appears as a MIDI region on the track in the Edit window as well as in the Region List MIDI data in the Instrument track To play back recorded MIDI data 1 Click the Track Record Enable button to take the Instrument track out of Record mode 2 In the Transport window click Return to Zero to play back from the beginning of the track 3 Click Play in the Transport window to begin playback The recorded MIDI data plays back through the track s assigned instrument and channel Mbox 2 and MIDI 17 Controlling Delay Latency During Monitoring Mbox 2 and Pro Tools LE use your computer for all audio processing playback and recording This causes a small amount of audio delay or la tency Latency is most obvious when monitoring dur ing recording You may hear this as a slight de lay between when you produce the sound and wh
11. en you hear the sound through the speakers or headphones Mbox 2 gives you the ability to monitor your analog input signals while recording without hearing any latency This zero latency analog monitoring is controlled by the Mbox 2 front panel Mix control which you can use to blend and adjust the ratio between the Mbox 2 analog input and Pro Tools playback To use zero latency monitoring while recording 1 Launch Pro Tools and set up a session 18 Mbox 2 Basics Guide 2 Do one of the following e Mute the track you are recording on This prevents you from hearing the delayed sig nal coming back from Pro Tools through the Mbox 2 e Use the Mix control on the front of the Mbox 2 to blend the playback tracks with the analog tracks that you are recording Mix control a o N U 2 S Mix control on Mbox 2 front panel K Ne The Mix control has no effect when you are using S PDIF digital inputs 1 v ene ee www digidesign com A division of Avid DIGIDESIGN TECHNICAL SUPPORT USA PRODUCT INFORMATION USA INTERNATIONAL OFFICES 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Tel 650 731 6100 Tel 650 731 6102 Visit our Digidesign Web site Daly City CA 94014 3886 USA Fax 650 731 6384 Fax 800 333 2137 for contact information Tel 650 731 6300 Fax 650 731 6399
12. he Input 1 or Input 2 Line TRS inputs on your Mbox 2 If your source is stereo such as a stereo keyboard or the stereo output from a mixer connect the left channel often the white plug to Input 1 and right channel often the red plug to Input 2 Input 2 Input 1 right channel left channel Input 2 Input 1 amp SN DI LA A N uneW HS Mic A E Ag Bg E faal EN Mbox 2 connections for line level stereo input source 2 On the front of the Mbox 2 set the source to Line by pressing the Source selector until the Line LED is lit 3 On the front of the Mbox 2 turn the Mix con trol fully left to Input Mix control Mic DI selector Input 1 Gain level control UY KN Oo 1 nN s DJO M ey Mic LED Source selector and Gain control for Input 1 4 Set your instrument s volume to its optimal level For example the optimal level for most keyboards is between 80 and 100 of maxi mum volume 5 On the front of the Mbox 2 carefully turn the Gain control to the right to increase the input level of your keyboard Connecting Instruments 7 Recording a Pro Tools Session Before you record with Pro Tools and the Mbox 2 you first create a Pro Tools session then prepare an audio track for recording To create a Pro Tools session 1 Verify t
13. he connections between the Mbox 2 and your instrument or microphone 2 Launch Pro Tools 3 Choose File gt New Session 4 In the New Session dialog set the session pa rameters as needed or leave them at their de fault settings For details on New Session settings see the Mbox 2 Getting Started Guide 5 Choose where you want to save your session 6 Type a name for your session 7 Click Save To prepare an audio track for recording 1 Choose Track gt New 2 Specify 1 Mono Audio Track in Samples if your source is mono or 1 Stereo Audio Track in Samples if your source is stereo Creating a new Stereo Audio track 3 Click Create ce A mono instrument uses one input on the Mbox 2 and a stereo instrument uses two Creating a stereo track in Pro Tools will not make a mono instrument into a stereo in strument If a mono instrument is recorded on a Stereo track one side of the stereo track will show no signal 8 Mbox 2 Basics Guide 4 Make sure the Mix window is open by choos ing Window gt Mix w Edit Ctrl l Task Manager alee Showing the Mix window 5 In the Mix window click the Audio Input Path selector on the new track Input Path selector Sri auto read Choosing an input in the Mix window 6 From the pop up menu select the interface in put you want to record For example select In 1 if your audio source is mono and plugged into an In
14. icrophones and other line sources DI For 1 4 inch Tip Sleeve cables from guitar bass microphones or similar sources Mic 1 Li Righ 3 0 9 Line Line TRS TRS Analog input connectors For information about connecting specific au dio sources see Connecting a Microphone to the Mbox 2 on page 4 and Connecting In struments to the Mbox 2 on page 6 Getting Sound In and Out of Mbox2 3 Connecting a Microphone There are several ways to use Mbox 2 with a mi crophone depending on the type of micro phone and cable you use Mic Cables and Connectors Some microphone cables use an XLR connector to attach a microphone to an input such as those on the Mbox 2 other microphones use a 1 4 inch connector If you have a choice use an XLR connector to connect the microphone to the Mbox 2 to yield better results XLR connector 1 4 inch connector XLR and 1 4 inch connectors Phantom Power Some microphones require power to operate This power called phantom power is supplied ei ther by a battery in the microphone or through an audio interface such as Mbox 2 that can supply power through the microphone cable Most condenser microphones such as an AKG C3000 require phantom power to operate Dy namic microphones such as a Shure SMS7 do not require phantom power to operate but are not harmed by it A Although phantom power can be used safely with mo
15. mplification system pow ered speakers a home stereo system or an audio mixer When connecting to a stereo system connect the left channel often the white plug to Mon Out Left and right channel often the red plug to Mon Out Right Home stereo systems often use RCA connectors You can use an adaptor or a special cable to convert from the TRS or TS connectors used by Mbox 2 to the RCA connectors on your home stereo Monitor Out Left MOISTURE L 1 Monitor Out Right Stereo output from the Mbox 2 back panel Mon Outs Left and Right play the audio that is routed to analog outputs 1 and 2 within Pro Tools Connecting Audio Inputs Mbox 2 inputs sources support microphones guitars keyboards and other types of instru ments Mbox 2 has two audio input sections la beled Input 1 and Input 2 For stereo inputs use Input 1 for the left input and Input 2 for the right input Input 2 Input 1 ry 30 3 i A Inputs on back of Mbox 2 The two input sections are located so that the hardware input jacks line up directly behind their corresponding input controls on the front panel This makes it easier to locate channel in put connections from the front Each Input section has three analog input jacks Mic For XLR microphone cables Line TRS For 1 4 inch Tip Ring Sleeve cables from keyboards mixers m
16. ntrols for the Instrument track Track Region Event AudioSuite Options TErl Alk M Marrow Mix Mix Window Edit Window i Rulers pEi Sends F J es S O we Track Color Sends 4 E b Comments Sends F J All Track Number Mone Showing the Instrument View in the Mix window 4 At the top of the Instrument track in the Mix window click the track s MIDI Input selector and assign the device and channel to be re corded or leave it set to All MIDI Input selector E MIDI Input selector in an Instrument track Mbox 2 and MIDI 15 16 5 Do one of the following depending on the type of instrument you are using e If you are using an instrument plug in click an Insert selector and insert the plug in on the Instrument track The track s MIDI output is automatically assigned to the instrument plug in Inserting an instrument plug in on an Instrument track e If you are using an external MIDI device click the track s MIDI Output selector at the top of the Instrument track and assign the device and channel to receive the MIDI output the choices will vary depending on the device channel 2 N channel 3 channel 4 channel 5 channel 6 channel 7 channel 8 channel 9 channel 10 channel 11 channel 12 channel 13 channel 14 Predefined Mbox 2 Basics Guide If your connected MIDI device does not ap pear check
17. put 1 jack on the back of the Mbox 2 Se lect In 1 2 on any stereo audio track when your audio source is stereo o e G E no input ze Hee mnt 1 IM EC w In 1 2 Stereo bus SPDIF L R Stereo a oo gm Routing an input to a stereo track 7 Play the instrument or sound source at the volume you will record 8 Use the Gain controls on Mbox 2 to maximize the signal going into Pro Tools while avoiding clipping A Clipping occurs when you feed a signal to an audio device that is louder than the cir cuitry can accept To avoid clipping adjust the Gain control to a level where the Peak LEDs on the front of the Mbox 2 do not light 9 Using the Mix controls on the front of the Mbox 2 do one of the following e To hear only the input signal turn the Mix control fully left to Input e To hear an equal mix of playback and input signals turn the Mix control to the center See Controlling Delay Latency During Moni toring on page 18 for more information on us ing the Mix control during recording To record an audio track 1 Click the Track Record Enable button Record enabling a track in the Mix window 2 Choose Window gt Transport to display the Transport window Click Return to Zero to go to the beginning of the session Fast Forward Rewind Play Go to End Return to Zero Online Stop Record Enable
18. st microphones it is possible to damage some ribbon microphones with it Always turn off phantom power and wait at least ten seconds before connecting a ribbon microphone 4 Mbox 2 Basics Guide The Mbox 2 can only supply power through a microphone cable with XLR connectors If you are not sure about the phantom power require ments for your microphone refer to your micro phone s documentation or contact the manu facturer Connecting a Microphone to the Mbox 2 To use a microphone that has an XLR connector 1 Plug your microphone cable into one of the Mic inputs on the back of Mbox 2 Input 2 Mic input Input 1 Mic input e ELECTRIC SHOCK THIS EQUIPMI MOISTURE XLR connector plugged into Input 1 2 Make sure nothing is plugged in to the Line TRS jack otherwise Mbox 2 will use audio from the Line TRS input and not the Mic in put 3 Set the Source to Mic microphone by press ing the Mic DI Source selector on the front of Mbox 2 until the Mic LED is lit Mic DI Source selector DI Mic LED LED Input 1 Source selector and LEDs 4 If your microphone requires phantom power make sure the microphone is connected then press the Phantom Power switch labeled 48V on the front of the Mbox 2 This switch sends 48V to both mic inputs The 48V LED on the front of the Mbox 2 will light when phantom power is being supplied Phantom Power switch Phantom Power
19. switch 5 On the front of the Mbox 2 turn the Mix con trol fully left to Input Mic control Gain Vy So gt ww Mix control and Gain knob for Input 1 6 On the front of the Mbox 2 carefully turn the Gain control to the right to increase the input level of your microphone signal To use a microphone that has a 1 4 inch TS Tip Sleeve connector 1 On the back of the Mbox 2 plug the 1 4 inch connector from your microphone into one of the DI inputs Input 1 DI yD Toa Connecting a microphone to the Input 1 DI connector E 3 wa 2 On the front of the Mbox 2 set the source to DI by pressing the input channel Source selector until the DI LED is lit Mic DI selector Input 1 selector switch and DI LED 3 On the front of the Mbox 2 turn the Mix con trol fully left to Input Mix control Gain Input 1 Gain and Pad controls and the Mix control 4 On the front of the Mbox 2 carefully turn the Gain control to the right to increase the input level of your microphone signal 5 If the incoming signal is too loud press the Pad switch to engage the 20 dB pad Connecting a Microphone 5 Connecting Instruments Connecting Instruments to the 2 On the front of the Mbox 2 set the Source to Mbox 2 DI by pressing the Mic DI switch until the DI LED is lit Mbox 2 provides two input types DI and Line
20. ut Pro Tools users providing product news user stories and many tips and ideas Mbox 2 Basics Requirements Before proceeding make sure you have com pleted installation of Pro Tools LE software and connected the Mbox 2 to your computer Refer to the appropriate Windows or Macintosh configuration chapter in the Mbox 2 Getting Started Guide for configuration and installation steps Introduction 1 Getting Sound In and Out of Mbox 2 To hear audio recorded into a Pro Tools session you will need to connect headphones or an ex ternal sound system such as powered monitors or a home stereo to Mbox 2 Sound from Mbox 2 cannot be played through your com puter s speakers or your computer s sound out put Connecting Headphones On the front panel of the Mbox 2 is a 1 4 inch jack to connect headphones and a headphone level control to adjust headphone volume Headphone level EN YV f DOG gt 8 O 1 4 inch Headphone jack Headphone jack on front of Mbox 2 To connect headphones a Connect headphones with a 1 4 inch stereo connector or adapter to the Headphone jack 2 Mbox 2 Basics Guide Connecting a Sound System The monitor outputs on the back of the Mbox 2 support 1 4 inch plugs These connections can be balanced TRS Tip Ring Sleeve style con nectors or unbalanced connectors To listen to your Pro Tools session these outputs can be connected to any a
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