What do you use for RECORDING?

[slimcharm]

I bought the Rode anniversary mic..you would think for $199 you would get an on/off button. Actually I did pretty darn good..I bought the mbox2 with ignition pack, sennheiser headphones , rode anniversary mic (with free pop filter) 20 ft.monster cable, a shockmount (had to return as mic came with one), and ultimate MC-40 tripod stand..the total was around $800 but they had a coupon sale..taking it down to 739. Returned shockmount taking it to $699..used ASCAP number..taking it to $640..and then got $100+ back from an online free site that gives rebates on purchases. So my total was alittle over $500..Pricey..but we have to have it or we will be sending in same songs over and over to TAXI..and she needs it for demo work etc.So this is a pricey Xmas gift for her..but it is something she needs. And hey looks like I may be able to get it to work!

[mani]

Well exsqueeze me! Congratulations!! I'm delighted to hear you made up with ProTools. As longs as it works with Protools I wouldn't worry about the mBox not showing up in the voice recording section of your computer setup. The more I think about it, it's probably just because it's a usb interface rather than a standard PCI card interface. Either way, who cares? It works, right???!! Btw, seeing as you're buying Christmas presents I could do with a new guitar. I was thinking a G&L Legacy with a bridge humbucker would be nice. Thank you.

[slimcharm]

Hopefully Protools and I will still be happy campers when I take another shot at it today. As you know Pro and his dad Mbox came this close to parting ways with me forever. In fact the two were in a box waiting for Fedx to come when I decided that perhaps it was my fault that they were freezing me out when we visited. We shall see..I still have the RMA number. But thinks look good.BTW couple questions....When I have my mbox hooked up and am in protools. I notice that when I listen to a song through the headphones that I have imported it usually comes in quite loud...However, if I were to use the microphone and sing with the song my voice would be quite low. I have to adjust the levels to make it balance..(ie turn up vol, or turn down headphones etc)..Is that normal or should there automatically be more of a balance? I recognize there will be some adjustment..but this seems like quite a bit of adjustment.Also I got the program to work by importing an audio from a CD and also from folders on my computer. Does it work with ITUNES? do you know..if so how do I import?As far as your guitar, I think that sounds lovely - except for the bridge hamburger...I hope Santa is nice to you this year! You deserve it!

[slimcharm]

I am getting along fine with the Protools here..but still not sure if volume works properly (which could be an error in the mbox or the mic or just me)Basically I can have the mixer in the widow turned all the way up (is that called a fader) and the vocals will not be super loud, even if the microphone dial on the mbox is all the way up.Is there a way to test volume levels or mic and make sure its right?

[slimcharm]

Ah I think I got it now..I have to turn the headphones all the way up, adjust the fader and then the mic vol dial on the mbox will work in a variety of positions.Does everyone else find they have to turn headphones all the way up on the mbox in this situation?

[nickbatzdorf]

Slim, do you have a license to use that rig? And insurance?

[slimcharm]

Do you work as a producer for a living? Cus you definitely should be concerned that I will be taking all your production jobs. It's obvious that I have taken to this much like a duck takes to water..very very intuitive for me. I am really, really good with the mbox2. Really good.

[slimcharm]

BTW Jessica (my singing daughter) is very much like me when it comes to production....so there you go, you have two of us to worry about. Actually she got her learners permit recently and is working on a drivers license. And she is just as good at driving and directions as her mom is with the mbox2 and protools.

[53mph]

Hi Slim,To help you figure out this problem of your a bit better could you post the computer specifications etc..(Ie processor type, speed, Ram etc)I think one of the problems is that your running the MBox soundcard on a system with an internal soundcard. I've found on some systems that if you don't disable the internal soundcard in the computer setup then it creates conflict with the secondary soundcard. If it's an older AMD off the shelf computer system then sometimes these things are common place.Also, I had hell trying to get my AMD PC to work with a USB soundcard. I remember contacting the computer manufacturer and they just told me that I would probably never get the system to work with a third party soundcard.....as if it was common knowledge.I like to think of myself as being pretty computer savy. I've built systems, I've dimantled systems, I've saved other peoples systems...but setting up soundcards on off the shelf PC's is something I don't savour.In the end I bought a whole new system that was setup for me by a specialist company. I shopped around and decided on all the parts, programs and hardware I wanted, they set it up for me and I still paid less than if I'd bought it from a shop. It worked straight out the box and I didn't have to lose days and days of my life troubleshooting . The beauty of these companies as well is that they will know exactly what conflict with what and won't sell you sofware that won't work with certain hardware etc..Post your specs and maybe we can figure something out.

[slimcharm]

Hi 53..I think I am good now. Someone told me they had to turn the headphone dial on mbox all the way to the right to get good sound from the mic. When I do that the volume from the mic is fine in the middle or other positions. So that seems to be the answer...Before we were turning mic dial (is that the GAIN?) all the way to the right and had headphone dial in center position. We got a lot of clipping I think it is called and it was still hard to hear.But with the headphone dialed up..we are in good shape.Someone suggested I try that..I am curious though it that is the situation with others who are using the mbox? That to record vocals and hear them you have to turn headphone dial almost fully to right?