Good chance you just got given a manual as well. Read it my friend.

With different audio playing software there can be different issues specific to the player. Your issue is with how you have audio routed out to the speakers and not with the speakers.

Once that is clarified, there may well be operating system drivers that need updating for your audio card/box.

The manual didn't help much. I read it prior to setting up the monitors. When you say how the audio is routed, what do you mean????????????????

I have selected the Mbox2 as my default playback option in sound devices in the control panel.

It's not your speakers.
They just do what they are told.

What is the operating system you are running?
Have you installed the audio drivers correctly?
Are all the programs you want to use looking for the same audio drivers?
Are your drivers capable of running more than one instance?

Relax. That's the key issue.

well I'm running XP. the Mbox2 is installed correctly as far as I know and the drivers are as updated as they can get as far as I know. I know how to properly use the monitors in ProTools, so that's not a problem, but how do I ensure that everything else wants to look for the Mbox as the default soundcard? I have Realtek HD Audio Manager, which I feel may be causing a problem. While I have the Mbox as the default playback option in the windows sound device menu, I don't have that option in the Realtek toolbar.

edit: i noticed in the device manager, under the USB section the Mbox2 has an exclamation next to it. i believe this is a result of me not following the windows set up for installing the Mbox, but following the manual setup instructions. could this also have anything to do with it?

Spounds like a couple things. For one, you will have to assign all the other apps besides PT to the Mbox as the default audio device. Secondly, if your audio is dragging and skipping, it may be the sample rate between your player such as itunes and your Mbox are set differently. I couldnt tell you where to check for that as I dont have an Mbox but maybe the info will start your search.

I have a head full of Vista issues.

Do you use Itunes because you use an Ipod?

nicklangley wrote: edit: i noticed in the device manager, under the USB section the Mbox2 has an exclamation next to it.

This is at least part of the issue. Windows says with the exclamation mark that it wants YOU to look into why this piece isn't working properly.

Also, running the mbox AND the realtech on board audio can be done, but again, windows will relie on YOU to check that it is performing correctly.

As a guide, your software is looking for the "default" audio device. If the software is not configurable to use a specific device, then you may have to select the audio out device.

Greener wrote: I have a head full of Vista issues.

Do you use Itunes because you use an Ipod?

essentially, yes. My issue is not with iTunes alone though, at least i'm getting sound out of iTunes. I can't get sound out of the internet at all

Space wrote: This is at least part of the issue. Windows says with the exclamation mark that it wants YOU to look into why this piece isn't working properly.

Also, running the mbox AND the realtech on board audio can be done, but again, windows will relie on YOU to check that it is performing correctly.

As a guide, your software is looking for the "default" audio device. If the software is not configurable to use a specific device, then you may have to select the audio out device.

I've fixed any and all exclamations in my system. Mbox is the default device. I've ticked the option in the sound menu that says "use only default device".

I've also had a look around for assigning specific devices to applications, doesn't seem to be much information around. :cry:

Nick, in the future, read the manual with a specific mind set to help yourself.

"Chapter 7:"

"...To hear audio recorded into a Pro Tools session, you will need to connect headphones or an external sound system (such as powered monitors or a home stereo) to Mbox 2 Sound from Mbox 2 cannot be played through your computer’s speakers or your computer’s sound output."

That is a very clear passage that I found in the getting started guide.

Please let me elucidate: "Sound from Mbox 2 cannot be played through your computer’s speakers or your computer’s sound output."

i have monitors. i stated that in my initial post.

Yes sir, you did. Not knowing even a little bit how you have your set up, setup...except I know you are using a realtek onboard audio and this Mbox, it is a growing concern of mine, that I cannot answer this question to the inevitable end.

If I had this Mbox on my computer, as I understand it, it will only play out audio from the ProTools software.

Knowing that, it would require me to have an alternative method plugedout from the realtek soundout port in order to hear any other audio.

Is that the way you are running yours currently?

Well at first I had the USB connection from the Mbox going into my computer, and my monitors going into my Mbox. I can get sound with this set up from iTunes, but it sounds very bad/strange. I haven't heard sound from anything else.

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://akmedia.digi…"]This is what it looks like[/]="http://akmedia.digi…"]This is what it looks like[/]

I've got a fairly new computer with a bunch of soundcard inputs, so what are my options?

nicklangley wrote: Well at first I had the USB connection from the Mbox going into my computer, and my monitors going into my Mbox. I can get sound with this set up from iTunes, but it sounds very bad/strange. I haven't heard sound from anything else.

Ok, maybe I have not, with the aid of the manual, made this situation as clear as I think it to be.

You will not get audio sound out of the Mbox except from within the protools software.

Re-read the above sentence just for good measure ;)

In order for you to get sound out from your multi-use computer outside of the protools software, you need to come out of the computer soundcard, the realtek.

Your mistake in this issue is thinking you can use the Mbox as a multi-purpose, all-in-one soundcard.

This is pretty much why I bought the Edirol.

You could connect your monitors to the onboard soundcard when you want to listen to mp3s and crap online.

Does VLC player work through the M-box?
What about WMP?

What about it has a usb connection and requires software to drive where the audio will be output?

Neither do. I was told I could use the Mbox as a soundcard, just like any other Audio Interface. Is it just the Mbox that has this issue? If so would it be wise to try and replace it for a similarly priced interface?

What is my best option for connecting the monitors to my soundcard? Should I get an Edirol interface? I recall theyre not too expensive where I live(australia) and they have two inputs.

Space wrote: What about it has a usb connection and requires software to drive where the audio will be output?

if there is software that can dictate where the audio will be output, where can I get it?

AcePayOohYay,
Wallagot thellaga fullaguck allagar youlagoo ollagong abballagout?

Unless you are not talking pig-latin and you have a point about Pro Tools having it's own drivers and I found this;
"Digidesign ASIO Driver for Windows XP & Vista

The Digidesign ASIO Driver is a single-client, multichannel sound driver that allows third-party audio programs that support the ASIO Driver standard to record and play back through the following Digidesign hardware:

* Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces
* 003
* 003 Rack
* Digi 002
* Digi 002 Rack
* Mbox 2 Pro
* Mbox 2
* Mbox 2 Mini
* Mbox 2 Micro (playback only)
* Mbox

Full-duplex playback of 24- and 16-bit audio are supported at sample rates up to 48 kHz, depending on your Digidesign hardware and ASIO client application.
"
That kind of makes me think I may be onto something. But then again I'm prone to moments of retardation. And I'm starting to flake out.

Where in Aus?

I have an Edirol UA-25, works a treat. Though never tried Itunes, but everything else works.

I've come across that site a lot. It tells you that you need not install any of those extra drivers unless you don't have ProTools installed.

Is that working for you?

i haven't tried it. i guess there's nothing to lose..except ProTools sound. but here I go anyway

it didn't make any noticeable difference. haven't opened ProTools yet to see if i went backwards.

Both iTunes and WMP give me messages saying there is a problem with my audio device and audio cannot play properly.

What options do I have for connecting the monitors into my soundcard. I'm guessing i'm going to have to just get used to changing them back and forth, which will be fine.

You'll probably need some form of connector to get 3.5mm line out from your computer into the amp or active monitors. I dunno what you got.

Can you take the Mbox back and get something else? It's going to be annoying, trust me :P

yeah bloody oath it will be annoying. I got it on ebay, but I've since looked at selling prices, and I figure I can almost break even..are there similar priced alternatives that will actually do what I want?

Thankyou very much for your help you two. I'm very appreciative

How much did you pay?

i'm fairly sure it was 550 plus a bit for postage. Anywhere between the 500-700 dollar mark I'd be willing to pay if i were to replace it.

Edirol ua-25, $299 at Allans. Speaking of which, those guys down at Allans took nearly $400 off me again today for more skins and a set of sticks. Which makes me wonder why I record my kit, with $375 dollars worth of just skins and sticks with a $299 interface. :P

nicklangley wrote: I was told I could use the Mbox as a soundcard, just like any other Audio Interface. Is it just the Mbox that has this issue?

You cannot. I thought I had been saying this fifteen ways to Sunday, but it is like talking to my own children :)

Read The Manual...before you buy anything else in your LIFE!!!!
If it comes with a manual, read it.

If it were any other interface, you could use it as a standard sound card. Even the M-Audio cards will do this. Somehow Digidesign failed to see how this could be beneficial. I was thinking you could do this too but I remembered that I had to route the output of my soundcard into two inputs on my digi001.

hahahaha jesus christ. just my luck. well i think there will be a listing on Ebay for this in the not too distant future.

nicklangley wrote: just my luck. well i think there will be a listing on Ebay for this in the not too distant future.

Don't get rash now. Just go and buy yourself a cheap set of pc speakers for your computer sounds. They're a dime a dozen. You can get a decent set for $50 and a really cheap set for $5.

I'd really rather just use quality speakers..?

Why would I acquire a pair of good speakers and only use them whenever I record? I listen to music far more often than I record things. The Edirol seems to do everything I want, and is cheaper, meaning I'd be gaining in dollars as well as functionality.

just to clairfy, i've done a lot of research after realising there are interfaces that actually do what I want. Is the Presonus Firebox one of these? It gets good reviews and has enough inputs for me. Will I be able to listen to general computer audio through monitors on this, ie set it as my primary sound card??