less inputs than the digi002
No Latency ... ?
but will still work with Pro Tools

??

M-Box in low latency mode.

well how does the Mbox sound in comparison to the 002? Cause the 002 sounded much better to me than the 001.

too many unknown variables there.

Yes they could well sound different but even so the M-Box may not have been at it's best when you hear it.

The M-Box is powered via the USB and as such there some things it just can't do compared to the 002 or other units with more operating voltage.
If you look closely at the spec for the M-Box you will see a couple of these areas. It's all to do with total current available in and through the M-Box.

Also I can't know if it is record or playback ... or both ... that you found different.

If you were to use an SPDF mic-pre then the sound of the recorded .wav file would be different again to that of M-Box or 002.

At a very low budget I can't see that the sound quality of the M-Box will be your limiting factor. An Apogee 2 channel interface could set you back your whole budget in one hit.

SteveR wrote: I want something that has the quality of lets say the digi002 but with less inputs.

I will only be recording 2 tracks at the most at one time.

So I dont need 8 mic inputs and 8 1/4s.

something small with good quality and possible a midi input and firewire based. No latency and Id like it as inexpensive as possible. I dont have a grand to shell out for the digi002 nor do I need the amount of stuff on it.

Also, is there something that will work with Cubase, Nuendo, and Pro Tools?

get Pro Tools out of the equation.. and there is a world of possibility that opens up. Also, i cant see you using all three apllications. If it's PT, uve got the MBox and the 002r on the low end (they both come bundled with the latest PT version as a plus!).

If it's Cubase or say trackttion, or pretty much any other host... u have a lot of forums....

cheers,
Sidhu

man, pro-tools is the only software that requires you use it's hardware!!! if it weren't for NIN using it, i'd be against pro tools for that altogether,,,

anyway, if your budget is low, i'd suggest getting something like an m-audio 2in2 out, or 4in4out. extremely affordable, sound is fine as long as your are giving it a low-noise signal. you can track with any software(except protools) cause it's an asio (which is compatible with everything else), but you can still open up your audio files in protools and mix them down after tracking,,, just might take an extra five minutes between tracking and mixing,,,, good luck man

KTek wrote: man, pro-tools is the only software that requires you use it's hardware!!!

not the only one
but
yes, a high profile one at the lower end of the market
this is a typical situation in audio and video at the very expensive end of the market

who owns M-Audio ? ... :wink:

It depends on how much you want to spend and if you need midi. If you need high quality mic pre's or what. I have the Omni Studio w.Delta 66, and I'm satisfied with it b/c I'm new to recording and the learning curve is steep enough as it is, you don't want to be distracted by too much tech stuff, it'll diminish your inspiration. Read the specs on the Omni Studio/Delta 66, you won't be disappointed. It has more than enough in and outs and it generally works seemlessly with software....why? Because of the DRIVERS!!!! Do not consider a product that does not have strong support for you PC setup. I was looking at a STA multiple input interface, I wanted it sooo bad then I read some reviews and realized that it was being purchased by some other company, I think ECHO (don't quote me). I predicted that there may be some support problems in the future and that's exactly what happened. If youre using Windows I think that you'll be happy with MAudio, they are quite diligent when it comes to updating drivers.

Oh yeah, Omni Studio/Delta 66 will probably be a great addition to your setup b/c it is truly a multiclient card. You can use your ASIO DRIVERS on one application and fool around with your other drivers on another application and its solid. If you'll look on ebay you can find one in mint condition for about $119.00 with 16 hours remaining (theres only one bid on it too). I paid $270 for mine (eBay) with the warranty. Also look at M-Audio.com and check out the manual to the Omni PCI/66, you can see what it looks like in great detail.

And if you need midi, pick up a Midi Sport for around $25 per I/O.