Digidesign announce M Box 2 Pro

Published 7/9/06

M Box 2 Pro launched

Following the announcement of the M Box 2 almost exactly a year ago, Digidesign have unveiled the M Box 2 Pro, a beefed-up version that features more inputs and outputs, word clock in and out, a phono preamp and a Firewire connection, rather than USB, as found on the M Box and M Box 2. The new 'Pro' device fills a whole in the market between the basic M Box packages and the 002 systems. Previously, the only step-up for Pro Tools LE/M Box users was the 002 Rack, which was at least three times the price, so many people had to settle with a pair of analogue inputs on their M Box.

The M Box 2 Pro's added features make life easier for those wanting to record more than two channels. Alongside the regular line-up of a pair of phantom-powered combination preamps, inputs 3&4 (the 'aux' input) have balanced jack connections for line inputs, and a pair of RCA connections with a grounding terminal that feed the phono preamp, allowing a turntable to be plugged straight in.

There are six analogue outputs — four balanced mono and one unbalanced stereo — and a pair of independently-controllable stereo headphone outputs, which can mirror either output 1&2 or 3&4. To top off the monitor section, there's are balanced monitor outs, which are controlled by a knob on the front panel.

Like the M Box 2, there is MIDI and S/PDIF in and out, but unlike it's older (but smaller) sibling, the Pro version also has word clock in and out, making it ideal for integration with a more professional setup. Like the much larger 002 systems, it has a footswitch socket and can handle 24-bit sample rates of 88.2kHz and 96kHz, although external sync can't be used at these rates.

The M Box 2 Pro comes, as expected, with Pro Tools LE and a bundle of useful plug-ins. It should be available mid-September, costing around £560 including VAT. Watch out for a review in SOS over the coming months.