Using an Mbox to replace a field mixer...

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dumile

Member
I was talking to a coworker yesterday who's a musician with a home studio. From the conversation I gathered that you could hook up an mbox directly to a laptop and use a program like pro tools to mix directly from there.

If you were using a system like this...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397296-REG/Digidesign_9900_37246_00_Mbox_2_Hard.html

You would basically be getting an audio recorder with two XLR inputs and a field mixer for >250$.

Does anyone use a system like this to record dual system audio for their projects? Or, is anyone familiar enough with this hardware to name some pros and cons to using a system like this?
 
What's the point of having a multi-track recorder in the field if you can only take two mics at a time? And you really don't get a "field mixer" out of this setup. The mixer interface on ProTools isn't something that can be used very easily on the fly, unless you have a >$1k control surface, and the mixed signal isn't automatically recorded, only the iso tracks.

There are folks who record straight to laptop in the field, but usually for more than two sources (4, 8, or more). ProTools can do the job but isn't really designed for this use, or there's Boom Recorder (designed specifically for this purpose).

ProTools is great for audio post-production, but you may be better served getting a proper field recorder. If you need only two record tracks, look at the Fostex FR2-LE, or the TASCAM HD-P2. If you need more tracks, consider the TASCAM DR680. Those are your best, budget-minded options.
 
Recording directly into a laptop using a variety of software is certainly a viable approach. Most computer soundcards, especially mobo based, are pretty marginal so an external USB or Firewire interface is usually preferred. The main problem is the physical handling of the setup and making sure you have enough power. But if you're willing to put up with the hassels it is certainly possible to do it with good results.
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Protools is one DAW you could use but you can get equally good results with Audition, SoundForge, Nuendo, and others. Even the freeware Audacity will do a good job. There are a couple of programs expressly for location sound recording for film/video on the market.

Checkout "BoomRecorder" from Vosggames.
 
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I used to do this, and I know people that still do, but I would bypass the pre's and use external studio pre's since the mbox ones are terrible. This would result into carrying a heavy road case with power distrubuter, 3 separate pre's, the mbox, and a laptop. On top of that my mics, and other accessaries. Then it also becomes an issue when you don't have anywhere to run power from. Eventually I ended getting a field recorder and mixer just because it's much more portable and ready to go for on the fly shooting and my sanity.

Though for $250, pro tools is a great post editing tool.
 
I know people that had "portable" pro tools systems they tried to use in the field. If you are running Pro Tools LE, good luck dealing with timecode I/O. It can be done, but it is cumbersome. Once you get everything you need to get it all work (computer, control surface, road case to pack it all in, power solutions), the costs are really going to add up quickly and you still won't have a setup that will not be as flexible as having actual field recording tools. I know people that run Boom Recorder or Metacorder on their laptops as a backup. I've actually used Metacorder, and it's really nice, but again, as a backup. I wouldn't trust a computer (mac or pc) as my primary recording device for field work, but that's just me, and I know others would probably disagree with me.

Of the people that I've seen use this approach, almost all of them ended up switching over to actual field recording equipment. I have to admit, it is a really attractive idea, but I would advise against it. BUT, if you are going to be buying this anyway for post work, it might be worth a try just to see how it works for you.
 
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