I am trying to find an audio card with Pro XLR mic input and proper outputs that will work with Media Composer Soft 3.0. A Swedish Avid representative recommended the Mbox2 but when I search the Internet all I find is people with problems.

Will it play nicely with the MC? Any other cards/USB-boxes that works?

I used the Mbox 1 for a while a few years back and the ASIO drivers from Digidesign had to be installed in order for Avid to see the device. I actually used it to record a quick voice over into Avid "punch in" and it worked. You might look for a used Mbox. I sold it later because it wasn't really being used much.

Cheers.

I used the Mbox 1 for a while a few years back and the ASIO drivers from Digidesign had to be installed in order for Avid to see the device. I actually used it to record a quick voice over into Avid "punch in" and it worked. You might look for a used Mbox. I sold it later because it wasn't really being used much.

Cheers.

That's good to hear! Can you please help me with a few more answers?
Did you use the M-box for both playback of your edit and recording of V/O? Is the quality signal/noise ratio on a professional level? Did you have any compatability issues?

There's a number of options. Avid recommends Creative Soundblaster audio, but, for my money SB is a consumer product. I've had very good success with Echo soundcards and M-Audio Delta 1010 soundcards. As David said, mbox boxes work well, but, you have to jump thru hoops to get them to work. Here's the process:
1-install MC
2-uninstall Digidesign drivers
3-install mbox2 digidesign drivers

as an alternative process, after uninstalling the digidesign drivers in step 2 above, go to the avid folder on your hardrive. navigate to the "utilities/DigiAudioDriverInstaller" folder. Execute the installer.

Make sure you don't have a webcam installed, else it will fubar your installation. Also, be aware that Protools will not co-exist on the same OS as the latest versions of Media Composer.
edit: oops, just noticed you want to restrict the answer to USB type soundcards... go with the mbox and get the drivers installed.

Bill, thank you for your very interesting post!

It does not have to be a USB soundcard at all. Firewire and PCI is fine.
I have googled the M-audio delta and the Echo soundcards and they both seem like just what I need.

I have a few more questions that I'd be thrilled if you can take a few minutes to answer.

Did you use the delta 1010lt or the one with the breakout box.
Which Echo soundcard have you tried?
What version of media composer did you run the cards with?


The Delta 1010lt is the cheapest solution but I am afraid that an internal PCI-card might be prone to picking up disturbances and noise. Both the audio cards I have tried so far add a high freequency twitter to the audio channel both on playback and recordings.

When selecting a soundcard for Avid Media composer it seems like trial and error is the only way to find out which cards will work and which won't. Is there any other way to know? Does Asio 2 compatibility guarantee that it will work??

Back again. I have now found confirmation that the M audio Delta 1010lt will work with MC. However the Echo Gina 3G is currently my top choice. I have however not been able to find anybody that uses it with MC.

Was this the card you used Bill? If so - did you also use the Mic input with the audio punch in tool. This is very important to me.

Did you have any problems at all with the Echo card you used?

Thanks!

/ola

Bill, thank you for your very interesting post!

It does not have to be a USB soundcard at all. Firewire and PCI is fine.
I have googled the M-audio delta and the Echo soundcards and they both seem like just what I need.

I have a few more questions that I'd be thrilled if you can take a few minutes to answer.

Did you use the delta 1010lt or the one with the breakout box.
Which Echo soundcard have you tried?
What version of media composer did you run the cards with?


The Delta 1010lt is the cheapest solution but I am afraid that an internal PCI-card might be prone to picking up disturbances and noise. Both the audio cards I have tried so far add a high freequency twitter to the audio channel both on playback and recordings.

When selecting a soundcard for Avid Media composer it seems like trial and error is the only way to find out which cards will work and which won't. Is there any other way to know? Does Asio 2 compatibility guarantee that it will work??

Hi Ola...

I have the M-audio Delta 1010lt.
I also have the Echo Mona, which I love, dearly, but isn't in production anymore.

My s/n ratio runs about -100 to -90dBFS. Pretty happy with both these solutions. The Mona is a little easier to use because it has a rack mounted breakout box. Honestly, the breakout box makes a huge difference in ease of use.

I run Media Composer v3.0.5. I think, Avid and audio cards are pretty much an either go or no go proposition. There's a lot of things that can mess with the audio implementation, but, it's generally not a problem with the audio card. The Ilok and PACE licensing schemes are problemattic, but, it's usually not the audio card. I've been very happy with the Echo Mona I use.

Thanks Bill! Can you confirm that the audio punch in tool works with both these cards?
No RF-noise or other problems with the Delta?

yes, I can confirm that the audio tool works well. Also the noise level is consistent with other apps.

I've ordered an Echo Gina 3D. I'll let you know how it works out!

I could not get hold av an Echo-card so today I finally settled with an Mbox 2 mini anyway.
And just as I suspected I ran into problems. I've got the Mbox 2 installed and everything looks good in the device manager BUT Avid tells me "no audio card installed".
I did what you told me Bill - uninstalled first and the reinstalled driver 7.4 but no luck.

Can anybody help me?!

Did you install the DigiAudioDrivers in the ProgramFiles/Avid/Utilities folder???

Did you install the DigiAudioDrivers in the ProgramFiles/Avid/Utilities folder???

Yes I did. I have also tried installing the 7.4 drivers from the Digidesign site and also tried installing the complete Pro tools 7.4 LE software. No success. Have you got the Mbox 2 working with the Media Composer? If so - can you please tell me about your configuration.

Today I also contacted Digidesign support to get help but I got the following response:

"I have discussed this issue with my colleagues and they agree with me that while Avid Media Composer 3.0 is qualified for co-installation on the same computer with Pro Tools LE 7.4 for Windows XP with any Mbox 2 Family audio interface, Mbox 2 Mini is not supported as an audio interface in Avid Media Composer 3.0.

You can record the voiceover with the Mbox 2 Mini and Pro Tools LE software. Do you use Avid video hardware? With the appropriate hardware and software, it is possible to work with Avid or QuickTime video in Pro Tools LE and exchange OMF and AAF files with Avid Media Composer."

Funny thing about the mbox2 install in win xp pro. The device manager will not show that you have installed. The only place you will see it is in the "sound, video, game controllers/audio codecs listing". In fact, DO NOT select this device in the "audio devices" list.

What version of media composer are you running? The only approved co-installed versions are Protools v7.4 and Media Composer v3.0.5

Funny thing about the mbox2 install in win xp pro. The device manager will not show that you have installed. The only place you will see it is in the "sound, video, game controllers/audio codecs listing". In fact, DO NOT select this device in the "audio devices" list.

What version of media composer are you running? The only approved co-installed versions are Protools v7.4 and Media Composer v3.0.5


Oh - I actually see two devices in the device manager. Mbox2 audio device and Mbox2 midi device.

I am running MC 3.0 and have not got Pro tools installed. Only the Mbox2 driver ver. 7.4.
I have sort of given up now, after trying everything I can think of on two different systems but if you have any advice. Don't hesitate to share... :-(

Hi Ola...

Don't be discouraged. The same thing happened to myself the first time I tried to install the mbox2 mini. It sounds as if your install worked properly. Do you have Edius 5 installed? Eddius 5 has known issues with corrupting the PACE anti-piracy software, but, there is a workaround. It will keep the Digidesign drivers from loading.

Also, disconnect all webcams and other USB devices from your system when installing. The webcam looks like a USB device to the installer and will prevent proper operation.

Lastly, if all else fails, go to the Avid and Digidesign website and read their install requirements. There's some gotchas. For instance, if you're running XP SP1 or 2, you must have Microsoft KB926255 installed.

As a final note, don't be afraid to uninstall and repeat the process, as needed. Be sure your mbox is plugged in and turned on when you initiate the install process. Always install MC first, then uninstall the digidrivers, then install mbox drivers lastly.

Thank you Bill for your encouraging post. However - still no success!

Today I tried installing the new Media Composer 3.5 to see if that solved my problems. The read me file gave me hope. There was a special section on how to co-install Pro tools 8.0 with MC 3.5. It even said that MC might loose contact with the Mbox if you uninstall Pro tools and drivers. I interpret this as a confirmation that the Mbox SHOULD work with MC.

I installed just the way the read me file instructed me to do. First Pro tools and after that Media composer. Pro tools works just fine with the Mbox but MC still won't see the Mbox!

I have selected the Mbox in windows as play back device but it still does not work.

I'd be very interested if anyone gets the Mbox2 to work with MC 3.5.

/ola

Finally, I know why my Mbox2 mini will not work. The Mbox2 is supported BUT NOT the Mbox2 mini. Despite the fact that Digidesign told me that the hardware is identical apart from the number of input/outputs the mini will not work.

I found this out after I managed to get e-mail contact with Rob Ferguson who is the guy actually writing the audio code for the Media Composer! He has confirmed that, although the Mbox2 mini is identical in hardware to the Mbox2 apart from the number of inputs, it will not work with MC. This is due to the ASIO drivers requiring a "string" with the name of the device in the software and he simply has not listed the mini in this string. He has offered to help me with a hack and this will hopefully be corrected in future releases.
I will probably try to exchange my mini with a "proper" mbox2. I borrowed an mbox2 from my dealer yesterday and it worked perfectly.

According to Rob the mini should work with an Apple system since Apple isn't so picky about this "string".

R U sure u'r using the right product names? My Mbox2 MINI works fine in all my computers(laptops and desktop). There is a model called the mbox2 micro, which you may be referring to.

R U sure u'r using the right product names? My Mbox2 MINI works fine in all my computers(laptops and desktop). There is a model called the mbox2 micro, which you may be referring to.

Yes, it is the mini that is not supposed to work. This is also confirmed in the latest read me notes for 3.5. It lists all the compatible Mboxes: Mbox 2 Pro FW, Mbox 2, Mbox Mini, Mbox Micro.

So both the mini and the micro of the old Mbox should work but only the Mbox 2 in the new series.

Are you sure that it is an Mbox2 mini that you have working and not the old Mbox mini?

This is starting to get really confusing!

well, Ola, it would appear I owe you an apology. Firstly, I have an Mbox2 Mini. It works quite well in ProTools v8, so, I ASSumed it worked with MC3. After plugging the Mbox2 in, firing MC3.5 and trying, I'm embarassed to say it doesn't work! Avid continues to surprise me with their intra-company lack of communication.

If you have a patch, can you share it with me? Thanx.

well, Ola, it would appear I owe you an apology. Firstly, I have an Mbox2 Mini. It works quite well in ProTools v8, so, I ASSumed it worked with MC3. After plugging the Mbox2 in, firing MC3.5 and trying, I'm embarassed to say it doesn't work! Avid continues to surprise me with their intra-company lack of communication.

If you have a patch, can you share it with me? Thanx.

I definately will. After all I've got my camera loaded with one of you picture profiles. :-)

The good thing about all this is that we finally have a definitive answer on this compatibility issue. I hope this thread saves some other poor sole from what I've been going through for the last couple of weeks. Now, let's hope for a patch. I'll keep you posted.

Today I got my mini swapped for a "proper" Mbox2. Works perfectly with Media Composer 3.5!! Thank god I bought it from a professional local dealer that accepted the mini back even though I had registered it.