Mbox® 2 Pro is a new, portable, audio/MIDI production system from Digidesign® that will be available September 15, 2006. Building on the same industrial design of the Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Pro takes the system to the next level, providing high-speed FireWire-powered connectivity, more simultaneous audio I/O and connection options, and studio-grade 24-bit/96 kHz resolution to deliver high-definition audio in a compact, easy-to-use interface. Plus it offers professional features, including MIDI Time Stamping support, Word Clock I/O, and dedicated studio monitor outputs.

Mbox 2 Pro includes award-winning, easy-to-use Pro Tools LE™ software, offering many of the same features that top studios rely on to compose, record, edit, mix, and master Grammy®-winning albums and Academy Award®–winning film sound. It also comes with over 50 bundled plug-ins and applications, including DigiRack™ plug-ins, Bomb Factory® plug-ins, Xpand!™ sample-playback/synthesis workstation, and Pro Tools Ignition Pack™.

Mbox 2 Pro Factory includes the same hardware and software bundle as Mbox 2 Pro but adds five additional Digidesign and Bomb Factory plug-ins (worth over $1,000) and an iLok USB Smart Key.

Hardware Features

• Professional sound quality and sonic performance
• Powered by FireWire* or the included power supply
• Supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz studio-grade audio resolution**
• 4 analog inputs (2 combo XLR/TRS jacks, 2 1/4" TRS jacks)
• 6 analog outputs (1/4" jacks)
• 2 instrument DI inputs on the front panel
• 2 channels of S/PDIF digital I/O (RCA)
• Built-in phono preamp input (RCA) for direct turntable connection
• 1 MIDI input and output (16 channels in/16 channels out)
• MIDI Time Stamping (MTS) support for superior timing and accuracy
• BNC Word Clock I/O
• Low-latency monitoring
• Dedicated studio monitor outputs with volume control
• 2 stereo headphone outputs with independent volume controls and an alternate source switch
• 48V phantom power for condenser microphones

* Requires 6-pin FireWire connection for power via FireWire.
** Mbox 2 Pro does not support external sync at 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rates.

Software Features

• Award-winning Pro Tools® recording, editing, and mixing
• 32 simultaneous audio tracks (128 virtual audio tracks), expandable to 48 tracks***
• Fully integrated MIDI sequencing with 256 simultaneous MIDI tracks
• Over 50 DigiRack, Bomb Factory, and Pro Tools Ignition Pack plug-ins, virtual instruments, and compatible applications
• Support for streaming ReWire applications
• Unique Beat Detective™ LE automatic groove analysis and correction tool
• Xpand!™ sample-playback/synthesis workstation by Digidesign's Advanced Instrument Research group
• Sessions compatible with countless Pro Tools studios around the world
• Support for Digidesign Command|8® and Control|24™ control surfaces
• Huge selection of compatible third-party plug-ins and software options
• Works on Digidesign-qualified Windows XP and Mac OS X computers

*** Requires optional Music Production Toolkit or DV Toolkit™ 2

Software Bundle

DigiRack Plug-ins
DigiRack plug-ins offer a wide variety of professional real-time and file-based effects and studio utilities, ranging from EQ and dynamics to delays and reverb.

Bomb Factory Plug-ins
Bomb Factory plug-ins provide powerful effects and utilities from the makers of some of the very best digital emulations of legendary outboard gear in the industry.

Xpand! Sample-Playback/Synthesis Workstation
From Digidesign's Advanced Instrument Research group, Xpand! puts more than 1,000 professional sounds and 500 combinable part presets at your customer's fingertips.

Pro Tools Ignition Pack
The Pro Tools Ignition Pack features an impressive array of composition and production tools, including coveted third-party plug-ins and software applications.

Key Differences between Mbox 2 Pro and Mbox 2

The following are the differences between Mbox 2 Pro and Mbox 2

• More I/O: Mbox 2 Pro supports more simultaneous I/O than Mbox 2.
• Higher sample rates: Mbox 2 Pro supports up to 96 kHz sample rates****; Mbox 2 only supports up to 48 kHz sample rates.
• MIDI Time Stamping support: Mbox 2 Pro supports MIDI Time Stamping (MTS) for highly accurate MIDI timing; Mbox 2 does not support MTS.
• Phono preamp: Mbox 2 Pro features a phono preamp, allowing for direct connection of a turntable; Mbox 2 does not have a phono preamp.
• Word Clock I/O: Mbox 2 Pro features Word Clock I/O ports to easily lock to external sources; Mbox 2 does not include Word Clock I/O ports.

**** Mbox 2 Pro does not support external sync at 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rates.

Mbox 2 Pro Factory

Customers can get even more plug-in choices right out of the box for a mere $100 more. Mbox 2 Pro Factory features five additional Digidesign and Bomb Factory plug-ins, plus an iLok USB Smart Key, which customers will need to authorize the plug-ins. Mbox 2 Pro Factory plug-ins include:

• Digidesign Maxim¢â-A must-have, world-class peak limiting and sound level maximizing plug-in that optimizes the overall audio levels while preserving the integrity of the original sound.
• Bomb Factory Moogerfooger® Analog Delay-A warm delay meticulously based on Bob Moog¡¯s classic analog design.
• Bomb Factory JOEMEEK® VC5¢â Meequalizer®-An equalizer that recreates a custom Joe Meek box that featured a treble and bass circuit with a sweepable mid control.
• Bomb Factory JOEMEEK SC2¢â Photo Optical Compressor-A compressor with a unique edge, modeled after hardware units used by top producers around the globe.
• Bomb Factory Cosmonaut Voice¢â-An "out-of-this-world" plug-in that offers a telephone voice, interplanetary effects, distortion, squelch, and even an authentic tone culled from recently declassified Russian space footage, all through a funky-looking interface.