DigiDesign Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Manual
Getting Started
Mbox®2 Micro
Version 7.4
Legal Notices
This guide is copyrighted ©2008 by Digidesign, a division of Avid
Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Di gidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under
copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part
without the written consent of Digidesign.
003, 003 Rack, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 888|24 I/O,
882|20 I/O, 1622 I/O, 24-Bit ADAT Bridge I/O, AudioSuite, Avid, Avid
DNA, Avid Mojo, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid Unity MediaNetwork, Avid
Xpress, AVoption, AVoption|V10, Beat Detective, Bruno, Command|8,
Control|24, D-Command, D-Control, D-F i, D-fx, D-Show, DAE, Digi 002,
Digi 002 Rack, DigiBase, DigiDelivery, Dig idesign, Digidesign Audio
Engine, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus,
DigiDrive, DigiRack, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DINR, DV Toolkit, EditPack,
Impact, Interplay, M-Audio, MachineControl, Maxim, Mbox,
MediaComposer, MIDI I/O, MIX, MultiShell, OMF, OMF Interchange, PRE,
ProControl, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE,
QuickPunch, Reel Tape, Reso, R everb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Smack!,
SoundReplacer, Sound Designer I I, Strike, Structure, SYNC HD, SYNC
I/O, Synchronic, TL Space, Ve lvet, and X-Form are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability
are subject to change without notice.
PN 9320-58112-00 REV C 2/08
Comments or suggestions regarding our documentation?
email: techpubs@digidesign.com
Communications and Safety Regulation Information
Compliance Statement
This model Digidesign Mbox 2 Micro complies with the following
standards regulating interfe rence and EMC:
• FCC Part 15 Class B
• EN 55022 Class B
• EN 55204 Class B
• AS/NZS 3548 Class B
• CISPR 22 Class B
Radio and Television Interference
This equipment has been tested and found to compl y with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
We Digidesign,
2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard, Suite 200
Daly City, CA 94014 USA
tel: 650-731-6300
declare under our sole responsibility that the product
Mbox 2 Micro
complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may
not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Communication Statement
Mbox 2 Micro
NOTE: This equipment has been t ested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio freque ncy energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by t urning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try and co rrect the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
• Reorient or locate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Any modifications to the unit, unless expressly approved by Digidesign,
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
Canadian Compliance Statement:
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003
du Canada.
Australian Compliance
European Compliance
contents
Chapter 1. Installation QuickStart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Windows Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Mac Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 2. Welcome to Mbox 2 Micro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Mbox 2 Micro Package. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Mbox 2 Micro Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Pro Tools LE Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Digidesign Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About the Pro Tools Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About www.digidesign.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chapter 3. Windows Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Connecting Mbox 2 Micro and Installing Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Launching Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Additional Software on the Pr o Tools Installer Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Uninstalling Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Chapter 4. Mac Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installing Pro Tools L E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Connecting Mbox 2 Micro to the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Launching Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Additional Software on the Pr o Tools Installer Disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Uninstalling Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Contents
v
Chapter 5. Configuring Your Pro Tools System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Starting Up or Shutting Down Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Configuring Pro Tools LE Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Optimizing a Windows System for Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Optimizing a Mac System for Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter 6. Mbox 2 Micro Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Mbox 2 Micro Hardware Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Making Hardware Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Chapter 7. Common Tasks with Pro Tools LE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Creating a Pro Tools Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Opening and Playing Back a Pro Tools Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Importing Audio from a CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Creating an Audio CD from a Pro Tools Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Recording MIDI in a Pr o Tools Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Appendix A. Configuring MIDI Studio Setup (Windows Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
MIDI Studio Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
MIDI Patch Name Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Appendix B. Configuring AMS (Mac OS X Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Audio MIDI Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
MIDI Patch Name Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Appendix C. Hard Drive Configuration and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Avoid Recording to the System Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Supported Drive Formats and Drive Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Formatting an Audio Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Partitioning Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Defragmenting an Audio Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Hard Disk Storage Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
vi
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
Appendix D. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Backing Up Your Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Common Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Performance Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Before You Call Digidesign Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Contents
vii
viii
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
chapter 1
Installation QuickStart
Windows Installation Overview
(Windows Systems Only)
Installing the Mbox 2 Micro on a Windows computer
includes the following steps:
1 “Connecting Mbox 2 Micro and Installing
Pro Tools LE” on page 9.
Connect Mbox 2 Micro to an available USB port
on your computer before installing Pro Tools LE
software.
2 “Launching Pro Tools LE” on page 11.
Your authorization code is located on the inside
front cover of this guide.
3 Configuring your system for improved performance.
(See “Configuring Your Pro Tools System” on page 21.)
4 “Making Hardware Connections” on page 34 .
Mac Installation Overview
(Mac OS X Systems Only)
Installation of the Mbox 2 Micro on a Mac includes the
following steps:
1 “Installing Pro Tools LE” on page 15.
Connect Mbox 2 Micro to an available USB port
on your computer before installing Pro Tools LE
software.
2 “Connecting Mbox 2 Micro to the Computer” on
page 16.
3 “Launching Pro Tools LE” on page 17.
Your authorization code is located on the inside
front cover of this guide.
4 Configuring your system for improved performance.
(See “Configuring Your Pro Tools System” on page 21.)
5 “Making Hardware Connections” on page 34.
Chapter 1: Installation QuickStart
1
2
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
chapter 2
Welcome to Mbox 2 Micro
Welcome to the Mbox®2 Micro audio playback system
from Digidesign
equipped computer with a 1/8-inch stereo output,
which uses high-quality 24-bit, 48 kHz D/A converters.
It also provides a headphone level control. Use the
Mbox 2 Micro for monitoring Pro Tools playback when
editing and mixing.
®
. Mbox 2 Micro provides your USB-
Mbox 2 Micro Package
The Mbox 2 Micro package includes the follow ing:
• Mbox 2 Micro USB audio interface (output only)
• Short USB extension cable
• Pro Tools Installer disc containing Pro Tools LE™
software, DigiRack RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite) and
AudioSuite plug-ins, optional software, and elec-
tronic PDF guides
• Digidesign Registration Information Card
Mbox 2 Micro Features
The Mbox 2 Micro provides the following:
•1/8-inch TRS stereo output
• Adjustable level control for output volume
• 24-bit D/A converters, supporting sample rates of
44.1 kHz and 48 kHz
• USB-powered operation
•Lanyard hole
Mbox 2 Micro may not function properly if connected to a USB hub. Connect Mbox 2 Micro to a
separate, dedicated USB port on your computer.
Mbox 2 Micro provides no external input; it is
an output only device. Consequently, you cannot record an external source with the Mbox 2
Micro.
With the Mbox 2 Micro, even though you cannot record an external source, you can bus
record in Pro Tools LE (such as recording the audio outp ut of an in stru ment p lug- in to an au dio
track).
Chapter 2: Welcome to Mbox 2 Micro
3
Pro Tools LE Capabilities
Pro Tools LE on Windows or Mac provides the following capabilities with Mbox 2 Micro:
• Pla yba ck of up to 32 mo no (o r 16 s tere o) di gita l au-
dio tracks.
• Up to 128 audio tracks (with 32 voiceable tracks
maximum), 128 Auxiliary Input tracks, 64 Master
Fader tracks, 256 MIDI tracks, and 32 Instrument
tracks per session.
• 16-bit or 24-bit audio resolution, at sample rates up
to 48 kHz.
• Non-destructive, random-access editing and mix
automation.
• Audio processing with up to 5 RTAS plug-ins per
track, depending on your computer’s capabilities.
• Up to 5 inserts per track.
• Up to 10 sends per track.
• Up to 32 internal mix busses.
Pro Tools LE uses your computer’s CPU to mix
and process audio tracks (host processing). Computers with faster clock speeds yield higher track
counts and more plug-in processing.
System Requirements
Mbox 2 Micro can be used with a Digidesign-qualified
Windows or Mac computer running Pro Tools LE software.
A DVD drive is required to use the Pro Tools Installer
disc.
For complete system requirements, refer to the
compatibility page of the Digidesign website
(www.digidesign.com/compatibility).
Compatibility Information
Digidesign can only assure compatibili ty and provide
support for hardware and software it has tested an d approved.
For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers, ope rating
systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, see the
Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com/
compatibility).
MIDI Requirements
USB MIDI interfaces work effectively with Pro Tools systems on Windows or Mac. Serial MIDI interfa ces are
supported on Windows systems only.
Only USB MIDI interfaces are compatible with
Pro Tools systems for Mac OS X .
Modem-to-serial port adapters and serial MIDI devices are not supported.
For a list of supported adapters, refer to the Digidesign
website (www.digidesign.com).
4
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
Hard Drive Requirements
For optimal audio recording a nd playback, all Pro Tools
systems require one or more Digidesign-qualifie d drives.
For a list of Digidesign-qualified hard drives, vi sit the
Digidesign website
(www.digidesign.com).
If you are using an ATA/IDE or FireWire hard drive, initialize your drive with Windows Disk Management
(Windows) or the Disk Utility application included wit h
Apple System software (Mac).
For more information, see Appendix C, “Hard
Drive Configuration and Maintenance.”
Digidesign Registration
Review the enclosed Digidesign Registration Inf ormation Card and follow the instruc tions on it to quickly
register your purchase online. This is one of the most
important steps you can take as a new user. Registering
your purchase is the only way you can be eligible to receive:
• Complimentary technical support
• An update to the latest version of Pro Tools at no
charge if you bought a system with older software
in the box
• Future upgrade offers
Avoid Recording to the System Drive
Recording to your system drive is not recommended.
Recording and playback on a system drive may result in
lower track counts and fewer plug-ins.
Digidesign does not recommend recording to the
system drive. Record to a system drive only when
necessary.
About the Pro Tools Guides
This Getting Started guide explains how to install
Pro Tools LE software, make basic connections to your
Mbox 2 Micro interface (to get sound in and out of your
interface), and do common tasks ( such as recording in
Pro Tools).
In addition to any printed guides or documentation included with your system, PDF versions of Pro Tools
guides and Read Mes are installed automatically with
Pro Tools.
Chapter 2: Welcome to Mbox 2 Micro
5
The main guides (such as the Pro Tools Reference Guide
and the Pro Tools Menus Guide) are accessible from the
Pro Tools Help menu.
• Pro Tools Reference Guide explains Pro Tools software
in detail.
• Pro Tools Menus Guide covers all the Pro Tools on-
screen menus.
• DigiRack Plug-ins Guide explains how to use the RTAS
and AudioSuite plug-ins included with Pro Tools.
• Digidesign Plug-ins Guide explains how to use optional
Digidesign plug-ins.
• Pro Tools Shortcuts lists keyboard and Right-click
shortcuts for Pro Tools.
These guides and other guides are installed on your startup drive during installation. To view or print PDF
guides, you can use Adobe Reader or Apple Preview
(Mac only).
Printed copies of the Pro Tools Reference Guide
and other guides in the Pro Tools guide set can
be purchased separately from the DigiStore
(www.digidesign.com).
Conventions Used in This Guide
Digidesign guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:
:
Convention Action
File > Save Choose Save from the File menu
Control+N Hold down the Control key and press
Control-click Hold down the Control key and click
Right-click Click with the right mouse button
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most
from your Pro Tools system.
Important Notices include information that could
affect your data or the performance of your system.
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse
shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in this
guide and other Digidesign guides.
the N key
the mouse button
6
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
About www.digidesign.com
The Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com) is your
best source for information to help you get the most out
of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of
the services and features available.
Registration Register your purchase onlin e. See the enclosed Digidesign Registration Information Card for instructions.
Support Contact Digidesign Technical Support or Customer Service; download software updates and the latest
online manuals; browse the Compatibility documents
for system requirements; search the online Answerbase;
join the worldwide Pro Tools community on the
Digidesign User Conference.
Training and Education Become a certified Pro Tools Operator or Expert; study on your own using courses available online, or find out how you can learn in a classroom setting at a certified Pro Tools Training Center.
Products and Developers Learn about Digidesign products; download demo software; learn about our Development Partners and their plug-ins, applica tions, and
hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Digide sign;
sign up for a Pro Tools demo.
To learn more about these and other resources available
from Digidesign, visit the Digidesign website
(www.digidesign.com).
Chapter 2: Welcome to Mbox 2 Micro
7
8
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
chapter 3
Windows Configuration
This chapter contains information for Windows systems only. If you are installing Pro Tools on a Mac computer, see Chapter 4, “Mac Configuration.”
Before installing this version of Pro Tools, refer
to the Read Me information included on the
Pro Tools Installer disc.
Installation Overview
Installing the Mbox 2 Micro on a Windows computer
includes the following steps:
1 “Connecting Mbox 2 Micro and Installing
Pro Tools LE” on page 9.
2 “Launching Pro Tools LE” on page 11.
3 Configuring your system for improved performance.
(See Chapter 5, “Configuring Your Pro Tools System.”)
4 “Making Hardware Connections” on page 34 .
Connecting Mbox 2 Micro and Installing Pro Tools LE
To install Pro Tools LE and Mbox 2 Micro:
1 Start Windows, logging in with Administrator privi-
leges. For details on Administrator privile ges, refer to
your Windows documentation.
2 Remove the protective USB dust cap from the Mbox 2
Micro.
3 Insert the USB connector of the Mbox 2 Micro into
any available USB port on your computer. Wait for the
Found New Hardware Wizard dialog to appear and leave
it open: Do not click Next. If the Wizard begins to install
drivers automatically, press Cancel.
Throughout the installation, you should ignore
all Found New Hardware Wizard dialogs. Do
not click Next.
Mbox 2 Micro may not function properly if connected to a USB hub. Connect Mbox 2 Micro to
a separate, dedicated USB port.
4 Insert the Pro Tools LE Installer disc for Windows in
your CD/DVD drive.
5 On the Installer disc, locate and ope n the Pro Tools
Installer folder.
6 Double-click the Setup icon.
Chapter 3: Windows Configuration
9
Follow the on-screen instructions to pr oceed with in-
7
stallation.
8 Select the install location. For maximum reliability,
install Pro Tools on your startup drive.
9 Click Next.
10 Select the Pro Tools application for installation.
11 You can also select from a list of optional item s to in-
stall along with Pro Tools.
DigiTranslator DigiTranslator™ is a software option for
Pro Tools that lets you convert and exchange OMF and
AAF sequences and MXF files directly in the Pro Tools
application. This option is pu rchased separately.
Command|8 Controller and Driver The Command|8
Driver is required if you are using the Digidesign Command|8 control surface.
MP3 Export Option The MP3 Export Option lets you export MP3 files from Pro Tools. This option is purchased
separately.
The Pro Tools Installer disc includes additional
software for your system. For more information,
see “Additional Software on the Pro Tools Installer Disc” on page 11.
12 Click Next.
13 Click Install.
On Windows XP, several messages are displayed during installation that can be ignored,
including multiple “Found New Hardware” dialogs and “A Problem Occurred During Hardware Installation.”
Additionally, if you get a warning dialog about
the driver not passing Windows Logo testing,
click Continue Anyway.
On Windows Vista, if you get a warning dialog
about the driver, click “Install this Driver Anyway!”
14 Wait for the installer to finish installing all software
components, drivers, and PACE System files before proceeding to the next step.
15 When installation is complete, click Finish.
The USB LED on the Mbox 2 Micro illuminates green
when it is receiving power and ready for use.
If the USB LED on the Mbox 2 Micro does no t illuminate after installation, or it is blinking, try
unplugging it from your computer and plugging
it back in. If the USB LED still does not illuminate, shut down the computer, disconnect the
Mbox 2 Micro and start the computer. Once the
computer has fully restarted, reconnect the
Mbox 2 Micro.
If an incorrect output is selected in Pro Tools,
the USB LED on the Mbox 2 Micro flashes amber.
10
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
Installing QuickTime
QuickTime is required for Pro Tools if you plan to include movie files, or import MP3 or MP4 (AAC) files in
your sessions. QuickTime for Windows XP is available
as a free download from the Apple website (www.apple.com).
For information on which version of QuickTime
is compatible with your version of Pro Tools,
visit the compatibility pages of the Digidesign
website (www.digidesign.com.compatibility).
To install QuickTime:
1 Visit www.apple.com and go to the QuickTime page.
2 Download the QuickTime installer applicatio n to
your computer.
3 Double-click the QuickTime ins taller application and
follow the on-screen installation instructions.
4 Restart your computer.
Disabling Screen Saver
(Windows Vista Only)
To avoid errors during playback of Pro Tools sessions,
you must set your Windows Vista screen saver to
“None.”
To set your Windows Vista screen saver to “None”:
1 Right-click on th e desktop.
2 Choose Personalize.
3 Click Screen Save.
4 Set the Screen saver to None.
5 Click Apply.
Launching Pro Tools LE
When launching Pro Tools LE the first time, you are
prompted to enter an authorization code.
To authorize Pro Tools LE software:
1 Make sure Mbox 2 Micro is connected to your com-
puter and powered on.
2 Double-click the Pro Tools LE shortcut on your desk-
top (or the application icon in the P ro Tools folder inside the Digidesign folder).
3 Enter the authorization code in th e dialog (making
sure to type it exactly as printed, and observing any
spaces and capitalization), then click Validate.
Your authorization code is located on the inside front
cover of this guide.
Additional Software on the Pro Tools Installer Disc
The Pro Tools Installer disc provides ad ditional software
for your system, including audio drivers (for playing
other audio applications through your Digidesign hardware) and a Pro Tools demo session.
Refer to your Pro Tools Installer disc for additional software and installers.
Chapter 3: Windows Configuration
11
Windows Audio Drivers
The Digidesign ASIO Driver and WaveDriver Windows
System Audio Driver let you use your Digidesign hardware interface with third-party applications that support the ASIO Driver or WaveDriver MME (Multimedia
Extension).
The Digidesign ASIO Driver and WaveDriver for your
Digidesign hardware are automatically installed when
you install Pro Tools.
Digidesign ASIO Driver
The Digidesign ASIO (Audio Sound Input Output)
Driver is a single-client multichannel sound driver that
allows third-party audio programs th at support the
ASIO standard to record play back through Digidesi gn
hardware.
Mbox 2 Micro provides no external input; it is
an output only device. Consequently, you cannot record an external source with the Mbox 2
Micro.
For detailed information on configuring the
Digidesign ASIO Driver, see the Windows
Audio Drivers Guide.
Digidesign WaveDriver
(Windows XP Only)
The Digidesign WaveDriver Windows System Audio
Driver is a single-client, stereo soun d driver that allows
third-party audio programs that support the
WaveDriver MME (Multimedia Extension) standard to
play back through Digidesign hardware.
For detailed information on configuring the
Digidesign WaveDriver, see the Windows
Audio Drivers Guide.
Standalone Windows Audio Drivers
Digidesign Windows Audio Drivers can be installed on
Windows systems that do not have Pro Tools software
installed. Use the standalone version of th e Digidesign
Windows Audio Drivers installer (Digidesign Audio
Drivers Setup.exe), which is available on the Pro Tools
Installer disc.
For information on configuring the standalone
version of the Digidesign Windows Audio Drivers, see the Windows Audio Drivers Guide.
Pro Tools Demo Session
The Pro Tools LE Installer disc includes a demo session
that you can use to verify that your system is working.
The demo session for Pro Tool LE is named “Filtered
Dreams.”
Be fore ins tall ing the demo ses sion to y our audi o
drive, make sure the drive is configured as described in “Formatting an Audio Drive” on
page 54.
12
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
To install the demo session:
1 Insert the Pro Tools LE Installer disc into your DVD
drive.
2 From your DVD drive, locate and open the Additional
Files/LE Demo Session Installer folder.
3 Double-click LE Demo Session Setup.exe.
4 Follow the onscreen instructions.
5 When prompted, select your audio drive as the install
location and click Next to begin the install.
6 When installation is complete, click Finish.
The demo session can be opened by doubleclicking the Filtered Dream.ptf file (located in
the Filtered Dream Demo Session folder).
Pro Tools Session Templates
The Pro Tools LE Installer disc includes factory session
templates that are pre-configured to common track and
mixer setups. Using these templates will save you the
trouble of having to create your studio setup from
scratch every time you start a new session.
See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for information on
using or customizing session templates.
To install factory session templates:
1 Insert the Pro Tools Installer disc into your DVD
drive.
2 From your DVD drive, locate and open the Additional
Files/LE Session Templates Installer folder.
3 Double-click LE Session Templates Setup.exe.
4 Follow the onscreen instructions.
5 When prompted, select your audio drive as the install
location and click Next to begin th e install.
6 When installation is complete, click Finish.
Chapter 3: Windows Configuration
13
Uninstalling Pro Tools
If you need to uninstall Pro Tools software from your
computer, you can use Windows commands for uninstalling programs.
To uninstall Pro Tools from your computer
(Windows Vista):
1 Choose Start > Control Panel.
2 Under Programs, click “Uninstall a program.”
3 Select Pro Tools.
4 Click Uninstall.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove
Pro Tools.
To remove Pro Tools from your computer (Windows XP):
1 Choose Start > Control Panel.
2 Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3 From the Currently Installed Programs list, sel ect
Digidesign Pro Tools.
4 Click the Remove button.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove
Pro Tools.
14
Mbox 2 Micro Getting Started Guide
chapter 4
Mac Configuration
This chapter contains information for Mac syste ms
only. If you are installing Pro Tools on a Windows computer, see Chapter 5, “Configuring Your Pro Tools System.”
Before installing this version of Pro Tools, refer
to the Read Me information included on the
Pro Tools Installer disc.
Installation Overview
Installation of the Mbox 2 Micro on a Mac includes the
following steps:
6 “Installing Pro Tools LE” on page 15.
7 “Connecting Mbox 2 Micro to the Computer” on
page 16.
8 “Launching Pro Tools LE” on page 17.
9 Configuring your system for improved performance.
(See Chapter 5, “Configuring Your Pro Tools System.”)
10 Making audio connections to the Mbox 2 Micro.
(See Chapter 6, “Mbox 2 Micro Hardware Overview” for
details.)
Installing Pro Tools LE
Before connecting your Pro Tools LE interface to the
computer, you need to install Pro Tools LE software.
To install Pro Tools LE on Mac OS X:
1 Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator for
the account where you want to install Pro Tools. For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, refer to
your Apple Mac OS X documentation.
2 Insert the Pro Tools LE Installer disc in your CD/D VD
drive.
3 On the Installer disc, locate and double-click “Ins tall
Pro Tools.”
4 Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with in-
stallation.
5 Select the install location. For maximum reliability,
install Pro Tools on your startup drive.
6 Click Continue.
7 Select the Pro Tools application for instal lation.
Chapter 4: Mac Configuration
15
Loading...