003, 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 Xpress, AVoption, Beat Detective , Bomb Factory, Bruno,
C|24, Command|8, Control|24, D-Command, D-Control, D-Fi,
D-fx, D-Show, D-Verb, DAE, Digi 002, DigiBase, DigiDelivery,
Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Intelligent
Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiDrive, DigiRack,
DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DINR, D-Show, DV Toolkit, EditPack,
Eleven, Hybrid, Impact, Interplay, M-Audio, MachineCo ntrol,
Maxim, Mbox, MediaComposer, MIDI I/O, MIX, MultiShell,
OMF, OMF Interchange, PRE, ProC ontrol, Pro Tools
M-Powered, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE,
QuickPunch, Reel Tape, Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS,
Sibelius, Smack!, SoundReplacer, Sou nd Designer II, Strike,
Structure, SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Space,
Transfuser, Velvet, X-Form, XMON, and Xpa nd! are
trademarks or registered trademar ks of Avid Technology, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
Product features, specifications, system req uirements, and
availability are subject to change without notice.
Guide Part Number 9320-59108-00 REV B October, 2009
Documentation Feedback
At Avid, we're always looking for ways to improve our
documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or
suggestions regarding our documentation , email us at
techpubs@digidesign.com.
Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European
Union
This symbol on the product or its packa ging indicates that this
product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it
is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by
handing it over to a designated collection point for the
recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipme nt. The
separate collection and recycling of your waste e quipment at
the time of disposal will help conserve natural resources and
ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human
health and the environment. For m ore information about
where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling,
please contact your local city recycling office or the dealer
from whom you purchased the product.
Warning
This product contains chemicals, including lead,
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after ha ndling.
Communications and Safety Regulation Information
Mbox 2 Mini
Compliance Statement
This model Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini co mplies with the
following standards regulating interf erence 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 comply with the
limits for a Class B digital dev ice, 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 Mini
complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two condition s: (1) this
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operatio n.
Communication Statement
NOTE: This equipment has been tes ted 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 ge nerates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency 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 ca use harmful
interference to radio or television re ception, which can be
determined by turning the equip ment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try and correct the inte rference by one or more
of the following measures:
• Reorient or locate the receiving ant enna.
• 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 expe rienced radio/TV technician
for help.
Any modifications to the unit, unless expressly approved by
Avid, 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
Digidesign is authorized to apply the CE (Conformité
Europénne) mark on this complia nt equipment thereby
declaring conformity to EMC Directive 89/ 336/EEC and Low
Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC.
Welcome to the Mbox®2 Mini audio production system.
Mbox 2 Mini and Pro Tools LE
analog audio input, two analog monitor outputs, and one headphone output. Mbox 2 Mini
includes one professional-quality mic preamp and 24-bit analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters.
Mbox 2 Mini Features
The Mbox 2 Mini provides the following:
• Two channels of analog audio input:
• XLR connector with microphone preamp and switchable 48V phantom power.
• Two 1/4-inch TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connectors. One input is switchable between Mic and
Line/DI level devices.
• –20 dB pad available separately on each input channel.
• Two 1/4-inch TRS analog monitor outputs.
•1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone output.
• Adjustable level control for headphone and monitor outputs.
• Mon (Monitor) Mute switch for muting monitor outputs, without muting headphone output. This switch does not affect recording.
• 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, supporting sample rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz.
®
provides your USB-equipped computer with two channels of
Chapter 1: Welcome to Mbox 2 Mini 1
• Zero-latency analog record monitoring with Mix knob for adjustable balance between input
and playback.
• USB-powered operation.
Mbox 2 Mini may not function properly if connected to a USB hub. Connect Mbox 2 Mini to a
separate, dedicated USB port.
Pro Tools LE Capabilities
Pro Tools LE on Mac or Windows provides the following capabilities with Mbox 2 Mini:
• Playback of up to 48 mono or stereo digital audio tracks, or a combination of playing back
and recording up to 48 mono or stereo digital audio tracks, depending on your computer’s
capabilities.
• Up to 128 audio tracks (with up to 48 active tracks), 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 10 inserts per track (RTAS® plug-ins or hardware inserts).
• Up to 10 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.
2
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
System Requirements and Compatibility
Mbox 2 Mini can be used with a qualified Mac or Windows computer running Pro Tools LE
software.
A DVD drive is required to use the Pro Tools Installer disc.
We can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software we have
tested and approved.
For complete system requirements and a list of qualified computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, refer to the latest information on our website:
www.digidesign.com/compatibility
MIDI Requirements
USB MIDI interfaces work effectively with Pro Tools systems on Mac or Windows. Serial MIDI
interfaces 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, visit our website at:
www.digidesign.com/compatibility
Chapter 1: Welcome to Mbox 2 Mini 3
Hard Drive Requirements
For optimal audio recording and playback, all Pro Tools systems require one or more
qualified drives.
For a list of qualified hard drives, visit our website:
www.digidesign.com/compatibility
If you are using an ATA/IDE or FireWire hard drive, initialize your drive with the Disk Utility
application included with Apple System software (Mac) or the Windows Disk Management
(Windows).
For more information, see Appendix C, “Hard Drive Configuration and Maintenance.”
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.
4
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
Conventions Used in This Guide
All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:
:
ConventionAction
File > SaveChoose Save from the File
Control+NHold down the Control key and
Control-clickHold down the Control key and
Right-clickClick with the right mouse but-
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight important information.
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your Pro Tools system.
Important Notices include information that could affect your Pro Tools session data or the performance of your Pro Tools system.
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in the Pro Tools Guides
menu
press the N key
click the mouse button
ton
Chapter 1: Welcome to Mbox 2 Mini 5
6
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
chapter 2
Installing Pro Tools on Mac
This chapter contains information for Mac systems only. If you are installing Pro Tools on a
Windows computer, see Chapter 3, “Installing Pro Tools on Windows.”
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 Mini on a Mac includes the following steps:
1 “Installing Pro Tools LE and Connecting Your Interface” on page 8.
2 “Launching Pro Tools LE” on page 10.
3 Configuring your system for improved performance (see Chapter 4, “Configuring Your
Pro Tools System”)
4 Making audio connections to the Mbox 2 Mini (see Chapter 6, “Making Hardware Connections” for details).
Chapter 2: Installing Pro Tools on Mac 7
Installing Pro Tools LE and Connecting Your Interface
Before connecting your Pro Tools LE interface to the computer, you need to install
Pro Tools LE software.
Do not start this procedure with your Mbox 2 Mini connected to your computer.
To Install Pro Tools LE
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 DVD drive.
3 On the Installer disc, locate and double-click Install Pro Tools LE.mpkg.
Install Pro Tools LE.mpkg icon
4 Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with installation.
5 Click Continue each time you are prompted.
6 At the Installation Type page, do one of the following:
• To install all Pro Tools application files and free plug-in suites (and associated content),
leave the default Installation options selected and click Continue.
– or –
• Select (or deselect) a custom configuration of Installation options (see “Installation Op-
tions” on page 9) and click Continue.
7 Click Install.
8
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
8 If prompted, enter your Administrator password and click OK to authenticate the installa-
tion.
9 Follow the remaining on-screen instructions.
10 When installation is complete, click Restart.
11 Connect the small end of the included USB cable to the USB port on Mbox 2 Mini. Con-
nect the other end of the USB cable to any available USB port on your computer.
Mbox 2 Mini may not function properly if connected to a USB hub. Connect Mbox 2 Mini to a
separate, dedicated USB port.
If the USB LED on the front panel of the Mbox 2 Mini does not illuminate after installation,
try unplugging the USB cable from the Mbox 2 Mini USB port and plugging it back in. If the
USB LED still does not illuminate, shut down the computer, disconnect Mbox 2 Mini and start
the computer. Once the computer has fully restarted, reconnect Mbox 2 Mini.
Installation Options
Pro Tools LE Options
To install a subset of Pro Tools software and plug-ins (and associated content), click the reveal
triangle for the Pro Tools LE 8.0 option in the installer, and deselect any of the following options that you do not want installed.
Application Files (Required for Pro Tools) Installs the Pro Tools application and supporting library files needed to run Pro Tools. This option also installs the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver.
This option must be selected to install Pro Tools.
DigiRack Plug-Ins Installs free plug-ins including DigiRack plug-ins, free Bomb Factory plugins, Eleven Free, TL Utilities, and Digidesign D-Fi and Maxim plug-ins.
Pro Tools Creative Collection Installs a set of free RTAS effects plug-ins and virtual instrument
plug-ins (including 4.4 GB of associated sample content). For more information, see the Cre-ative Collection Plug-ins Guide.
Chapter 2: Installing Pro Tools on Mac 9
Additional Options
The Pro Tools installer provides the following additional options to install along with
Pro Tools software and plug-ins.
Digidesign CoreAudio Driver This option installs the Digidesign CoreAudio Driver, which lets
you use qualified audio interfaces with third-party applications that support the CoreAudio
Driver standard.
Avid Video Engine This option lets you integrate Avid
®
with your Pro Tools system).
Mojo
MIDI I/O Driver The MIDI I/O
™
Driver is required if you are using the Digidesign MIDI I/O in-
®
video peripherals (such as the Avid
terface.
Launching Pro Tools LE
When launching Pro Tools LE the first time, you are prompted to enter an authorization code
to validate your software. (The code begins with the letters DIGI.)
To authorize Pro Tools LE software:
1 Make sure the Mbox 2 Mini is connected to your computer.
2 Click the Pro Tools LE icon in the Dock (or double-click the application icon in the
Pro Tools folder inside the Digidesign folder).
10
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
3 Enter the authorization code in the 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.) Use the Quick Start dialog to do one of the following:
• Create a new session from template.
• Create a new blank session.
• Open any other session on your system.
.
Quick Start dialog
For more information on the Quick Start dialog and session templates, see the Pro Tools
Reference Guide.
Chapter 2: Installing Pro Tools on Mac 11
Additional Software on the Pro Tools Installer Disc
The Pro Tools Installer disc provides additional software for your system, including audio drivers (for playing other audio applications through your Digidesign hardware) and a Pro Tools
demo session.
Check your Pro Tools Installer disc for additional software and installers.
Third-Party Applications and Plug-ins
Your Pro Tools package also includes several free applications and plug-ins from selected third
party developers. Once you've completed your Pro Tools installation, you can install these separately.
Installers are located on your Pro Tools Installer disc in the Additional Files\3rd Party Content
folder.
Mbox 2 Mini CoreAudio Driver
The Mbox 2 Mini CoreAudio Driver is a multi-client, multichannel sound driver that allows
CoreAudio-compatible applications to record and play back through Digidesign hardware.
The Mbox 2 Mini CoreAudio Driver is installed by default when you install Pro Tools.
For information on configuring the Mbox 2 Mini CoreAudio Driver, see the CoreAudio Drivers
Guide.
Standalone Mbox 2 Mini CoreAudio Driver
The Mbox 2 Mini CoreAudio Driver can be installed as a standalone driver on Mac systems
that do not have Pro Tools software installed.
For information on installing and configuring the standalone version of the Mbox 2 Mini
CoreAudio Driver, see the CoreAudio Drivers Guide.
12
Mbox 2 Mini Setup 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.”
Before installing the demo session to your audio drive, make sure the drive is configured as described in “Formatting an Audio Drive” on page 76.
To install the demo session:
1 Insert the Pro Tools LE Installer disc into your DVD drive.
2 On the Installer disc, locate and open the
Additional Files/Demo Sessions Installer folder.
3 Double-click Install LE Demo Session.pkg.
4 Follow the on-screen instructions.
5 When prompted, select your audio drive as the install location and click Next to begin the
install. When installation is complete, click Close.
The demo session can be opened by double-clicking the Filtered Dream.ptf file (located in the
Filtered Dream Demo Session folder).
Chapter 2: Installing Pro Tools on Mac 13
Uninstalling Pro Tools
If you need to uninstall Pro Tools software from your computer, use the Uninstaller application.
To remove Pro Tools from your computer:
1 Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator for the account where Pro Tools is installed.
For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, refer to your Apple OS X documentation.
2 Go to Applications/Digidesign/Pro Tools/Pro Tools Utilities and double-click
Uninstall Pro Tools.
3 Click Continue to proceed with the uninstall.
4 Choose the type of uninstall you want to perform:
Safe Uninstall Leaves certain plug-ins and system files needed for compatibility with some
Avid products. Use Safe Uninstall if you are using an Avid application or preparing to update
to a Customer Support release.
Clean Uninstall Removes all Pro Tools files, including system files, Digidesign plug-ins, and
MIDI patch names. Use Clean Uninstall whenever you are preparing to upgrade, or to troubleshoot from a clean system.
5 Click Uninstall.
6 Enter your Administrator password and click OK.
7 Click Finish to close the Installer window.
14
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
chapter 3
Installing Pro Tools on Windows
This chapter contains information for Windows systems only. If you are installing Pro Tools
on a Mac computer, see Chapter 2, “Installing Pro Tools on Mac.”
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 Mini on a Windows computer includes the following steps:
1 “Installing Pro Tools LE and Connecting Your Interface” on page 16.
2 “Launching Pro Tools LE” on page 19.
3 Configuring your system for improved performance (see Chapter 4, “Configuring Your
Pro Tools System”).
4 Making audio connections to the Mbox 2 Mini (see Chapter 6, “Making Hardware Connections” for details).
Chapter 3: Installing Pro Tools on Windows 15
Installing Pro Tools LE and Connecting Your Interface
Before connecting your Pro Tools LE interface to the computer, you need to install
Pro Tools LE software.
Do not start this procedure with your Mbox 2 Mini connected to your computer.
To install Pro Tools LE:
1 Start Windows, logging in with Administrator privileges. For details on Administrator priv-
ileges, refer to your Windows documentation.
2 Insert the Pro Tools LE Installer disc in your DVD drive and do one of the following:
• If Windows AutoRun is enabled, the installer splash screen will appear. Click the on-
screen link to install Pro Tools LE. Then follow the on-screen instructions.
– or –
• If Windows AutoRun is disabled and the splash screen does not appear, double-click
Setup.exe on the installer disc. Then click the on-screen link.
Setup.exe icon
In Vista, if the User Account Control dialog appears, click Allow.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with installation and click Next when
prompted.
4 To install the complete compliment of Pro Tools software and plug-ins, leave Pro Tools selected.
16
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
5 At the Select Features page, do one of the following:
• To install all Pro Tools application files and free plug-in suites (and associated content),
leave the default Installation options selected and click Continue.
– or –
• Select (or deselect) a custom configuration of Installation options (see “Installation Options” on page 18) and click Continue.
6 Click Next.
7 Click Install.
8 When prompted, connect the small end of the included USB cable to the USB port on the
Mbox 2 Mini. Connect the other end of the cable to any available USB port on your computer.
Mbox 2 Mini may not function properly if connected to a USB hub. Connect Mbox 2 Mini to
a separate, dedicated USB port.
In Windows Vista, a series of Windows Security dialogs may appear. Click “Install” on each
one until they go away.
In Windows XP, a series of Software Installation dialogs about the driver not passing Windows
Logo testing may appear. Click Continue Anyway on each one until they go away.
If any other dialogs appear (such as the “Found New Hardware” dialog), leave them open and
do not click on them. These dialogs will close on their own.
9 Click OK.
10 Wait for the installer to finish installing all software components, drivers, and PACE Sys-
tem files before proceeding to the next step.
Chapter 3: Installing Pro Tools on Windows 17
11 When installation is complete, click Finish and restart your computer.
If the USB LED on the front panel of the Mbox 2 Mini does not illuminate after restarting the
computer, try unplugging the USB cable from the Mbox 2 Mini USB port and plugging it back
in. If the USB LED still does not illuminate, shut down the computer, disconnect Mbox 2 Mini
and start the computer. Once the computer has fully restarted, reconnect Mbox 2 Mini.
Installation Options
Pro Tools LE Options
To install a subset of Pro Tools software and plug-ins (and associated content), click the plus
(+) next to Pro Tools LE 8.0 option in the Select Features page of the installer, and deselect any
of the following options that you do not want installed.
Application Files (Required for Pro Tools) Installs the Pro Tools application and supporting library files needed to run Pro Tools. This option must be selected to install Pro Tools.
DigiRack Plug-Ins Installs free plug-ins including DigiRack plug-ins, free Bomb Factory plugins, Eleven Free, TL Utilities, and Digidesign D-Fi and Maxim plug-ins.
Pro Tools Creative Collection Installs a set of free RTAS effects plug-ins and virtual instrument
plug-ins (including 4.4 GB of associated sample content). For more information, see the Cre-ative Collection Plug-ins Guide.
Additional Options
The Pro Tools installer provides the following additional options to install along with
Pro Tools software and plug-ins.
Mac HFS+ Disk Support Option This option lets your Pro Tools system read, write, record, and
pl ay bac k usin g Mac- forma tted H FS+ di sks. H FS+ di sks ar e comm only r eferr ed to a s Mac O S Extended disks.
Avid Video Engine The Avid Video Engine is required to use Pro Tools with Avid video peripherals such as the Avid Mojo.
Command|8 Controller and Driver The Command|8
®
driver is required if you are using the Digi-
design Command|8 control surface.
18
Mbox 2 Mini Setup 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 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 our website (www.digidesign.com/compatibility).
To install QuickTime:
1 Visit www.apple.com and go to the QuickTime page.
2 Download the QuickTime installer application to your computer.
3 Double-click the QuickTime installer application and follow the on-screen installation in-
structions.
4 Restart your computer.
Launching Pro Tools LE
When launching Pro Tools LE the first time, you are prompted to enter an authorization code
to validate your software. (The code begins with the letters DIGI.)
To authorize Pro Tools LE software:
1 Make sure the Mbox 2 Mini is connected to your computer.
2 Double-click the Pro Tools LE shortcut on your desktop (or the application icon in the
Pro Tools folder inside the Digidesign folder).
3 Enter the authorization code in the 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.)
Chapter 3: Installing Pro Tools on Windows 19
4 Use the Quick Start dialog to do one of the following:
• Create a new session from template.
• Create a new blank session.
• Open any other session on your system.
Quick Start dialog
For more information on the Quick Start dialog and session templates, see the Pro Tools
Reference Guide.
20
Mbox 2 Mini Setup Guide
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