Avid Unveils New Mbox Lineup
Avid has updated the hardware in their Pro Tools Mbox lineup. The company’s got so many brand names now (What happened to that new brand strategy? —Ed.) that this may get confusing, but try not to grit your teeth. Avid’s new M-Audio MobilePre, Pro Tools SE bundles and M-Audio Oxygen 88 keyboard controller are now available for entry-level musicians who are seeking to create, record and mix music at home or on the road.
Designed for musicians and audio engineers looking to turn their Mac or PC into a portable professional recording, mixing and production studio, the third generation of the Pro Tools Mbox family, which includes the Pro Tools Mbox Pro, Pro Tools Mbox and Pro Tools Mbox Mini. Based on customer feedback, new features in the Pro Tools Mbox family include:
» Redesigned from the ground up, the new Pro Tools Mbox family features several workflow enhancements including: A soft clip limiter that improves overall audio quality by letting users capture hotter signals while recording; and a multi-function button allowing Pro Tools Mbox and Pro Tools Mbox Pro users to control software parameters without using the computer mouse or keyboard.
» Freedom and flexibility to compose using Pro Tools LE or your DAW of choice–Gives customers more options to compose, record, edit and mix with seamless support for the industry’s most popular DAWs, including Pro Tools LE, Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Fruity Loops, Steinberg Cubase, and more, ensuring sessions are compatible with studios around the world. New drivers include ASIO, Core Audio, WDM, MME and multi-client drivers.
For first-time Pro Tools users and emerging artists with an interest in musical composition, editing and production, the new Avid Recording Studio, Avid KeyStudio and Avid Vocal Studio systems provide everything needed to easily create and record music at home, including new Pro Tools SE software and proven M-Audio hardware.
With Pro Tools SE software included, the new Pro Tools SE Family serves as an introduction into the world of Pro Tools software by offering the same user interface found in Avid’s professional Pro Tools product line. Now, Pro Tools SE software offers customers groundbreaking music creation capabilities that leverage technology from professional-level Pro Tools products at a fraction of the price with a very intuitive user interface. The Pro Tools SE Family, which offers dedicated solutions for guitarists, keyboard players and vocalists, includes:
» Avid KeyStudio – Makes it easy for keyboard players to turn their inspiration into a professional-quality recording with a 49-note, velocity-sensitive M-Audio KeyStudio keyboard and Pro Tools SE music creation software.
» Avid Recording Studio – Allows customers to capture guitars, instruments and vocals in better than CD quality at 24-bit/48 kHz with Pro Tools SE music creation software and an M-Audio Fast Track audio interface.
» Avid Vocal Studio – Enables customers to record vocals for use in songs, soundtracks, podcasts or voice-overs with Pro Tools SE music creation software and the M-Audio Producer USB microphone.
» With Pro Tools SE software, users can:
— Mix up to 24 tracks (16 audio tracks, 8 virtual instrument tracks) and use the included pro-quality effects: reverb, EQ, and guitar amp/distortion effects
— Use more than 100 different virtual instruments and more than 3 GB of audio loops to quickly construct songs and ideas.
— View integrated, intuitive tutorials that make it easy to learn how to compose, record, edit and mix on the Pro Tools SE platform.
— Record two instruments at once, and take advantage of built-in composing features including MIDI sequencing and score editing, which provide professional-grade creative solutions to users of every ability level.
The second-generation MobilePre delivers musicians an easy-to-use, full-featured studio-quality recording, mixing and production solution for use with Mac or PC. Customers can easily record anything from guitar, vocals, keyboards and more directly into their computer, and have the option to compose, record, edit and mix with included Pro Tools SE software, or any of the industry’s most popular DAWs, such as Pro Tools M-Powered, GarageBand, Apple Logic, Ableton Live and more.
Oxygen 88
Ideal for use in the studio or on stage, the new M-Audio Oxygen 88 USB MIDI controller keyboard is designed to satisfy players who need the feel of a piano combined with the power of a modern MIDI controller. The latest addition to Avid’s industry-leading Oxygen family of USB MIDI keyboard controllers includes:
» DirectLink technology – Automatically maps keyboard controls to common mixer and virtual instrument parameters, giving users hands-on control over their mix and their music, without any complicated set up or user configuration required. DirectLink works with popular DAWs, including Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro and Steinberg Cubase.
» 88-note hammer-action keybed – Delivers a musically satisfying playing experience with an authentic piano feel–ideal for playing virtual instruments.
» 32 assignable buttons, knobs and faders – Offers customers complete control over virtual instrument and DAW parameters. Dedicated Track up/down buttons enable customers to focus on the creative flow of recording and mixing music, rather than going back and forth between QWERTY keyboard and MIDI controller.
The Avid/M-Audio/Pro Tools/Mbox family pricing begins at $399 for the Pro Tools Mbox Mini, $679 for Pro Tools Mbox and $899 for the Pro Tools Mbox Pro. Pro Tools Mbox and Pro Tools Mbox Mini are available worldwide this month. Pro Tools Mbox Pro will be available worldwide in Q4.
Pro Tools SE bundles begin at $99.99 for Avid Vocal Studio, $119.99 for Avid Recording Studio and $129.99 for Avid KeyStudio and will be available this month. MobilePre is available now for $179. Oxygen 88 is available worldwide for $749.95 beginning this month. More information on the new Avid Mbox gear.
