Mbox2 mini with Lion & GarageBand '11

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Mbox2 mini with Lion & GarageBand '11

I have done recording in the past on my MacBook Pro using a MBox2 mini. It worked great in 32-bit mode of Snow Leopard. When I switched over to 64-bit it took me quite a while to figure out why it didn't work any longer. You probably know where I'm heading. When I upgrade to Lion…yup, no dice with the the MBox2 mini. A patch came out in August for Pro Tools 9 users but the hardware came with version 6 LE when I got it. I had to load Pro Tools 6 LE to get the drivers to work, even when recording in GarageBand. Avid owns the company and they seem like a pain to work with. Here's the closest thing I could find for an upgrade:http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=353265 Avid makes you pay money for support. Arrggghhhh.

So now I have Lion, GarageBand 11 and want to record music (bass, guitars, drums, vocals). I need to hear what I'm playing as well as what has been previously recorded, via headphones. Does anyone know where I can find drivers for my existing hardware to use GarageBand '11 without ProTools?

Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Oct 3, 2011 12:13 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 3, 2011 12:29 PM in response to hopkinks

The first thing that comes to mind is to install the latest digidesign CoreAudio driver, but a quick look at their page looks like there isn't any available for Lion.

http://archive.digidesign.com/download/coreaudio/

Not sure what the answer is - if there is one (and there may not be). Perhaps you might have better luck posting something in their forum.

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Answer 2

hopkinks Author

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Oct 4, 2011 5:23 PM in response to MattiMattMatt

At a recommendation from MattiMattMatt, I posted and got a reply from someone on an Avid Audio Forum, I successfully found, downloaded, and installed drivers for Lion ( http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=379411 ). I selected "Mbox 2 USB Family Drivers", then "Mbox 2 Mini Driver for Pro Tools 9.0 (Mac)"...installed, rebooted, and voila. No Pro Tools installed, just the driver for the Mbox 2 Mini.

m-audio Fast Track Pro also works with just the driver.

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Answer 3

Mar 1, 2012 7:07 AM in response to hopkinks

http://audio.tutsplus.com/tutorials/production/quick-tip-use-multiple-audio-inte rfaces-on-mac-os-x/

this will walk you through the setup process. It's not the mbox... its actually your audio setup. I'm running on a 2012 MACBook Pro.

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Answer 4

emarsh7

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May 6, 2012 5:31 PM in response to Camterrell

Hello,

I am having an issue with my mbox 2 mini and new macbook pro with lion. I had previously used the mbox with pro tools 8 on a windows os. I am now only trying to use it with garageband on my new macbook. When I plug into the USB port, it does not power on. It still powers on on my windows os, so I know the unit is ok. I downloaded the driver provided at the link described above, but still have not had any luck. Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations for a next step?

Thanks

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Answer 5

hopkinks Author

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May 7, 2012 4:26 AM in response to emarsh7

I believe that Camterrell's information only works after you're getting power to the the MBox 2 Mini and you won't get power until your driver's are updated. I could be wrong. I still have the driver package (.mpkg) that worked for me. You can email me directly at hopkinks@muohio.edu if you would like me to send it to you. I remember trying to find the right driver on the Avid page was not easy. I wonder if they changed the driver since I downloaded it back in October of 2011.

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Answer 6

Richathy

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Oct 7, 2012 7:09 PM in response to hopkinks

First off, thanks so much to all of you for the links and guidance! Huge help! So, I downloaded the drivers per the link that was given and I at least have power now to the Mbox2 which is obviously a vast improvement from no power. The only thing now is that I don't know how to use it with Garageband? I went in and selected the Mbox2 in "Preferences" - "Audio/Midi" but still not getting any signal when I play through my cable into my input? (As a side note, it's kind weird because I am seeing the signal bar pulsating up and down rythmically, even when I am not making a sound?). So, does anyone know how to get signal from the Mbox into Garageband? Thanks in advance for your time!

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Answer 7

hopkinks Author

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Oct 8, 2012 6:40 AM in response to Richathy

I typically start up GarageBand, then connect the Mbox2 mini to the USB port. After a moment, you'll get power to the device and GarageBand will say that it found the Mbox 2 mini and will ask if you want to use it (with 'Yes' highlighted. Select Yes and you're ready to roll.

I suspect that you're still using the internal mic when you see the signal bar pulsating. It's probably picking up typing or other noise from around the computer. You may try turning the sound down on the MBox 2 mini and disconnecting all input cables to ensure that you're not getting noise from the device.

If you're still having problems, maybe I'll put together a YouTube tutorial. It may be helpful to visually see what it looks like.

Hope that helps.

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Answer 8

Richathy

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Oct 14, 2012 10:21 PM in response to hopkinks

That worked to get my power on, thanks Hopkinks! Now I'm just not sure how to get my direct line into my Mbox2 to register in Garageband. I guess this is going to be a pretty incremental process for me. As far as the signal bar pulsing, it was totally quiet in the room and the bar was pulsing at a tempo, so it seemed as if it was the metronome. I tried to hear a metronome though and didn't hear anything. I also played it back through my phones and my speakers and I didn't hear it then either. Weird. I am obviously going to have to spend some time on this to figure it out. If you do decide to do a video, I would very much appreciate that, but I also know that takes time, so I would totally understand if you weren't able to. At least I'm on the right track! Appreciate all of the help!

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Answer 9

hopkinks Author

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Oct 15, 2012 7:44 PM in response to Richathy

Here's a video tutorial on how to use an MBox2 mini. Hope it helps:

http://youtu.be/Axqbn8R9bcI

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