mbox 3 disappeared from Audio devices list

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mbox 3 disappeared from Audio devices list

Two days ago I bought a new iMac with Mountain Lion 10.8.2 and installed Logic Pro 9.1.8. I use mbox 3 and installed latest drivers/control panel from Avid, Mbox_1_1_4_Drivers_78130. It seemed to work well.

Suddenly today, when I powered on, the mbox does not show up in the Audio devices list. The diodes in the mbox are shining brightly (so it has power from the USB-plug). I have uninstalled drivers/control panel and re-installed. Rebooted the mbox. I have tried the four different USB sockets(?) in the iMac. In the control panel, it reads "Hardware not connected" and "Not streaming".

Maybe this is a stupid question/situation but I do not have much experience with Macs. The mbox seems suddenly not to be discovered by the iMac/OSX.

Any suggestions for how to make the mbox reappear in the device list?

Any help is highly appreciated!

Ivar

Logic Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 15, 2013 3:45 PM

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Answer 1

ivaraa Author

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Feb 17, 2013 1:23 AM in response to ivaraa

This seems to be caused by a problem with the referenced drivers from Avid. If you experience this situation, check out Avid Audio Forums and search for mbox.

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Answer 2

Feb 17, 2013 7:42 AM in response to ivaraa

Indeed..

Digi/Avid's drivers have a reputation for being very flaky especially when used with anything but PT....

It's unfortrunate but sadly true.... which is why I never recommend Digi's hardware (nor M Audio for the same reason) to any of my clients...

Sorry.. wish it was better news...

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Answer 3

ivaraa Author

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Feb 17, 2013 1:54 PM in response to ivaraa

Thanks!

The mbox 3 seemed to have exactly the functionality I wanted (incl. MIDI) and good specifications. Can I ask you what you would recommend of other brands/models in the same functionality and/or price category?

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Answer 4

Pancenter

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Feb 17, 2013 2:31 PM in response to ivaraa

Do you have ProTools installed or just the MBox interface?

Have you looked here for audio drivers?

http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/download/en375651

Is the MBox 3 the same as the MBox (3rd Generation)?

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Answer 5

Feb 17, 2013 2:51 PM in response to Pancenter

Pancenter,

The ones he installed

Mbox_1_1_4_Drivers_78130 (aka v1.1.4)

..are the very latest drivers for the Mbox 3 (Yes.. 3rd gen) and unfortunately, according to the Avid forums they still cause a few issues (as usual it seems)

ivaraa,

Personally I use Moto equipment here... Mainly Motu Ultralites...

They are slightly more expensive than the Mbox stuff but the quality and reliability of both the hardware and their drivers for the price, over the years I have used Motu gear.. has been excellent.

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Answer 6

Pancenter

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Feb 17, 2013 4:48 PM in response to The Art Of Sound

+1 on the Motu hardware.

I used RME but some of the mission ctitical shows I've played with that come out of N.Y. use MOTU Ultralites (or was it the Traveler?) anyway, it was MOTU & Mainstage.

re: Avid.. just checked, the core audio drivers from AVID that do seem to work for Lion and ML are the Digi 002 , 003 drivers, not the MBox drivers.

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Answer 7

ivaraa Author

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Feb 18, 2013 10:41 AM in response to ivaraa

Thanks, both of you!

The pointers to Motu and RME were interesting. However, I do not need a lot of channels. And the RME stuff seemed a bit overkill for my needs. But I think the Motu Audio Express could be a good alternative to mbox 3 and not more expensive either. Or maybe the Ultralite..

I will wait for a solution from Avid as long as I can spend the time getting to know Logic. I bought the iMac and Logic because I wanted a simpler and more intuitive user interface than PT LE. And Logic does look great.

Thanks again!

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Answer 8

Pancenter

Level 6

14,788 points

Feb 18, 2013 2:34 PM in response to ivaraa

One last idea...

Sometimes going back a version or two can mean success.

I would try 1.1.3 or 1.0.21 just for the heck of it, you can always go back to the most current.

You never can tell about compatibility.

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Answer 9

ivaraa Author

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Feb 20, 2013 1:12 PM in response to ivaraa

No, never give up. Tried 1.1.3 but no reaction on the box. It seems (I think I read) that the box is in a firmware update mode where it does not communicate with the computer. So I need a piece of code that takes it out of that mode, which does not happen with the normal driver.

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