Avid announced this week the update of several components in the company’s line of recording products aimed at the consumer market. The company has new versions of the Pro Tools Mbox product line, M-Audio MobilePre, Pro Tools SE, and a new 88 key USB controller.
That’s a lot of new products, and we’re going to offer an overview for them:
Pro Tools Mbox Pro, Pro Tools Mbox and Pro Tools Mbox Mini: This is the version of Pro Tools designed to be used with an M-Audio Mbox Pro ($899), Mbox ($679), or Mbox mini ($399), rather than a full deck or Avid’s line of processing cards. The company said that it has improved the hardware by adding features to improve workflow, including a new clip limiter that will let you record a hotter signal without overdriving. There is also a new multifunction button on the Mbox that allows you to control software parameters without using your keyboard or mouse.
Users can also use the Mbox and Mbox mini with other DAWs, including Pro Tools LE, Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Fruity Loops, Steinberg Cubase, and others.
Pro Tools SE: Avid is now offering three bundles — Avid Recording Studio, Avid KeyStudio and Avid Vocal Studio — that combine Pro Tools SE with either an audio interface (Recording Studio - $119), a USB controller (KeyStudio - $129), or a microphone (Vocal Studio - $99).
M-Audio MobilePre: This is an audio interface, and the new version ($179) offers 24-bit, 48kHz audio, two combo input jacks with XLR and 1/4” inputs, phantom power, and more. The MobilePre also now includes Pro Tools SE bundled with it.
Oxygen 88: Avid is also releasing a new USB controller called the Oxygen 88, an 88 key USB MIDI controller. The device includes support for DirectLink, which automatically maps keyboard controls to mixer and instrument parameters, and it has a piano-like feel to the keys. It also has 32 assignable buttons, knobs, and faders.
You can find more information in the above-links.