Using the MBox for Recording

By now you probably have a little bit of Pro Tools knowledge. You should know how to use some of the tools such as the trimmer, selector and grabber. We will continue to do those today, but let's talk more about the actual MBox itself.


What is the MBox? The Mbox is a piece of hardware that allows you to use Pro Tools LE on your computer. This piece of hardware plugs into your computer's USB port and becomes an audio interface. Practically all computers come with an Audio Interface built-in to them. To put it simple, you need an audio interface to control the audio signals going in and out of your computer. On the mac computers that we use, your computer speaker is the output of your audio interface. With the Mbox plugged in, the headphone/monitor port (front left) is the output of the audio interface. This means that if you don't have a pair of headphones or monitors (speakers) plugged into the port of your MBox, you will have no sound. However, this isn't the only output option, we'll discuss this further in a little bit.

Notice the knobs on the front of the MBox. There are 4 in total. The 2 on the left control output volume, the 2 on the right control input volume. So if we wanted to control the overall volume of our session, then we would use the knobs on the left. If we wanted to control the volume of a microphone or instrument, then we would use the knobs on the right.

Now let's take this time to look at the back of the Mbox. You'll notice a lot of inputs. 6 in total (if you include the USB).  On the left side of the Mbox you'll see a Mic input for Input 1 and a DI (Direct Instrument) that can be used alternatively. We have a DI input for Input 2. On the right side of the back of the MBox we have a Monitor Output (Left and Right) for 2 monitors. Many monitors on the market will require they're own power source and do not plug directly into each other like cheaper computer speakers. The monitors in our room plug into each other with a final output going into the front of the MBox. In other studios, it is quite common to find the monitors plugged into the back.

So what does this all lead to? 

Let's put some of these inputs into use this week. You'll have the choice to use either a guitar (for guitarists in the program) or a microphone to record an audio piece. If you are using the guitar, first work on making music in Reason, followed by recording your guitar in Pro Tools. If you are using the Microphone, you will use it to answer the question "who are you?"
You will record yourself answering the question first, followed by producing music for it in Reason (similar to the MLK speech assignment).


If you would like to use both the guitar and the microphone you can as well. 


Now that we have the assignment, here are the instructions. By the way, this will be a tough assignment so I highly recommend that you SAVE OFTEN!


If you are using the Guitar


1. Open Pro Tools

2. Create a session named "YourName_WhoAmI"

3. Set your tempo in Pro Tools.

4. Create a Stereo Instrument Track. Name the track Reason.

5. Load Reason into the track as an insert.

6. Once Reason loads up, begin producing a beat. Make sure your beat contains the rhythmic and melodic instruments. Work on the arrangement of the beat until you have something that you like.


7. Go back into Pro Tools and create a Mono Audio Track. Name it "Guitar".

8. Plug the Guitar into your MBox Line 2. Press the Record button on your Audio Track. You should now be able to hear sound from the guitar.

9. Practice your guitar melody. When you're ready, begin recording your guitar part(s) in your song.


10. When you have the guitar parts that you're looking for, begin working on the mix of the song in Reason (adjusting levels/panning/FX).


11. When you're finished, save your work.


12. Now it's time to bounce your assignment from Pro Tools. Bouncing is considered real-time exporting. To bounce, go to File > Bounce to Disk. Your file should be a Stereo Interleaved, 44.1khz 16-bit audio file. Click "Convert After Bounce". Now save it in the Audio Files folder of your session.


If you are using the Microphone


1. Open Pro Tools

2. Create a Session named "YourName_WhoAmI"

3. Once your session loads up, Create a Mono Audio Track. Name it "Vocals".

4. Plug the microphone into the Input 1 XLR port. Press the record button on your track. You should now hear the sound of the microphone and be able to adjust the volume of it (if you use the Input 1 knob on the front of the MBox).

5. When you're ready, begin recording your answer to the question. Of course let's not answer this with a simple "i am (insert name)" and call it a day. Start by saying your name, then take the time to talk about yourself. Things you like, things you dislike, issues that you find to be important, etc.


6. When you have all of your parts recorded, Create a Stereo Instrument Track. Name it Reason. Load in Reason as an insert.

7. Begin producing music for your vocals. Make sure that your music has both rhythmic and melodic instruments, as well as an arrangement.


8. Once you have finished arranging everything, try to add some mixing (volume levels/panning/fx).


9. Save your work.


10. Now it's time to bounce your assignment from Pro Tools. Bouncing is considered real-time exporting. To bounce, go to File > Bounce to Disk. Your file should be a Stereo Interleaved, 44.1khz 16-bit audio file. Click "Convert After Bounce". Now save it in the Audio Files folder of your session.