User Manual

Mbox Pro Setup Guide42
Mic/DI 1 and Mic/DI 2
Each Input section (01, 02) on the front panel
has a combination jack (Mic/DI) that provides
an XLR and 1/4-inch input for Inputs 1 and 2.
(If you plug in an XLR mic, it’s Mic; if you plug
in a 1/4-inch it’s DI).
Or, you can toggle the Front/rear input source
switch to source Input channels 1–2 from the
back panel Line inputs instead.
Mic Inputs
The Mic Inputs (03–04) section on the back
panel provide two dedicated XLR connectors for
Input channels 3 and 4.
Or, you can toggle the Mic/Line switch on the
front panel for Input channels 3 and 4. When
“out” the Mic input is active; when “in” the Line
Input (3 or 4) is active for that channel.
Aux Inputs 5/6
Aux In connectors are provided for Line and
Phono sources via RCA or 1/8-inch connectors.
You can keep something plugged into RCA jacks
(5/L and 6/R) but as soon as a 1/8-inch is
plugged in, it will defeat the RCAs. Whenever
something is plugged into the 1/8-inch, that’s
what Pro Tools will see.
5/L and 6/R For interfacing with a pair of RCA
cables from mixers, CD or DVD players, or sim-
ilar sources.
1/8-inch For a 1/8-inch stereo plug from iPod or
similar sources.
Connecting a Microphone
Mic Cables and Connectors
Use a microphone with an XLR connector to
connect the microphone to the Mbox Pro.
The Mbox Pro can only supply power through a
microphone cable with an XLR connector. If
you are not sure about the phantom power re-
quirements for your microphone, refer to your
microphone’s documentation or contact the
manufacturer.
Phantom Power
Some microphones require power to operate.
This power, called phantom power, is supplied ei-
ther by a battery in the microphone, or through
an audio interface (such as Mbox Pro) that can
supply power through the microphone cable.
Most condenser microphones (such as an
M-Audio Solaris) require phantom power to op-
erate. Dynamic microphones (such as a Shure
SM57) do not require phantom power to oper-
ate, but are not harmed by it.
XLR connector
Although phantom power can be used
safely with most microphones, it is possible
to damage some ribbon microphones with
it. Always turn off phantom power and wait
at least ten seconds before connecting a rib-
bon microphone.