Digidesigns Pro Tools Bundles
If I needed to set up a home recording studio that was quick, easy and cheap first package I'd take a serious look at would be Digidesign's Pro Tools Bundles.
Digidesign has put together 4 of these bundles ranging from around the 600 dollar mark up to about a thousand. (talking big sale price here not list) They are:
1. Digidesign Pro Tools Mbox 2 Bundle
2. Digidesign Pro Tools Mbox 2 Pro Bundle
3. Digidesign Pro Tools Mbox 2 Factory Bundle
4. Digidesign Pro Tools Mbox 2 Pro Factory Bundle
All 4 bundles share the 5 main components:
- Mbox interface
- Pro Tools LE 7 Software
- Studio monitors
- microphone
- Ignition Pack (bunch of software)
Notice that bundles 1 and 3 have the Mbox 2 and bundles 2 and 4 Mbox 2 Pro. The regular Mbox 2 uses USB port connectivity and the Mbox 2 Pro is FireWire. Some may argue that the latest USB technology may be even faster than FireWire, while this may be true for some applications but not for recording music.
For recording audio FireWire is faster than USB, which will give you slight audible delay called latency. I often do use a USB Mbox and redirect the monitoring to a mixer which can bypass the latency problem but it won't even be there with the FIreWire boxes.
Main difference #2:
Next are the studio monitors. The 2 lower priced bundles 1 and 3 (same bundles that have the USB Mbox 2) come with a pair of Fostex PMO.4 Powered Studio Monitors. These are slightly inferior to the M-Audio BX5a Active Studio Monitors that come with the slightly more expensive 2 and 4 bundles.
Main difference #3:
The microphone with bundles 1 and 3 is the Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone. A decent mic and good for digital recording. Bundles 2 and 4 come with an AKG Perception 200 Condenser Mic which has a bigger diaphragm and frequency range than the Audio-Technica.
There are some other differences like the Ignition pack. Even though all bundle come with it, the 2 higher priced bundles packs have a few more goodies. Still, they all include some excellent software like Reason, Ableton Live, Sampletank, and Amplitube.
Like I said, for someone who wants to get recording on Pro Tools right away with everything you need and more, then one of Digidesigns Pro Tools Bundles has your name on it.
Oh... and they all come with a mic stand and cords!