Avid MBOX Studio Review: New USB-C Audio Interface from Avid!

Avid MBOX Studio USB-C Audio Interface

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• USB-C 2.0 Audio Interface
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 288 x 225,3 x 105,2 mm;
• Weight: 2,8 kg

Avid MBOX Studio Review

Take your study experience to the next level with the new and impressive desktop interface from Avid. The MBox Studio is powered by the Pro Tools interface and includes all the essential features you need: the ability to record, mix, edit, and even use it as a podcasting unit.

With its easy setup and high-quality sound, you’ll be able to turn your ideas into something that could become the next big hit. Enjoy ultra-low latency tracking, real-time effects, and plenty of simultaneous inputs and outputs, including variable mic/line inputs.

This is our top pick for the audio interface of the week. The unit will help you with loopback mixing, guitar re-amping, and can also serve as a multi-monitor control unit. Plus, with the MBox, you’ll have access to a remarkable collection of virtual instruments, audio effects, plugins, and sound effects to use in your productions.

MBOX Studio Design and Controls

Let’s start with the design of this unit. On the left side, you’ll find the input section, where a large encoder knob lets you select the channel and then adjust the gain to your preference. Above the knob, there are dedicated buttons for selecting the input type, adjusting the impedance settings, turning phantom power on or off, and engaging the Bluetooth wireless feature.

Above each encoder, a 13-segment display shows your current settings, while 9-segment meters indicate the level of the incoming signal and display the stereo output level.

On the right side, you’ll find the monitor controls, which help you set the output level to your speakers. There are also buttons that let you mute or dim the outputs, sum them to mono, or link the main and alternate outputs for a smooth transition between monitors.

You can easily activate TalkBack with the TalkBack button, which can be routed into your audio editing software for recording sessions. The unit also features Bluetooth connectivity, so if you need wireless capability from your audio interface, you’re covered.

At the center of the controller, there are four dual-function user action buttons that let you recall presets—whether it’s equalizer, gain, or routing settings—with a single touch. Since the control software works on both Mac and Windows, you can assign these buttons to whichever functions you find most useful.

Avid MBOX Studio Features

When it comes to inputs and outputs, this unit offers a wide range of features, making it suitable for various studio setups. This means it’s perfect for both beginner mixing engineers and advanced users who need more connectivity options for their productions. Plus, you get two headphone outputs with separate volume controls, allowing you to connect two sets of headphones for tracking.

In addition to the extra input and output options, you’ll also get 8 channels of ADAT optical, 2 channels of S/PDIF via coaxial cable, MIDI input and output, and 2 footswitch or expression pedal inputs.

All these features might seem overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean the unit is lacking in any way. The most important aspect of any audio interface is sound quality, and this unit delivers. It offers ultra-clean preamps with high-performance analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters that support 24-bit resolution and up to 192kHz sample rates—more than enough for professional recording.

With variable-Z instrument inputs, you can record guitars while adjusting the impedance to match the standard tone used by different guitars and pedals. Additionally, the high-Z output sends the signal back to your amp without needing extra amplification, making output connections effortless.

The unit also comes with a collection of audio effect plugins, including excellent amp simulators for guitars. These tools will help you get started with music production and support you in making great recordings.

Podcasting Features

Using the MBOX Studio audio interface makes it easy to produce podcasts or live streams with outstanding quality that will surpass your competitors. You can record yourself and your guests with high-quality preamps, giving your listeners excellent audio clarity. Plus, you can add real-time effects like equalizer, reverb, or delay to each microphone individually.

With the loopback feature, you can record your conversation while also capturing audio from a video game or a YouTube video—perfect for creating reaction videos. The extensive library of plugins and sound effects lets you enhance your podcasts and add excitement, helping you stand out and take your content to the next level.

MBOX Studio offers a range of impressive features that can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you:

• Its intuitive desktop interface lets you easily create music with the recording power of a professional studio.
• Making beats and recording studio-quality music is easier than ever, thanks to real-time effects and low-latency monitoring.
• High-quality A/D and D/A conversions ensure your recordings and mixes sound crystal clear.
• A vast library of virtual instruments, samples, and loops—along with user-friendly recording and MIDI tools—will spark your creativity.
• The intuitive interface and included software bundle make it simple for guitarists to capture their perfect tone.
• Take advantage of independent cue and monitor mixes with monitor switching to record voiceovers and edit sound with precision.
• With four high-quality mic preamps, each offering tonal options, you and your guests can create great-sounding podcasts and live streams.
• Easily capture dialogue and audio from video games, YouTube, or other sources using Loopback mixing.
• User-assignable buttons make it simple to perform your most common tasks quickly.
• Enhance your recordings and make them stand out with a wide selection of sound effects and tools for creating music intros and outros.
• You can also monitor and record from your iPhone, AirPods, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Why You Need the MBOX Studio by Avid

Avid is well known for producing high-quality products, and the MBOX Studio audio interface is no exception. Whether you’re mixing, recording, or podcasting, this unit is designed to deliver top-notch audio performance for any purpose.

Considering the features and the price—around $900—the MBOX Studio is a no-brainer. It can serve as the centerpiece of your home project studio or even fit right into a professional setup. Since it’s a relatively new release, you’ll be set for a while without needing to worry about upgrading anytime soon. In our opinion, this is easily one of the best USB audio interfaces released in 2022, and there’s no doubt about it.

Conclusion

To sum up our review, the MBOX Studio unit from Avid is a top-quality, high-end choice for your studio. We truly believe this is an excellent option if your budget allows, and we hope our review has helped you feel more confident about making this decision.

If you’ve already decided, you can find three online market links at the top of our article where you can purchase this unit.