User guide

Avid Mbox Pro User Guide16
Connecting a Microphone
Mic Cables and Connectors
Use a microphone with an XLR connector to con-
nect the microphone to the Mbox Pro.
The Mbox Pro can only supply phantom power
through a microphone cable with an XLR connec-
tor. If you are not sure about the phantom power
requirements for your microphone, refer to your
microphone’s documentation or contact the manu-
facturer.
Phantom Power (48V)
Some microphones require power to operate. This
power, called phantom power, is supplied either 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 oper-
ate. Dynamic microphones (such as a Shure SM57)
do not require phantom power to operate, but are
not harmed by it.
The Mbox Pro can only supply phantom power
through a microphone cable with XLR connectors.
If you are not sure about the phantom power re-
quirements for your microphone, refer to your mi-
crophone’s documentation or contact the manufac-
turer.
Using a Mic with an XLR
Connector (Input Channels 1–2)
To use a microphone with an XLR connector:
1 Plug your microphone cable into one of the two
Mic/DI inputs on the front of Mbox Pro (in this
example, input 2).
2 Set the input source to Mic/DI (microphone) by
pressing the Front/Rear switch for channel 2 to
the “out” position. (When the button is set to the
“out” position, the front panel, combo Mic/DI
inputs will be active. When the button is set to
the “in” position, the back panel Line inputs
will be active.)
XLR connector
Phantom power can be used safely with most
microphones. However, it is possible to dam-
age ribbon microphones with it. Always turn
off phantom power and wait at least ten sec-
onds before connecting a ribbon micro-
phone.
XLR connector plugged into Input 2 (Mic/DI combo
jack)
Front/Rear switches for Mic/DI combo jacks
Input 1
Mic input
Mic/DI input 2
Front/Rear switches