Mbox/LE or Cubase? - need advice

I'm planning to buy an audio interface plus sequencer/audio editing software. After researching on the web, the Mbox/LE bundle sounded good; but the salesmen at the local music store knocked the sequencer part of LE. I don't need anything too fancy, but I'd like to know if there is anything significantly wrong with it. Any advice? Also, are the bundled "light" plug-in versions any good?

If you are just starting out with stuff, I might advise to stick with either LE or Cubase (one or the other). As far as stuff that you will get into down the road with synchronizing and what not I personally don't see much of a difference as I use both except for the fact that you will need an FXpansion VST to RTAS adaptor down the road if you are looking to get into VST's in Pro Tools seing as PT does not support VST's unfortunately. Depending on what your goals are (personal use, turning pro engineer, recording a band..etc.) you're going to want to take them into consideration of what you will really need. A lot of times when people start out sales people at the stores will attempt to talk you into something that you don't really need. I would say personally that when I started out that the MBox was the best thing because of the price and the fact that I could grow on it. I do use both LE 6.1 and Cubase SX though and am getting pretty fluent in both. Its all a matter of personal perference I guess. Goodluck

Great advice, thanks! Are the plug-ins bundled with Mbox worth having, or should that not be a consideration in my purchase? To answer your question, this will be for personal use. I was in bands and did recordings while in school during the 80s - alternative, hip hop, and house. Now I'm an old fart with kids, and would like to get back into music as a hobby by getting a midi controller, some software synths, and a guitar. I doubt I will bother with hardware synths, etc., to avoid clutter.

I use Cubase and Protools LE 6.1 with my MBOX and I personally prefer to make my sequences on Cubase and record my vocals on Protools. I guess it's just a personal preference as from what I understand both programs do basically the same things. I find on my PC that when recording vocals, Protools is more stable than Cubase.

you're welcome. As for plugs with the MBox, I wouldn't nessecarily get it just for the plugs personally. Probably the coolest plugs you'll get with it is Reason, and Propeller depending on what level of sequencing you're looking for. I tried the Amplitube plugin and found that it didn't suit my needs and still prefer cranking up the 4x12 with a nice stack and a couple of mics any day honestly, although Amplitube is cool if you can't make a lot of noise where you live and just want something cool to record basic guitar with. I think if I am not mistaken that the MBox comes with some new plugs from when I got it back in March myself now... I have so many plugs that I have acquired since then though its hard to keep track. hehe If you're just looking for something to mainly do MIDI and a little guitar here and there honestly there are cheaper alternatives than PT and CB out there, but I personally enjoy my setup with PT and CB on my machine. Honestly I haven't sequenced much from Cubase to know the drill as I just got into a lot of MIDI in Pro Tools, but Pro Tools seems to do the job awesome from what I can tell. I use Cubase just for the sake of Plugs that I cannot get in Pro Tools and for session work if people would like to transfer CB sessions over for me to work on at the moment. Have not found anything else that it can do that PT can't at the moment from exploring. Goodluck and welcome back to the music world!