Just got an MBox & of course now I'm asking the hard questions.

Is there a way to record while playing back, simultaneously?

I have a Mac G-4 with a single processor.

And a related question: How are folks dealing with the need to use the computer to play audio files (for instance on Performer or Finale), and record those into ProTools.

I believe ProTools will run inside DP, but I'm not sure that means it will record what I am playing, withoot saving it first as an audio file.

And I am pretty sure Finale wants nothing to do with ProTools and vice-versa.

PabloDog

Hopefully you have read the instructions on how to record a track in protools then arm a new track and do it again. you can monitor your source audio through headphone jack and control the level with the front input/mix knob.
If you are getting delay/feedback while recording. try muting the track/s you are recording into. while you can still hear your source as mentioned before.

to import audio files. chose import audio (bounced file) from file menu... der!

It is possible to record to multipile programs at once but i dont.

another option is to use a second computer or cd player to play out of and record in through mbox.

"Is there a way to record while playing back, simultaneously?"
sure, just choose a input source, record enabled a track and start
make sure that the tracks you are playing back don't go back to your input source... f ex in a external mixboard

"And a related question: How are folks dealing with the need to use the computer to play audio files (for instance on Performer or Finale), and record those into ProTools."
your question is unclear... if a program like dp can play an audio file, that means this audio file in on a hd linked to the computer... then just use the import function in protools to import that file

"I believe ProTools will run inside DP, but I'm not sure that means it will record what I am playing, withoot saving it first as an audio file."
proTools is a stand alone application
have the impression you're mixing audio and midi and aren't sure of the difference... no?

"And I am pretty sure Finale wants nothing to do with ProTools and vice-vers"
Finale is basicaly a notation program... you can also use it to trig your sound modules and play a score trought midi... your sound modules will generate some audio that you can record in protools or dp in realtime

hope that helps a little
mail me for more specific questions
eric@theloofok.net

Also, if you wish to playback audio tracks and rehearse your part prior to recording, you will need to create an Aux input. (In play mode, a record enabled track is not monitored, only in rec. or w/ transport stopped)

Hope that helps,

TD