Digi 003 vs Digi003Rack

[shanabit]

What are your thoughts? Time to move from my Digi002Rack. Are the Digi003 control surface features that much of an improvement to you guys? Just asking as I need to do this.

[shanabit]

Would you guys recommend the Digi003 or the Rack 003 with the Command 8? Or just get the Digi003rack. Asking cause Ive NEVER used a Controller of any type with Protools

thanks

[Phil Ogden]

I used to have a 002 c/s but, to be honest, never really used a lot of the features. The transport is about the most useful. A lot of stuff is accessed via various function buttons and sub menu's since quite a few of he controls are multi purpose. By the time you've located the correct track, switched the function and worked through the various 'layers', it was just as quick to use the mouse.

[c.evans]

The 003 is good performer. I mix on a procontrol at work and I had a Mackie control at home before I purchased the 003 and I really enjoy the control surface way of mixing.

Now for editing it isn't very useful, at least not to me, but for mixing I would find it very difficult to go back to mouse mixing.

If you spend some time with the manual and really learn what any control surface is capable of I think that you will find more than enough reasons to go tactile. I also liked the Mackie Control Universal if you decide to get the 003 rack and upgrade to a surface later. The Mackie is solid, but I really enjoy having my monitoring controls close at hand on the 003.

good luck!

Chad

[A2D D2A]

The Mackie is solid

Chad

WOW!
It's has good features and the HUI mode works well with PT, but SOLID????
That should never be used in the discription of the MCU, they have a firm history of fader issues.

[A2D D2A]

Would you guys recommend the Digi003 or the Rack 003 with the Command 8? Or just get the Digi003rack. Asking cause Ive NEVER used a Controller of any type with Protools

thanks

First question would be do you really have a reason to get rid of the 002R?
Seems like adding teh Command to hte002R would have been your first choice unless there's something about the 002R that not getting you there that was improved on the 003 Family.
Next thing to consider would be that the Command was a real improvement on the 002 Console surface so if the 003 is an improvement on the 002 then possibly there's a new Command 8 with ICON color schemes that will replace teh current Command at the end of the year.
This Command would be an improvement of the 003 Console.
Also as mentioned the MCU's have a very good HUI mode for PT and are $599-699 new and Extenders are $499 so you can get a lot of faders for the cost of a Command 8 and still function well with PT.

Is space an issue?
Command + 003R = 2 units
003 Factory = 1 unit

Do you use the build in pres' on the 002R?
If so then the 003 Factory would improve your pres', converters and give you the controller.

The market on the 002 family has bottomed out so getting rid of it isn't going to add much toward the next purchase.

Just some thoughts for you to ponder.

[albee1952]

So far, I think the 003 controller trumps the Command8 in versatility. I don't think any controller is perfect(at least not for PT LE).

[The Dougfather]

You might want to look at Pro Tools M-Powered with the Project Mix interface. It's way cheaper than the 003 and has 8 mic/pres as opposed to the 003's 4.

Cheers

[shanabit]

First question would be do you really have a reason to get rid of the 002R?
Seems like adding teh Command to hte002R would have been your first choice unless there's something about the 002R that not getting you there that was improved on the 003 Family.
Next thing to consider would be that the Command was a real improvement on the 002 Console surface so if the 003 is an improvement on the 002 then possibly there's a new Command 8 with ICON color schemes that will replace teh current Command at the end of the year.
This Command would be an improvement of the 003 Console.
Also as mentioned the MCU's have a very good HUI mode for PT and are $599-699 new and Extenders are $499 so you can get a lot of faders for the cost of a Command 8 and still function well with PT.

Is space an issue?
Command + 003R = 2 units
003 Factory = 1 unit

Do you use the build in pres' on the 002R?
If so then the 003 Factory would improve your pres', converters and give you the controller.

The market on the 002 family has bottomed out so getting rid of it isn't going to add much toward the next purchase.

Just some thoughts for you to ponder.

Here are my reasons for the Upgrade:
1. Better AD/DA
2. I NEED wordclock as I want to clock everything from a common clock
3. I would like to get the Musicians toolkit and full Beat Detective
4. Digi will take my old DIGI002rack in on upgrade trade
5. Dont want to deal with powr supply/harness issues on the 002Rack
6. I use EXTERNAL pres and the ones on the DIGI, I have a MOTU 828 MKII going in through ADAT as well
7. Space is NOT and issue for the DIGI003 BTW.

Guess Im just looking for some insight form you guys that have the DIGI003 or DIGI002 boxes?
What sucks, what doesnt etc.

thanks so much for the replies so far.

@ the Dougfather: Im not interested on the M-Powered stuff but thanks for the thought