When this update to the DIGI family had just come out, and during that same summer, we installed a DIGI003 FACTORY in console format (control surface) on one of the workstations at ISP Música magazine. We wanted to dig deep into its possibilities alongside Pro Tools 7.3 (even though version 12 is already in sight, how fast this stuff moves, folks!).
The Tests Carried Out at ISP Música Magazine
To make the test even more interesting, we installed Pro Tools 7.3 and the console, via FireWire, on a PC that we had previously put through its paces with CUBASE SX3 and CUBASE4. The intention was to carefully compare certain parameters that would indicate performance results on a similar hardware base on both platforms.
What Machine Was It Tested On?
As users, whenever we buy or install this kind of gear, we always ask things like: will I have to change my computer again for this to work properly? We used a dual-core AMD Athlon 64 at 2.5 MHz with 4 MB of RAM. The test was done under Windows XP. Would the computer be too small to run everything comfortably? How many audio tracks would it handle? How many plug-ins? How many virtual instruments?
It Did Not Recognize the Two Cores of the AMD 64 Athlon
For reasons we don't know, and after many attempts, the dual core was not recognized by Pro Tools, so the tests always ran on just one core the whole time. When we looked into it, we found that there is a list of compatible machines and processors where the cores are recognized without problems. On the other hand, there are some that give trouble, and this, I'm afraid, was one of those cases. Despite the abundance of information, we started with links in Spanish and ended up in English as we narrowed our search for the problem and its solution.
What Parameters Did We Compare?
System stability, improvements in the audio signals, the machine's resource consumption, and the versatility and flexibility of the software and hardware. And, of course, at what point the machine would "crash." In technical terms, "stress tests." Steinberg's performance with Scope interfaces had been satisfactory, even loading projects very heavily. The system was loaded with heavyweight sampler libraries, virtual instruments and plenty of audio tracks full of plug-ins and real-time effects. What would we find with the 003?
The Material Digidesign Includes
The truth is that this manufacturer, this brand, is especially careful. Detail-oriented. It cares a lot about the product and about flawless delivery. It pays attention to details, to making sure everything works well, precisely and exactly. I see a great deployment of resources to offer a very polished final product, from its plug-in bundles to the printed material that comes with the product and how thoroughly everything is tested before it goes to market. A great team and a great product line, no doubt.
As for the manuals and documentation, they are extremely complete and instructive. However, it doesn't seem logical that the console's manual is being delivered in English. An unfortunate fact that works against the manual's intelligibility for many users. Why should I have something I bought come with a manual I can't understand? Perhaps the product's release should be delayed if the manuals aren't yet ready in the language of the place where they are sold. Certainly the user shouldn't suffer the consequences. Least of all with a product at this price.
The Results
We found that the system (speaking of it as a combined Pro Tools 7.3 + Digi003 Factory package) is very demanding when it comes to peripherals and so on. In other words, it's a good idea to free the computer of all load before starting sessions. We mean USB devices and any kind of media that uses up your computer's resources. In our case, and very especially, we found that the behavior of the cooling system affected the machine's performance enormously. When the CPU fans kicked in, the system would suddenly hit its capacity limit, or suffer big load spikes "wildly." We chose to place the CPU in a particularly ventilated and cool location so that it would not have fan issues, avoiding fan activity as much as possible. That gave us greater stability. Obviously, a CPU problem, not a DIGI system problem.
We conclude that the package offers resounding stability. RTAS instruments are somewhat more demanding in terms of resources than VST instruments, and Pro Tools + DIGI003 "sucks the life out of the computer" to the fullest. With the configuration properly tuned and peripherals removed, and of course any additional software (Messenger, FTP clients, etc.), performance in the stress tests was similar to what we got with Steinberg. Add to that the fact that, in this case, the computer was also driving the control surface. The system is very precise, and the DIGI003 console, besides offering great solutions for a home setup, is a comfortable, effective tool that saves work and runs with mathematical perfection.
With the 003, in addition to a powerful interface, we have a magnificent control surface. This instrument brings us completely closer to the real feel of a studio. Here we start to sense that our "home" studio could begin to look like something more professional. We even start dreaming of what it will be like to work with a big, huge console, synchronized with Pro Tools in perfect harmony.
The Literature on the Internet
The information we can find about the 003 is a bit surprising. Surprising, because it doesn't seem to show the real effectiveness it can give us. It is treated rather as a "home" product. We assume this is due to comparison with its bigger Digidesign siblings. Certainly for a home studio, this beast is a cannon (even though there are bigger and more powerful ones).
A Quantum Leap
If you are used to working with a USB, PCI or FireWire device with two mono inputs/outputs (or one stereo), you will step into a completely different universe. Different because you now have a large number of inputs, which will let you record practically your entire band at once, a full drum kit, etc.
You will enjoy excellent options. Also outputs, to monitor as you please from several sources, and therefore different listening references. Improvements from its two headphone outputs with independent volume, or its four quality preamps. Growth room thanks to its good digital connectivity and ability to sync with external devices. And, of course, its great quality (in terms of sample rate) when recording and playing back your takes.
With the Digidesign Seal
A guarantee of quality. Although nothing is free in this life, and as you know everything has a price, Digidesign offers reliable products (from what we have tested), well finished and well conceived. It shows a fairly closed universe, since Digidesign products prefer to pair up with other products from the same company. That is, you need its software, its hardware, its libraries, etc. Although there is certainly a wide variety of companies that make compatible virtual instruments and plug-ins. The good part is that everything is well "blended." When you install things, everything is well thought out, doesn't jam, and doesn't usually give much trouble. I can only say that, in short, the system works well, is complete, and raises a home studio's capabilities to truly professional quality levels.
Session Compatibility with "Big" Studios
To wrap up, let me mention the advantage of Pro Tools LE project compatibility with Pro Tools HD. This means that if you have the cash and the desire, you can take your masters to a bigger studio, finishing the work you started at home in the professional studio you can afford.
MEET THE 003 FAMILY
003 Factory
A portable, FireWire-based Pro Tools LE workstation for audio and MIDI that offers convenient hands-on control of Pro Tools by means of an integrated control surface. It includes a large number of professional-grade plug-ins from Digidesign and Bomb Factory, as well as Ignition Pack 2 Pro for Pro Tools.
003 Rack Factory
The same efficient Pro Tools LE audio and MIDI workstation as above, with professional-grade plug-ins from Digidesign and Bomb Factory, and Ignition Pack 2 Pro for Pro Tools.
With an extensive range of audio and MIDI inputs and outputs, high-definition audio resolution, the creativity and speed of industry-standard Pro Tools® software, FireWire connectivity and a large software bundle included at no extra cost, the 003™ Factory lets you achieve high-quality audio production in your own personal or project studio.
Hands-on control of your Pro Tools LE® sessions through this integrated control surface. Its portable size gives you the freedom to take a professional Pro Tools system anywhere.
Abundant Inputs and Outputs and Powerful Resolution
The 003 (the hardware component of the 003 Factory package) offers an extensive set of analog and digital inputs and outputs for audio and MIDI, making it the ideal hub for any home or project studio, or a powerful complement to an existing equipment setup. You can connect almost any instrument and device you find in your studio to the 003. Guitar or bass to record direct, line-level instruments such as synths or samplers, or capture sound from any source through a connected microphone (the interface's high-quality mic preamps deliver unbeatable clarity). And with its studio-grade 24-bit/96 kHz audio resolution, you can expect powerful high-definition sound, time after time.
Great Additional Connectivity
Inputs and outputs for connecting MIDI gear, optical devices (such as ADAT) and S/PDIF digital equipment; it also has BNC Word Clock input and output to sync the 003 to other external devices in the studio. It can run in standalone MIDI mode, allowing you to integrate it into your MIDI environment without needing a computer. In addition, its FireWire connectivity ensures high-speed data transfers between the 003 and your Windows- or Mac-based computer system.
No More Mouse: Motorized Faders
With touch-sensitive faders, and encoders, knobs and switches that sense movement, the 003 gives you convenient hands-on access to the power of Pro Tools, letting you control multiple aspects of the mix much faster and more precisely. You will work with a bank of faders for mixing, pan, mutes, solo monitoring, EQ, automation and a long list of etceteras.
Visual Feedback from the Control Surface
It also provides essential visual feedback by means of its liquid crystal display and the LED indicators on the control surface. This gives us perfect control over the progress and changes of our Pro Tools session.
Monitoring
It also has multiple options for monitoring sessions and other external devices. Dedicated stereo outputs for studio monitoring let you keep reference monitors connected at all times without sacrificing the audio outputs, while another stereo pair of outputs for the control room lets you connect a second set of speakers, making it easy to switch between two studio monitoring sources. Two headphone outputs, each with its own level control. And an input for an alternate source, which lets you monitor signals coming from an external device.
No Instruments? No Problem!
If you're a beginner, no problem: it includes a range of versatile audio applications, sound libraries and virtual instruments that work with Pro Tools for composing music or simply for playing (no virtual instrument is required). It also provides a robust bundle of effects and signal-processing plug-ins to improve and polish your mixes with professional results.
RUN PRO TOOLS WITH YOUR HANDS, NOT YOUR MOUSE
