Digidesign Digi 003F Factory FireWire

DIGIDESIGN 003F Details

003 Family vs. Digi 002 Family
The following are the key differentiators between the 003 family and the Digi 002® family.
• 55 x 2-character LCD display (control surface only): 003 has a much better LCD display, allowing customers to view a lot more information at a glance than on Digi 002
• BNC Word Clock I/O: Allows customers to synchronize a 003 system to other devices in the studio
• Jog/Shuttle wheel (control surface only): Enables customers to easily scrub the transport and any underlying data (audio, video, and such) from the 003 control surface; the Jog/Shuttle wheel can also be used to quickly navigate within a session
• Dedicated automation controls (control surface only): Customers can now assign automation modes right from the 003 control surface
• 5-segment LEDs (control surface only): Serve dual roles as volume/gain meters or as automation mode status indicators for tracks
• Dual headphone outputs: Discrete outputs with separate source and level controls (Digi 002 and Digi 002 Rack™ only have one headphone output)
• Alternate Control Room Monitor output: Allows customers to have an additional pair of monitor speakers connected and easily switch between the main and Alternate Control Room monitor speakers with the push of a button
• Insert and Send assignment (control surface only): Customers can now assign Inserts or Sends directly from the control surface; this is not possible with the Digi 002
• Bigger software and audio tool bundle: 003 family members now come with the newand- improved Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2, which contains more software than before
• Standalone MIDI Mode (control surface only): 003 can be used as a standalone, fully editable, MIDI controller for use with other applications as well as with Pro Tools. 003 Factory ships with three predefined, user-editable maps. (003 does not work as a standalone digital mixer.)

With an extensive range of audio and MIDI I/O, high-definition audio resolution, the creativity and speed of industry-standard Pro Tools® software, FireWire connectivity, and a big, comprehensive bundle of powerful software included free, 003™ Factory enables you to attain the same high audio production quality as commercial facilities in your own personal or project studio.

Get powerful hands-on control of your Pro Tools LE® sessions through its integrated control surface and take advantage of the plethora of I/O to connect and monitor your studio gear. Its portable size gives you the freedom to take a professional Pro Tools system anywhere your creative skills are needed — or inspired. And with over 80 powerful plug-ins, virtual instruments, compatible applications, and artist promotion services included, you have everything you need (and then some) to compose, perform, record, edit, mix, and master audio for music and desktop post production projects — with truly professional results.

The Hub of Your Personal Studio

003 (the hardware component of the 003 Factory package) offers an extensive array of analog and digital audio and MIDI I/O, making it the ideal hub of any home or project studio, or a powerful complement to an existing setup. You can connect just about any instrument and device found in your studio to 003. Plug in your guitar or bass for direct recording, connect line-level instruments such as synths or samplers, or capture sound from any source though a connected microphone — the interface’s premium mic preamps deliver the utmost sound clarity. And with its studio-grade 24-bit/96 kHz audio resolution, you can expect stunning, high-definition sound every time.

In addition, 003 provides the I/O you need to connect your MIDI gear, optical devices (such as ADAT), and S/PDIF digital equipment, and also features BNC Word Clock I/O to sync 003 to other external devices in your studio. It can also function in standalone MIDI mode, allowing you to integrate it into your MIDI setup sans computer. Plus, its FireWire connectivity ensures high-speed data transfers between 003 and your Windows- or Mac-based computer system — just plug 003 in and it’s ready to go.

Mix with Your Hands — Not the Mouse

With its touch-sensitive, motorized faders and motion-sensitive encoders, knobs, and switches, 003 gives you direct hands-on access to the power of Pro Tools, enabling you to control multiple aspects of your mix with much more speed and accuracy than mixing with a mouse alone. Ride a bank of faders to mix track volumes collectively, move instruments across the stereo field simultaneously, or mute multiple tracks all at once without having to point and click variables within the Pro Tools software interface one… at… a… time.

With 003 you can easily control recording and playback, mute or solo tracks, grab control of track volumes, pan tracks, assign sends, insert plug-ins and tweak parameters, assign and write mix automation, scrub video, and more right from the control surface — every move you make on 003 directly affects the parameters within your Pro Tools session and vice-versa. And since 003 allows you to control your mix with your hands instead of relying on your computer screen, you can close your eyes and concentrate on using your most significant mixing tool — your ears.

003 also provides essential visual feedback through its LCD display and plethora of LED indicators on the control surface so you can see how and what you’re affecting in your session. Keep an eye on your audio levels on the control surface instead of looking away at a screen as you adjust volume or gain thanks to a bank of 5-segment LEDs that function as volume/gain meters. The same LEDs also double as automation status indicators, letting you know — at a glance — which write mode is enabled on each track when you’re automating mixes.

Listen with Options

003 features multiple options for monitoring your sessions as well as other external devices. Dedicated stereo studio monitor outputs allow you to always have reference monitors connected without sacrificing audio outputs, while a stereo pair of alternate control room outputs let you hook up a second set of speakers to allow easy switching between two studio monitor sources. Two headphone outputs, each with its own level control, enable you to run two discrete monitor headphone mixes separately from your main mix. And an alternate source input allows you to monitor signals from a connected external device.

Everything You Need — Plus More

003 Factory comes with Digidesign’s biggest, most powerful and comprehensive software bundle yet, providing everything you need to create music, perform a composition, record audio, sequence MIDI, edit sounds, fix problems, mix tracks, enhance audio, master projects, and promote your creations. At the core is award-winning Pro Tools LE software, which offers the ultimate in recording, editing, and mixing power and flexibility. And to help you get started, the indispensable Pro Tools Method One™ instructional DVD teaches you Pro Tools system essentials, from setting up sessions and recording audio to editing MIDI, working with loops and plug-ins, automating mixes, and more.

In addition, 003 Factory comes bundled with over 80 signal-processing and effects plug-ins, amazing virtual instruments, professional sound libraries, creativity-inspiring compatible applications, and special artist promotion services. The software bundle includes seven powerful Bomb Factory plug-ins, 39 essential DigiRack™ plug-ins, the premium Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 Pro bundle, and a high-end Factory bundle of professional plug-ins.

No instrument? No problem! 003 Factory includes a range of versatile audio applications, sound libraries, and virtual instruments that work with Pro Tools to compose music or to simply play — no real instrument (or musical knowledge) required. It also provides a hefty treasure trove of powerful effects and signal-processing plug-ins to enhance and perfect your mixes with truly professional results. Create optimal balance, correct pitch problems, dial up the perfect guitar tone, fix timing, boost the sonic qualities of an instrument, warm up your mixes, and more.


Premium Factory Bundle Included

The Bomb Factory® and Digidesign plug-ins included in the Factory plug-in bundle are considered among the best in the industry, offering intuitive interfaces and delivering outstanding sonic results. This high-end bundle comes with all 003 family “Factory” systems.

Digidesign Bomb Factory BF-3A Classic Compressor
Digidesign Cosmonaut Voice
Digidesign D-Fi™ bundle (Lo-Fi™, Sci-Fi™, Recti-Fi™, Vari-Fi™)
Digidesign JOEMEEK® SC2T Photo Optical Compressor
Digidesign JOEMEEK VC5T Meequalizer®
Digidesign® Maxim
Digidesign Moogerfooger® Analog Delay
Digidesign Moogerfooger Ring Modulator
Digidesign SansAmp PSA-1™
Digidesign Tel-Ray® Variable Delay
Digidesign Voce® Spin™
Digidesign Voce Chorus/Vibrato
iLok USB Smart Key

In addition to Pro Tools LE® software, all Digidesign® 003™ and Mbox® 2 systems include an unprecedented, comprehensive bundle of valuable software and services.

003 Factory, 003 Rack Factory, and Mbox 2 Pro Factory include over 80 professional plug-ins, incredible virtual instruments, high-quality sound libraries, compatible creative applications, special artist promotion services, and other handy tools. 003 Rack, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Factory, Mbox 2 Mini, and Mbox 2 Pro include much of the same bundled software and resources, offering over 60 plug-ins, instruments, applications, services, and more.

Many of these outstanding plug-ins have been used on countless professional recordings — and many are exclusive to Pro Tools® systems.

Factory Plug-ins
The Bomb Factory® and Digidesign plug-ins included in the Factory plug-in bundle are considered among the best in the industry, offering intuitive interfaces and delivering outstanding sonic results. This high-end bundle comes with all 003 family “Factory” systems.

Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2/Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 Pro
The newly enhanced Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 and premium Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 Pro bundles provide a wealth of professional plug-ins, virtual instruments, compatible applications, and sounds to inspire your creativity and refine your talents. Both bundles also include special artist promotion services to help you make your talents known to the industry and new fans around the world.

Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 comes with 003 Rack, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Factory, Mbox 2 Mini, and Mbox 2 Pro. The bigger Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 Pro comes with 003 Factory, 003 Rack Factory, and Mbox 2 Pro Factory.
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Free Bomb Factory Plug-ins
The Free Bomb Factory plug-ins offer powerful effects and utilities from the makers of some of the very best digital emulations of classic analog processors in the industry. All Pro Tools LE systems include these seven plug-ins.
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Bomb Factory BF76 Compressor
BF Essential Clip Remover
BF Essential Correlation Meter
BF Essential Meter Bridge
BF Essential Noise Meter
BF Essential Tuner
Funk Logic Mastererizer

DigiRack Plug-ins
Bring your mixes alive with the DigiRack™ plug-in collection, which offers a wide variety of professional real-time and file-based effects, signal processors, and studio utilities. All Pro Tools LE systems include these 39 plug-ins.

1-Band EQ
4-Band EQ
Chorus
Click
Compressor
D-Verb™
D-Verb-AS
DC Offset Removal
DeEsser
Delay
DigiReWire
Dither
Duplicate
Dynamics II
Dynamics III
EQ II
EQ III
Expander-Gate
Extra-Long Delay
Flanger
Gain
Gate
Invert
Limiter
Long Delay
Medium Delay
Mod Delay II
Multi-Tap Delay
Normalize-Gain Change
Ping-Pong Delay
Pitch Shift
POWr Dither
Reverse-DC Removal
Signal Generator
Short Delay
Slap Delay
Time Comp-Exp-Pitch Shift
Time Shift
Trim

DIGIDESIGN 003F Specs

Mic Inputs Line Outputs (1-8)
Connector: Four balanced XLR jacks
Mic Phantom Power: 48V
Equivalent Input Noise: -129 dBu
Frequency Response: +/- 0.1 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 105 dB / 107 dB A-weighted
THD + N: 0.0007% (-103 dB)
Mic EIN: -129 dBu
Input Sensitivity: +2.2 dBu
Input Impedance:2K Ohm

Connector: Eight impedance balanced 1/4" jacks
Frequency Response: +/- 0.5 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 110 dB / 113 dB A-weighted
THD + N: 0.0007% (-103 dB)
Output Sensitivity: +18 dBu


Line Inputs Monitor Outputs (Main & Alt)
Connector: Four balanced 1/4" jacks
Frequency Response: +/- 0.1 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 111 dB / 113 dB A-weighted
THD + N: 0.0007% (-103 dB)
Input Sensitivity: +17.38 dBu
Input Impedance: 22K Ohm
Connector: Two impedance balanced 1/4" jacks
Frequency Response: +/- 0.5 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 110 dB / 112 dB A-weighted
THD + N: 0.0008% (-102 dB)
Output Sensitivity: +18 dBu

DI Inputs Headphone Outputs
Connector: Four unbalanced 1/4" jacks
Frequency Response: +/- 0.1 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 104 dB / 106 dB A-weighted
THD + N: 0.0008% (-102 dB) - Balanced input
Input Sensitivity: +17.16 dBu
Input Impedance: >300K Ohm

Connector: Two unbalanced 1/4" jacks
Frequency Response: +/- 0.5 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
THD + N: 0.0009% (-101 dB)
Dynamic Range: 110 dB / 112 dB A-weighted
Output Sensitivity: +23 dBu

Aux Inputs Digital Specifications
Connector: Two balanced 1/4" jacks
Frequency Response: +/- 0.1 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 111 dB / 113 dB A-weighted
THD + N: 0.00055% (-105 dB)
Input Sensitivity: +17.16 dBu
Input Impedance: 10K Ohm
Supported Sample Rates:44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Maximum Word Length:24-bit
S/PDIF: 2-channel optical or RCA jack pair
Digital Optical: TOSLINK (ADAT, max 48 kHz sample rate)
Word Clock: Two BNC jacks
Host Connection: Two IEEE-1394a (FireWire) ports (6-pin-to-6-pin FireWire cable included)
MIDI: 5-pin MIDI DIN connectors - one input, two outputs


Size / Weight / Power
Height: 5.125 inches / 13 cm
Width: 19.25 inches / 48.90 cm
Depth: 19.25 inches / 48.90 cm (including all connectors)
Weight:16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg
Power Requirements: 100 - 240V, 50 - 60 Hz A/C (power cable included)

DIGIDESIGN 003F Compare

Digidesign Comparison Chart

DIGIDESIGN 003F FAQs

Q. Are the mic preamps in 003 systems the same design as those in Digi 002 systems? If not, what are the differences?
A. No, the mic preamps in 003 and 003 Rack are not the same as the preamps in Digi 002 and Digi 002 Rack. The 003 preamps are the latest generation mic pre for the Pro Tools LE line, and use new discrete, bi-polar, low-noise transistors coupled with a cleaner signal flow and improved potentiometers. As a result, the THD+N noise is lower (about a 14 dBimprovement), the dynamic range has increased to 107 dB, and the EIN has been improved.

Q. Why doesn’t the 003 support standalone digital mixer mode as Digi 002 does?
A. From user feedback about the Digi 002, we found that most users were not using the standalone digital mixer mode. Instead, many desired the ability to use the control surface as a MIDI controller for use with other MIDI-compatible applications. Therefore, Digidesign developed a standalone MIDI Mode in 003 that allows seamless flipping between a Pro Tools session and third-party MIDI applications.

Q. Is there anything customers need to do to use 003 in standalone MIDI Mode?
A. Yes. Out of the box, 003 does not have MIDI Mode functionality (the MIDI Mode buttons will not do anything). To enable MIDI Mode, customers will need to download a 003 firmware update that will be available on the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com). Future releases of both 003 and Pro Tools will have this firmware pre-installed and/or included.
Note: Technically, customers can load the 003 firmware update into a 003 Rack, but the update offers no benefits to 003 Rack owners and should not be installed into such
systems.

Q. Does the standalone MIDI Mode functionality on 003 support snapshots?
A. Yes. 003 has two MIDI Mode buttons (A and B) that each contain four 2-page maps?that’s eight 2-page maps in total. Customers can instantly recall any two maps by pressing the MIDI Map A or B button?even in the middle of a Pro Tools session.

Q. Does 003 come with predefined MIDI maps and if so, can they be overwritten?
A. 003 ships with three predefined MIDI maps and one empty one for customer design:
1. Standard MIDI Map: Follows a standard MIDI layout
2. 003 Default Map: Everything mapped onto one MIDI channel
3. Strike Map: Tuned for the Digidesign Strike™ plug-in from the A.I.R. group
4. Undefined Map: For customers to design from the ground up

The maps above come preloaded in MIDI map memory positions A1 through A4 and are duplicated in positions B1 through B4. Customers can edit any map in any way; the
preloaded maps are just starting points.

Q. Does 003 communicate controller data with Pro Tools LE software via a MIDI protocol?
A. No. 003 uses a proprietary communication protocol that offers much faster response and greater resolution than the MIDI protocol to communicate with Pro Tools. When in MIDI Mode, 003 mirrors the MIDI notes both over FireWire and through the 5-pin MIDI ports.

Q. Does the 003 family support external sync or S/PDIF input at 88.2 and 96 kHz rates?
A. Yes, the 003 family will clock to standard external sample rates?namely, 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz.

Q. Do the optical ports on the 003 support 96 kHz operation via S/MUX?
A. No, however, the S/PDIF input does support up to 96 kHz sample rates.

Q. Are there any differences in the Factory plug-in bundle contents included with both 003 Factory and 003 Rack Factory?
A. No. The Factory bundles are identical to those that were included with Digi 002 Factory and Digi 002 Rack Factory.

Q. Are there any associated sales promotions or programs happening in conjunction with the 003 family launch?
A. Yes. With the launch of the 003 family, Digidesign is re-instating the Turbocharged LE Exchange program with a few changes:
1. 003 family products will replace Digi 002 family products that were previously part of this program
2. The new Turbocharged LE Exchange program has been expanded to include a competitive upgrade component, allowing owners of select third-party DAW software/hardware interfaces to trade in their system toward the purchase of a 003 system. (For more information, see the “Turbocharged 003 Exchange Promotion dealer announcement.) In addition, the Pro Tools LE|24 Studio Bundle sales promotion has been updated to include 003 Rack in place of Digi 002 Rack. And finally, the regular Pro Tools Hardware Exchange program has been updated to include upgrade paths to the 003 family members instead of the Digi 002 family.

Q. Will the current Pro Tools|HD® Hardware Exchange program promotion (which offers
customers a free Digi 002 Rack when they exchange up to Pro Tools|HD) now include 003 Rack instead of Digi 002 Rack?
A. No. Hardware Exchange customers who exchange up to Pro Tools|HD will get the Digi 002 Rack.

Q. Are there any upgrade paths for Digi 002 family owners to upgrade to a member of the 003 family?
A. No. However, customers should be made aware that Digidesign’s new Turbocharged 003 Exchange Promotion offers multiple options for owners of third-party software/hardware DAWs?or select Pro Tools LE systems?to upgrade to a member of the 003 family at significant savings, from now through June 20, 2007.

Q. Does the 003 family support multi-client audio drivers?
A. It depends on what computer platform the customer is using. On a PC, the audio drivers are not multi-client. On a Mac, the CoreAudio driver is multi-client as long as Pro Tools is not one of those clients.

Other views of DIGIDESIGN 003F (Click to enlarge):

Digidesign Digi 003F Factory FireWire

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