Digi 002R or ... ?

[vivophonic]

Hi guys, new guy here posting his first post!

I was just wondering, I can get the 002r for around £300ish at the moment but I was also looking at the 003, which is almost triple the price.

I do like the overall concept of the 002r and I quite like Digidesign products, I use protools 7.4 m-powered with the delta 66 now and again and I have to say, if I could... I would use it a lot more often than Cubase 5. ( I do understand I can use the 002r with cubase and most DAWS)

So I was just curious, what are your opinions on the 002 Rack? If you think its horrible to even tempt to consider, could you maybe post an alternative... 8 ins is a must and around £300-400?

 

[sr71rules]

I have a 002r which I bought when they were new. I've never had much trouble with it and find it quite flexible for my needs. I also make use of the ADAT I/O for 8 more ins and outs. The 003 is newer and costs more but didn't add any features that made any difference to me. More of a visual update. My 002r has long been a reliable FW interface and I've used it both installed in the studio and in a rack case recording on the road. As a Protools user I, until recently, was limited to only Avid interfaces but I really never minded. I've always thought the 002 was a solid unit. If you can get hold of it for a good price I wouldn't hesitate. I never felt a pull to upgrade mine to a 003, though I'm sure it's a good interface as well. I have it paired up with a Command|8 and a Mac Pro. Never skips a beat.

Robert

 

[vivophonic]

Thanks for the reply!

Do you use the pres in the unit or do you use outboard? If you do, or have used the pres what are they like? I do plan on going outboard, but for the time as money will be restricting me I'd like to use the pres in the unit. I've heard good things about ADAT, especially with the Behringer ADA8000.

So, +1 for the 002r!

 

[sr71rules]

I have used the pres on the 002r, and I have it paired up with an ADA8000. Generally, I was using my Mackie Onyx board as the pres and recording via the direct outs to the interfaces but in mobile situations I have used the on board Pres. I type in past tense about the Onyx only because I'm transitioning to a new console at the moment.

No, the Pres are not as good as $1000/channel pres but they are wonderful for general use and I would never hesitate to use them. Certainly on par with other similarly priced units.

My advice would be to stop worrying about it get on with recording! The tools at hand always work better than the ones you don't have. For what sounds like about $450US you can't go wrong. Still 100% compatible with the new PT9 and many/most/all other programs.

Robert

 

[vivophonic]

Ahh Thanks again Very helpful... One last question, would there be any reasons to not get a 002 and instead save up more and get a 003?

 

[sr71rules]

If you wanted to get a 'Factory' version of the 003 that came with an additional set of plugins that the 002r you're looking at does not come with. I wouldn't choose a 003 over a 002 for hardware reasons.