Products of Interest

Digidesign 003 Audio Interfaces and RMS Reference Monitors

The new 003 edition of audio interfaces from Digidesign offers the user a choice of three high-resolution FireWire audio interfaces for use with Pro Tools software. The 003 Factory is a control surface and interface (see Figure 1). It features eight touch-sensitive motorized faders, eight motion-sensitive rotary encoders, and a jog/shuttle wheel. Dedicated automation and transport control buttons are available. Insert and sends can be assigned from the control surface. A two-line LCD display is included on each channel and a five-segment LED display is used for metering and displaying the automation status. The device can function as a standalone MIDI controller and can be easily switched between Pro Tools and MIDI control.

Sampling rates up to 96 kHz at 24-bit resolution are supported, and 18 channels of audio input/output can be used. The input/output ports include eight analog inputs/outputs, eight channels of ADAT optical input/output or two channels of S/PDIF optical input/output, two channels of S/PDIF digital input/output, one MIDI input, and two MIDI outputs. Four microphone preamplifiers are included with individual gain control and high-pass filter on each. Phantom power is available on channel pairs. A BNC Word Clock input/output is included for synchronization. The monitoring section features an alternative source input for monitoring external devices and two headphone outputs with individual source and level controls. The Factory version of the 003 is packaged with Digidesign and Bomb Factory plug-ins worth over US$ 3,000. Also included is the Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 Pro bundle, which provides further instrument and effects plug-ins, training tools, and software applications.

The other two products in the 003 range of interfaces have the same audio input/output interface capabilities as the Factory unit but without the control surface functionality. The Rack and Rack Factory both have two-unit rackmount bodies (see Figure 2). The controls are reduced to four input gain controls, four high-pass filter switches, individual headphone source and level controls, and a mute switch. The Rack interface is packaged with the Pro Tools Ignition Pack 2 and the Rack Factory includes the Pro version of the Ignition Pack and the collection of Digidesign and Bomb Factory plug-ins. Digidesign operates an upgrade program that offers discounts for Pro Tools LE users as well as users of third-party systems.

Figure 1.

The Digidesign 003 Factory audio interface and control surface.

Figure 2.

The Digidesign 003 Rack audio interface.

Digidesign has also announced the release of the company's first monitors, the Reference Monitor Series (RMS). The company has teamed up with the UK Professional Monitor Company (PMC) to create the RM1 and RM2. The RM1, the smaller of the two monitors, features a 5.5-in. low-frequency driver, and the larger RM2 features a 6.7-in. driver. Both have a 1-in. soft dome high-frequency driver. Sample rates up to 96 kHz are supported. The monitors feature an onboard DSP engine, bass port emulation, Class D amplifiers, a linear power supply, and the PMC company's Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology. The ATL technology is a combination of the cabinet design, a proprietary drive unit and crossover components, and patented absorption materials. Digidesign indicates that this technology reduces distortion at high sound pressure levels, maintaining an even frequency response and defined bass frequencies. The 48-bit fixed-point DSP engine controls the digital crossover, speaker placement settings, trim levels, and the Bass Port Emulation setting. The emulation mode can be switched on and off and emulates the tonal settings of ported bass reflex speakers. This enables the user to hear what a mix would sound like on ported speakers. Both monitors use analog-controlled 92% efficient Class D amplifiers. The frequency response of the RM1 is 50 Hz–25 kHz and the RM2 extends the low frequency limit to 40 Hz. The signal-to-noise ratio is 125 dB and total harmonic distortion with noise is 0.05...