Digi 002 Control Surface vs Digi Control 8 + 002 Rack ?

[bjm007]

I've already got some decent pre's (Great River, etc...) and a pretty good converter (Apogee Rosetta 200), and I'll be going into Pro Tools LE running on a PC...

Am I better off with a

1) Digi 002 Control Surface

or

2) Digi Control 8 Control Surface (or equivalent) and a 002 Rack


Are there any advantages to one setup vs the other. I'm thinking about things like low latency monitoring, ease of use, convenience, features or anything else I haven't even thought of... ???

Your input is greatly appreciated... Thanks

[Ol' Betsey]

Hi BJM,

Me again...

Think to yourself, do you REALLY need the fader pack?

And if yes, I would get the seperates.

That way you can lug the 002R around in a rack when doing outside sessions and leave the controller at home.

My .02 ...

R.

[bjm007]

Originally posted by Ol' Betsey
Hi BJM,

Me again...

Think to yourself, do you REALLY need the fader pack?

And if yes, I would get the seperates.

That way you can lug the 002R around in a rack when doing outside sessions and leave the controller at home.

My .02 ...

R.

Thanks... If I'm never, ever, ever gonna do recording outside the studio would yousay the same thing? Or just go with the 002 Control Surface in that case? I''ve been looking over the specs and pictures for days now and I'm having trouble understanding what specific advantages one would have over the other, if you didn't need to separate them...

I really appreciate your help...

[alschnier]

hey,
just out of curiousity, how do you use the apogee w. the digi 002? lightpipe? I'm trying to fig. out the best way to get an add'l 8 i/o out of my digi 002 rack.
fwiw, I don;t have a controller - I use my console faders instead.

[pitman]

I bought the 002 when it first came out. Nice little all in one unit.
It's certainly more portable than the Command 8 and the 002 rack.
However, if I had the choice today and wasn't interested in carrying it under my arm I might pick the Command 8 and the 002 rack.
The 002 does not have any talkback capabilities. PITA
The Command 8 reminds me more of a mini Control 24 and it has a talkback.

[RooF]

The command 8 does not have talkback.

I went for the seperated versions but portability was not on my mind. I just figured that as a standalone midi control surface and extra midi io, the command 8 makes a great buy and a great control surface! The combo command8 and digi 002 rack cost as much as the 002. Plus if one gives up on you you will still have the other...

Mine makes me very happy!

[Jamz]

I own a Control 24, HUI and a 002.
I really like the 002 and the Command 8 looks great. Why doesn't Digi incorporate talkback!?
Even my 6 year old HUI has talkback. Oh well! maybe the next hardware release.

[Revelation]

Command 8 is the best 8 fader control surface for PT, period.

[HudHudson]

IMHO, the main advantage of the 002 Rack + Command 8 combo is the larger scribble strip on the C8 and the unit's ability to control Avid gear. I just went through this analysis for a friend who was putting together a Pro Tools LE system and he settled on the 002 console and saved $100.

[Sugarnutz]

The Command 8/002R would be a better deal if you ever plan on upgrading to a HD rig. You could still use the Command 8 as a control surface for the HD or a second hand MixPlus system (using PT 6.4.1). My greatly under-valued $.02.

[bjm007]

Thanks everyone... This is a great place to get excellent advice. I appreciate all the info.

[denisemenace]

Hello there. Just wondering what you finally decided to purchase. I am now doing the exact same comparison between the Digi 002 Control Surface vs the Digi 002 R plus the command 8. I plan on purchasing a new Mac Book Pro. I am just new to the home recording scene but isn't the inclusion of the Producer Factory plug-in bundle a big advantage. The Digi 002 Rack does not have these plug ins.


thanks

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by alschnier

hey,
just out of curiousity, how do you use the apogee w. the digi 002? lightpipe? I'm trying to fig. out the best way to get an add'l 8 i/o out of my digi 002 rack.
fwiw, I don;t have a controller - I use my console faders instead.

rosetta 800 connecting both ADAT/Lightpipe ins and outs to your 002R and a beakout 8 chanel XLR cable for your additional inputs. Your digi inputs will be analogue in and the rosetta will be ADAT in. Thus giving you 12 mic pres and any additional line inserts that the 002R offers. Running 18 channels simultaneously for recording.

[pympwell]

For a cheap 8 pack of faders, check for a used mackie baby hui. I got on for 399 when they were discontinued (right b4 the control 8 came out). I love it for the BRC type functions.....the transport ctrls are great and its a small footprint. 60mm faders though. Give it a look.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by denisemenace

isn't the inclusion of the Producer Factory plug-in bundle a big advantage. The Digi 002 Rack does not have these plug ins.

IMHO the plug-ins in the Factory Bundle are not that great and I can't see myself really ever using them. The advantage of going separate is that the Command | 8 control surface will work with PT HD if you ever go to an HD system. And the surface itself is better designed IMO than the 002's layout.

JMHO. Cheers,

J.D.

[blue642]

I biught the 002 console. but if I had the chance again I'd go 002R and command 8.

This way I can rack up the 002R in my desks rack and have the controlsurface without 12 wires sticking out the back of it across my desk. My patch points would be in a rack and my desk much cleaner....

[timotheus]

Don't forget, the 002 Console can be used as a standalone mixer as well...

[PIMP]

I've had this same issues in mind for a while, but apparently I was the only that concluded the mackie universal control would probably be a better choice given it would allow me to use it with other software not only PT, plus it has really cheap 8 channel expansions, you could go crazy and just buy two of these fader packs and without changing anything in your setup you'd have 24 faders, I though that was a big plus, of course. Also it has 9 faders instead of 8...why hasnt anyone mentioned the mackie? is it not on the same level as the command 8? I though they were but then again I havent used neither, yet...wassup with these???????!

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by PIMP

..............Also it has 9 faders instead of 8...!

yea, right? i never have been able to figure why digi designed the command 8 without a master fader.....

the mackie control universal (MCU) is a great surface; i have used it with Apple's Pro Video apps, alas, i never had a chance to use it with PT.

the command 8 is a great surface but you may be able to get by with the MCU if you really need a do-it-all surface that can work with lots of DAWs. that said, for PT use, i would choose the command 8.

[AlexLakis]

Originally Posted by Jamz

Why doesn't Digi incorporate talkback!?
Even my 6 year old HUI has talkback. Oh well! maybe the next hardware release.

Isn't that what the preamps on the back are for? Do people actually use those for music?

Just kidding.

You can get a used 002 for cheaper than the cost of a Command 8 alone these days...Why not go that route?

[Jamz]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

Isn't that what the preamps on the back are for? Do people actually use those for music?

Just kidding.

You can get a used 002 for cheaper than the cost of a Command 8 alone these days...Why not go that route?

Since this thread originally started I have relegated my 002 to remote recording and editing tasks. Therefore, I prefer the ability of having the all-in-one factor rather than seperate pieces. Keep in mind that I have a couple of TDM systems with a Control 24 and HUI so the 002 is not my main system.

As far as the preamps...rack or mixer version...do it!
http://www.blacklionaudio.com/digi002_mod.html

Still this unit has no convenient talk back feature but I like my little 002 rig using either a g4 laptop or G5 iMac.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by Jamz

Since this thread originally started I have relegated my 002 to remote recording and editing tasks. Therefore, I prefer the ability of having the all-in-one factor rather than seperate pieces. Keep in mind that I have a couple of TDM systems with a Control 24 and HUI so the 002 is not my main system.

As far as the preamps...rack or mixer version...do it!
http://www.blacklionaudio.com/digi002_mod.html

Still this unit has no convenient talk back feature but I like my little 002 rig using either a g4 laptop or G5 iMac.

jim, do you use the stock pres and converters whem remote recording on the 002 or do you have a rack of goodies you bring along?

[Jamz]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

jim, do you use the stock pres and converters whem remote recording on the 002 or do you have a rack of goodies you bring along?

Typically, I bring higher end pres for predominently choral/small orchestral remotes i.e. Cranesong Flamingo, Avalon 2022, Pendulum MDP-1. I'm looking forward to using the AEA TRP with the R88 in this scenario. The BLA mod was recently done and primarily for the convertor/clock aspects. I also asked Matt to upgrade the pots on the 4 input dials. I haven't used the 002 in a recording situation post mod yet. I look forward to it though.

[yumdrum]

nice, please get back with me after you have given er-a-go! let me know. very interested. also, was that expensive to do?
thanks
dave

[Jamz]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

nice, please get back with me after you have given er-a-go! let me know. very interested. also, was that expensive to do?
thanks
dave

Check the link I left a few posts up. You can also do a search for the BLA mod and 002. There are samples you can check out. Motivated me to make the move.

[PIMP]

Originally Posted by jdjustice

yea, right? i never have been able to figure why digi designed the command 8 without a master fader.....

the mackie control universal (MCU) is a great surface; i have used it with Apple's Pro Video apps, alas, i never had a chance to use it with PT.

the command 8 is a great surface but you may be able to get by with the MCU if you really need a do-it-all surface that can work with lots of DAWs. that said, for PT use, i would choose the command 8.

that's cool, I will most likely be using it on the LE software the digi002R comes with, so I might do the command 8 instead, just that those expansions seem so convinient, hmmm.......looks like I will have to reconsider all my options from the start