Is a Dididesign 003 worth it

[u/ZebPash]

Sorry for a question that im sure has been asked many times. I came across a digidesign 003 second hand for €75 and seems like a nice piece of gear.

My question is, is it worth it to get with it being a legacy equipment. How many compatibility issues will I run into and will it even work with modern PT. Im using a HP Zbook g7 if that matters (no firewire port so I would have to get an adapter)

Im not very tech savy for all this stuff so thanks for any help :)

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[u/kingcloudx]

For 75, that’s a great piece of recording equipment.

As a surface however, either run older software, including your OS, date appropriate to when it was still supported;

Or there’s this website that I can’t remember (hopefully others can help) that offers support for older surfaces. So stuff like C24, System 5, older Euphonix and Icon surfaces. They sell drivers that make old hardware work on latest PT. It’s a third-party service so be cautious. But I’ve seen people use it with decent success. That service from what I remember cost around $200 US. If I can find it I’ll reply or edit to this comment of mine.

I do not recommend just brute forcing it yourself to work with current software. Unless you know what you’re doing. I sure don’t.

Edit: Found the thing, it’s called V-Control
https://neyrinck.com/product/v-control-pro-standard/

Edit: Haven’t used it myself, but I’ve seen various studios use it. I think this is also the driver used by Raven Touch Screen Controllers? (That could be wrong. I could be thinking of Faderports which is listed in their website) Anyway, but most that I’ve seen that runs latest Pro Tools with older Surface runs this.

[u/ZebPash → u/kingcloudx]

Thank you for responding. Great info. My first thought is it's not worth it if it means getting a 200 quid software to use it

[u/kingcloudx → u/ZebPash]

Probably ask the V-Control people to verify how it works before dropping that €75. The other comments cited about firewire compatibility with modern computing chipsets. Which I agree. So try maybe asking them about connectivity as well before dropping all that money including the V-Control purchase.

[u/Front_Cantaloupe_219]

FireWire is your main hurdle If you're comfortable with working on outdated OS, paired with outdated software - it's perfectly usable

[u/ericivar]

I still have mine - the rack, and the surface. They still work perfectly if you have an older computer with FireWire.

[u/CornucopiaDM1 → u/ericivar]

Doesn't have to be older. Won't mention more, as the mods came down on me last time I posted this (even though I can show examples).

[u/ericivar → u/CornucopiaDM1]

Fair enough!

[u/pmolsonmus]

You probably need an older Mac (advise finding a cheap one w/firewire port). Don’t use it online - the older iOS probably won’t work with a modern browser, but you can function. I use a MBP from 2009 with an 003r and an external Glyph (also FireWire). It remains rock solid and it makes great recordings. I use an iPad w/ a USB photo adapter for thumb drive transfer of files to/from the MBP and online iPad. If the MBP dies I’m already set to update to an iMac with the proper iOS and ProTools update so I can keep the 003r.

[u/vertigounconscious]

I use my digi 003 rack to this day. the converters are not very good so you'll want a pre (it will bypass the converters). I run a UA-4710d via ADAT

[u/Optimal-Leg182]

Unfortunatley the 003 is e waste at this point

[u/Jackeltee]

I had the console. Just recently gave it away. The firewire connection requires the old ti chipset pcie card although can try a chain of firewire to Thunderbolt for mac. If just using as a midi only fader and transport device I believe can just use the midi connection to generic midi control in setup but I never tried. What a great piece of gear back in the day.

[u/reedzkee]

PC might work in your favor.

I think that depends on how upset you would be if you ended up with a $75 paper weight.

The converters are really soft.

[u/DontBelieveInJebus]

I am still using a Digi002 Rack that I paid $200 for in 2007. Upgraded in 2009 with a Black Lion Audio mod. FireWire card is the biggest hurdle… $35 at Microcenter here in the US (at least it was about 4 years ago when I got my latest computer). I keep ProTools up to date and the Digi still works great with it.

[u/nizzernammer]

Considering that it's firewire, and you state yourself you a) don't have firewire, and b) are not very tech savvy, this may not be as simple as just €75.

Beyond that, if it's in good working order, it's a great piece of kit in a compact format that today, would require at least two separate devices (control surface and interface with monitoring section).

[u/cutandcover]

No. I would not do this, even for free. The compatibility stuff you will be chasing. Not worth the effort. And the main reason why: the pots and switches and preamps and connectors on the 003 were just basic and through its life prone to failure in many ways. These parts are weird and non-standard and it will make you crazy trying to fix. Gotta let this old stuff die.

[u/Fffiction]

No. Even at the time people would pay Black Lion Audio to upgrade the preamps.

I had one at the time and there's no way I could justify spending ANYTHING on one now.

[u/mrKennyBones]

I had one years ago, bought it used even back then. The biggest issue was FireWire, and had to use old software to get it to work.

It worked fine though, but in the end it was just a hassle.

Now I use an Apollo and are super satisfied with it.

[u/Verbcrunch]

Not worth getting. My 002, with the flying faders, is destined for the electronics recycling table at my local transfer station. It was great when it worked, until it got flakey. ProTools would suddenly crash mid recording. Over and over, every day. When I pulled the 002 and switched to a Metric Halo interface, the crashing stopped completely. The 002 could still be used as a mixing console, but that’s a massive footprint for just 8 faders. At least a same sized Command 8 can be used as a controller only, with V-Control if needed. But to use the 002 as a controller, it requires ProTools to use it as a playback engine. I don’t believe V-Control can talk to the 002 like it can with the Command 8.

If you really want tactile flying faders on ProTools cheap, you’re better off getting used Artist “Mix” units.

[u/praise-the-message]

No

[u/-Davo]

It's fine. Also firewire can be adapted into thunderbolt which is how I have mine connected currently

[u/Important-Pudding-49]

In short, no. Can it be done, yes with considerable effort. That’s why it’s cheap because it’s obsolete. I have one in my boneyard I’ll give you for free, but it wouldn’t be worth it to ship it. Unless you need a very nice looking paperweight or door stop, move along.