Product Description/Review
The 003 Factory Recording Package is comprised of the Digidesign 003 Factory Pro Tools LE Workstation, M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 MIDI Controller, Akai MPD24 USB Controller, Fostex PM0.4 Powered Studio Monitor pair (2), MXL 9000 Tube Condenser Microphone, CAD EPF-15A 6-Inch Flexible Pop Filter, 2 x 20 ft. Lo-Z Microphone Cables, Tripod Mic Stand with Fixed Boom, and 2 x 5 ft. TRS-TRS Balanced Patch Cable.

003 Factory Pro Tools LE Workstation

With an extensive range of audio and MIDI I/O, high-definition audio resolution, the creativity and speed of industry-standard Pro Tools software, high-speed FireWire connectivity, and a big, comprehensive bundle of powerful software included for free, the Digidesign 003 Factory empowers you to achieve the same professional audio results as commercial facilities in your own personal studio. And Pro Tools LE provides everything you need (and then some) to compose, record, edit, mix, and master audio for music and desktop post production projectswith truly professional results.

Take Control of Your Mixes

When your projects call for detailed precision work, 003 (the hardware component of the 003 Factory package) gives you powerful hands-on control of your Pro Tools sessions through its integrated control surface. Plus, its portable size gives you the freedom to take a professional Pro Tools system anywhere your creative skills are neededor inspired.

The Hub of Your Personal Studio

003 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 microphonethe interface's premium mic preamps deliver the utmost sound clarity. And with its studio-grade 24-bit/96kHz 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 systemjust plug 003 in and it's ready to go.

Mix with Your HandsNot 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 the 003 Factory, 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 surfaceevery 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 music mixing toolyour 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 knowat a glancewhich write mode is enabled on each track when you're automating mixes.