With the 003, I'm no longer reaching way out with my left hand to hold down these keys while moving the faders or using the mouse with my right hand. I'm always using the modifier keys to make fine adjustments, change only one control in a group, copy settings, or move objects along a constrained line. For example, the modifier keys (Shift, Opt/Alt, Ctrl/Win, Cmd/Ctrl) are now positioned directly to the left of the faders. I disliked the original Digi 002 worksurface because I found that I kept having to go between mouse, keyboard, and worksurface with my hands-and worksurface to computer monitor with my eyes-way too often, negating the whole purpose of having a tactile controller to begin with! The new 003 fixes most of what I found aggravating about the Digi 002. It's obvious that the folks at Digidesign addressed many of the complaints about the Digi 002 worksurface, because the 003 is actually quite a step up in terms of usability, and as would be expected, audio quality has been improved too. Well, having now used the new 003 for a little over a week now, I can say with confidence that the 003 ain't just a quick makeover. Many of the rumor mongers claimed that it wouldn't be much more than a re-skinned Digi 002 (Tape Op #33) manufactured for RoHS compliance with fewer hazardous materials. I'm sure a lot of you were checking out the online rumor mills about the Digidesign's new 003.

Digi 003 cubase