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MillimeterDigidesign Digi 001
May 1, 2001 12:00 PM, BY TOM PATRICK McAULIFFE
Unless you've been living on a deserted island for the last couple of years, you've undoubtedly heard about Digidesign's Pro Tools audio software — or at least heard the results on the radio. Over the years it's become the industry standard in digital audio workstation (DAW) software that's used to create countless hit records. Pro Tools recently walked away with a 2001 Technical Grammy Award. Unfortunately, few home studios could afford admittance to the party, as a well-equipped outfit costs between 10 and 20 grand. But all that has changed.
Digidesign's new all-in-one hardware/software system brings the power of Pro Tools within reach of the average video or music professional. The Digi 001 actually makes recording fun again. No more tape and razor blades! In a world that's gone digital, the 001 offers power, value, and versatility. While the system might be demanding in terms of computer resources, it makes up for that with professional performance.
Digi 001 is a 24-bit audio/MIDI digital audio workstation for both Mac and PC users priced less than $1,000. The system records at 16-bit or 24-bit, and at the CD-quality standard audio level of 44.1kHz or DVD-compatible 48kHz. It draws upon the higher-priced TDM-based Pro Tools systems. The package includes the Pro Tools LE software, a PCI card, and a multichannel input and output box for the desktop. The I/O features eight analog audio inputs and eight analog outputs, separate monitoring outputs, two channels of S/PDIF digital I/O, and eight channels of ADAT optical I/O, for a total of 18 simultaneous inputs and outputs.
Also included is a MIDI in and out, ¼-in. stereo headphone input with volume control, and a foot switch jack for record punch-in, which allows re-recording on the fly. The front two inputs with adjustable gain feature high-quality microphone pre-amps that produce stellar sound. For using line level devices, there are -26dB pads and 48V phantom power for mics. The front-panel inputs also have unique XLR and 1/4-in. inputs. The back panel hosts the other six analog ¼-in. inputs and also eight ¼-in. TRS analog outputs, plus a stereo monitor output. A 6-ft. multi-pin cable connects the PCI computer card to the 1RU space connection box (it includes hardware that allows rack-mounting).
I purchased the Digi 001 for the final mixes on a long-time recording project heavy on '40s music and pop vocals. Only one problem beset the install. For some reason the copy-protected software refused to recognize my serial number. After a quick call to tech support, I was registered, up and running.
I use an Apple G4 and, at first, Mac OS 9.0 and the minimum system requirement of 128MB RAM. This produced one or two crashes and sluggish operation. Upon upgrading to Mac OS 9.1 and increasing my RAM to 256MB, I'm happy at how solidly and smoothly the program runs. The system now handles multitrack audio easily. For example, on the mix-down eight tracks play and six realtime RTAS plug-ins run simultaneously. I also put the system through the included “Be There” demo with all 24 audio tracks, several plug-ins — and no problems.
Digital latency is an important issue for the Digi 001. Basically, latency is the time it takes for a computer to process audio and send it to the monitor outputs. To reach its price point, the Pro Tools LE software uses only the computer's CPU vs. a dedicated digital audio processing board, which costs big bucks to manufacture. Because all processing is handled in realtime by the host CPU, the system is incompatible with TDM plug-ins. Instead you get RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite) plug-ins that work, of course, in realtime or AudioSuite plug-ins that require rendering.
There's only one drawback to the CPU-only approach. If you're singing a section and processing it with a plug-in, for example, you'll hit the note (hopefully), and sometimes a slight delay (latency) occurs between your hitting the note and hearing it through the monitor speakers. Weird, but you can deal with it. It's also dependent upon which and how many filters or processors you're using. I prefer to lay the tracks bare and add my reverb, compression, etc., during the mixing process rather than the actual recording session. This helps avoid latency.
Digital recording is like going from building a house with a hacksaw to using modern power tools. With a modicum of basic talent, almost anyone can be made to sound as good as most of what you hear on the radio. With Pro Tools, video-friendly features include an option for SMPTE timecode, so there's no excuse for bad audio in your great-looking videos.
The full set of digital audio tools means that when Digidesign calls the included software Pro Tools LE (for “lite”), it seems tongue-in-cheek. I'm hard-pressed to think of something it can't do or upgrade to. Five edit tools sit in the Edit screen: Grabber, Selector, Zoom, Trimmer, and Scrubber. The Grabber is a MIDI tool. Selector highlights a particular section of audio. The Zoom tool let me edit out coughs and pauses in a video's narration track. Pro Tools' Trimmer allows quick editing of audio clips from either end. And the realtime Scrubber auditions up to two channels of audio as you slide the timeline icon. That's handy for finding those little audio hiccups.
The Digi 001 is also very Internet-friendly, fully supporting the popular MP3 format. Simply load audio off the edit line and export it in a wide variety of digital audio file formats including AIFF on the Mac, QuickTime, SDII, Real Audio, and WAV on Windows. The default audio file format on Mac-based Pro Tools systems is SDII, while PC-based systems process WAV files. I wanted to play the audio from an .avi Windows file but could not find a way. Real Audio G2 and MP3 converters are included with the Digi 001, but like the other filters they must be purchased after a 30-day free trial. The package does feature for free the D-Verb reverb plug-in, which costs a few hundred dollars if purchased separately.
The new version 5.1 of Pro Tools LE software offers many new features, such as multiple playlists that can compile dozens of takes, audio waveform display, and QuickPunch recording. Video editors will feel right at home in the Pro Tools interface, as the Digi 001 will import QuickTime movies and play the video portion in a small screen while the audio timeline plays, ready for editing. This lets you work in a mix-to-pix audio environment.
LE 5.1 also adds multiple window displays for immediate onscreen access to various menus and parameters. Now users can simultaneously view, edit, and automate their favorite RTAS plug-ins. Which relates to the dire need to use Pro Tools with two RGB monitors. Digidesign recommends the expensive Appian Jeronimo dual-display graphics card (more than $750). I went with the new DH-Max dual-monitor card from Promax in Irvine, Calif. It lists for just $299 and performs like a champ. The extra desktop real estate of a second monitor will make you more productive and the postproduction process much more enjoyable.
There are no AES/EBU connectors or hardware-based recording meters — all signal monitoring must be done onscreen. Hardware would be a nice option here. One other change I'd like to see is the way direct importing of CD audio into a session is handled. At this point “Import Audio From Other Movie” takes way too many steps, but on the upside the G4 completed it faster than realtime. A three-minute music bed took 1:30 to import. Of course, slower processors take more time.
Pro Tools LE 5.1 has been optimized for both operating systems, fully supports dual CPUs, and includes many other significant enhancements, including multiple levels of Undo and automatic session saving at user-defined intervals. A free version of the software is available on the Digidesign website.
The bottom line: Digi 001 rocks. Because I'm not a full-time Pro Tools user, I expected the Pro Tools LE software to be difficult to master. Not so. Though there's a definite learning curve, if you can edit video you'll feel at home here. And if you can sing a song or play a tune, the system will have you sounding like a star in no time. It's a pleasure to use, and on the Mac it's really the only cost-effective solution for 24-bit audio.
At a current street price of about $799, Digi 001 is very competitive on the price/performance scale and is empowering newcomers to produce a symphony of audio projects. The biggest compliment I can pay is that it inspires me to make music and get audio work done. The Digi 001 from Digidesign is definitely a system you will never outgrow.
Contributing writer Tom Patrick McAuliffe is a singer, songwriter, and journalist living in Silicon Valley. Reach him at reelcom1@home.com.
QUICK FACTS
Company: Digidesign Palo Alto, Calif.;
650-842-7900
Product: Digi 001
Features: Complete 24-bit digital recording system with 18
simultaneous analog and digital inputs and outputs. Uses industry
standard ProTools 5.1 LE software.
Price: $995
Website:
www.digidesign.com
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