Help!!! Gear Dilemma

[protools]

ok so i'm having a lot of trouble deciding what to get. i am currently running a Digi 001 on a AGP Mac G4 400 MHZ 1 gb ram. i really want to get a control surface im tired of mixing with a mouse. so im getting $1500 from a buddy to revamp my set up. i cant decide if i should go with the command 8 and also be able to buy myself a nice mic, which my mic cabinet is lacking. or should i just drop it all and then some on the 002 control surface? does anybody know f the command 8 has any specs that the 002 doesnt? my 001 works great for right now, but i know that the 002 gives me the higher samplerate, plus Digidesign still has support for it. but i also figure if i get the command 8 i could later get an 002 rack and be just as well off as if i had the 002. anybody have any input? experience with either? get back to me. i am also wondering if anybody know if the tascam FW1082 will automate with protools?, including plugins etc. i dont really understand the HUI Controller stuff. any input is appreciated. thanks all.

[Audiodude]

I'd take advantage of the Digi001 exchange program while you still can and trade up to a Digi002 Factory (the one with the control surface built in).

Control-wise, there's really not anything the Command 8 can do that the Digi002 can't. But if you jump up to a Digi002 with the control surface, you'll save a bunch of money and get a boatload of extra plugins. Plus, with the Digi002 control surface, you could still add a Command 8 later on for 16 faders instead of 8. For comparison...

Digi002 Rack: $795 (with your 001 trade-in)
+ Command 8: $1149
Total = $1944 (and you still don't have the Factory Bundle - that's another $500)

Digi002 (with the control surface and the Factory Bundle plugins): $1595 with trade-in

The Digi002 is better than the 001 on a whole lot of fronts, but none of them have anything to do with sample rate, imho. (Yes, it records at 96 kHz, but I don't care.) Mic pre's, MIDI I/O, A/D converters, etc. are all better on the 002. Plus you can use current Pro Tools software.

The Tascam FW1082 is not Pro Tools compatible. It can't get audio to or from the software. It *sorta* works to control faders within Pro Tools if you are using a 002 or some other Pro-Tools compatible interface, but it's nothing close to a Digi002 or Command 8. Don't get the FW1082 if you want to use Pro Tools. Waste of money and lots of frustration.

[protools]

hey thanks for the advise, but i just spent most of the money on a neumann Tlm 103 anniversary. it was definately one of those impulse buys, but i am planning on getting the 002 next. let me know if there are any up comming deals on those at sweetwater. i just noticed that the price has gone down $700 at one of the other major gear stores. and the way i see it is if its at that price then im not getting anything for my 001. but in any event thank you very much. and i just had my first experience with sweetwater today. i would consider it much better than any other purchase ive made. thanks again,
Ed

[Audiodude]

Yes, we just announced a major price drop today on the Digi002 Factory this morning. It's a killer deal if you can get in on it while it lasts. Once we sell out of Digi002's, we won't be getting any more at that price.