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I have faced the same decision in the past and went with the 03D. It was between new desks though, not a new one and a second-hand one. That's when I got my third 03D. Each of my 03Ds has given me problems that always seem related to the display. This being said neither desk is known for reliability.

On specs alone, the DDX is slightly better equipped but there isn't a lot in it. For instance, the 03D is sometimes presented as a 24 channel desk but it also has a stereo input with its own fader, EQ etc (so that's up to 26) and it has two stereo FX returns on an assignable fader (so that's up to 30 channels at mixdown). I think the 03D hs 20bit AD converters but it can output 24bit (internal processing is higher resolution, I think it's 32bit and 44bit for the EQ but don't quote me on this).

Thing is, the ergonomy of the 03D is superb. The software is very logical and easy to use and the LCD is large and very readable from whatever angle (way better than the 01V96 I have now by the way).

There are also lots of nice touches with the connectivity such as providing both S/PDIF and AES/EBU for the stereo in (and analog as well), a separate 2-track input, individual phantom power switches for the 8 channels that have preamps, the effects are pretty good (2 stereo processors).

Note that 8 of the inputs/outputs are on an optional card (TDIF, ADAT, AES/EBU or extra analog). They are not the same cards as on the newer Yamaha desks and it's better to buy a desk that already has the card you need (cheaper than buying it separately).

At equal price the Behringer is hard to beat but the difference in features is not huge, and the Yamaha ergonomy is *perhaps* better (I have not tried the Behringer). If the 03D is cheaper it may be a better choice. It all depends on what you need.

By the way, the 03D can be used with a mouse and if you are not going to sit right in front of it then it's a superb solution to navigate the different pages, while you still have physical faders. In my case I used it via the mouse a lot because it is on my left with the computer keyboard in front of me (with a master keyboard on a sliding shelf below and a Mackie Control to my right on a wheeled stand). The menu navigation buttons are on the left side of the 03D so using the mouse to select pages was very cool. It may be important to you, depends on your setup.

TP.

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