Digital Performer 8 from MOTU is a significant upgrade from the previous version and provides features that ease workflow while delivering a deep set of tools. On a technical front, the application provides 64-bit support while still allowing for 32-bit operation where 32-bit plug-ins are still required. Punch Guard confidence recording means never having to worry about losing the head or tail of an otherwise perfect take, with the feature always capturing extra time before and after punch points.
Seventeen new effects plug-ins are included, everything from modeled guitar tones to mastering processors, adding to a total of over eighty effects. A new video playback engine allows for full screen viewing of 720p or 1080p HD clips within the program or on a secondary computer monitor, or on an HDMI or SDI video monitor via the company's video interfaces. An in-line control panel can be customized and embedded in the consolidated window, or popped out and placed anywhere on the screen.
A plug-in chooser offers comprehensive plug-in management in any preferred manner, regardless of format. ReWire and VST plug-in support is provided, and the entire user interface can be modified to taste using the fifteen additional themes along with those already available. All these features compliment an already very capable DAW with its extensive MIDI implementation, scoring capabilities, and a refined audio recording and mixing engine.
For users of competing DAW products, MOTU offers this competitive upgrade for the following products:
ACID, AudioDesk, Audition, Cakewalk, Cubase, Live, Logic, Nuendo, Pro Tools, Reason, SONAR, SoundForge, Soundtrack, Studio One, Tracktion, Vegas, and Vision.
After purchase, users must confirm ownership of the competing product when registering to receive product support and future upgrades.
| General |
Unlimited sequences Unlimited songs Unlimited V-racks Unlimited tracks Unlimited audio voices Unlimited undo history 198 Mono busses (maximum) 99 Stereo busses (maximum) 20 Sends per channel (maximum) No maximum physical ins/outs - (hardware dependent) 32-bit float audio engine resolution |
| File Format Import |
DP files from previous versions AudioDesk files Standard MIDI files OMF interchange files AAF interchange files Final Cut Pro XML |
| File Format Export |
AIFF WAV Broadcast WAV (non-MPEG) Sound Designer II MP3 ACID Apple Loops (AIFF and CAF) REX (and RCY) Core Audio Format (CAF) QuickTime movies AVI movies Audio CD files MuLaw files 3G2 3GP AIFC AAC M4A MP4 |
| Time Formats |
Measure time (measure/beat/tick) Real time (hrs:min:sec:hundredths) Frame time (hrs:min:sec:frames) Samples |
| SMPTE Timecode Rates |
30 non-drop 30 drop 29.97 non-drop 29.97 drop 25 24 23.976 |
| Bit Depth |
16-bit integer 24-bit integer 32-bit float |
| Sample Rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz |
| MIDI Timing Resolution |
96 ppq 192 ppq 384 ppq 480 ppq (default) 960 ppq 1920 ppq 3840 ppq 3840.0000 (2 trillion) ppq |
| Channel Formats |
Mono Stereo Quad LCRS 5.1 6.1 7.1 10.2 |
| System Requirement |
Mac OS X version 10.6.8 or later (64-bit operation available) 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended) 1024 x 768 required display resolution (1280 x 1024 or higher recommended) Built-in audio, Core Audio compatible hardware, Core MIDI compatible hardware Audio Units, MAS and VST plug-in support PC Windows 7, Windows 8 (32- or 64-bit) 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended) 1024 x 768 required display resolution (1280 x 1024 or higher recommended) Any Windows 7 or 8 audio or ASIO compatible hardware, any Windows 7 or 8 compatible MIDI hardware VST plug-in support |