Editing Digital Performer

{{Short description|Digital audio workstation and sequencer}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Digital Performer
| logo = Digital Performer.png
| screenshot = 
| caption = 
| developer = [[Mark of the Unicorn|MOTU]]
| latest_release_version = 11.23
| latest_release_date = {{Start date and age|2023|10}}
| latest_preview_version = 
| latest_preview_date = 
| operating_system = [[macOS|Mac OS X]]<br />[[Microsoft Windows]]
| platform = 
| genre = [[MIDI sequencer]] + [[digital audio workstation]]
| license = Proprietary
| website = {{URL|www.motu.com/products/software/dp/}}
}}

'''Digital Performer''' is a [[digital audio workstation]] and [[music sequencer]] software package published by [[Mark of the Unicorn]] (MOTU) of [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] for the [[Apple Macintosh]] and [[Microsoft Windows]] platforms.

==Ancestry==
In 1984, Mark of the Unicorn released ''Professional Composer'', one of the first application programs for the [[Apple Macintosh]]. The program used the Macintosh's high-resolution graphics and printing to allow the user to print professional quality [[Sheet music|music scores]].

In 1985, the company released a [[music sequencer]] named ''Performer'', also based on the Macintosh platform, for arranging and performing with synthesizers and other devices which recognized the then-newly developed [[MIDI]] standard. Sending a series of numerical values, such a [[music sequencer|sequencer]] could direct many instruments, commanding which notes to play, at what loudness, and for how long to sustain them. There are many deep features in the MIDI protocol; MOTU developed extended capabilities in Digital Performer for handling these controllers and other actions (including remote operation of the software itself) through user-customizable graphical consoles, allowing the operator direct access to deeper features of instruments, stage lighting and various types of machines, all via MIDI interfaces and custom graphic buttons and sliders.

== Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) ==
In 1990, MOTU added the ability to synchronise audio ([[digital audio]]) to Performer and released it as "''Digital'' Performer," months after Opcode added this capability to Vision. Digital Performer was originally designed as a front-end to [[Digidesign]]'s Audiomedia hard disk recording system, which later became [[Pro Tools]]. Digital Performer's specific appeal was its MIDI environment, which was fitted into the same transport system as the audio environment. This enabled users to record their MIDI instruments and mix the results with other live audio recorded in the studio (or vice versa). [[Personal computer]]s of this time were too slow to handle high quality recording via their own CPU, so the addition of [[Digital signal processing]] [[co-processor]] cards was necessary to create a functioning audio recording studio. As the Mac's CPU became powerful enough to record the digitized audio directly to hard disk, the DSP cards were gradually rendered unnecessary. Foreseeing this, MOTU created its own Motu Audio System (MAS) which helped Digital Performer to tap the Macintosh's native power to record music directly to its own hard drive without the need for external co-processing and dedicated drives. By 2000, Digital Performer allowed users to [[Audio recording|record]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mix]], and [[Audio mastering|master]] audio for commercial releases.

==Version history==
Version 3 of Digital Performer was the last to run on [[Mac OS 9]], the Classic Macintosh operating system. After a complete rewrite, MOTU released Digital Performer 4.0 in May 2003, which ran exclusively on [[macOS|Mac OS X]].

Beginning with version 4.5, MOTU introduced a number of important new features to Digital Performer. The two most important of these are built in [[pitch correction]] capability, and the professional Masterworks EQ plugin. Beginning with version 5.0, MOTU also introduced a set of virtual instruments. The software was updated to version 5.13 on 19 November 2007 to provide compatibility with [[Mac OS X v10.5]]. and available in [[Universal Binary]].

Version 7.2 was introduced in 2010. Digital Performer remains one of the popular audio workstations on the Macintosh. Faster Apple CPUs continue to increase its capacity and performance. Chief among its competition on the Macintosh platform are [[Pro Tools]] and Apple's [[Logic Pro|Logic]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}

In October 2012, MOTU released Digital Performer 8 for OSX. Digital Performer 8 is available on Windows as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motu.com/download|title=MOTU.com – Download|website=motu.com|access-date=2 January 2014|archive-date=31 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231033949/http://www.motu.com/download|url-status=live}}</ref>

Version 9 of Digital Performer was released in June 2015 for Mac OS X and Windows. This version contains workflow enhancements, some new effect plugins, including emulations of the [[1176 Peak Limiter]] and Craig Anderton's MultiFuzz. MOTU also included a 64-bit version of its software synth ([[synthesizer]]) MX4 which used to be sold as a stand-alone product.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp|title=MOTU.com – Overview|website=motu.com|access-date=2 January 2005|archive-date=30 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041230065403/http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp|url-status=live}}</ref>

Version 10 of Digital Performer was released in February 2019 for Mac OS X and Windows. This version includes a new 5 GB instruments soundbank, a time/pitch audio stretching feature, and a real time loop triggering function.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MOTU.com – Digital Performer 10|url=https://motu.com/en-us/store/catalogue/digital-performer-10_352|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219055137/https://motu.com/en-us/store/catalogue/digital-performer-10_352/ |archive-date=19 December 2019 |website=motu.com}}</ref>

==AudioDesk==
'''AudioDesk''' is a more basic version of MOTU's Digital Performer for mac only. It is a multi-track recording, editing, and mixing application, with both offline file-based processing and realtime effects. Much of the [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) and its operation are similar to Digital Performer, although it lacks some of Digital Performer's features.  Most notably, it does not include MIDI sequencing capabilities, and thus does not include some of Digital Performer's MIDI-specific editing windows. Also, AudioDesk is only available as a bundled application with MOTU audio interfaces; this also means that AudioDesk requires a MOTU audio interface to be used as its [[soundcard]].

AudioDesk version 1 was first released in 1998, as bundled software with the [[MOTU 2408]] PCI-based audio interface. Version 1 is compatible with the [[Classic Mac OS]]. Version 2 for [[Mac OS X]] was released in 2003, with numerous updates (many of which corresponded to updates from Digital Performer 3 for the Classic Mac OS to Digital Performer 4 for Mac OS X).

==Awards and recognition==
{|
|-
|valign=top|
'''2001 [[Electronic Musician]] Editors Choice Awards'''
*Best Digital Audio Workstation/Audio Interface<ref>{{cite web|url=http://emusician.com/misc/emusic_editors_choice_2/|title=2001 Editors Choice Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030232903/http://emusician.com/misc/emusic_editors_choice_2/|archive-date=30 October 2007}}</ref>

'''2002 [[Electronic Musician]] Editors Choice Awards'''
*Best Digital Audio Workstation/Audio Interface<ref>{{cite web|url=http://emusician.com/misc/emusic_editors_choice/|title=Editor's Choice Awards 2002<!-- Bot generated title -->|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230232628/http://emusician.com/misc/emusic_editors_choice/|archive-date=30 December 2007}}</ref>

'''2004 [[Electronic Musician]] Editors Choice Awards'''
*Best Digital Audio Workstation/Audio Interface<ref>{{cite web|url=http://emusician.com/mag/cover/emusic_electronic_musician_editors/|title=Electronic Musician 2004 Editors Choice Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229015018/http://emusician.com/mag/cover/emusic_electronic_musician_editors/|archive-date=29 December 2007}}</ref>

'''2010 [[Electronic Musician]] Editors Choice Awards'''
*Best Digital Audio Workstation/Audio Interface<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emusician.com/gear/0769/daws/137955%3C!--|title=Electronic Musician – featuring gear reviews, audio tutorials, loops and samples > defaultpage|first=Electronic Musician – featuring gear reviews, audio tutorials, loops and|last=samples|website=emusician.com|access-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116184526/http://www.emusician.com/gear/0769/daws/137955%3C!--|archive-date=16 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

==Notable users==
Some notable users include:
*[[Alexandre Desplat]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://motu.com/newsitems/and-the-oscar-goes-to-alexandre-desplat/|title=MOTU.com – And the Oscar goes to...Alexandre Desplat|website=motu.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-04|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505065708/http://motu.com/newsitems/and-the-oscar-goes-to-alexandre-desplat/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Steven Bryant (composer)|Steven Bryant]]
*[[Hermitude]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb7mBscllhg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/Fb7mBscllhg |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Want to know how we made 'The Buzz'?|via=YouTube|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[John Adams (composer)|John Adams]]<ref>{{cite web |title=John Adams on his Violin Concerto |publisher=Earbox |url=http://earbox.com/inter004.html |access-date=2007-12-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220052450/http://www.earbox.com/inter004.html |archive-date=20 December 2007 }}</ref>
* [[Juno Reactor]]
* [[Don Davis (composer)|Don Davis]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Digital Performer for Film Scoring |publisher=[[Mark of the Unicorn|MOTU]] |url=http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp/film.html |access-date=2007-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312001319/http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp/film.html |archive-date=12 March 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Danny Elfman]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Danny Elfman: Building Music for the Movies |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]] |url=https://www.apple.com/pro/profiles/elfman/index2.html |access-date=2007-05-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402000724/http://www.apple.com/pro/profiles/elfman/index2.html |archive-date=2 April 2007 }}</ref>
* [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]]<ref>{{cite web | title = TalkTime: Ron and Russell Mael | work = [[The Guardian]] | url = https://www.theguardian.com/online/story/0,,1294831,00.html | access-date=2015-12-26}}</ref>
* [[Michael Giacchino]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Digital Performer Scores the Impossible | publisher = [[Mark of the Unicorn|MOTU]] | url = http://www.motu.com/newsitems/dp5-and-m-i-3 | access-date = 2010-03-09 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615232615/http://www.motu.com/newsitems/dp5-and-m-i-3 | archive-date = 15 June 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* [[Scott Gibbons]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Scott Gibbons of Orbitronik, Lilith and Strawberry | publisher = [[Last Sigh]] | url = http://www.lastsigh.com/interviews2k/scottgibbons.htm | access-date = 2009-05-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080521163251/http://www.lastsigh.com/interviews2k/scottgibbons.htm | archive-date = 21 May 2008 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* [[Elliot Goldenthal]]<ref>{{cite web | title = DPUser Update: Elliot Goldenthal | date = 11 July 2006 | publisher = Digital Performer Users | url = http://dpusers.blogspot.com/2006/07/dpuser-update-elliot-goldenthal.html | access-date = 2007-05-19 | archive-date = 28 March 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230328044013/http://dpusers.blogspot.com/2006/07/dpuser-update-elliot-goldenthal.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[Paul Hipp]]{{cn|date=March 2023}}
* [[Geddy Lee]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Geddy Lee – Off the Record | publisher = Anthem Entertainment | url = http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19870000offtherecord.htm | access-date = 2017-05-22 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131224093218/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19870000offtherecord.htm | archive-date = 24 December 2013 }}</ref>
* [[Pat Metheny]]<ref>{{cite web |title=First Look: Pat Metheny |publisher=[[Mark of the Unicorn|MOTU]] |url=http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp/testimonials/atnewsitem.2004-11-01.7877542222 |access-date=2008-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604125458/http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp/testimonials/atnewsitem.2004-11-01.7877542222 |archive-date=4 June 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Joe Renzetti]]{{cn|date=March 2023}}
* [[Brad Gillis]]<ref>{{cite web |title='62 Strat, '86 Fernandes Brad Gillis Model, a Gibson Moderne and More |publisher=[[Gearwire]] |url=http://www.gearwire.com/bradgillis-guitars.html |access-date=2008-07-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916015918/http://www.gearwire.com/bradgillis-guitars.html |archive-date=16 September 2008 }}</ref>
* [[David Bryan]]<ref>{{cite web | title = DPUser Update: David Bryan | publisher = Digital Performer Users | url = http://www.motu.com/newsitems/atnewsitem.2004-10-25.5922721539 | access-date = 2007-05-19 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070610072604/http://www.motu.com/newsitems/atnewsitem.2004-10-25.5922721539 | archive-date = 10 June 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* [[Yasunori Mitsuda]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kijimuna.fr/mitsuda/?p=3632|title=Le journal de Mitsuda » Blog Archiv » ProTools 11|website=kijimuna.fr|access-date=22 February 2014|archive-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310013920/http://www.kijimuna.fr/mitsuda/?p=3632|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Matmos]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Matmos | publisher = [[Sound on Sound]] | url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may04/articles/matmos.htm | access-date = 2007-11-30 | archive-date = 20 November 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120230805/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may04/articles/matmos.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[Autechre]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Autechre | publisher = watmm.com | url = https://forum.watmm.com/topic/30687-interview-with-sean-booth/ | access-date = 2021-03-14 | archive-date = 26 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210226191121/https://forum.watmm.com/topic/30687-interview-with-sean-booth/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[They Might Be Giants]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Conversing With Giants | publisher = Electronic Musician | url = http://emusician.com/artists/conversing_giants/ | access-date = 2009-07-07 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081104063220/http://emusician.com/artists/conversing_giants/ | archive-date = 4 November 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Alan Menkin|Alan Menken]]<ref>[http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk/episodes_0063.html Musical Talk podcast 15/01/08] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513071728/http://musicaltalk.co.uk/episodes_0063.html |date=13 May 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Roger O'Donnell]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Used on demos for Disintegration (The Cure album) | publisher = [[Fiction Records]] | url = http://www.rogerodonnell.com/disintegrationmemories.html | access-date = 22 April 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110715200553/http://www.rogerodonnell.com/disintegrationmemories.html | archive-date = 15 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* [[Kenji Kawai]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenjikawai.com/intro_e.html|title=Profile|website=kenjikawai.com|access-date=17 August 2011|archive-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414214000/http://www.kenjikawai.com/intro_e.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Howard Shore]]<ref>[[Howard Shore]]</ref>
* [[Bob Sinclar]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.20minutes.fr/vousinterviewez/1128379-20130329-interviewez-dj-bob-sinclar-nouvel-album-paris-by-night|title=Vous avez interviewé le DJ Bob Sinclar, pour son nouvel album "Paris By Night"|website=20 minutes|location=France|access-date=7 April 2014|archive-date=16 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416044119/http://www.20minutes.fr/vousinterviewez/1128379-20130329-interviewez-dj-bob-sinclar-nouvel-album-paris-by-night|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Bear McCreary]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/142qwd/i_am_bear_mccreary_bearmccreary_composer_for/c79e8hi|title=I Am Bear McCreary (@bearmccreary), composer for "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome," "The Walking Dead" and other cool stuff. AMA! • r/IAmA|website=reddit|date=30 November 2012|access-date=26 August 2017|archive-date=27 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127072556/https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/142qwd/i_am_bear_mccreary_bearmccreary_composer_for/c79e8hi/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Hideki Naganuma]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Hideki_Naganuma/status/904758229812494337|title=Many people asked me "Which DAW do you use to make music.?" I answered "I use Digital Performer". But no one tried to use Digital Performer.|last=英樹|first=HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019195659/https://twitter.com/Hideki_Naganuma/status/904758229812494337|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Wendy Carlos]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wendy Carlos on MotU's DP |url=https://www.wendycarlos.com/motu.html |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.wendycarlos.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Music}}
* [[Ableton Live]]
* [[Steinberg Cubase|Cubase]]
* [[Nuendo]]
* [[Logic Pro]]
* [[Pro Tools]]
* [[REAPER]]
* [[Reason (software)|Reason]]
* [[Samplitude]]
* [[Cakewalk by BandLab]]
* [[Acid Pro]]
* [[FL Studio]]
* [[LMMS]]

==Bibliography==
* Ben Newhouse: Producing Music with Digital Performer. Berklee Press u. a., Boston MA u. a. 2004, ISBN 0-87639-056-4

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp/ Digital Performer website]
* [http://www.motunation.com MOTUNation.com Digital Performer user group]
* [http://www.saxmusicplus.com/?p=219/ Digital Performer 5 review by Music Tech Magazine writer Keith Gemmell]
* [http://www.dptips.net DP Tips--Techniques and tips to enhance knowledge of Digital Performer's many features]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100723050427/http://en.wikiaudio.org/Category:Digital_Performer Digital Performer How-To database]

{{Audio editors}}
{{Digital audio workstations}}

[[Category:Digital audio workstation software]]
[[Category:Macintosh multimedia software]]
[[Category:MacOS audio editors]]
[[Category:MacOS multimedia software]]
[[Category:Software synthesizers]]