Digital Performer Changelog

What's new in Digital Performer 11.0

Aug 26, 2021
  • Digital Performer version 11 is now shipping! This exciting upgrade adds Articulation Maps, Audio Retrospective Record, support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), a completely redesigned Nanosampler 2.0 instrument plug-in, support for macOS Big Sur, native compatibility with Apple silicon Macs and dozens of additional user-requested enhancements.
  • Articulation Maps:
  • With DP’s new Articulation Maps feature, you can take full control of the expressive depth of today’s most advanced orchestral sound libraries, including VSL™, East West™, Spitfire™, Cinesamples™ and many others. Create or import articulation maps to build dynamic instruments and ensembles, allowing you to play, record or program expressive performances with unprecedented realism and musical impact.
  • Each articulation can be mapped to a symbol, stem ornament, alternate notehead or custom text (such as con sordino) in DP’s QuickScribe™ notation editor. Symbols remain connected to their orchestra library sounds, so that what you see is what you hear. Because notes remember their symbol, you can instantly switch maps at any time (to a different sound library, for example). In addition, each articulation can trigger multiple forms of output, from on-velocity changes to note stacks, providing support for even the most advanced orchestra libraries, such as the VSL™ Synchron™ engine. DP’s Graphic Editor provides clear, intuitive editing of articulations in separate lanes.
  • Support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) and Per-Note CCs:
  • In DP 11, you can now record multi-channel output from an MPE controller — such as a Roli™ Seaboard™ — as regular MIDI notes with encapsulated MPE expression data. After recording a range of gestures (strike, pressure, slide, glide and lift), you’ll see a single stream of normal MIDI notes each containing their own note-specific controllers (generated by the performance) superimposed on top of each note for easy and intuitive editing in DP’s familiar piano roll. Or view and edit each controller in a separate lane using DP’s familiar and powerful continuous controller (CC) editing tools. A new Scale tool allows you to increase or reduce the amount of expression by dragging up or down. MX4 and DP’s other included synth plug-ins are MPE-enabled, so you can get started with your MPE controller right away.
  • Audio Retrospective Record:
  • DP11 adds audio to its Retrospective Recording capabilities. Now, DP always listens to both MIDI and audio input sources, capturing everything, even when not recording. Like magic, you can immediately recall any audio or MIDI material you’ve recently played. For both MIDI and audio input, Digital Performer ensures that you'll never lose that precious, fleeting creative moment.
  • Nanosampler 2.0:
  • This major upgrade of Nanosampler serves as every DP user’s go-to virtual instrument for creating unique beats, instruments and sounds. Drop in a sample and start stretching, slicing, randomizing and transforming audio into just about any sound or instrument you can imagine. New features include: three playback modes (Classic, 1-shot and Slice), ZTX™ time stretching, beat slicing with Randomize and Auto Randomize, Repeat, Reverse, and a ground-up rewrite of the UI.
  • Support for macOS Big Sur and Apple silicon Macs:
  • DP11 is fully qualified for macOS Big Sur (11.x) and the latest generation Apple silicon Macs. No Rosetta required. Optimized for native multi-core performance, DP’s audio engine prioritizes audio threads on high-speed cores and reserves CPU bandwidth for critical, time-sensitive processing.
  • Clip Triggering With Novation™ and Akai™ Pad Controllers:
  • Gain complete hands-on control of DP’s extensive Clips window with popular pad controllers like the Novation™ Launchpad™ Pro mk3 or Akai™ APC-40. Trigger individual clips or entire scenes (sections of songs). Apply filter sweeps and other effects processing as you go: Digital Performer is now a powerhouse live performance platform that can take your shows wherever you can imagine.
  • New Control Surface plug-ins for Native Instruments™ and Icon™:
  • DP 11 includes new control surface plug-ins for the current Native Instruments™ Komplete Kontrol™ lineup, including the M32, A-Series, and S-Series MK2 controller lines, plus hot new iCON Control™ mixing worksurfaces like the QCon™ Pro G2/EX, Pro X/XS, Platform Nano™ and Platform M/X™ series. These state-of-the-art control surfaces empower your DP workflow so you can work faster and more intuitively.
  • Enhanced Avid™ EuCon™ Support:
  • DP’s EuCon plug-in has been substantially updated, including support for the Avid S6™ console. In addition, you can now use a EuCon-compatible worksurface with DP running on Windows 10.
  • Other enhancements:
  • Live Performance Mode — All effects processing is done in real time, rather than pre-generated, for instant responsiveness in critical performance situations.
  • Chunk Folders and Playlists — Organize sequences and songs into folders and playlists. Playlists are perfect for building set lists for live shows.
  • Chunks List Split View — Improves chunk list management. For example, search for a chunk in one list section and then drag it into a folder or playlist in the other.
  • Multi-channel MIDI Tracks — You can now record and play multiple channels of MIDI data in a single track. Channel info is stored with each MIDI event in the track.
  • Enhanced View Filtering — Quickly show/hide individual MIDI channel data and/or specific event types with the expanded Track Selector.
  • Enhanced Support for MCU and HUI-compatible Control Surfaces — Includes improved automation toggling, scrub modes, send mode, loop toggle and much more.
  • More Control Surface Enhancements — V-Racks can now be displayed on all control surfaces (that support them). New track pinning modes ensure that you always see the tracks you need. New track indicator lights in the Sequence Editor and Mixing Board show which tracks are currently active on any control surface.
  • Track and Clip Effects — Every audio track, MIDI track and clip now has a transpose setting that leaves the original data unaffected. MIDI tracks and clips also have a quantize setting.
  • Intelligent Audio Interface Selection — On macOS, if you haven’t yet selected the audio hardware you wish to use with DP, it finds the best option for you.
  • Clips Window Enhancements — The ‘New Empty Clips Scene’ command fills empty cells with new empty clips. The ‘Double Clip Loop’ feature doubles the length of the looped portion in a clip.
  • List Font Scaling — Resize the text in DP’s list windows, independent of the scaling for the rest of the UI, with three independent controls for List windows, Project Notes and Lyrics.
  • Text Rendering and dialog box scaling on Windows — Optimized for the latest text rendering engine in Windows 10, DP’s text appears significantly crisper. DP also resizes system dialogs and menus appropriately for the size and resolution of your computer screen.
  • Dynamically Resizable Channel Strips — DP's faders resize when you make the Mixing Board and Channel Strip windows taller (or shorter).
  • ‘Transpose Exclude’ option — A new track setting locks tracks from Transpose operations.
  • New Scale Tool — Quickly scales per-note expression data by simply dragging vertically.

New in Digital Performer 10 Build 79351 (Feb 13, 2019)

  • Clips window for live triggering and looping of audio and MIDI clips
  • Stretch Audio powered by industry-leading ZTX PRO™ technology
  • VCA faders
  • A new convenient Content Browser
  • VST3 plug-in support
  • Scalable UI
  • Run command (shift-spacebar)
  • 5 GB soundbank containing hundreds of virtual instruments.

New in Digital Performer 9.5.0 Build 73657 (Sep 14, 2017)

  • ZTX PRO time-stretching:
  • ZTX PRO time-stretching has been deployed throughout Digital Performer 9.5 wherever you apply audio time-stretching and produces dramatically improved results, even when slowing down or speeding up audio by extreme amounts. You will experience state-of-the-art time-stretching quality on any type of audio material: drum loops, solo instruments, multi-timbral material, vocals, full mixes, mono, stereo, n-channel, etc. Easily conform imported loops and audio clips to your project tempo, apply wholesale tempo adjustments to entire mixes, create conductor track tempo maps (including gradual tempo changes) and many other operations that alter the length and speed of audio clips.
  • ZTX PRO pitch-shifting and relative pitch editing:
  • ZTX PRO pitch-shifting provides extremely high-quality pitch-shifting on both monophonic and multi-timbral audio material, even full mixes. You can apply formant-corrected or standard pitch-shifting as desired. Global preferences can be set, with the ability to specify the pitch-shifting mode for any individual audio clip. A new relative pitch editing layer in the Sequence Editor allows you to graphically transpose any audio material up or down by interval using a draggable pitch bar or a pencil tool for fine-tuned pitch correction, adding or removing vibrato and so on.
  • ZTX PRO quality presets:
  • ZTX PRO quality presets allow you to achieve the best results for a wide variety of audio material, including "solo" for monophonic material and "efficient" for fast processing that adapts variably to the characteristics of the audio signal. PureDSP pitch-shifting has been preserved as an additional option, as it often produces best results on solo vocals (or other monophonic instruments), especially when fine-tuning vocals.
  • Effect performance:
  • DP 9.5 also adds a new Effect Performance window, which monitors the processing load of all currently instantiated virtual instruments and effects plug-ins, allowing you to identify and manage plug-ins that impose high processing demands on your computer. Plug-ins can be sorted by name, processor load or the exact location (bar and beat) in the sequence time line at which they reach peak processing. Each plug-in is identified as either pre-gen or real-time, with hints as to why any plug-ins are currently running in real time.

New in Digital Performer 9.1.3 (Apr 19, 2017)

  • Improved Hardware Insert plug-in latency detection. Added level meters and fixed a bug when pasting settings.
  • Allow more than 32,000 MIDI tracks in a project.
  • Improved support for Softube when tracks are reordered.
  • Improved support for Melodyne.
  • Improved latency compensation for VST2 plug-ins.
  • Improved support for VEP and virtual instruments that have variable latency.
  • Improved support for the RME Fireface driver.
  • Fixed a bug where certain plugins (MX4, for example) would not get numbers appended to side-chain bus names.
  • Fixed a bug where erasing a selection containing soundbites with fades would sometimes cause a click.
  • Fixed a bug where editing the head of a soundbite with a fade on it’s tail would sometimes cause a click.
  • Fixed an issue where chased MIDI events would not update faders and other graphical indicators.
  • Fixed a bug where the main counter format was not being restored when opening a file in some cases.
  • Fixed a bug where Wave files with time-stamps of > 0x7FFFFFFF would not spot correctly.
  • Fixed an issue where pasting at an insertion point in a pop-edited soundbite would not place the data at the correct location.
  • Fixed a bug where deleting chunks with the track selector showing could cause a crash.
  • Fixed some popup menu behavior.
  • Fixed a bug that could lead to a crash when edge-editing MIDI notes following the deletion of pitch bend data.
  • Fixed an issue where using the scale tool on soundbite volume would not update playback such that the modification could be heard.
  • Fixed a crash that could occur when closing various editor windows.
  • Fixed an issue with recalling Mixing Board layouts.
  • Improved mouse tracking when editing pitch bars.
  • Fixed an issue where including Film Scoring Events in a movie bounce could cause frame rate irregularities.
  • Fixed an issue with code signing the Windows installer.

New in Digital Performer 9.1 (Jul 27, 2016)

  • NEW FEATURES:
  • Reduced latency for audio I/O and VIs under OS X — Host buffer latency under CoreAudio has been cut in half. As an example, if you choose a buffer setting of 128 samples, version 9.1 yields 256 samples of total host latency (one buffer on input and one on output), plus any hardware latency. This will improve audio I/O latency and virtual instrument performance.
  • Enhanced WASAPI driver performance under Windows — The latency of the WASAPI (Windows Audio) driver has been significantly reduced. This will improve audio I/O latency and virtual instrument performance. The CPU load of the sample rate conversion used in the Windows Audio driver has also been substantially reduced.
  • MAS engine optimization for small buffer settings — DP's MOTU Audio System (MAS) engine processing has been optimized to better support operation at smaller buffer sizes (for both Mac and Windows).
  • Next-gen Pre-genTM engine — DP's Next-generation Pre-gen engine transparently pre-renders audio output from virtual instruments and plug-ins to dramatically reduce their CPU load. In version 9.1, this feature has been highly optimized for greatly enhanced CPU performance. DP seamlessly manages transitions between pre- generated audio and live audio as needed (such as when you record a virtual instrument live). In addition, virtual instruments are always available for preview activities, such as editing notes in the MIDI Graphic Editor or using a VI’s on-screen keyboard (previously they were only active when playback was underway). To fine-tune the responsiveness of plug-ins and virtual instruments, go to Setup menu > Configure Audio System > Configure Studio Settings and adjust the Prime Milliseconds setting.
  • SMPTE-Z plug-in — The SMPTE-Z plug-in generates Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) while locked to DP’s timeline or while running independently in Freewheel mode. The Stillframe option causes time code to continue to be generated even when DP’s transport is stopped (parked on one frame). Time code can be routed anywhere via the audio track’s output assignment, allowing for accurate time code sync in a wide variety of situations.
  • Hardware Insert plug-in — The Hardware Insert plug-in functions just like other DP effects plug-ins, but loops the channel’s audio signal to a piece of outboard hardware for external processing by the hardware. It can be instantiated in line with other software plug-ins and even saved as part of an effect chain clipping. The plug-in includes a button that pings the external hardware, measures the resulting latency and automatically compensates for it. The hardware insert plug-in allows you to easily incorporate outboard gear into your DP effects chains.
  • ENHANCEMENTS:
  • Track level meters now display the track's level post-fader and pre-pan.
  • Fixed a problem where plugging or unplugging headphones while using built-in audio could cause MAS to stop and report a hardware change.
  • Fixed a latency compensation bug with side-chain outputs of VIs running in pre-gen mode.
  • Fixed a bug with latency compensation, where using voice tracks as a "recordable aux track" would not correctly align the source material.
  • Fixed assigning midi inputs in the Track Assignments dialog.
  • Reduced wait-time when switching between chunks with a high track count.
  • Fixed a crash when reducing the number of sends.
  • Fixed backing window to match effect window when resized.
  • Allow maximum value in automation lane to be selected.
  • Fixed an issue where a track might not immediately appear when moved from a closed folder to an open one.
  • Simplified the studio setup dialog.
  • Fixed a bug where VST or AU wrappers would crash if validation was performed after MAS had been turned off and back on again.
  • Fixed an error message that would be displayed when hitting delete in the waveform editor.
  • Fixed a problem where some VSTs would seem to hang during validation.
  • Fixed saving as AudioDesk files from DP.
  • Fixed DP 9.x file IO compatibility with DP 8.
  • Fixed crash when duplicating label in a Console.
  • Fixed a crash when double-clicking the MIDI learn button.
  • Fixed a bug where removing a mono-to-stereo effect could leave the track playing only to the left channel.
  • Fixed a crash that could occur when switching chunks from the SE mini-menu.
  • Fixed an error that would be displayed when opening a project containing a movie with no audio track.
  • Fixed an issue where cut copy paste wasn't working in OS modal dialogs like the Save As window.
  • Fixed a print bug where the Page Setup scale factor wasn't working as expected.
  • Updated the English and Japanese PDF manuals (in the Help menu).
  • Fixed issues with Avid Artist Mix / EuCon surfaces where track names might not show up or the control surface might disconnect in sequences with lots of tracks.
  • Fixed issues with track layouts not properly duplicating with sequences.
  • Fixed an issue where hitting TAB triggered the search filter whether or not the Track Selector was open.

New in Digital Performer 9.0 (Jun 24, 2015)

  • Includes MOTU's powerful MX4 MultiSynth, plus five new plug-ins, automation lanes and spectrogram display in the Sequence Editor, Retina display support, MusicXML notation export and other new features.

New in Digital Performer 8.0.7 (Sep 8, 2014)

  • Compatible with OS X Yosemite
  • Support for 16 and 32 sample buffers (for audio hardware that supports these buffer sizes)
  • Many enhancements related to video playback and the use of external video hardware
  • Improvements to importing and exporting using OMF, AAF and Final Cut Pro 7 XML
  • Windows operation enhancements to clippings, printing, and ReWire
  • Fixed an issue where very long audio files would constantly regenerate their overviews

New in Digital Performer 8.0.6 (Feb 21, 2014)

  • Added new Guided Lessons, which provide integrated, interactive tutorials. See the new Guided Lesson project in Application Support, or download it as part of the
  • updated tutorial materials from motu.com/download.
  • Improved operation with multiple Core Audio devices running under 10.9.
  • Sends can now be dragged and dropped in the mixer, just like effect settings.
  • Support for Japanese text input on Windows.
  • Improved importing crossfades from OMF and AAF fi
  • les.
  • Improved operation on Windows with drag and drop, window focus, instrument aux assignments, and the Movie window.
  • Fix for an issue on Windows where Digidesign Accel HD hardware wouldn't change sample rate.
  • Addressed several issues related to Movies and Load.
  • VIs now retain their aux assignments when duplicating a chunk.
  • Improved compatibility with Scuffham S-Gear plugins.
  • Video output offset now works with MOTU video hardware and DV output, even when DP is resolved to an external time base.
  • Improved compatibility with UAD plug-ins on Windows.
  • MIDI tracks now retain output assignments to V-Rack VIs when loaded from a document containing the same V-Rack.
  • Fixed a problem with icon menus in plug-ins on Mac OS X 10.9 systems

New in Digital Performer 8.0.1 (Nov 19, 2012)

  • The Consolidated Window now supports the full-screen feature in Mac OS X 10.7+.
  • The behavior for opening the Plug-in Chooser from a Mixing Board insert slot has changed slightly. If the insert slot already holds a plug-in, hold down the Command/Ctrl key while clicking the existing plug-in to open the Plug-in Chooser (instead of clicking the right side of the insert slot, as shown in Figure 67-7 on p. 769 of the DP8 User Guide).
  • If you use three or more monitors connected to your Mac, and you are running Mac OS X 10.6.8, we strongly recommend that you upgrade to Mac OS X 10.7 for improved stability.
  • Improvements, optimizations, and refinements can also be found in the following areas:
  • Hardware video output (both DV and MOTU video interfaces)
  • Movie window performance
  • Sysex messages in 64-bit operation
  • Rewire support
  • Operation with Kontakt 4/5
  • Importing sound files and soundbites, including possibly corrupted sound files
  • AAF export
  • Clippings
  • Consolidated window info panels and channel strip
  • Scrolling in the Sequence Editor, MIDI Editor, Drum Editor, and Notation Editor
  • Meter animation throughout the program

New in Digital Performer 8.0 (Oct 4, 2012)

  • Native 64-bit operation — Take full advantage of your 64-bit computer system.
  • VST / Rewire support — On both platforms for easy project exchange.
  • New video engine — Supports full-screen video, 720/1080 HD, and MOTU video hardware monitoring.
  • Punch Guard™ confidence recording — Captures extra time before and after punch points.
  • 17 new plug-ins — From meticulously modeled guitar tones to world-class mastering plug-ins…
  • 15 new themes — Artistically crafted UI designs including Hi-Fi, Arctic, and None More Black.
  • In-line control panel — Conserves precious screen real estate.
  • Multi-format plug-in management — Organize, manage, and quickly search for plug-ins in multiple formats.
  • Cross platform — Now shipping for Mac OS X. Windows 7 support coming soon.

New in Digital Performer 7.22 (Jan 10, 2011)

  • Analysis: waveform overview construction.
  • Import and Export:
  • Interchanging AIFF files with Pro Tools.
  • Importing bundles during Load operations.
  • Saving project files.
  • Plug-ins:
  • Impulse response management in ProVerb.
  • State saving and loading in MasterWorks Leveler.
  • Shift-dragging graph points in MasterWorks EQ.
  • Miscellaneous:
  • Managing sidechain output bundles;.
  • Bringing application into focus when not in front.

New in Digital Performer 7.21 (Sep 15, 2010)

  • Enhancements:
  • Audio Pitch Automation Reference: There is now a preference to adjust the reference frequency for audio pitch automation in the Data Display preference pane. This preference defines the A above middle C, with a default setting of 440 Hz.
  • Improvements, optimizations, and refinements can be found in the following areas:
  • Analysis: waveform overview construction.
  • Import & Export: importing CAF files; importing Broadcast WAVE files with timestamps; attempting to export MP3 when LAME.framework is not installed.
  • Mixing Board: drop and drop of effects clippings.
  • Miscellaneous: consistency of commands and menu items; closing a project with the Preferences window open; reporting of missing sound bites when opening old projects.

New in Digital Performer 7.2 (Jul 19, 2010)

  • Contextualmenus
  • Themes.
  • OpenSoundControl(OSC)
  • Livesearch

New in Digital Performer 7.1.2 (May 4, 2010)

  • This maintenance release includes expanded control surface and MIDI device configuration options, improved waveform overview construction, and more, as well as features and enhancements first introduced in DP 7.1 and earlier.
  • Improved control surface configuration options enable the use of applications such as Saitara Software's AC-7 applications for iPhone and iPad.

New in Digital Performer 7.1.1 (Apr 13, 2010)

  • A maintenance release that includes expanded control surface and MIDI device configuration options.
  • Improved waveform overview construction, and more, as well as features and enhancements first introduced in DP 7.1 and earlier.
  • Improved control surface configuration options enable the use of applications such as Saitara Software's AC-7 applications for iPhone and iPad.