Product Reviews

Although popular in the US, Digital Performer from Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) has not received the recognition it deserves in Europe as, historically, Cubase and Logic are the audio-MIDI sequencers of choice here. Yet this Mac-only application has many evangelists, particularly those with Pro Tools systems, as its integration with this platform is as good as it gets.

Indeed, Digital Performer 4.5.2 strengthens its Pro Tools support with several new features including automatic plug-in latency compensation. It endeavours to attract new users too, with its Consolidated Window, an interface enhancement that simplifies access to multiple windows. This upgrade also features the new Beat Detection Engine that performs a variety of functions, among them quantizing (timing correction) of audio files and the means to extract groove timing and apply it to audio or MIDI tracks.

Installation is dongle-free - simply enter in a serial number and you're away. Digital Performer installs hundreds of synth profiles for Mac OS X's Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) utility. It makes configuring AMS easier by showing manufacturer and model options. These settings are used by the application to allocate patches to MIDI tracks, showing the correct number of banks and, in many cases, the preset names too.

Running Digital Performer prompts for a new file or you can open a previous project. By default, the Tracks window and the Control Panel appear, the latter being a floating transport bar littered with icons including navigation shortcuts. The Tracks window is showing its age and can be misleading too, as it gives an overview of the tracks used in an arrangement, but isn't really the main work environment. Although recording and arrangement editing can take place here, the resizeable Sequence window is where projects are pieced together.

For recording, Digital Performer uses the Audio Monitor window to set up the listening preferences and metering options. Without prior knowledge

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of the Audio Monitor, new users can find initiating recording baffling, but thanks to the Consolidated Window this should be less of an issue. Choosing Tracking from Window Sets in the Windows menu brings up a useful combination of windows for recording. The main window area is split, showing the Tracks window and the Mixer below. To the right are several side panels including the Audio Monitor. It's a great starting point. There are several presets for different tasks and custom Consolidated Window sets can be created. At any time windows can be added, removed or detached to view separately. A superb feature is that the main windows have a tabbed menu enabling instant switching between eight different edit windows: Tracks, Sequence, Drum, MIDI, QuickScribe (score editor), Mixer, Song and Sound File.

It's now de rigeur for a sequencer to be able to instantly convert samples to match the tempo of the current song, and Digital Performer has this function - enhanced by its Tempo Analyser - which uses Beat Detection to work out the BPM of a Soundbite (sample). However, you'll get nowhere with the Tempo Analyser unless Beat Detection is performed first. This is done from the Waveform Editor, which now features four tabbed menus (Soundbites, Loops, Beats and Tempo) that determine its operation.

Beat Detection produces vertical bars with green handles that appear matched up against the beats on the waveform. The bars can be moved, added or deleted and their handles change the velocity. Choosing Create Groove from the Region menu captures the beat timing, velocity and duration determined by these beat markers. The Grooves can be applied to both MIDI and audio tracks.

Another Beat Detection function is Split Audio on the Beats, which cuts up a loop into multiple slices on the beat. This allows heavy-duty tempo changes to be accommodated by repositioning the slices, instead of using Timestretch, which can introduce erroneous audio artefacts.

MasterWorks EQ is a great sounding five-band equaliser plug-in featuring algorithms modelled on highly regarded vintage British analogue equalisers. It's the only new plug-in included in this upgrade.

Digital Performer is brimming with professional features and the lack of a dongle makes it an excellent choice for PowerBook and iBook users. It's also far simpler to learn and navigate thanks to the Consolidated Window. Given its features, Digital Performer's price alone makes it worth considering as, compared to LogicPro and Cubase, there'll be enough change to buy some virtual instruments.