Digital Performer Technique Articles in Sound on Sound
2010
| April | DP7.1 features Insert Settings, dragging automation data ‘ramps’, using Trim tool on MIDI CC data News Ethno 2 and Z-Box at NAMM 2010, end of DAE support by Digidesign | OS10.6, DP7.1 |
| February | DP7 Guitar plug-ins Managing plug-in chains, using clippings to store favourite settings, Custom ’59 and Live Room G tips | OS10.6, DP7 |
2009
| December | DP7 recording with guitar using Custom ’59, guitar effects pedal plug-ins, using a Console to operate Wah plug-in using MIDI pedal, split DI/‘live’ mixes with Live Room G, Channel Strips | OS10.6, DP7 |
| November | Alternative Versions multiple sequences/chunks, alternative mixes using Mix Mode DP7 news | OS10.6, DP6 |
| October | Noise reduction clocking, levels, EQ, dynamics (expander, gate), Bias SoundSoap, WaveArts Master Restoration, iZotope RX, Schwa Spectro | OS10.5, DP6 |
| September | Time Formats time display, Rulers, Edit Grid, Snap to Grid, Snap to Markers, Snap to Beats, scissors drag over beat-detected audio, Frame Rates | OS10.5, DP6 |
| August | Customising Digital Performer Default New Sequence, new file templates, appearance preferences, Configure Audio System, Tracks Window columns, Tool and Shortcuts palettes, Auto Scroll, Waveform Display, Background Processing, Edge Edit Copy, Nudge amount, Event Chasing, start-up options | OS10.5, DP6 |
| July | Multitrack Comping Comp Tool, Track Groups News BPM, Speakerphone 2, Access Virus TI | OS10.5, DP6 |
| June | Selecting and Locating techniques Dot trick, Marker menu, Markers, Select All & Deselect All, Time Range Selection, Set to Selection Bounds, I-Beam News BPM, Mk3 MOTU audio interfaces, Volta | OS10.5, DP6 |
| May | CD Burning Markers approach, Soundbites approach, Custom pre-gap, Bounce to Disk, CD Text, Dither | OS10.5, DP6 |
| March | File-format Troubleshooting ProVerb impulse response importing, Nanosampler drag and drop, audio file headers, Convert sample rate, SoundHack, file types, FileType, QuickChange, mp3 Bounce To Disk, LAME, swapping stereo channels, dragging soundbites to track, troubleshooting project files, Load command, plug-in sets | OS10.5, DP6 |
| February | Guitar Recording Methods acoustic guitar plug-in settings, stereo width control, electric guitar amped, and with DP-hosted effects, Buffer Size, latency, Input Monitoring Mode, Audio Patch Thru, phase issues with DI and effects in parallel, third party guitar plug-ins (Studio Devil, iZotope Trash, Waves GTR, IK Amplitube) Clippings for storing plug-in combinations, re-amping | OS10.5, DP6 |
| January | DP6: More New Features improved Audio Unit hosting, MAS format plug-ins discussion, ProVerb, third party impulse responses, virtual guitar instruments (Applied Acoustics Strum Acoustic, MusicLab RealStrat and RealGuitar) | OS10.6, DP6 |
2008
| December | Plug-in Management Preferences window Audio Plug-Ins pane, plug-in sets, pre-generation and pre-rendering tips, DP6 new feature primer part 2 (editing window shortcuts, Automation Snapshot, V-Racks, Markers menu, Chunk navigation), CueMix FX | OS10.5, DP6 |
| October | Digital Performer 6 Upgrade Guide new look, BWF and AIFF file formats, equivalents between DP5 and DP6 features, Consolidated Window, Tab Bars, Sidebar cells, Track Selector, Comping News Altiverb update, Ohmforce, UVI Workstation | OS10.5, DP6 |
| September | Memory Cycle & Loops activating, setting Memory Cycle start and end points, F1 and F2 shortcuts, POLAR, Overdub mode, Spot Erase News DP6, Waves v6, UVI Workstation | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| August | Looping Techniques Loop tool, Repeat command, Paste Repeat, Merge Repeat, infinite loops Algorithmic Reverbs round-up Apple Matrix Reverb, Freeverb, Ambience, PSP EasyVerb, RaySpace, IK CSR, WaveArts MasterVerb, Sony Oxford Reverb, Nomad Factory BlueVerb, Waves Trueverb, Waves Renaissance Reverberator | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| July | Drum Editor creating patterns, adding pitches, programming, editing, analogue sequencer-style techniques, Rhythm Brush, saving Rhythm Brush patterns, Choke Groups, velocity editing | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| June | Audio Production Tricks - ear candy techniques, EQ effects, Quan Jr and degrade plug-ins, iZotope Vinyl, Pattern Gate, Multimode Filter automation, Soundbite triggering with Nanosampler, off-line plug-in techniques, Reverse plug-in, Audiodamage Replicant, vinyl 'brake' technique, Rogue Amoeba Audio Hijack Pro, CueMix Console 'Mix1 Return Includes Computer Output' option, MDSP LiveCut, Audiodamage Vapor, Cycling 74 Hipno, dfx Transverb, PSP Nitro & PSP84, Audioease RiverRun, iZotope Trash, Audioease Speakerphone, MadShifta, Ohmforce Hematohm | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| May | Focusrite Liquid Mix general tips for use News AudioFinder update, iZotope RX | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| April | DP6 Feature Preview News from NAMM etc News 828 Mk3 and CueMixFX, Audioease Snapper, AudioFinder | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| March | Input Monitoring Reason and DP via Rewire, Aux tracks, Audio tracks, zero-latency hardware monitoring, techniques for dealing with latency Preparing tracks for CD burning Bounce To Disk discussion, file formats, Roxio Jam, Apple WaveBurner, DSP Quattro, Bias Peak Pro, Sonic Studio PreMaster CD, Audiofile Engineering Wave Editor Network Audio Pete Townshend‘s recommendation of Soundfly network audio utility, Cycling 74 Soundflower | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| February | Complex Monitoring Techniques emulating old-school analogue desk techniques for creating multiple headphone mixes separate from control room mix, routing metronome click News Audioease Speakerphone | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| January | Effective Monitor Mixing typical small studio and 'single room' monitoring techniques, Audio Patch Thru modes, Direct Hardware Playthrough, combining software and hardware monitoring News MOTU drivers with OS10.5, Waves v5.9.7 | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
2007
| December | Using DP with Reason basic technique, approaches to mixing, automation, fix for unwanted MIDI continuous controller data interaction | OS10.5, DP5.1 |
| November | MachFive2 and DP | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| October | Managing Audio Plug-ins formats, OS X plug-in folders, Audio Unit Info Cache, AU examination, plug-in submenus News MachFive 2, WaveArts Master Restoration | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| September | Audio Regions and CD Creation: part 2 multi-region SD2 files, using markers to set track boundaries, SD2 compatible CD burning applications News V3HD interface, PSP Audioware updates Tips Track Selector List, Smooth Scrolling, Consolidated Window focus | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| August | CD Creation: part 1 - Preparing Tracks for CD Burning mastering in DP, Time Formats and controlling track timing, tone and level control, Dither, audio exporting, CD burning applications News DP5.12 update | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| June | Using Real-time MIDI Plug-ins Quantize plug-in, Change Velocity plug-in, Arpeggiator plug-in, Tips absent virtual instruments, silent scrubbing and audio ‘previews’ Compact Control Surfaces Contour Shuttle Pro, Frontier Tranzport, Frontier Alphatrack, Presonus Faderport News Waves WUP policy | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| May | Understanding Dither basic concepts, implementation in DP, Bounce To Disk, Master Fader technique, Audio menu command, Dither plug-ins (Quan Jr, MasterWorks Limiter, Waves L1/L2/L3, WaveArts FinalPlug, iZotope Ozone 3 News Plasq Wormhole and Rax | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| April | Audio Networking Plasq Wormhole, establishing network audio link in OS 10.4 Remote Control VNC, Vine Server, Chicken of the VNC, Real VNC, firewalls News PSP Audioware updates, Gmedia synths | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| March | MIDI Networking computer control, MIDI connections, audio connections, using an additional Mac as a soft synth ‘slave’, Audio MIDI Setup Network Setup, Teleport, Rax, FXpansion VST to Audio Unit Adapter, networking multiple Macs, Firewire and Airport News Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard, Altiverb XL | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| February | Intel Macs with DP5 Configure Hardware Driver dialog box, OS X aggregate device solution, updating Bundles PlugSound Pro similarities with MOTU’s own extra cost instruments MIDI Keys | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| January | Audio Editing Secrets Trim Tool, Scissors Tool including slicing using Edit Grid and Beat Grid, Soundbite layering, Nudge command and Set Nudge Amount Zoom Shortcuts, Zoom Tool, Zoom Back command, Zoom history, track height techniques Tips Reassign command for laptop use, auditioning soundbites, Heal Separation, dot-Return trick News VST-AU Adaptor | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
2006
| December | Audio Editing Essentials Selecting, deselecting, moving, duplicating and throwing Soundbites, applying and adjust Fades, Fade dialog box, Edge-editing, Edge Edit Copy status, Bite Volume and Bite Gain News Black Lion Audio modifications | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| November | DP Metronome Click Features Click sounds, MIDI and visual clicks, complex click patterns, configuring click changes in the Conductor Track Soundbite Gain | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| October | DP5.1 Universal Binary drivers, interfaces, LAME Framework for mp3 encoding, partner applications, round-up of compatible plug-ins Crash Protection trashing preference files, force audio unit examination | OS10.4, DP5.1 |
| September | Patch and Sample Management with DP’s bundled instruments Modulo patches, other instruments, sample locations for Model 12 and Nanosampler | OS10.4, DP5 |
| August | Bundled Synths in DP5 Bassline, Polysynth, Proton, Modulo, Nanosampler, Model 12 Input Monitoring Input Monitoring mode, Audio Patch Thru, Input Monitor button, Audio Patch Thru modes | OS10.4, DP5 |
| July | What’s New in DP5 Improved audio configuration settings, pre-rendering, Track Enable button, virtual instrument multi-output bundles Track Folders creating, naming | OS10.4, DP5 |
| June | Effective Mixdown with Digital Performer Mixing Board, Track Selector list, Setting number of inserts and sends, narrow view, submixing and groups with Aux tracks and busses, sharing a single effect amongst many tracks via sends, track groups for manipulating multiple faders with the mouse, essential mix plug-ins | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| May | Advanced Tempo and Beat Control Record Beats workflow for audio and MIDI, pitfalls and tips, time signature considerations, ‘liquid audio’ via Soundbite beat structure | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| April | Achieving Flexible Tempo Conductor Track, adjusting tempo for song sections, graphic editing with pencil tool, gradual slow-downs and speed-ups, Adjust Beats workflow, snapping DP5 feature preview | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| March | Quantising simple techniques, input quantize, shuffle, swing, preserving feel and humanisation techniques, Smart Quantize, other data (markers, controllers, soundbites, beats within soundbites), grid quantize, Realtime Quantize | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| February | Plug-in Effects Tips Pumping compression, band-limited keying, side-chain keying, selective delays, reverse reverb, Plate, Pattern Gate | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| January | Making the most of bundled plug-ins side-chains, MIDI side-chains, Multimode Filter, Ring Modulator, Trim Third-party plug-ins Audioease Nautilus, Rocket Science and Riverrun | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
2005
| December | Using Digital Performer with External Hardware Monitoring, Input Monitoring mode, hardware synths, external effects | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| November (tips) | Reason/Rewire parameter problem | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| November (tech) | V-Racks | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| October (tips) | Firewire interface whistling problem, Symphonic Instrument | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| October (tech) | Pitch Automation Basics, simple tuning corrections, effects, segments, double-tracking and backing vocals | OS10.4, DP4.6 |
| September (tips) | Synful Orchestra, Powered Processing options UAD-1, Powercore, Waves APA | OS10.4, DP4.5 |
| September (tech) | Making the most of DP - efficiency, old Macs etc RAM, Energy Saver, unneeded processes, track freezing, DP setup, sensible plug-in use, recording ‘wet’, offline effect, sharing plug-ins using Auxes, VI tips | OS10.4, DP4.5 |
| August (tips) | DVD Authoring | OS10.4, DP4.5 |
| August (tech) | Practical Groove Quanisation Applying, creating, applying to audio, comparing grooves NB. This article was written by Andrea Pejrolo - it remains the only Performer Notes not written by me. | OS10.4, DP4.5 |
| July (tips) | OS 10.4 Tiger and DP | OS10.4, DP4.5 |
| July (tech) | Creative Shortcuts Memory Cycle, creative pasting and merging, Clippings, POLAR, generating new material using Transpose, Harmonize, Echo, Arpeggiator | OS10.4, DP4.5 |
| June (tips) | Reason 3, iZotope | OS10.3, DP4.5 |
| June (tech) | Automation Basic concepts, Mixing Board, automation modes, graphical editing in Sequence Editor, plug-in automation, snapshots, MIDI track automation, | OS10.3, DP4.5 |
| May | EQ MasterWorks EQ, response curves Keyboard Shortcuts transport, dot trick for wiper location, windows, tools, editing modifiers | OS10.3, DP4.5 |
| April | Future Features and Tempo Analysis tempo maps, identifying suitable tracks, typical scenarios, finding beats, analyse soundbite tempo | OS10.3, DP4.5 |
| March | Create Soundbites from Beats Reasons for splitting soundbites into beat-length segments, smooth edits, tempo analysis, applying groove from audio file to other tracks DP4.52 update features | OS10.3, DP4.5 |
| February | Beat Detection basic concepts, enabling beat detection, settings, practical applications | OS10.3, DP4.5 |
| January | DP: New Ways to Work (v4.5) Latency compensation, Consolidated Window, Aux architecture | OS10.3, DP4.5 |