Cubase User Considering Digital Performer on Windows - Demo?

IAMLFO · Post by **IAMLFO** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:19 pm

Greetings,
I am a current Cubase SX 3 user who has grown weary of the way Steinberg treats its customers. I am considering Digital Performer and Sonar to replace Cubase. I don't want to make a decision without having tried both products, however I've been unable to find a demo vesion of DP. Is there a demo version available? If so, where can I find it?

Thanks for any help!

-LFO

mess · Post by **mess** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:27 pm

Unless you're buying a Mac, it looks like the choice is already made for you. DP is a Mac only app.

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:29 pm

DP is Mac-only, so there's no XP or Vista compatibility for MOTU software-- except where drivers for MOTU audio interfaces and certain virtual instruments are concerned.

But all the same-- welcome to the forum, IAMLFO!

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:29 pm

mess wrote:Unless you're buying a Mac, it looks like the choice is already made for you. DP is a Mac only app.

ditto on the ditto!

IAMLFO · Post by **IAMLFO** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:38 pm

Thanks for all of the quick replies!
I should have given more detail. I would run this on Intel Mac.

-LFO

mess · Post by **mess** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:46 pm

Frodo wrote:
mess wrote:Unless you're buying a Mac, it looks like the choice is already made for you. DP is a Mac only app.
ditto on the ditto!

Fah Sho'!

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:49 pm

I don't believe there is a demo version of DP.

There's an abridged version called Audiodesk that ships with some MOTU hardware. If you have access to that, it'll give you a taste.

Short of that, though, you'll probably have to go to a music store that has DP up for demo. Or, better yet if available to you, hang with a friend who uses it.

IAMLFO · Post by **IAMLFO** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:07 pm

chrispick wrote:I don't believe there is a demo version of DP.

There's an abridged version called Audiodesk that ships with some MOTU hardware. If you have access to that, it'll give you a taste.

Short of that, though, you'll probably have to go to a music store that has DP up for demo. Or, better yet if available to you, hang with a friend who uses it.

If I only had friends.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone using the product. Truth be told I was turned on to DP by reading the rave review Wendy Carlos has on her website. I am hesitant to plop down $300+ on a program I've never used. I called both Guitar Centers here in the Phoenix area and neither have DP running, just Pro Tool$.

The product looks great, in fact I like the look and feel (from what I can gather from the web site) of it a great deal more than Sonar. MIDI is important to me and the MIDI features look to be better than what Sonar has to offer. I guess I'll keep looking and see where I can get a closer look.

-LFO

Mr_Clifford · Post by **Mr_Clifford** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:15 pm

FWIW I defected from Cubase SX 2 about a year ago and haven't looked back. It takes a little while to learn a few different terminologies etc. but after that you're away.

Also, if you already own Cubase SX, you qualify for a competitive crossgrade which makes the price REALLY attractive.

OldTimey · Post by **OldTimey** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:34 pm

chrispick wrote:I don't believe there is a demo version of DP.

There's an abridged version called Audiodesk that ships with some MOTU hardware. If you have access to that, it'll give you a taste.

If you do get a MOTU interface, Audiodesk is pretty cool, but hasn't been updated in a long time, and there is no MIDI compatibility...but yea if you buy PC you are sunk..try Sonar if you need a change.

burn em · Post by **burn em** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:01 pm

Another SX2 defecter here - very happy with my choice!

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:22 pm

IAMLFO wrote:I called both Guitar Centers here in the Phoenix area and neither have DP running, just Pro Tool$.

Freakin' typical. I know there are SOME knowledgeable people at GC, but odds are you can end up talking to someone who knows less about something than you do. And also, they're pretty much trained to steer you toward what they have or know.

Trust me... you won't regret going with Digital Performer one bit. Any more, I take it as a badge of honor that the GC dweebs don't know squat about it.

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:20 am

James Steele wrote:And also, they're pretty much trained to steer you toward what they have or know.

Gee, that's how the Aussie stores generally operate, too.

James Steele wrote:Trust me... you won't regret going with Digital Performer one bit.

Amen, Reverend Jimbo!

James Steele wrote:Any more, I take it as a badge of honor that the GC dweebs don't know squat about it.

Hear, hear. The ol' Exclusive DP Gold/Platinum/Diamond Club.

kschind · Post by **kschind** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:21 am

IAMLFO,

I teach electronic music courses at Phoenix College and we use DP in our lab. If you want to come by and check it out, feel free to contact me.

Karl

karl.schindler@pcmail.maricopa.edu

grimepoch · Post by **grimepoch** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:45 pm

True story:

I tried DP once at a friends studio. I had been using a combination of Cakewalk 9 and Samplitude for a few years in PC land. A week later, I had DP 3 something. (Can't remember exactly when I started). I've never looked back.

Coming from Cakewalk to DP was VERY easy for me. I relate the two as being very similar back six years ago, with one big difference, DP actually worked and didn't crash at the time, or at least rarely.

The Guitar Center here has DP installed, I wonder what they have to do for that to happen. (Raleigh,NC)

MOTUnation.com

Cubase User Considering Digital Performer on Windows - Demo?

Cubase User Considering Digital Performer on Windows - Demo?

DP in Phoenix