Is DP right for me?

goner v1.2 · Post by **goner v1.2** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:23 pm

Hello,

I joined this forum several years ago (forgot my login pswd and don't have the same email address anymore so I had to start fresh). I bought DP3 back in '02 along with an 896 Firewire interface. All I had to do was get the Mac, so it seemed, and that didn't happen for a few reasons. I now have some bux for a Mac and still sitting on the new-in-the-box 896 and the DP3 disc and manuals, but I don't know if, for what I do, DP is even right for me. I've been using a Roland VS-880vx mostly over the years and/or having others record me. I've gotten the feeling over the years that mostly MIDI folk and film composers use DP, and that's just not me. All I want to do is track and mix and edit and master and burn. I want to use as much outboard stuff as I can. So my quesion is, since I don't want to do MIDI at all, and I want to use mostly outboard analog stuff, such as mixers and comps/pres, will this be fine for me, or just flat out overkill. Will I be locked into using the 896 pres for everything, or would I be able to use a UREI 1176 here and there without too much acrobatics? Should I sell all the DP stuff and start new or will I be able to easily do what I want if I just get a Mac?

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:33 pm

You can track using outboard gear and mix in DP. I do it. DP's MIDI tools are great, but you needn't use them if you don't want.

You'll have much more flexibility with audio mixing and editing than you do with your VS-880.

That said, I think you'll find any computer-based DAW system to be a process improvement over the VS method. DP, Logic, Tracktion, Cubase, PT-LE, what-have-you. Especially nice are all the third-party processing plug-ins available.

Do note that DP is at the 5.x version stage now with 6.0 on the horizon. So, optimal hardware and software support are at the same level. Newer Macs use Intel procs, so you'll need a current version of DP for compatibility reasons.

FM · Post by FM » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:34 pm

'sup.
DP is a great program and not very complicated.

if you just wanna track stuff and mix you will have no problems doing that.

you are not locked into the 896' pres at all. i use lots of different outboard stuff, as a matter of fact i sum all my tracks OTB using an API mixer. no acrobatics required.

routing is easy with DP as well. i use an outboard Lexicon verb box with great ease.

plus this forum is filled with tons of cool folks.

cheers!

FM

FM is the proud inventor of Voodoo Economics.

rcannonp · Post by **rcannonp** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:39 pm

I you buy a Mac that was made in the last 5 years, then you're going to need a new copy of DP.

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:48 pm

I've been using DP since 4.12, and Performer at school in the 1990s for MIDI. I honestly love DP. I came over from a Roland VS880EX and then an Alesis HD24. Huge difference. If you just want to record audio, check this out: With my older Dual 1.8GHz G5 I can easily get 24-32 tracks (or more) with EQ, compression, delay, and several internal bussed IR Reverb sends. That's a lot of power.

I use both an Apogee Duet and my trusty Black Lion modded 828mk2. The 828mk2 allows me 8 channels of outboard preamps in addition to the excellent BLA preamps on board. I rarely track more than 8 tracks simultaneously (drums), but they're around if I need them.

You can integrate the outboard stuff with DP either going in or during mixing. I'm pretty satisfied with the plug-ins that i have, but every now and then I like to use my Filter Factory, my RNC, reamp with my Radial X-Amp, etc. All of it integrates well.

Also, DP doesn't have to be a MIDI instrument. You can easily use it for audio-only. I did a huge film audio restoration project and have produced a few records in DP without using MIDI or VIs 90% of the time. I just happen to have a lot of money invested in some decent VIs, and most of the time we track them live in DP without needing to record MIDI. As a matter of fact, the band that I am currently working with used NI's Akoustik and Elektrik Pianos on Sunday in real time.

Jeff

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:14 pm

And did anybody mention that the board and the people on it are the best on the net.

Mr_Clifford · Post by **Mr_Clifford** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:11 pm

Wait till DP 6 comes out in a few weeks (touch wood), then do an upgrade. DP6 will have full CD burning capabilities and will be a one-stop-shop for you. Right now, DP can do everything but burn the CD (and iTunes works fine for most situations except maybe a commercial CD).

In terms of audio editing and recording DP is on par with anything else out there and better in most cases. Pro Tools is good, but you'd need to buy new audio hardware, and you're hamstrung with track counts and features unless you shell out a fair bit of extra cash.

mjl660 · Post by **mjl660** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:57 pm

I emailed tech support at MOTU regarding upgrading to DP 6. If you dont already have DP5 like me and are upgrading from DP4.12 to DP 5.13, you will get DP6 for free as a courtesy upgrade). See their response below:

User
XXXXXXX
Submitted
03/02/2008 23:04:34
Issue type
General assistance or instruction needed
Status
Resolved
Product(s)
Digital Performer 4
Version
System information
OS
Mac OS 10.3
OS version
10.3.9
CPU
RAM
Additional information
Details
I just purchased a MAC PRO and will be receiving it in 5 days. I realize I need to upgrade my DP4 to work. Question is I know DP6 will be released soon. If I purchase the upgrade to DP5 now, do i get the DP6 upgrade for free (grace period)? I hate to wait as I know DP4 wont work on my MAC PRO but would hate to upgrade to DP5 right before DP6 is released and have to pay for another upgrade. Is there a grace period?

Responses
Added by Matt on 2008/03/03 09:54:15 US/Central
State change from 'Unread' to 'In progress'
If you upgrade to DP5 now then DP6 will be a courtesy upgrade available to you once it comes out. So you will only need to pay fr the upgrade to 5 and you will receive 6 for free.

-Matt
Edit
Added by Mike on 2008/03/03 21:21:02 US/Central
State change from 'In progress' to 'Resolved'
Thanks Matt!
Add Response
Response text (Required)

Additional file
Use this to upload an additional file, ie. a DP project (limit 5MB)

Status (Required)
No change

goner v1.2 · Post by **goner v1.2** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:49 am

Thanks all! This is very useful info. Okay, so I have to get at least DP5 then upgrade to 6 probably for free, and I need a Mac.

I'll search the threads for help in deciding which Mac to buy. I'm thinking Macbook Pro...

If anyone has anything else to add, feel free!

I may have a few more questions about stuff that was posted here.

Thanks again!

kwiz · Post by **kwiz** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:05 pm

FM wrote:'sup.
DP is a great program and not very complicated.

if you just wanna track stuff and mix you will have no problems doing that.

you are not locked into the 896' pres at all. i use lots of different outboard stuff, as a matter of fact i sum all my tracks OTB using an API mixer. no acrobatics required.

routing is easy with DP as well. i use an outboard Lexicon verb box with great ease.

plus this forum is filled with tons of cool folks.

cheers!

FM

FM is the proud inventor of Voodoo Economics.

FM,

Long time man! Good to see you checking in.

PeterMcCStrat · Post by **PeterMcCStrat** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:12 pm

goner v1.2 wrote:Hello,

I joined this forum several years ago (forgot my login pswd and don't have the same email address anymore so I had to start fresh). I bought DP3 back in '02 along with an 896 Firewire interface. All I had to do was get the Mac, so it seemed, and that didn't happen for a few reasons. I now have some bux for a Mac and still sitting on the new-in-the-box 896 and the DP3 disc and manuals, but I don't know if, for what I do, DP is even right for me. I've been using a Roland VS-880vx mostly over the years and/or having others record me. I've gotten the feeling over the years that mostly MIDI folk and film composers use DP, and that's just not me. All I want to do is track and mix and edit and master and burn. I want to use as much outboard stuff as I can. So my quesion is, since I don't want to do MIDI at all, and I want to use mostly outboard analog stuff, such as mixers and comps/pres, will this be fine for me, or just flat out overkill. Will I be locked into using the 896 pres for everything, or would I be able to use a UREI 1176 here and there without too much acrobatics? Should I sell all the DP stuff and start new or will I be able to easily do what I want if I just get a Mac?

DP will work great to do what you want, but since you mentioned twice.
Not sure how you plan on using outboard gear, if when tracking than there's no issue but.
Using outboard gear in the mixing stage, may present some challenges with respect to latency.
the audio tracks making the trip OTB / through the processors and than back ITB, is what I'm referring to.
DP's engine doesn't have Delay compensation for external sources.
If I recall at the NAMM demo nor does DP 6.
In fact, most DAWS don't. The only I'm aware of is Cubase and Nuendo both of which really spoiled me when I use outboard gear. This is never a consideration when using them.
probably the only thing I miss from Nuendo actually.

Maybe more experienced DP cats will chime in and let us know how to get around this.

I.E. there has to be a (hopefully easy) way to accurately measure this latency and slide the tracks to compensate.

If I knew it be great too, I'd love to route my Guitar back through my Echoplex after the recording sometimes.

best of both worlds,...

Good luck shopping.

Best-

PMcC

FM · Post by FM » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:50 pm

kwiz wrote: FM,

Long time man! Good to see you checking in.

thanks man!

glad to be back!

FM

FM is the lyrical gangster and he still love you like that.

Mr_Clifford · Post by **Mr_Clifford** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:24 pm

PeterMcCStrat wrote: DP's engine doesn't have Delay compensation for external sources.
If I recall at the NAMM demo nor does DP 6.
In fact, most DAWS don't.

Which is where a very useful (and FREE) plug-in called 'Latency Fixer' comes in. You just put it as an insert on the track that you're sending to outboard gear, and enter the amount of latency that it should compensate for - yes you have to calibrate it manually, but that's pretty easy.

If you're bringing the audio back in through an aux bus and sending that straight to the mix, you'll also need to allow for the latency coming back into DP (and remember to re-calibrate if you change you buffer setting).

PeterMcCStrat · Post by **PeterMcCStrat** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:46 pm

Hey thanks for the tip,.. I tried latency fixer and couldn't get on with it.

oh well..

PMcC

goner v1.2 · Post by **goner v1.2** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:00 pm

Thanks again for the replies!

This is probably a stupid question: The old 896 and a new Mac should still work fine together, right?

I'm thinking Macbook Pro should be fine for my needs (it'll be mostly me on guitar and piano with an occasional other guitarist/bassist and an occasional drummer) from what I've been reading...any objections to the Macbook Pro?

MOTUnation.com

Is DP right for me?

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