For you film-scoring guys, the new XML support with FinalCut is a HUGE feature for doing updates. For example if the video guys say we made a change and you need to re-do the music to fit the changes, the new Import from FCP XML set will save a great deal of time and frustration. Likewise, you can move one session to the other or even run them together and talk directly to each other. You don't have to look for a file, it just finds the FC session---great! There is now support for 23.976 fps and 30-drop as well. You can also send full video to the DV output on the firewire bus as well, cool! I'm not sure if that means V3HD yet, but I'll find out.
Track Comping..... something that's used a lot in other programs, maybe too much. BUT it can be a useful tool to get that "Best Take". Honestly, I've never done this in DP before---but the new Comp track feature is quite impressive! The ability to see all the takes side by side is certainly quick and easy without the need to create additional "Real" tracks. You can also see the current track as well as the new comp take made up of the comps themselves. Just by clicking on the regions in the various comp tracks will move that comp edit into the new track that will make the new track available immediately. You still have the full audio track itself, it's still just audio. Working with the selection boundaries and the ability to turn them on/off is also quite useful. BUT you can also use the takes as their own tracks with their own EQ, Compression, effects, etc as well as their own fader if you so desire.
There is a new plugin included, a really good emulation of the LA2A that was taken from the new 828mk3 design. I don't know if this was there before, but you have the ability to decide if your native audio files are broadcast wave with the choice of being either interleaved or not. By holding down a particular key combination, you have the ability to bring up a checklist allowing you to decide what plugins to load or not to load to preserve ram and load time. There's a whole new plugin management feature including categorized plugins in the drop-down menu. Did I say the new layout and screen design is quite cool?
For using VI's, the new pre-rendering features will give you a greater efficiency for loading even more virtual instruments for larger and more in-depth projects. The bounce to disk rendering takes everything including the audio and VI's, not either or. Again, VERY cool! So if you're on an 8-core Mac and still need more tracks---more power to you!
YOU CAN BURN DIRECT TO AUDIO CD FROM WITHIN DIGITAL PEFORMER 6 WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO ANOTHER PROGRAM!!!
You don't have the level of control of something like Peak, but that's generally not of concern for why you'd want to burn a CD for reference. Sooo "Bounce and Burn" in a single operation.
Back to the plugins.... TWO NEW plugins including:
ProVerb which is a convolution reverb with possibly in the thousands of impulse responses. Personally, I don't feel the reverb sounds great (hey, I'm used to TLSpace for my ProTools HD3 Accel system)....but it's certainly quite good. BUT to be fair, I'm listening through an array of JBL VRX912's as opposed to studio monitors--although the space I'm in is better acoustically than just about any other studio. BUT to others, they might say it sounds great depending on their experience. Hey, it's free---and useable! You can use any audio file as the source for the impulse response, by the way.
And back to the LA2A plugin called "Masterworks Leveler". GREAT PLUGIN, guys---and it's free! I've worked with the real thing a lot, and several emulation plugins in my PTHD system. While I've heard better, it really is a good plugin and again--it's FREE!
Okay, all I have time (and energy!) to write about so I'm cutting it off now..... GUYS, YOU NEED THIS UPGRADE! And if you've been on the fence of switching from another program to DP or you've been looking into it for the first time, I can honestly tell you that this is one kick-butt interface and program. If I weren't such a strong ProTools guy, this would be my main program of choice. I will be getting further into DP on my laptop, but plan on a MacPro later in the year with a full DP rig as well as my HD rig on the Creation Station.
FREE UPGRADE to those that bought DP5 after Jan 1st until the date of shipping. As to availability---possibly within the next month. They originally gave an ETA of first quarter, but they want to get it right---and they've added some new features that have really made it worthwhile. As to the upgrade cost for those that have been on DP5 prior to Jan 1st, my guess would be the standard $149ish but not sure on that.
Thanks for reading, I hope this helps even if just a tiny bit. By the way, Magic Dave says a big hello and thank you for your support!
release date sits with my prediction.
