Digital Performer 8 produced no sound in WIn 7

[Stvdio]

Hi,
I just downloaded and installed DP8 in Win 7-64 in Demo mode. I setup my MOTU 828mk2 and everything was recognized as expected. MIDI seems to be received as well. However, none of the soft synths (added as "instrument") produces any sound. The tracks cannot be record-enabled. It's the same with an audio track: no record-enabling, no sound. Also: none of the help topics (except for Digital Performer Help) goes anywhere. This is the case for both the 32- and 64-bit version.

Could be that I'm missing some basic setting, but I don't have any problems with ANY other DAW software on my system. All my VST plugs work fine.

I used DP on my old Mac before and didn't have any problems, so I wanted to try it on Windows. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Stvdio]

answering my own question: it looks like it isn't enough to create an audio and/or a MIDI track in order to get sound. There also has to be another track that handles the output, which is not automatically created. I somehow created these extra tracks by desperately clicking all kinds of options.

DP8 is a complicated program with a steep learning curve. The fact that a complete user manual is missing doesn't help. I think MOTU should definitely include a complete video tutorial with the software, otherwise nobody is going to buy it unless they are updating or crossgrading.

I'm going to uninstall it. I find Sonar much easier to use. If you want to create a soft synth track, the program creates all the necessary tracks for you. Also all other functions are self-explaining.

In DP8, nothing comes easy and without some decent documentation this is just a source for frustration.

[NazRat]

Sorry you're having difficulties, but the full user manual is provided as a PDF in the help menu. Maybe also checkout the Getting Started manual there also. If your looking for tutorials, MOTU has a YouTube channel, but IMHO Groove3 has the best for not only DP, but several other music apps and instruments.

[Wolfie2112]

DP8 is a complicated program with a steep learning curve. The fact that a complete user manual is missing doesn't help. I think MOTU should definitely include a complete video tutorial with the software, otherwise nobody is going to buy it unless they are updating or crossgrading.

I'm going to uninstall it. I find Sonar much easier to use. If you want to create a soft synth track, the program creates all the necessary tracks for you. Also all other functions are self-explaining.

In DP8, nothing comes easy and without some decent documentation this is just a source for frustration.

I'm also a long time user of Sonar (20 years+), and also Cubase (I looked at DP8 because of it's score-to-picture features which Sonar lacks). I'm sure DP8 is a fantastic DAW, but I've been using the demo since it was released and I'm just not jiving with it. I suppose I'm so used to the workflow in Cubase and Sonar. IMHO, DP8 lacks intuitive workflow, and everything has to be manually set up. Not that it's wrong, but I guess I've been spoiled, especially with Sonar X2. Like you mentioned, I'm surprised you can't simply load a VI and play it. You need to set up a V-Rack, Bundles, etc, etc.

BTW- the manual is available on the "welcome" screen when you activate DP8. It's actually very in-depth, as is the getting started guide. But unfortunately, there's no way I'll be able to dig deep enough into DP by the end of the trial period.

[Stvdio]

Hi Wolfie2112,

Thank you for your comments!

I re-installed and activated just to look for that manual you mentioned but I still don't see any option for it on the welcome screen. Also, the links on the welcome screen don't work except for "Video Tutorial" which only contains some selected short vids. I downloaded the "DP tutorial and demo files" but upon unzipping I received an error message. The only working documentation is "Digital Performer Help" which is just a high-level short info. This is highly unprofessional.

It seems to me that they want to make money by intentionally leave you without sufficient documentation, so you are forced to buy those additional video tutorials.

[NazRat]

In the DP Welcome Screen there are buttons for the User Guide and Getting Started. There is also a Help section in the window's menu where all of the documentation is available. Do you have Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reader installed? ALL of the buttons, links, menus, etc. on the Welcome Screen work fine here.

[kgdrum]

DP8 is a complicated program with a steep learning curve. The fact that a complete user manual is missing doesn't help. I think MOTU should definitely include a complete video tutorial with the software, otherwise nobody is going to buy it unless they are updating or crossgrading.

I'm going to uninstall it. I find Sonar much easier to use. If you want to create a soft synth track, the program creates all the necessary tracks for you. Also all other functions are self-explaining.

In DP8, nothing comes easy and without some decent documentation this is just a source for frustration.

I'm also a long time user of Sonar (20 years+), and also Cubase (I looked at DP8 because of it's score-to-picture features which Sonar lacks). I'm sure DP8 is a fantastic DAW, but I've been using the demo since it was released and I'm just not jiving with it. I suppose I'm so used to the workflow in Cubase and Sonar. IMHO, DP8 lacks intuitive workflow, and everything has to be manually set up. Not that it's wrong, but I guess I've been spoiled, especially with Sonar X2. Like you mentioned, I'm surprised you can't simply load a VI and play it. You need to set up a V-Rack, Bundles, etc, etc.

.

Some misinformation you do not need to set up V-Rack,I'm a long time DP/VI user and I've never used V-Rack,I've used only DP so this is what I'm used to I suspect if any of us changed to another DAW we'd feel our workflow was messed up.
Give it some time you can't reasonably expect to be comfortable with a new DAW that approaches things differently and is deep instantly, it takes time.......

[Agent of Random]

It seems to me that they want to make money by intentionally leave you without sufficient documentation, so you are forced to buy those additional video tutorials.

Not sure how you are coming to that conclusion....has others said, the included manual is super in-depth, plus there are plenty of free tutorials online. MOTU does not make those Groove3 video tutorials, btw, so they wouldn't make any money off of that...

Like you mentioned, I'm surprised you can't simply load a VI and play it. You need to set up a V-Rack, Bundles, etc, etc.

Don't need to set up a V-Rack, Don't need to set up a bundle...not sure what you are running into. The only big difference is you need to make a MIDI track separately for a VI (since many VIs are multi-channel this makes sense,) but there is an easy command for that - Shift-Command-Alt-I (makes a VI and let's you pre-route all MIDI track to it.)

I'm also a long time user of Sonar (20 years+)

Well if you've been using it for 20 years, OF COURSE it will be more intuitive then a new DAW. I recently had to learn Cubase and Sonar for my job and a bunch of other DAWs...they all have steep learning curves. Try to look at them from the perspective of a new user. there are tons of menus and buttons that are not labeled, and many of the general functions are not clear/intuitive. If you have been using the software forever it may not seem that way to you, but...

Don't even get me started on Cubase...Cubase has it's own version of DP's Bundles with is IMO way more confusing and a pain to set up.

[Wolfie2112]

[quote="Agent of Random
Don't need to set up a V-Rack, Don't need to set up a bundle...not sure what you are running into. The only big difference is you need to make a MIDI track separately for a VI (since many VIs are multi-channel this makes sense,) but there is an easy command for that - Shift-Command-Alt-I (makes a VI and let's you pre-route all MIDI track to it.)

[quote="Wolfie2112"]

Thanks for the tip...I'll try it out. Stupid question, but when I select a MIDI track that has a VI assigned, how do you open the GUI for that VI?

[Radiogal]

It´s in the first insert slot of that track shown in the Mixing Board or Channel Strip.

[RangerJ ay]

It does take a while to get used to the DP idea of workflow, but once you do, you can be very productive. You can find the PDF files here (with a default installation):

C:\Program Files\MOTU\Digital Performer 8.0\Resources\English.lproj\Digital Performer Help\pdfs

Seriously, 30 days is plenty of time to mess around with new software. The price is reasonable for a pro application, especially if you want to do a crossgrade, but it is not insignificant. I recommend that you spend some time within the 30-day period and see if you like it after you figure out how to make it work for you. If, after that time, you decide that it's not your cup-o-tea, then uninstall it and move on. No harm done.

One thing to point out is that the typical upgrade price for a new version of DP is $150. The upgrade price for Pro Tools 11 will be $299 for the basic native app, and way more if you play in the big leagues. Won't see a major DP upgrade for a while, but when it appears, it will be reasonably priced (going on past upgrade pricing).

After looking at other applications on a daily basis, it's nice to play with DP again. I have had it installed on a iMac for months, but hardly ever crank it up because I do most of my work stuff on Windows machines.

Don't give up without trying out.

One thing that I love about DP that other DAW applications have a hard time with (no pun intended): rubato tempo. The last time I used DP for actual composition, which was a while back, I made swift use of DP's ability to set up a tempo map based on a freehand performance. Nobody does it the same, or better. I tend to write some things "on the fly," starting with nothing but a count-in beat. Then, I play and record, and come back and fit the bars to the performance. DP allows me to take a performance and adjust the tempo map to fit. This makes it easy to fit in MIDI parts and have them sit in the pocket in minutes, not hours (if ever). Other apps claim to do this, but DP is able to do it quite reliably.

You do have to read the manual to see how easy it is. Just sayin'...

HINT: Fit tempo to soundbite. It just works.

[Wolfie2112]

It´s in the first insert slot of that track shown in the Mixing Board or Channel Strip.

Radiogal, thanks a lot!

IS there a way to keep the VST GUI window open (floating) all the time? I noticed that once you click another window, it immediately disappears.

[Radiogal]

It´s in the first insert slot of that track shown in the Mixing Board or Channel Strip.

Radiogal, thanks a lot!

IS there a way to keep the VST GUI window open (floating) all the time? I noticed that once you click another window, it immediately disappears.

No, but there is a short cut for bringing them to the front. Check "effects" in the Commands.

Or if you are on MAC OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion Effects will stay on top if you maximize the Consolidate Window. (from what I read here on Motunation).

EDIT. I see you´re on WIN.

[Wolfie2112]

Yes, I'm on Win 7 64bit. Funny how MOTU overlooked such a basic feature that most other DAW's have. There's definitely a bug with the windows graphics. For example, when I maximize the mixer in my second monitor, it is very small.

[Todzilla]

A frequent music collaborator of mine is getting Logic. He's a DAW newbie, so he'll be looking to me to figure out/teach him Logic. Coming from my long familiarity w DP, I'm sure Logic will seem confusing to me, as I try to force it to conform to my DP-based expectations on workflow.

Bottom Line: Familiarity with one DAW can confound our ability to learn new ones, at least as quickly as we'd like.