Learning Digital Performer???

[deckard1]

Hi,

I'm relatively new to DP11 having switched over from Logic Pro X recently. I've watched some Groove3 tutorials and some of the MOTU TV tutorials so far. Other than the video tutorials, is reading the DP11 manual the best way to learn DP?

Thanks.

[bayswater]

Try some basic projects with what you know from the videos before you read the manual. Then, later read the manual, and you'll have a lot of "aha!" moments. If you read the manual before you much anything with DP, it won't make much sense.

Note there is a channel on youtube with a lot of DP videos too. Most of them narrow in on a details of a specific function, but some are general enough to be useful, in particular the series on Chunks.

[deckard1]

Try some basic projects with what you know from the videos before you read the manual. Then, later read the manual, and you'll have a lot of "aha!" moments. If you read the manual before you much anything with DP, it won't make much sense.

Note there is a channel on youtube with a lot of DP videos too. Most of them narrow in on a details of a specific function, but some are general enough to be useful, in particular the series on Chunks.

Thanks! Excellent advice. I've noticed also a fair amount translates over from Logic Pro as well.

[dix]

MOTU has a DP webinar every Friday 9:30AM PST that usually has a healthy Q&A at the end.

https://motu.com/en-us/products/software/dp/webinars/

[cuttime]

The "Digital Performer Getting Started" guide is an absolute must, IMHO. That said, the DP manual is better than most, but I'm a luddite that prefers to read over watching videos.

[Michael Canavan]

So I went from DP to Logic and back to DP. It was oddly harder than it should be to jump back to DP. Most things are similar, but IMO first off, dive into Chunks later. Chunks are unique to DP and are not "necessary" to understanding and using DP. You will want to understand and use this completely unique feature in DP, but it's a bit overwhelming to jump in and try to use them right away coming from a single Arrange page like Logic has.

Right away things like the way tracks are shown and hidden in DP is wildly different than Logic, which takes a single show/hide approach, where DP has a super quick Track Selector window, with possible shortcuts and a Search menu etc.
The bussing is much more designed like the way analog gear is designed, things are instantiated on an as needed basis, rather than the Environment approach. Instead of two "mixers" like Logic has with the Environment and the Mixer, DP has two views of the current linear song arrangement, The Tracks (overview, big changes etc.) and Sequence (editor).

It's not too hard, the main thing is learning what DP calls things as apposed to Logics conventions, since a lot of DAW bits and pieces do not have universal names, chunks of MIDI data are Objects in Logic; Clips in DP, Live and Bitwig; Items in Reaper etc. etc.

The webinars have been great, there's also webinars hosted by DP users that if you can handle the free for all of it, include people who will help you with any problem you have. One guy Adam has been hosting them pretty regularly Tuesday. Thursday and after the MOTU webinar on Friday. 11AM Pacific Time. Anyone is invited to attend really. They aren't usually all about DP, but it's not at all hard to get people to solve any issue you might have. Sometimes with yelling and free for alls about it, but hey it's free. PM me for the Zoom info if you're interested.

[mikehalloran]

Reading the User Manual — it’s invaluable as a searchable pdf to find functions and how to perform them but I see no benefit to reading it like a novel.

Do read the Getting Started Guide from start to finish.

The Performer Lite Zoom calls aren’t a bad way to start. If you’re new to DAWs, the MOTU Zoom call is a 1 on 5 interactive tutorial.
https://calendly.com/motu-inc/ovk4d0q1 ... th=2022-06

You can get a PL license from MOTU by sending a Tech Link from your User Account and asking.

A couple of caveats: Some windows and functions in PL are not in the same locations as DP. PL is still on v. 11.04 which means that MIDI has not been updated to 11.1. DP 11.1 can be set to handle MIDI the old way if you like but will you want to?

[deckard1]

Thanks for all the excellent advice! Very helpful.

Will check out the MOTU webinars, read the Getting Started Guide for DP, and look at PL as well.

By the way, is it true DP is one of the first (i.e. oldest) DAW's?

Thanks.

[bayswater]

Thanks for all the excellent advice! Very helpful.

Will check out the MOTU webinars, read the Getting Started Guide for DP, and look at PL as well.

By the way, is it true DP is one of the first (i.e. oldest) DAW's?

Thanks.

Yes, one of the first, as Performer, a MIDI sequencer before digital audio. Probably the oldest still in existence.

[monkey man]

Yup, and the only one to offer backwards compatibility with projects roughly 40 years old.

[James Steele]

Yup, and the only one to offer backwards compatibility with projects roughly 40 years old.

True enough. That, in and of itself, is truly amazing!

[monkey man]

I know, right James?

It's possibly the "feature" of DP I'm most-proud-of. Love to tell peeps about this one.

[deckard1]

Purchased this DP tutorial book a few days ago. It arrives today. It's quite dated but hopefully it will be informative and fun to read. Has anyone else here read it by chance?

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Digital-Pe ... 1476815143

DP Tutorial Book.jpeg (7.79 KiB) Viewed 1261 times

[mikehalloran]

Purchased this DP tutorial book a few days ago. It arrives today. It's quite dated but hopefully it will be informative and fun to read. Has anyone else here read it by chance?

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Digital-Pe ... 1476815143


DP Tutorial Book.jpeg

It’s 10 yers old and its sequel is 9. Both are still useful though they could use updating.

Digital Performer for Engineers and Producers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1458 ... UTF8&psc=1

[bayswater]

Purchased this DP tutorial book a few days ago. It arrives today. It's quite dated but hopefully it will be informative and fun to read. Has anyone else here read it by chance?

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Digital-Pe ... 1476815143


DP Tutorial Book.jpeg

There is an associated book with a title like “DP for engineers and producers”. Both were done at Version 8, but if you find the one you bought useful, you’ll probably want the other one too.