How to Use Digital Performer

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Digital Performer is one of the most popular DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) for the Macintosh. If you find Logic Pro too difficult (or too expensive) Digital Performer is a good way to go. It’s easier to use with the same number of features.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Mac OS 10.3.7 or higher
G4 500 MHz or faster
512 MB RAM

Step1

Your two main windows are the Transport Control and the Track Window. The transport control is used for playback, record, counter, as well as editing functions, such as the loop editor, drum editor, and overdubs.

Step2

The Track Window contains all recorded information (called regions). The left side of the track window contains instruments information, while the right side contains recorded data—such as MIDI tracks or audio tracks.

Step3

To add a track, go to the Project menu. Click on Add Track. Here you’ll see a list of options, such as Midi Track or Stereo Audio Track. Click the appropriate track for either Midi-controller recording or direct input recording.

Step4

To record a track without following the metronome, select Step Record from the Studio menu. In the Step Record menu, check to see you are recording on the correct track (lower left corner). Note: you’ll need a high-quality MIDI controller to trigger software plug-ins, preferably with 48 keys or more.

Step5

To record guitar, vocals or other third-party instrument, you’ll need an audio input device. This will have to be configured to work directly with DP. Usually the audio interface will use a separate software driver, so make sure your computer’s up to speed. To record in real time, all you have to do is select a track and press the record button. You can select or deselect the metronome and count-off.

Step6

To edit, go to the region menu. Using a feature such as Quantize, will lock a performance to a grid, so notes will always play in time. Think of it like a pitch-shifter for vocals, except it is done for tempo. In the Graphic Editor, you can stretch or shrink a note manually, or else automatically using the Quantize function. The Graphic Editor icon can be found on the right side of the Transport.

Step7

To mix down, select Mixing Board from the Project menu. Use the Expand function to select which tracks display in the Mixing Board. Use audio plug-ins (echo, gate, reverb, filter, etc.) to add effects to each track separately, as well as the master track.

Step8

Finally, use the Bounce feature—Audio menu, Bounce to Disk—to convert the audio recording to an mp3 or other format.

Tips & Warnings

Use tabs. If you’re familiar with a web browser like Firefox, Digital Performer works in the same way. Instead of having to open up different screens, as is the case with a DAW like Logic, you can use “tab browsing” in Digital Performer, skipping from one screen to another. It’s one of DP’s major selling points.
Digital Performer does not come with a lot of built-in software instruments, so you’ll have to buy these separately. While, DP is cheaper than a DAW like Logic, it could end up being more expensive if you buy a number of add-ons.
Remember to save frequently. Also choose “Save as” if you make a major change that you’re unsure of keeping. If these are taking up space on your harddrive, you can delete earlier, unnecessary versions. Backing up to CD is also a good idea.