Digital Performer 4.1 Adds DAE, AudioUnit Support
 |
|
(Click for a close-up) |
July 16, 2003MOTU announced Digital Performer 4.1 at Macworld Creative Pro, a
free update for Version 4.0 users that supports the Digidesign Audio Engine
(DAE) and runs Audio Units plug-ins and virtual instruments. The update will
also include numerous other enhancements such as new virtual instrument
tracks.
Pro Tools DAE support
Digital Performer 4.1 can serve as a complete software front-end for a Pro
Tools HD or Mix system, giving users full access to their TDM plug-ins and
automated Pro Tools mixing environment. DP4.1 supports fully expanded Pro
Tools systems at any sample rate up to 192kHz. Users can take advantage of
DP4.1's MIDI sequencing features in combination with their Pro
Tools power-on-demand audio production environment.
Support for Audio Units plug-ins
Audio Units is a new plug-in standard developed by Apple Computer. Digital
Performer 4.1 serves as an Audio Unit (AU) host, in which users can open and
operate as many Audio Unit-compatible plug-ins and virtual instruments as
their computer allows.
Virtual instrument tracks
DP4.1's new virtual instrument (VI) tracks give users access to all AU- and
MAS-compatible VI plug-ins installed on their computer. Virtual instrument
tracks are easily created with the following shortcut: the user chooses the
desired instrument directly from the Add Instrument Track command sub-menu.
Or they can choose the desired instrument from the special instrument insert
at the top of the Inserts section in the Mixing Board. The remaining insert
slots provide DSP plug-ins (in both MAS and AU formats), which can be
applied to the virtual instrument's output signal. DP 4.1 users can create
as many instrument tracks as they wish, and open as many virtual instruments
as their computer processing resources allow. DP4.1's virtual instrument
support provides near-sample accurate timing performance. This means that in
most circumstances (with typical buffer size settings), notes play no more
than a sample earlier or later than the MIDI note that triggers them.
Document templates
DP4.1 allows users to choose from a list of document templates when opening
a new project. For example, one template provides 16 MIDI tracks and 32
audio tracks. Users can create, save, and use their own templates as well.
Document templates not only help users get started more quickly, they serve
as examples for how various types of projects can be set up.
Recent Documents
The new Recent Documents item in DP4.1's File menu provides a sub-menu list
of the last ten DP4 projects that have been opened, allowing users to
quickly access recent work.
Shift to Marker
DP4.1's shift command now provides an option to shift any selected material
directly to any marker in the project.
Snap to Marker
When the new 'Snap to Marker' menu item is checked, objects dragged in
DP4.1's MIDI and audio graphic editors snap to the nearest marker location
when they approach the marker.
Input/output display in the Mixing Board
In previous versions of Digital Performer, users could access each track's
input and output assignments from a menu below the track name. In DP4.1, the
input and output can now be displayed below the track name. Users can choose
to show or hide the input/output display.
OMF file import/export enhancements
DP4.1's ability to import and export OMF files has been improved.
Pricing and availability
Digital Performer 4.1 will be provided as a free download to all registered
Version 4.0 users. The updater will be posted on Friday, August 8th, 2003
here:
www.motu.com/english/download/index.html
For more information, visit their web site at www.motu.com. | 
