Digital Performer or Logic?

We have an old version of Performer (OS9, Pre-Digital Performer). The old Mac died, we'll be getting a new one and need to buy either Digital Performer or Logic Pro/Express(one of them). Does anyone have any comments about the pros / cons comparing these programs? Thanks for helping us upgrade.

Which program you get, may depend on what you need your software to do. I use both programs and like them both for different applications
Audio Recording: Both record audio and do a fine job. Logic is just a bit less of a cpu hog, meaning you may be able to have a couple more tracks in Logic over DP
Virtual Instruments: Logic wins hands down. I don't care for DP's VI's at all and think they are unusable. If you plan on using VI's, Logic has all you might need. If you get DP you will have to spend a few thousand more to get the kind of instruments that come with Logic
Plug-in's: Both have them, Logic has many more and most are real good. DP has a few good ones. Logic has a tons of presets to give you a starting point. DP has a few.
Channel strip settings: Logic has a ton of them. DP has none, nor the ability to save channel strip settings.
Scoring to film. I have never tried it, but I have a couple of friends that write for TV shows and have won awards for their work, and they work in DP. But then there are a few who contribute to this forum and do the same in Logic.
Midi recording and editing: Both do it and have sophisticated midi editing abilities. I prefer DP over Logic for midi editing. For me it is much more intuitive and easier to work with. Even though I prefer Logic's GUI I can build a midi song in DP much faster.
Are you using outboard synths? DP all the way! Logics way of addressing outboard gear in outdated, non intuitive, stupid and a total pain in the butt. Logic won't even fully utilize features of the Mac's Audio Midi setup. DP uses .midnam (midi name) and .midev (midi device) files stored in the Mac's AMS which are also easy to edit, to call up bank and patch names on your synths. In logic you have to manually set it up in the environment (took me about a week) and then save it as a template. if you call up another template then you have to drag the environment from the synth template because logic's environment import function is broken
Midi files. DP all the way. if you plan on importing and exporting standard midi files get DP, Logic's import and export functions for SMF's are very buggy and unreliable. Also when I import SMF into logic I get many inconsistencies, with notes not playing back properly. Exporting midi is a real nightmare. missing notes and quantization problems. DP is rock solid. never a problem importing or exporting, unless of course you import something created in Logic.
Live Performance. DP, hands down. The ability to save set lists is big for me. Logic cannot do it. virtual racks of VI's that all songs in the list work off of, so there is no load time. You can set it to auto play though the list or just call up the next and wait for you to start it.
So what do you need?
If you are a song writer and looking for a great and economical way to get your songs recorded, I think Logic would be best way to go. As a creative tool you can't beat it. It comes with everything you need right out of the box. Plus let's not forget all those great apple loops to get those creative juices flowing. DP will end up costing a lot more to get what comes in Logic
If you strictly do midi production and live performance get DP
If you can afford it, get both
my .02
Don

Similar Messages

Digital Performer and Logic Express

Is there any way to rewire Logic Express (as slave) through Digital Performer (as host)? It doesn't show up in Digital Performer's audio inputs so I'm guessing not...
Thanks

How did you try it?
Fox

Does Apple have any plans on making an Iphone app to control Logic Pro like Motu has done for Digital performer? They make it for free which is a HUGE plus!

i was wondering if Apple has any intentions on making an Iphone/Ipad app to remotely control Logic like Motu has for Digital performer. Motu has it available for free which is a huge plus but Id be willing to pay for one if Apple came out with one of its own.Im a little mift as to why it hasnt been done, Im sure they are capable of it.

I've been using Touch.OSC, from Hexler. It is not created by Apple but works like a charm on Logic. I've been using the app for over a year both on my iPad and my iPhone. Check the app on Hexler @ http://hexler.net/software/touchosc. Another app (which I still haven't tried) is lpTouch. You can get more info at http://www.delora.com/delora_products/lptouch/lptouch.html. Both are sold at App Store for $ 4.99. Yeah, it would be cool if Apple included its own iPad/iPhone app to control LogicPro on a future update... but for the stick price of the apps I've mentioned you might have a good 'bang for the buck".

Syncing Logic with Digital Performer

Hi,
Our current set-up is a G5 PPC running Logic 8, with MIDI sent over LAN to a MacPro running Digital Performer. DP runs a host of virtual instruments (MachFive, EZDrummer etc.) with the audio output routed back to Logic. The question we have is how we can get DP to 'see' the tempo of the Logic project - so as we can run tempo related VI's such as Albino. Currently we still run any VI that follows the projects tempo in Logic - but would ultimately like to have DP running every software instrument.
I imagine that there is a simple MIDI command that we send from Logic to DP that will make DP follow the tempo of the track - I have asked this question on the Digital Performer boards but wanted to ask Logic users what settings I should be using in Logic itself (Midi Beat Clock/SMPTE etc.)
Thanks
Jack

So far, here's what I found.
1.) iPhone is really made pair with one computer only.
2.) It seems to treat an iTunes library (meaning anything in there) as one library and even selectively syncing will erase the parts of the library you don't want to sync.
3.) Best work around seems to be to email yourself the smaller data elements that need to be sync'd to the computer with the complete iTunes library of media. (Export contact cards, backup calendar, export bookmarks... and bring them to the media computer)
4.) Photos from previously sync'd iPhoto library do stay separate and do not get erased when syncing to another computer.
At this point, I'm not sure what happens when I add events and contacts via the iPhone. I would ASSUME that when I go resync to the same computer they'll update eachother... But if I've deleted a few contacts and changed things, I hope it knows to give the iPhone priority...
Any other thoughts on this would be appreciated

Transfer Digital Performer files into Logic Express?

I have some old recordings that are on a ADAT tape. A friend of mine said he could transfer them to Digital Performer. Does Logic open DP files?
Paul

Unfortunately, as was pointed out, Logic Express does not open Digital Performer files.
Not does it import OMF files, nor Broadcast Wave files, which means you can't export time-stamped waves from DP and import into LE. If you know someone with Logic Pro, it DOES support Broadcast Wave. This could be one work around.
Otherwise, you'll have two options.
1) Import the ADAT recordings directly into LE using an interface that supports ADAT In (MOTU 828mkII comes to mind). This will only work if you can re-assign the inputs of the interface to be the first 8, since LE only "sees" the first 12. This is one of the major limitations of LE, and why it's not really suited for "pro" work.
2) Import into DP, and then bounce the tracks in DP as separate WAVE of AIFF files, then import them directly into LE in the Audio Window. As long as each file starts (and ends, preferably) at the same time (i.e. as set in the DP bounce), you should have no problem aligning the tracks in LE7.
Number 2 is probably the best solution. Just remember that each of the WAVE files created in DP should begin at the same time (i.e. 0 0 0 0). This will GREATLY simplify the import into LE and make aligning the tracks a painless procedure. You can edit later in LE.
Hope this helps.

Logic "Bounce" song feature...does Digital Performer have equivalent?

Hi all,
helping a friend......
Logic "Bounce" song feature...does Digital Performer have equivalent?
SvK

It's called "Bounce"
The shortcut is "Control+J"
It's under Audio > Bounce to Disk

Opening Digital Performer files in Logic 8 -- translation programs?

I have decades of Digital Performer files I want to be able to open in Logic 8 without going through a multi-step process (open in DP, save as midi, open in Logic).
Is there a translation program, a method, or even a function within Logic that will streamline the opening of Digital Performer files? There used to be a program years ago that let me open various types of files in DP, so I'm wondering if there's a new equivilant for Logic. (I do realize there will be tweaking necessary after opening, but I just want to get them opened faster and within Logic -- right now they're grayed out, of course.)
thx
Neil

NMcQ wrote:
Yes I've looked through those and understand the long way of doing it, was just wondering if anyone knew of a translation 'shortcut' program, since I have so many to do.
thx
Neil
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/post/pro-convert/index.asp
Some people like it, some don't. If you need something like this, try it.
Cheers
PS I am not endorsing, selling, nor recommending whatever is on that link, moderator...

Is there any way to transfer Digital Performer Projects to Logic Pro 9?

I just bought Logic Pro 9 today. I tried to run a sequence that was recorded in Garage Band and Digital Performer and it looks like the hard drive is too slow to play it all back, although it plays back fine in DP. I tried to save the DP file as an AAF file but some of the audio files were in the wrong place when I played the Logic version. I also have tried saving it as an OMF and Logic is still attempting to open it an hour later. Any ideas on how to get from one to the other without merging/consolidating the files because it appears that Logic is having difficulty playing back the tracks on my Mac Book Pro.
Waves Platinum v 7.0 (32 bit) plugs

http://prodesigntools.com/tag/ddl
Mylenium

Conversion of Digital Performer files to Logic files

What's the way to convert Digital Performer (audio & midi) files to Logic files?

what i do is this:
save as OMF in DP, save as MIDI in DP, sometimes Logic can open the OMF file, it depends on the settings used with DP OMF export. Logic really *****, when it comes to READ OMF files! Some great helper is a software called AVTransfer, that exists for PC. This app converts an OMF file into an OMF(!) file and removes all unnecessary data in the OMF, so every app can open it. This helped me several times.
Another idea is, to put a second of silece on every audio track to position 0 and MERGE all audio tracks, so you get Audio Files that all start at the same position and can be saved as any file format you like. Its faster than you might think: copy this bit of audio to all audio tracks and then select all, MERGE and have a coffee, no need to sit in front of your monitor.
MIDI tracks will have to be exported separatly, bcause they are not saved to an OMF or to audio files.
But you will have to setup your instruments for MIDI playback by hand, maybe save a patch in DP for each software instrument, to load them up in logic again.
Hope that helps.

Importing Digital Performer files..

Is it possible to import a whole Digital Performer project into Logic Pro? Should I export the DP project as OMF?
Thanks a lot!

AFAIA, OMF files do not contain any tempo, time sig, or marker data as do standard MIDI files (SMF). And audio files aren't aligned to any particular bar (except possibly bar 1/beat 1). So while OMF can be used to move audio files from one DAW to another, all of the other important information that you'd normally want to include when xferring a project would be missing.
So it might be a two-step process, where you first prepare a SMF to xfer the above-mentioned data into Logic, and then import your OMF session into the song afterwards.
It might also be a good idea to have at least one audio file in your original session set to bar 1/beat 1, just to act as a benchmark/placeholder so you can be assured that the alignment of your audio files is correct after the import. If for any reason it's not (unlikely, but just to be safe), you could select all of the audio files and slide your benchmark/placeholder file to bar 1/beat 1, after which everything should be aligned as in the original session.
Also, AFAIK, SMPTE offsets aren't included in OMF files either.

Numa Organ and Digital Performer

I just got a Studiologic Numa Organ, and I am very pleased with it.
My Sequencer is Digital Performer 8,1 on Snow Leopard
My Audio to Midi Setup sees the Numa ONLY if I connect it directly through the USB port to The Mac
Audio to Midi Setup will also see my MOTU 128 Express interface also when connected through the USB port however I am unable to connect the Keyboard to the Interface as everything is grayout
If I connect the Numa directly to the USB interface it doesn't appear in Audio to Midi Setup and Digital Performer doesnt Remap the Instruments
The Numa is set as "Local on / MIDI on"
While rcording I can see the various notes in the DP track, nowever when I play back the Numa doesn't make any sounds
Any suggetions?
PS
The MOTU USSSB interface is upgraded to the lateset version

If you're using Apple Loops, they will conform to the project tempo/key.
If you have a vocal track you wish to autotune, use Logic's "Pitch Correction" tool. Make sure to place it in the first available insert in your channel strip.
Cheers.

Logic7.1 with Digital Performer

Anybody using both on the same computer. And is it problem free. That,s Logic7.2 and Digital Performer.

Are you asking about using both at the same time or just having both installed on the same machine?
If it is the former then there are some issues you will run into is if you open a VI on DP Logic will think it found a new midi port and tell you so. You will also have to create an aux track in DP to get the audio in and also use something like soundflower to route the audio.
The other drawback is Logic only uses one processor (or audio stream) when just being used as a live VI host.
Chris

Switching from Digital Performer 7.24...?

I have been using Digital Performer for 12+ years, but have been thinking about purchasing Logic Pro X for a variety of reasons. I would love to hear from anyone who has done the same. Have you found it easy to learn Logic, and how to use it to do the things you did with DP? Was it worth the $199 to purchase Logic to try it? If you have both DP and Logic, which one do you use the most, and why?
Thanks for any opinions/comments about this.
Michael

I haven't used DP for ages, but what I hear from friends is that there are some key features that are not available in Logic. However, that is true when switching from any app A to app B. You just have to make a pro/con chart and see if there are any deal breakers.
Logic always gets a bad rap for its steep learning curve. The main reason for that is that it has so many features to learn and most importantly, its open object-based structure. In my opinion, this is the most powerful feature from a power-user point of view because you can customize so many things. When you work with with it every day, you really start to appreciate it. For a seasonal user, this might be overkill.
There is one important aspect about learning an app. It is often more difficult to learn a different app, that it is to learn a new app. You have to unlearn concepts and workflows which sometimes appear strange at first. That's why it is very important, for example, not to find where the new Record Button or Play Button is, but discover the many different actions that happen when you press those buttons and where to configure them (and knowing that you can configure them in the first place).
As I mentioned, the different concepts and underlying architecture is the most important thing to wrap your head around it. I wrote a manual in my Graphically Enhanced Manuals (GEM) series, "Logic Pro X - How it Works", that explains those concepts with lots of graphics and diagrams that are not found in any other book or tutorial. I discuss and illustrate the various topics in great details, providing all the various commands for specific actions, not just one, so you can choose which one suits your workflow best.
One more thing ...
You can download GarageBand X for free. It is based on the same code as Logic Pro X (it is actually the new Logic Express). Although, most of the advanced features are not available, you still can get an overall feel for the app: layout, color codes, terminology, etc.
Hope that helps
Edgar Rothermich
http://DingDingMusic.com/Manuals/
'I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.'

I'd like a friend to add a track to a song I'm doing on Garageband, but he uses Digital Performer. Can I somehow transfer my interface to his interface?

I'd like a friend to add a track to a song I'm doing on Garageband, but he uses Digital Performer. Can I somehow transfer my interface to his interface?

Just keep it like it is. As an account Mgr you can do everything except add other account mgrs or change billing account pw. But if you have your dad's sign in info for his my vzw. Now if you need to build your credit then that's another story. Good luck to you and your dad

Digital Performer 4, manual?

Have just installed DP4 'leant' by a friend. After installing OS 10.2 it actually works! It won't on tiger.
Can anyone recommend a good manual to learn to use the software. I am an artist and want to use it for recording words and sounds on several tracks, ie to make sound art. I'm not using it as a musician. I find the interface and myriad options really daunting though. But I want to stick with it as I've been told it's the best all round sound editing software available. And don't suggest I upgrade DP4, because it's not my copy so I can't.

I've got hold of 'Digital Performer 4 Ignite' by Eric Gebbler. Which is great for my purposes for now.
Thanks for your suggestion though!

Digital Performer or Logic?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for