MOTU Digital Performer 8 Recording Software

More than just a powerful audio-for-video DAW, Digital Performer 8 comes loaded with incredible guitar effects plug-ins and more music-production must-haves.

Overall User Ratings (based on 1 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(1) (see rating details)
Submitted October 14, 2014 by brian k in lake worth, FL

"MOTU Digital Performer 8"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Being a DP user from the mac version (around v4-5), I was very very happy to see MOTU release DP for PC. Overall, it was wonderful to be back in the saddle, so to speak. Thus far, the PC version hasn't proven to be quite as robust as the mac edition was for me, so for some, it may not be ready for prime-time. However, it's made much progress since its initial release, and I am happily using it on the latest project with minimal issues. DP is VERY deep and capable piece of software; as such, it can take some patience and effort to come to grips with. MOTU has also chosen to go its own way in terms of how things are done, so users from other DAWs may be somewhat mystified at first. Persistence is rewarded, though, as there are many unique features at play, and the nearly 1000 page printed manual (also available as pdf) is helpful.
Sound
Sound quality is what you'd expect from a DAW. The bundled masterworks plugins are very good, and bring to mind shades of sonnox. The amp sims are pretty useable as well, combined with LiveRoom cabinet/mic models, and a good variety of effects pedals to round things out. Currently (v8.07), there are some odd issues with the amp sims in PC land. These have been reported, and will hopefully soon be fixed! The dynamic eq is lovely indeed.
Features
I love love LOVE clip automation. Each clip has "layers", so you can draw automation on a clip to modify the clip's volume (before it goes to the fader...so you can do fader "rides" pre-compression, etc), pitch correction (monophonic), as well as fader/panner automation. The ability to create multiple mixes (switchable on the fly) is wonderful as well. Song/chunks mode is great for larger scale projects, and each project can have multiple sequences that reference the same virtual instruments or plugins. Very slick. Tempo automation and grid adjustment (draggable grid inserts the appropriate tempo changes) are old favorites.
Ease of Use
It's a bit quirky, so for most, there will be quite a learning curve (it's very capable software, so there's plenty to learn). It's not really an immediate, "plug in and go" sort of affair, so as stated earlier, those newer to DP might be a bit baffled, but with a little reference to the manual, one can find their feet pretty quickly.
Quality
It's software, and as such constantly in development. For first major version on a new platform, they did a pretty good job, and have sorted a good number of issues already. It's not a crashfest for me. If they can get it to the mac version's level of solidity, I'll be a very VERY happy camper.
Value
It's worth the money to me, as a previous user. I'm just happy to have it back, on PC no less!
Manufacturer Support
Support via techlinks seems to work. The techs have been helpful thus far, and some bugs are reported/replicated at their end, and passed along to development. We'll see how quickly they're addressed. I haven't used their phone support, however.
The Wow Factor
I love the GUI (there are some nice themes in there), and the variety of unique features. The workflow appeals to me, though it may not be for some.

Musical Background:

20+ years, semi-pro audio nut.

Musical Style:

rock, pop, hiphop, alt
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