It’s interesting sometimes how restrictions (in this case a time restriction) can lead to interesting insights.

A friend of mine sent an email yesterday. The short exchange (I was pressed for time) is below pretty much verbatim.

On Wednesday, January 28, 2009,  [my friend] wrote:

>lunch sounds good…
>
>btw, what kinda music software do you use? and what’s good out there
>for mac?

I replied:

I use Digital Performer, Logic, Live and Reason depending on what I am working on.

Reason – Very complete and relatively inexpensive. I believe there is a demo at their site (www.propellerheads.se). Strength: All in one, rock solid, reasonable CPU demands. Cons: Self contained; (To add vocals or external audio tracks have to use it via ReWire with another application.)

Live – Absolutely fantastic. The new Live8 will be even more phenomenal than the amazing Live 7. I discuss the new Live 8 on my blog (scroll down below the “Chinese HipHop” article). You can also get a demo from their site. (www.ableton.com) Pros: Effin’ fantastic program with amazing loop playing capabilities and built-in plug-ins. Cons: Not many.

LogicStudio – Amazing what you get for $499 — loops, plug-ins, industrial strength sequencer. If you were seriously getting into music, this would be perhaps the single best purchase you could make.

Ready for Anything?

Whatever program you use, it’s a real time saver to develop a customized default template. That way, when you start a new project, all of your track routings, groups, favorite instruments, efx, etc., are there waiting for you. No fuss. No muss.

I have customized templates for Reason, LIVE, Logic and DP. What I want to do is share information on a couple of my templates and the “why” behind some of the choices I’ve made in the hopes that you will find the info useful.

Of course all of this is still evolving as I learn more and have new experiences. So if you have any suggestions, or see me heading down a blind alley, I’d appreciate your feedback.

Digital Performer

Anytime I create a new project, this is the project template that pops up ready to use. (If you click on the image, you get a really large 1280 x 1024 version in a new window or browser tab.) The template for DP6 is probably the most involved and evolved since I’ve been using DP6 a lot lately. It’s also the one undergoing active development as I learn more about the program every time I use it.

Well fast on the heels of Digital Performer 6.0 comes the first “.01″ release. I’m still taking a look at it, but it appears the MOTU addressed the firestorm about the GUI: They toned it down. Instead of something that for all the world appears to be a BRIGHT WHITE as the default color for much of the interface, there is a shade or two of cool grey thrown in. The image below shows a screen shot from DP 6.0 and that same screen (more or less) from DP 6.01. You can see that the 6.01 is a bit more muted.

Dp 6.0 and 6.01 Screens

Click on the thumbnail. DP 6.0 is on the left and 6.01 is on the right. The change in the brightness of the GUI doesn’t look to be much in the image, but it is enough to make a difference if you are working on a couple of 19″ monitor. It helps the eyes, believe me.

MOTU also threw in a ‘Track Inspector’. It’s basically an information window that shows track settings for track color, input and output assignments, play- and record-enable status, take, automation, etc. It updates its focus to the current track selected in a window.

Last year on my page ‘Tools’ I said:

“I use Logic and Live for composition. I used to use Digital Performer a lot. I’m still a big fan and love the workflow and interface…but Logic and Live seem to be more “sympatico” with each other…Don’t know; I really go back and forth between Logic and DP. Currently, the pendulum has swung to Logic. Check back in six months…”

Well, it took a little longer than 6 months, but I’m definitely back in the DP camp. Especially with the release of DP6. There’s an awful lot to like about it:

• The new user interface updates the look of DP 6 and makes things a bit more sensible . And that’s a good thing. Unfortunately it is REALLY BRIGHT and if you have a couple of monitors and the room is dark, you need sunglasses. This redesign has been a big source of consternation over at MotuNation. Hopefully MOTU will offer some color customization options.
• Track comping that goes beyond that offered in LOGIC.
• MasterWorks Leveler plug-in and the ProVerb convolution plug-in. The Leveler is modeled on the Teletronix™ LA-2A optical leveling amplifier. Folks who know what that sounds like (I don’t), swear by Leveler’s accurate reproduction of that unit.