The latest version of MOTU’s DAW software is now available, and marks a major step forward with the introduction of Dolby Atmos support, AI-powered stem separation, a new Arrangement Strip feature, enhanced Track Freeze functionality and an array of other enhancements and user-requested features.

The headline feature of Digital Performer 12 is the introduction of support for Dolby Atmos. Users can now natively mix, render and deliver spatialised mixes in the ever-popular immersive format, with the DAW supporting channel layouts up to 9.1.6 and offering built-in binaural down-mixing for those monitoring on headphones. Users are provided with everything they need to mix, render and deliver Atmos content, with all of DP’s existing tools and automation functions working seamlessly with the new extended channel layouts. 

Next on the list is a new AI-powered stem-separation tool that’s capable of splitting mixed audio files into drums, bass, vocals and guitar stems — it even offers detection and separation of ensemble string and brass parts. There’s also a new Arrangement Strip that lives just below the timeline in the Tracks Overview and Sequence Editor tabs. It allows users to re-arrange their song by simply dragging each section’s coloured bar to reorder the sections across all tracks. 

Digital Performer 12 also includes a whole host of other improvements and user-requested features, including:

• Enhanced Track Freeze: Freeze tracks directly with one click, without adding a new separate track for frozen audio. Continue to mix tracks while they’re frozen. Flatten frozen tracks to freeze them permanently.
• Main MIDI Controller Menu: Choose an external MIDI controller, or multiple MIDI controllers, as your primary MIDI input device(s) to manage MIDI input and filter out unwanted MIDI from connected devices.
• Hover Effects: DP12 feels more reactive and dynamic, with hover effects and animations when navigating around the interface.
• MusicXML Import: Digital Performer can now import MusicXML files, as well as export them. This allows for complete, round-trip interchange with third-party music notation software applications, such as Dorico, Sibelius and MuseScore.
• Enhanced Drag-and-drop File Import: When dropping external audio files or standard MIDI files (SMFs) into the timeline of the Tracks Overview or Sequence Editor, you can target an existing track, or the space between tracks, which creates a new track (or multiple tracks) between them. You can also target a specific location in the timeline, as indicated by an outlined box as you drag.
• Tags and Search Enhancements: Tags serve as searchable keywords for tracks and chunks. Create as many tags as you wish and assign them as desired to tracks and chunks. You can then use tags for track and chunk searching and sorting.
• Enhanced Searching: The Search boxes in the Tracks List and Chunks List now feature a menu allowing you to search for names, tags, comment text, or any combination of the three.
• Preference Window Search: Quickly find and modify settings and options. Type any keyword to immediately filter the current view.
• Search For Commands By Key Binding: In the Commands window, you can now search for commands by key binding. This makes it easy to find which command is assigned to a particular key binding.
• Commands Window Keysets: Keysets let you quickly switch among different key binding sets as you work, depending on the specific task at hand, such as editing or spotting to picture versus tracking in the studio. Set up custom keysets for each task and then quickly switch between them.
• Track Presets: A track preset can include any track settings, from I/O and EQ settings to plug-in chains. Drag & drop presets from the Content Browser to apply them to existing tracks or create new tracks from them. DP12 provides dozens of presets to get you started with vocals, drums, bass, guitar and many other instruments. Or create and recall your own presets.
• Custom Presets For Fades & Crossfades: Save and recall custom presets for fades and crossfades. Drag and drop fade presets from the Content Browser.
• Enhanced AAF/OMF Support: Improved compatibility with newer projects generated under the most recent standard.
• Large Counter Window Enhancements: Resize the Large Counter window both vertically and horizontally. Resize counter text independently from the window size.
• Updated Surround Formats: DP12 now supports all current industry standard surround formats, including 7.1.2 and 9.1.6.
• Support For High Frame Rates (HFR): Digital Performer now supports high frame rates above 30 fps, including 47.952, 48, 50, 59.94, 60, 100, 119.88 and 120 fps.
• Tutorials Window: Provides an interactive experience for learning Digital Performer quickly.
• Flyover Help Window: Provides a brief description of user interface elements when you hover the cursor over them.
• Support For VST3 Auto-Migration: Enables compatible plugins (such as Native Instruments Kontakt) to seamlessly upgrade or change versions while preserving settings and automation.
• Performer Producer Pack: Delivers hundreds of audio loops, MIDI chords and MIDI arpeggios.

“DP users are going to love Version 12. It’s jam-packed with a great balance of exciting new marquee features like Dolby Atmos mixing and stem separation, combined with a new level of interactive feel, plus dozens of workflow enhancements and user-requested features.” — Jim Cooper, Director of Marketing, MOTU

Digital Performer 12 is supported on PCs running Windows 11, and Macs running macOS 12.7 and above. 

Digital Performer 12 is available now, priced as follows:

• Full version: $499
• Competitive upgrade: $395
• Performer Lite upgrade: $395
• Upgrade from previous version: $195

motu.com/dp