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.
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. It can be opened as a tab in the consolidated window or as a floating window. It can also be added to the info bar in other windows inside of DP. This gives you control of track parameters in situ and helps to preserve workflow.
It sounds minor, but once you start using it you really appreciate it.
They also have tweaked the whole plug-in real time preferences option for handling real-time versus pre-rendering of virtual instrument data. As this has not proven to be a real issue for me so far, I note it here because many on MotuNation have been dealing with issues related to the implementation of this feature.
MOTU has also tweaked a few other things in this release. I know there was a big issue involving DP and DAE/ProTools (something about rendering tracks from busses), but as I don't have a ProTools rig, I can't say whether or not it has been addressed.
Peace Out.

Comments