Digital Performer
Digital Performer is an application for recording audio, sequencing MIDI, editing, arranging, mixing, and creating music notation.
What Digital Performer is
Digital Performer is an application for recording audio, sequencing MIDI, editing, arranging, mixing, and creating music notation. Its MOTU Audio System combines a hard-disk recording engine with a recording and mixing environment that includes internal busses, aux tracks, master faders, sends, and real-time effects. The software supports virtual instruments and third-party VST plug-ins on Mac and Windows, plus Audio Unit plug-ins on macOS. QuickScribe can export notation scores as MusicXML for use in programs such as Finale and Sibelius. Digital Performer runs on macOS and Windows and is 64-bit only. The guide lists macOS 10.13 or later and 64-bit Windows 10 as minimum operating systems; it does not support PC ARM processors or 32-bit plug-ins and virtual instruments. The 30-day demo allows document saving and includes all features except MP3 exporting. The listed full version costs $499, paid once, and the DP11 competitive upgrade costs $395, paid once.
Good
- Combines audio recording, editing, arranging, and mixing
- Supports MIDI sequencing and virtual instruments
- Accepts VST and macOS Audio Unit plug-ins
- QuickScribe exports scores as MusicXML
- 30-day demo allows document saving
Watch out
- No free plan
- 64-bit-only; 32-bit plug-ins and instruments are unsupported
- PC ARM processors are not supported
- Demo excludes MP3 exporting
Who it suits
Digital Performer suits music creators who need audio recording and mixing, MIDI sequencing, virtual instruments, or notation tools on macOS or Windows. Users should check its 64-bit requirements and plug-in compatibility before choosing it.
Verdict
Digital Performer brings recording, MIDI, mixing, and notation tools into one application for compatible Mac and Windows systems. The demo provides 30 days, while the listed full version costs $499, paid once.
Plans and prices
From Digital Performer's own pricing page, checked 21 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Full version | — | Full Digital Performer license |
| Full version | Priced on request | Full Digital Performer license |
| Competitive upgrade | Priced on request | Upgrade for users of competing products |
| Competitive upgrade | — | Upgrade for users of competing products |
| Upgrade from previous version | $195, paid once | Upgrade from a previous Digital Performer version |
| DP11 competitive upgrade | $395, paid once | For users of competing products |
| Performer Lite upgrade | $395, paid once | Upgrade from Performer Lite |
| Digital Performer 11 full version | $499, paid once | Full version |
The facts
Each one read from Digital Performer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 64-bit requirement
- Digital Performer is a 64-bit-only application and does not support 32-bit plug-ins or virtual instruments.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Audio recording and mixing
- Its MOTU Audio System provides a hard disk recording engine and a recording and mixing environment with internal busses, aux tracks, master faders, sends, and real-time effects.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Cloud collaboration
- Nochecked 21 Sep 2026
- MIDI and instruments
- Digital Performer supports MIDI sequencing and virtual instruments.checked 8 Oct 2026
- MIDI sequencing
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Multitrack editing
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Notation export
- QuickScribe can export notation scores as MusicXML for use in notation programs such as Finale and Sibelius.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The guide lists macOS 10.13 or later and 64-bit Windows 10 as minimum operating system requirements.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Plug-in formats
- It supports third-party VST plug-ins on Mac and Windows, and macOS Audio Unit plug-ins.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Processor support
- The guide supports 64-bit Intel or Apple silicon Macs, and 64-bit Intel or AMD PCs; PC ARM processors are not supported.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Digital Performer is a digital audio recording, MIDI sequencing, editing, arranging, mixing, and music notation application.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- MOTU says registered users are eligible for technical support through its support website or by telephone.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Audio device drivers
- The guide describes Core Audio drivers on macOS and ASIO or Windows Audio drivers on Windows.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macOS and Windowschecked 21 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Nochecked 21 Sep 2026
- Trial
- The 30-day demo includes all features except MP3 exporting and allows document saving.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Cambridge, Massachusetts, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- A MOTU product press release identifies the company as a developer of audio software and computer hardware peripherals for audio and video production.checked 8 Oct 2026
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