Introduction to Computer Music: Volume One

The Digital Performer interface

The DP interface is extremely flexible and can be configured in many ways on your screen to suit the needs of your current task. When launching Performer for the first time, you will encounter a default screen that can be modified in many ways and stored in the DP preferences for future launches.

Pictured below is an annotated screenshot of the DP Control Panel. The main functions on the top row include the transport controls which look much like any tape recorder, the main counter, meter indicator, and metronome. One caveat is not to use the Skip Sequence buttons on the upper left unless you have multiple sequences you wish to move between (a Project can be comprised of multiple sequences). The left-most buttons on the lower row are memory functions that allow you to focus your activity on a certain spot of the sequence bounded by the Start and Stop times. The buttons towards the right will punch in and punch out of RECORD, provide a click, countoff measures, begin playing or recording when Performer receives the first MIDI event, and sync Performer to some external sync source, such as a video tape deck.

By clicking on the arrow in the top upper right, you can extend the Control Panel with four additional drawers. These drawers contain extremely useful functions, such as a tempo slider and a Quick Access window to many different facilities of the program, indicated in the annotated screenshot below. They can be closed using the arrow at their top or reordered using the dot at their bottom.