My experience is to stay away from Digital Performer.
I have a new Mac Pro and I ended up using Cubase 5. I love both, but Logic 9 has stability issues, now with Snow on everything. DP and MOTU are left in the dirt while Logic, Cubase are in the Snow playing already.
I had so many panic attacks with DP and also DP will not see a USB MIDI device without making a bridge.
Also you cant save a Vienna Template in MOTU DP BIG BIG problem. As you will set up all your loaded instruments and VST tracks with midi etc, then save as template then when you reload the bug in MOTU blocks Vienna midi assignments to VST just a port and no patches. Also with Nicks EastWest etc.
I think if you plan to compose music and orchestrate with a great library like Vienna, then you do not need a software like MOTU DP where you tape aspirin all over it and the Mac, and the non-existant Tech support as it will give you so many headaches not to mention all the panic attacks and mystery "Unexpected error's" which leave hours of music lost as DP has no auto save as logic and Cubase. I was a life long fan of DP, but until they update there software, stay away 100% as you go to their website and there AUdio/MIDI and Ethno instruments do not even work any more with Snow. You will think it is Vienna, but Vienna is solid as a rock!!! I learned the hard way as DP blamed everyone but DP is so outdated that it does not handle the Mac PRo Nahelems 2009 jan and later without frustrating the user so much that he hates music. So then for a successful music experience try Cubase or Logic 8. I started with Appasionatta Strings, and Special edition etc. Then you will want more like a drug attic! They know how to push you with perfection. It sounds so dam real with Vienna, that you got to have more.. but it will cost you and worth every dollar you save and spend. I own all the Libraries all of EastWest, over 79k worth and nothing touches vienna for simplicity and the real sound. Pick up a breath controller from Yamaha, pick up a Kurzweil PC3X and then assign the crossfade
(in Vienna) in perform to controller #2. Then just blow on the mouth piece while you play a horn, woodwind and strings and Holy S**&$ it is so scary I sold more stock last night to get the entire Percussion and Brass now with the EXPANDED bonus this month!. I worked with Disney cartoon music for 9 years, and sat in front of every kind of Orchestra from Warner, to Star Trek, to Columbo, to Tiny Toons, to Batman. Vienna will give you that orchestra sound and even the best will not know the difference. I found the Breath controller for $39 on ebay from Yamaha separates the men from the boys! Not a EWI but a breath controller.
Kind Regards,
Barend Bendorf PhD