Digital Performer

Processor

Mixing, Plugins, Exporting

For digital audio production, it is beneficial to have more processor cores rather than a higher clockspeed per core.

Memory

In general, 3-6GB of RAM per CPU core is recommended. For example, if you select a single 12-core processor, 32GB will suffice for basic tasks or 64GB for more demanding workloads.

If you are using many virtual instruments and plugins, we recommend 8GB of RAM per CPU core.

Storage

In general, we recommend a two to four drive configuration depending on your budget and desired performance level:

1. Primary Drive: SSD for the operating system, software and plugins
2. Secondary Drive: another SSD, or for better performance, an NVMe Flash Storage Drive (the "HP Z Turbo Drive") for active project files and disk cache
3. Optional Third Drive (SSD or HDD): rather than store the samples on the secondary drive, placing them on a third drive can improve performance and free up space
4. Optional Fourth Drive (HDD): storage for the larger sound libraries on a hard disk drive which is

Graphics

This application doesn't utilize (or makes slight use of) GPU acceleration, so a high-end graphics card is not required. Therefore, we recommend a Quadro P620.

Chassis

The HP Z8 G4 Workstation is recommended if you would like dual processors and/or multiple high performance graphics cards.

The HP Z6 G4 Workstation is recommended if you would like to start with a single high-end processor and single high-performance graphics card with the potential of upgrading in the future. With the Z6 G4, you can add a second matching processor and double the memory using the optional second processor riser. The power supply will also support two mid-range graphics cards.

The HP Z4 G4 Workstation is recommended for majority of workflows. Since Intel now produces single Core i9 and Xeon processors with up to 18-cores and high clock speed, there is no need for dual processors unless you will have heavy CPU rendering or intensive tasks demanding more than 18-cores. Also, the HP Z4 G4 has an optional 1000W power supply that will support the most powerful graphics cards inluding the GeForce RTX 3080 and Quadro RTX A5000.