Interesting that you like that feature, db.
DP has Chunks: A chunk can be a virtual VI rack (acts like outboard MIDI gear), a phrase, a verse / chorus or whatever, or an entire song.
These chunks can be combined on an intuitive track-style timeline any way you like; you can even overlap or completely overlay them. Incredibly (to me), all the tails (crossover decays you mentioned) are rendered perfectly.
So folks such as myself use it in a linear fashion, whereas others may take things a step further and employ chunks for experimentation or whatever.
BTW, you can save "mixes" (entire processing state of the mixing board) from a drop-down on the board.
MIDI editing and event-and-timing-related search features are both unsurpassed, which is what you'd expect from a product that's been refined since the early '80s.. and I could go on, but I'm trying to contribute alternatives based on what you're saying.
Thank you for sharing, BTW; I for one enjoy hearing about what the "competition" is up to.
I was checking out this poll of 2016 DAW's and DP's not there. So it's not the "best".
http://recording-studio-software-review.toptenreviews.com
Just kidding, gotta love online polls.
Agreed. Most does not mean best, just as majority doesn't mean correct.
The only relevant poll, AFAIC, would be one where the users of each DAW were asked about their satisfaction-with-the-product levels.
DP's not there for the same reason it's often not listed on compatibility charts or even entered into competitions - money. Its user base is generally a very serious, professional one; Tooty Fruits it is not, so in terms of pure numbers said base has never been significant.
That said, the fact that the product's over 30 years old, fully-backwards-compatible and has introduced many an innovation (such as sample-accurate sync, simultaneous MIDI and audio handling and many other features we take for granted these days), should speak volumes and instil no end of confidence.
Oh, and there's only ever been one (paid) product - Performer v1 -> 6 and then, because audio was added way back when the only other option was Digidesign DSP (4 tracks), the name was changed to Digital Performer which is now at v9. In effect that's v15 to we lay folks.
One more thing, MOTU's audio and MIDI hardware has obviously reflected and supported DP's innovations along the way, with less-than-1ms-accurate MTS (MIDI Time Stamping) springing to mind as well as the ground-breaking 2408 audio interface with its format conversion between ADAT, TDIF, analogue and S/PDIF. Then there was the PCI-324/424 line which allowed at least 96 channels of I/O with latency-free monitoring at unheard-of prices. Even today its AVB system is kicking major goals with the most configurable and best-bang-for-the-buck conversion quality on the market.
Obviously I could wax lyrical 'til the cows come home, db, so I'll draw the line here this time.