Files Types for DP Files on Mac OS X

I recently transferred all my Digital Performer project files to another computer with an upgraded version of Digital Performer. Much to my surprise, I found that none of my projects could be opened.

After much grueling research, I found that these files had lost some of their attributes during the transfer.

I am posting this information here in hope that it will save someone the day of research that it took me to figure out how to fix it.

First the file attributes have to be fixed.

Digital Performer project files must have the following attributes associated with them:

Mac File Type: "PERF"
Creator: "MOUP"

This can be done with any of the following utilities:

SetFile command in the Mac Terminal
FileBuddy
FileType
QuickChange

Or it can be done using the terminal, for free. You must have Apple development tools installed in order to use the setfile command.




Next, we have to convert the files to audio-type files.

It's easy to do this with a Mac program called SoundHack.

Select Open Any (from SoundHack) and select the file to convert.

Select Hack, then Header. Set it to 44.1K sample rate, 16 bit linear, 1 channel. Click "Save Info".

Select Save A Copy (not save, or it will convert the file). Save it in a new file and the test it's playability by double-clicking on it in finder. It should now play.



For more help, here's a detailed tutorial that may help:

http://www.atypical.net/archive/2009/02/06/thing-a-day-6-recovering-old-digital-performer-projects