We present the core architecture of XIA’s digital pulse processors and show how digital filtering and pile up inspection are performed in real time. XIA’s pulse processors can simultaneously extract energy and pulse shape information from the detector pulses provided to its inputs. Two applications of this novel technology are discussed in the paper. High resolution for &ggr;-rays was achieved at very short peaking times with digital ballistic deficit correction. Sequences of pulses characteristic of radioactive decay via proton emission can be recognized online with the real-time pileup inspector operated in the reversed logic mode. ©2000 American Institute of Physics.