Tracktion Software

skipkent · Post by **skipkent** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:37 am

Also remember that you can 'upgrade' Tracktion with things like Melodyne LE and other plugs if you want pitch correction and that sort of thing. You don't have to look for one host that seems to have it all. Sometimes it's better to pick and choose the pieces you like and stick with the host you know.

Gabriel_S · Post by **Gabriel_S** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:55 pm

Not sure how you can say Cubase is a cluttered mess. I've been using it going on 2 years now and can do just about everything I want in one window. It takes time to learn any new host and there is no such a thing as a better or worst. All comes down to which you feel most comfortable with and how much time you're willing to invest in actually learning a new one. Cubase is a VERY deep host with everything you can dream of included in it. If you don't need or use certain applications just avoid it. If a time comes when you actually do need that app (and that time WILL come) it's a simple learning process. There is a reason pro tools and Cubase are two of the preferred hosts in the major recording houses. With that said, for most home recordists they all get the job done

metamorphosis · Post by **metamorphosis** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 10:14 am

There is better or worse UI design, but you can and will get used to anything.
There are principles that go beyond familiarity.
It took me three weeks to figure out logic audio.
It took me half an hour to figure out tracktion.
Pro tools is the worst UI I have ever seen. And I used to program for a living.
It's not popular because it's good, it just got there first, and formed a user base, and you need it to exchange projects with some bigger studios (and even that's changed).

Gabriel_S · Post by **Gabriel_S** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:34 pm

Hey Met, noticed you added some more tips and info on your page. Great advise as always! I get a lot of folks asking about optimization for their Computers. Mind if I post a link to your site?

Have a great one
Gabriel

Gabriel_S · Post by **Gabriel_S** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:50 pm

metamorphosis wrote:There is better or worse UI design, but you can and will get used to anything.
There are principles that go beyond familiarity.
It took me three weeks to figure out logic audio.
It took me half an hour to figure out tracktion.
Pro tools is the worst UI I have ever seen. And I used to program for a living.
It's not popular because it's good, it just got there first, and formed a user base, and you need it to exchange projects with some bigger studios (and even that's changed).

Yeah, have to agree on pro tools to some extent though version 8 seems much more user friendly on the eyes. With that said, IMO, Pro tools is really over hyped. You'll never get use of it's full potential unless you go the HD route which could cost upwards of 10K in a professional environment. That is really where Pro Tools shines and in many cases leaves most of it's competitors in the dust. Me, Reaper is simply the worst GUI I've ever set my eyes on. Been trying to get used to it for a long time. Can't work with it for more than 10 minutes lol. But then again, it does have a huge user base so apparently it does work for some people which is what really matters i guess.

BushmasterM4 · Post by **BushmasterM4** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:20 pm

Ive been reading more on cubase and indeed its powerful and has alot more features. What I hate is, what takes 1 or 2 clicks with Tracktion, seems to take 3 or 4 clicks with Cubase (Reaper too).

UncleAge · Post by **UncleAge** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:58 pm

BushmasterM4 wrote:...what takes 1 or 2 clicks with Tracktion, seems to take 3 or 4 clicks with Cubase (Reaper too).

This is true of most other hosts too... Once you decide on a place to land (host wise) you'll greatly benefit from learning the keyboard shortcuts. GUI aside, this is an area where I'll have to tip my hat to Reaper. Between the scripts, macros,extensions and menus that are editable, you can really have a custom environment where you can move around quickly. And it can be tailored to your own workflow.

Truth be told, if it implemented racks like Traction or at least had a different view for the routing I probably wouldn't miss Tracktion as much.

Gabriel_S · Post by **Gabriel_S** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:52 pm

BushmasterM4 wrote:Ive been reading more on cubase and indeed its powerful and has alot more features. What I hate is, what takes 1 or 2 clicks with Tracktion, seems to take 3 or 4 clicks with Cubase (Reaper too).

As with anything in life, once you get accustomed to the workflow it becomes second nature. You find all types of shortcuts. I've pretty much created my own custom window and saved it so everything I frequently use is right there when I need it. Yeah traction is faster in some, and I emphasize SOME areas but it loses that advantage for most people with all the crashes, data loss, a bagful of unfixed bugs, the horrendous cpu usage, being limited to a ridiculous low track count etc. Pretty much a trade off, 1/2 a dozen of one, 1/2 a dozen of the other. Me, I don't miss traction one bit, and would never consider purchasing it again regardless if they fixed the bugs or not, though at one point I was a complete Traction addict.

My new custom built DAW can handle an insane track count in Traction on a very low setting but I work just as fast in Cubase if not faster in most cases than I ever did in Traction and have everything right at my finger tips without having to resort to numerous other apps because of Tractions shortcomings. Just my opinion, lots of folks still love Traction and that is great. My hope is that Mackie actually fixes some of the bugs after 2 years of dead silence for their remaining loyal user base

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:58 pm

Topic: So I tried Reaper and messed with Cubase !!! All I can say is "They Stink"

Have you tried changing your socks? Software don't smell!

mauseoleum · Post by **mauseoleum** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:18 pm

IT WAS LITTLE JOHN !!!

Gabriel_S · Post by **Gabriel_S** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:43 pm

mauseoleum wrote:

IT WAS LITTLE JOHN !!!

BushmasterM4 · Post by **BushmasterM4** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 4:38 am

My socks do stink !!!!!

metamorphosis · Post by **metamorphosis** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:05 am

Gabriel_S wrote:Hey Met, noticed you added some more tips and info on your page. Great advise as always! I get a lot of folks asking about optimization for their Computers. Mind if I post a link to your site?

Have a great one
Gabriel

Cheers dude - yeah no worries, I hope people get some good use out of it

Yeah, have to agree on pro tools to some extent though version 8 seems much more user friendly on the eyes. With that said, IMO, Pro tools is really over hyped. You'll never get use of it's full potential unless you go the HD route which could cost upwards of 10K in a professional environment. That is really where Pro Tools shines and in many cases leaves most of it's competitors in the dust. Me, Reaper is simply the worst GUI I've ever set my eyes on. Been trying to get used to it for a long time. Can't work with it for more than 10 minutes lol. But then again, it does have a huge user base so apparently it does work for some people which is what really matters i guess.

Yeah, I don't mind the main general gui design - it's bad, but it's no worse IMHO than most of the others, it's just the 'optionitis' that bothers the hell out of me.
Apparently (like Cubase) you can customise the heck out of the menus/window, and some of the skins make it a little easier on the eyes (Unempty Kontra is quite nice).
I think what makes it good is the lack of barriers to trying it out.
Cubase, for example - where can I get a demo of the latest version? You just can't!
Sucks to be cubase for the millions of interwubbers they're missing out of their demographic.

Cordelia · Post by **Cordelia** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:43 am

metamorphosis wrote:Yeah, I don't mind the main general gui design - it's bad, but it's no worse IMHO than most of the others, it's just the 'optionitis' that bothers the hell out of me.
Apparently (like Cubase) you can customise the heck out of the menus/window, and some of the skins make it a little easier on the eyes (Unempty Kontra is quite nice).
I think what makes it good is the lack of barriers to trying it out.
Cubase, for example - where can I get a demo of the latest version? You just can't!
Sucks to be cubase for the millions of interwubbers they're missing out of their demographic.

I think that's why I'm addicted to Reaper. Bit by bit I customize my workflow- from simple stuff like the look of the meters, to complex macros assigned to a single keystroke, extensions, completely personalized menus, and toolbar buttons assigned, by me, to the functions I need, set up exactly how I like them. At this point, my version of Reaper would be pretty foreign to some other Reaper users. It works for me, it's like it's made for me.

That's why I get confused when people recommend Reaper to beginners. If you don't yet know what your workflow is, how you want your host to respond, or what your workflow priorities are, you'll spend too much time right click/selecting. You gotta set it up, but once you get the hang of it, it's brilliant.

BushmasterM4 · Post by **BushmasterM4** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:52 pm

If the GUI's can be modified then thats a great help. Ive been reading the Cubase manual and watching videos of it. Once set up to ones preferances, it may not be so cumbersome (too me). Time will tell