Mackie has announced Tracktion 2, adding more than 100 new features and updates, while still maintaining the core feature set that has made the original Tracktion a runaway success. T2 is the first version of the software that will be sold "out of the box" in retail stores and will be available in early March 2005.
The retail price for T2 and the 70+ free plug-ins bundled in the box will be US$199. In addition, there will be special upgrade pricing for existing Tracktion users. This pricing will be made available along with a Public-Beta Demo download in the weeks following NAMM. In the meantime, here is a glimpse into some the new features coming to T2.
Enhanced MIDI Editor: faster note entry, quicker controller and velocity editing, more intuitive keyboard control, and improved viewing of notes and controllers simultaneously. You can color code individual notes and draw MIDI controller parameters with the new line tool.
External Sync: T2 now offers more synchronization support, including MIDI Time Code (MTC) input/output and MIDI Clock output for working with hard disk recorders, keyboard workstations, groove boxes, etc. T2 can also send and receive MIDI Machine Control (MMC) commands, opening the door to external transport control and integration with modular digital multi-track and hard disk recorders.
Auxiliary Send and Return functionality: T2 provides eight Auxiliary sends and returns for tasks like sharing a reverb on the different instrument tracks in a drum kit.
QuickTime Support: T2 supports QuickTime video playback. This opens a world of project studio post-production to Tracktion users.
64-Bit, 192kHz Capable Mix Engine: T2 has a new high-definition 64-bit mixing option. Plus it comes ready for 192kHz audio interfaces for the ultimate in bleeding-edge digital.
MIDI Controller Mapping: T2 makes integrating any MIDI controller a breeze. Just enter the MIDI Mapper, pick a filter parameter, and move the controller. The controller and parameter are now linked, and this pairing is stored in the session file for next time.
MIDI Step Recording: T2 offers a step recording mode, allowing you to enter MIDI notes correctly and at your own pace.
Integrated Mackie Control Universal and C4 Support: T2 offers full support for the Mackie Control Universal and the Mackie Control C4 rotary controller, providing complete hands-on control of a wide range of recording and mixing parameters, including plug-ins and virtual instruments.
Loop Recording: T2 includes "loop record mode" which makes it easy to record multiple passes and compile the best of each into the perfect take.
Broadcast .WAV Files Import: T2 offers industry-standard broadcast .wav file import support. Support of .bwav audio files means even greater ease and flexibility for users importing audio from otherwise incompatible applications and hardware. And because these files are time-stamped, restoring them to their original position relative to other audio clips is a snap.
Import Mackie HDR Files: Users of the Mackie HDR, MDR and SDR hard disk recorders can now import their project files directly into T2, complete with all audio and edits intact.
New Color Schemes: With the color editor, you can customize the look of tons of Tracktion screen objects.
Improved Metering: T2 now offers more ways to visualize your audio intensity. Enhanced Input meters on every channel provide more accurate at-a-glance viewing of your input levels. The new "Large Meters Mode" transforms the horizontal tracks into a gigantic input meter bridge for super-accurate level setting.
Scalable Interface: T2's single-screen interface can be scaled to virtually any size, permitting users of large monitors to devote some of those pixels to other applications, while still keeping an eye on Tracktion.
Show and Hide Inputs and Filters: With T2, you can quickly and independently select to show or hide the input and filter sections of the interface, freeing up valuable on-screen real estate when you're focused on perfecting that complex musical arrangement.
"Per Track" Input: T2 adds a "per track input mode", offering an alternative to the standard "drag the input to the track" assignment method. If you have more than just a few inputs, you'll appreciate not having to sort through all of those input icons to find the one you need. Instead, simply select an audio or MIDI input from the new drop-down menu available on every track.
A Full Suite of Plug-ins and Loops: The goal was to give T2 users all the basic music-making and mixing tools, right out of the box. So Mackie partnered with every developer "who would return their calls" to bring you a full suite of high-quality "name-brand" effects plug-ins, virtual instruments, and loops including products from reFX, LinPlug, IK Multimedia, Bismark and Big Tick.
