The unoffical Tracktion FAQ.
This FAQ is a result of collating information from the KvR hosted Tracktion Users Forum.
It is not an offical FAQ, and I am in no way affiliated with Raw Material Software.
The FAQ is made up of five sections:
x General FAQ
x Protocol Support - Does Tracktion support my ... ?
x Probable Features Pending - Stuff Jules has expressed a strong interest in adding.
x Possible Features Pending - Stuff Jules has not vetoed outright.
x Useful Tips and Tricks - Get the best out of Tracktion.
FAQ - out of date!
-
- KVRAF
- 4644 posts since 28 Nov, 2002 from Chicago
Last edited by valley on Sun Jan 18, 2004 12:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Someone shot the food. Remember: don't shoot food!
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4644 posts since 28 Nov, 2002 from Chicago
General FAQ
Q: Tracktion gets updated seemingly every few days. How can I tell if I have an up to date version?
A: Go to the 'Projects' tab and click 'About'. This will tell you which version you have installed. The downloads page on Raw Material Software's web site http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com/downloads/index.html will state the current version number next to the download link.
Q: Can I apply a filter to just a single audio clip, rather than to a complete track?
A: Yes, if you drag a new filter onto an audio clip, it will apply locally to that clip.
Q: Can I playback audio as I record it, and can I add effects in real time?
A: Yes. To monitor one of the input devices, just select the input device, and turn on its 'end-to-end' option. It'll then send its audio to the track that it's currently plugged into.
Q: I have a fast P4, and yet my PC regularly maxes out on CPU usage, even when I don't have many filters active. (Also 'Why can't I play the Gare du Nord demo track on my P4?').
A: The Intel P4 suffers badly from a problem called denormalization. This can cause unexpected and often rather severe CPU performance dropouts. This will be apparent as intermittent periods of unexpectedly high resource usage. The mda plugins that ship with Tracktion seem to be quite problematic in this regard, and this is why the demo tracks may appear to play badly. If you are having problems, you can always use Track Freezing.
Trial Version Questions
Q: I want to try Tracktion. Is there a demo version, and how is it 'crippled'?
A: Old Tracktion builds had a 30 day time limit, but the newest downloads will run unregistered indefinitely. The main penalty for using a non-registered version is the addition of hiss to the audio signal.
Q: I tried an early version of Tracktion and didn't like it, but the new version seems much better. How can I try it if my demo has expired?
A: See above. New versions of Tracktion will run just fine even if you have previously installed a 30 day limited Tracktion..
Tracktion Terminology
Q: I thought a filter was a thing you find on synths, what gives?
A: Tracktion uses the term 'Filter' to describe all modules (for example VST plugins, and its' own native faders and pans) that can be inserted into a signal chain. A VSTi therefore is classed as a Filter, as is a Delay, etc.
Q: I keep hearing a lot about 'Junction Filters', 'Effects Racks' and 'Aux Sends', what are they?
A: The answer to this question is something of a moving target, but it seems like Jules has set his mind on a definite model now. Take a look at the 'Effects Racks' section in the 'Probable Features Pending' section for more information.
Q: What is the 'big list' I keep hearing about, and where can I see it?
A: No-one knows. Some believe it is the master plan for the future of Tracktion., and maybe it is.
I need a mixer!
Q: I can't find the mixer?
A: That's because there isn't one. To avoid the restrictions that the mixer paradigm can bring, Jules has made a decision to approach the requirements of mixing and processing from a different angle. Each track contains a complete sequence of inputs, filters, and outputs that allow for a full mixing environment, but in a manner that is visually more logical. It is worth investing some time into understanding the Tracktion model as it has many advantages of which the WYSIWYG aspect to mixing is but one.
Q: I'm not convinced. Will Tracktion ever have a mixer?
A: Probably not. Most people seem to prefer the Tracktion method of mixing when they get used to it. Jules has said though that if enough people request one, he may be prepared to give in. However, you should check out the 'Probable Features Pending' section to see how a classic mixer really isn't going to be all that important to you soon.
Q: Does Tracktion have an 'effect send' or 'aux send' capability?
A: Tracktion does not *currently* support anything that is truly analogous to the concept of an effects send. However, Jules is working on adding 'effects racks' (see 'Probable Features Pending') which will be able to act as effects sends, and a lot more besides.
Q: OK, all this 'coming soon' stuff isn't much help to me now!
A: Quite so. Check out the 'Useful Tips and Tricks' section to see how you can achieve most of what you need with the current features.
The Piano Roll
Q: The Piano Roll editor defaults to a 10 octave spread. Is there a way of changing it?
A: Yes. From the 'Options' button/menu select 'default MIDI editor vertical scale' and tick an option other than 'full scale'. New Tracktion versions now default to a four octave spread, but this will only be apparent with a clean install.
Q: How do I change the octave(s) I am working at?
A: If you left click and drag the mouse up and down you can change the zooming scale for the piano roll.
Q: A hint box keeps telling me that I can resize the Piano Roll, and it's getting in the way of my cursor.
A: Just resize the Piano Roll once, and it'll stop appearing.
Arrange Area
Q: Does Tracktion have anything like Cubase's Ghost Parts?
A: A number of people have requested a way of having many instances of a clip, rather than actual copied clips in the arrangement area. Currently Tracktion does not support this, although it is on the to-do list.
Q: Why when I use insert or delete space on a track does the automation not move accordingly?
A: This is on the to-do list.
Q: Can I enter values for automation by hand, or snapshot a filter's settings?
A: Not yet. On the to-do list.
Appearance / UI
Q: Can I change the colours?
A: Not yet. Jules has said he will at some point add some method by which users can adjust the look of Tracktion.
Q: Can I minimize the left most/bottom-most panel?
A: No. This has been suggested a few times, but I'm not sure if Jules is intending to add this.
Q: Can I view more than one filter at the same time?
A: Yes. By default, Tracktion is built around the concept of keeping the UI clutter free. Whichever filter you are currently editing will automatically show its' UI, and will hide again as soon as you move to edit something else. You can choose to 'lock' (a) filter window(s) open though by clicking the 'lock' button in the title bar.
Track Freezing
Q: What is Track Freezing and why do I need it?
A: Track Freezing allows you to take a resource hungry track and bounce it down to an audio file in a non-destructive manner. This means that if you wish to make changes later you can simply select the 'Unfreeze' option and your original data, and all attached filters will be restored.
Q: Can I make changes to level and pan on a frozen track?
A: Yes, but the track will need to be unfrozen (defrosted?) before you can make these edits.
Q: Why?
A: There are two approaches to Track Freezing; effectively these can be regarded as 'full' and 'partial'. In 'full' track freezing style, which is the current Tracktion model, all frozen tracks, , complete with all of their effects, and levels, are bounced into one single file. This is very efficient for playback as only one wave data file needs to be read from disk and mixed in realtime. The penalty is that it is not as flexible as 'partial' freezing, in which individual sections can be frozen. Here the cost is in real-time playback, because each rendered section must be separately streamed from disk, and mixed at playback time. Conversely it is possible to apply extra processing to these sections in real time, so level adjustments can be made without re-freezing the entire mix. It is likely, however, that Jules will add support for both types to Tracktion, which will give the best of both worlds.
Q: Tracktion gets updated seemingly every few days. How can I tell if I have an up to date version?
A: Go to the 'Projects' tab and click 'About'. This will tell you which version you have installed. The downloads page on Raw Material Software's web site http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com/downloads/index.html will state the current version number next to the download link.
Q: Can I apply a filter to just a single audio clip, rather than to a complete track?
A: Yes, if you drag a new filter onto an audio clip, it will apply locally to that clip.
Q: Can I playback audio as I record it, and can I add effects in real time?
A: Yes. To monitor one of the input devices, just select the input device, and turn on its 'end-to-end' option. It'll then send its audio to the track that it's currently plugged into.
Q: I have a fast P4, and yet my PC regularly maxes out on CPU usage, even when I don't have many filters active. (Also 'Why can't I play the Gare du Nord demo track on my P4?').
A: The Intel P4 suffers badly from a problem called denormalization. This can cause unexpected and often rather severe CPU performance dropouts. This will be apparent as intermittent periods of unexpectedly high resource usage. The mda plugins that ship with Tracktion seem to be quite problematic in this regard, and this is why the demo tracks may appear to play badly. If you are having problems, you can always use Track Freezing.
Trial Version Questions
Q: I want to try Tracktion. Is there a demo version, and how is it 'crippled'?
A: Old Tracktion builds had a 30 day time limit, but the newest downloads will run unregistered indefinitely. The main penalty for using a non-registered version is the addition of hiss to the audio signal.
Q: I tried an early version of Tracktion and didn't like it, but the new version seems much better. How can I try it if my demo has expired?
A: See above. New versions of Tracktion will run just fine even if you have previously installed a 30 day limited Tracktion..
Tracktion Terminology
Q: I thought a filter was a thing you find on synths, what gives?
A: Tracktion uses the term 'Filter' to describe all modules (for example VST plugins, and its' own native faders and pans) that can be inserted into a signal chain. A VSTi therefore is classed as a Filter, as is a Delay, etc.
Q: I keep hearing a lot about 'Junction Filters', 'Effects Racks' and 'Aux Sends', what are they?
A: The answer to this question is something of a moving target, but it seems like Jules has set his mind on a definite model now. Take a look at the 'Effects Racks' section in the 'Probable Features Pending' section for more information.
Q: What is the 'big list' I keep hearing about, and where can I see it?
A: No-one knows. Some believe it is the master plan for the future of Tracktion., and maybe it is.
I need a mixer!
Q: I can't find the mixer?
A: That's because there isn't one. To avoid the restrictions that the mixer paradigm can bring, Jules has made a decision to approach the requirements of mixing and processing from a different angle. Each track contains a complete sequence of inputs, filters, and outputs that allow for a full mixing environment, but in a manner that is visually more logical. It is worth investing some time into understanding the Tracktion model as it has many advantages of which the WYSIWYG aspect to mixing is but one.
Q: I'm not convinced. Will Tracktion ever have a mixer?
A: Probably not. Most people seem to prefer the Tracktion method of mixing when they get used to it. Jules has said though that if enough people request one, he may be prepared to give in. However, you should check out the 'Probable Features Pending' section to see how a classic mixer really isn't going to be all that important to you soon.
Q: Does Tracktion have an 'effect send' or 'aux send' capability?
A: Tracktion does not *currently* support anything that is truly analogous to the concept of an effects send. However, Jules is working on adding 'effects racks' (see 'Probable Features Pending') which will be able to act as effects sends, and a lot more besides.
Q: OK, all this 'coming soon' stuff isn't much help to me now!
A: Quite so. Check out the 'Useful Tips and Tricks' section to see how you can achieve most of what you need with the current features.
The Piano Roll
Q: The Piano Roll editor defaults to a 10 octave spread. Is there a way of changing it?
A: Yes. From the 'Options' button/menu select 'default MIDI editor vertical scale' and tick an option other than 'full scale'. New Tracktion versions now default to a four octave spread, but this will only be apparent with a clean install.
Q: How do I change the octave(s) I am working at?
A: If you left click and drag the mouse up and down you can change the zooming scale for the piano roll.
Q: A hint box keeps telling me that I can resize the Piano Roll, and it's getting in the way of my cursor.
A: Just resize the Piano Roll once, and it'll stop appearing.
Arrange Area
Q: Does Tracktion have anything like Cubase's Ghost Parts?
A: A number of people have requested a way of having many instances of a clip, rather than actual copied clips in the arrangement area. Currently Tracktion does not support this, although it is on the to-do list.
Q: Why when I use insert or delete space on a track does the automation not move accordingly?
A: This is on the to-do list.
Q: Can I enter values for automation by hand, or snapshot a filter's settings?
A: Not yet. On the to-do list.
Appearance / UI
Q: Can I change the colours?
A: Not yet. Jules has said he will at some point add some method by which users can adjust the look of Tracktion.
Q: Can I minimize the left most/bottom-most panel?
A: No. This has been suggested a few times, but I'm not sure if Jules is intending to add this.
Q: Can I view more than one filter at the same time?
A: Yes. By default, Tracktion is built around the concept of keeping the UI clutter free. Whichever filter you are currently editing will automatically show its' UI, and will hide again as soon as you move to edit something else. You can choose to 'lock' (a) filter window(s) open though by clicking the 'lock' button in the title bar.
Track Freezing
Q: What is Track Freezing and why do I need it?
A: Track Freezing allows you to take a resource hungry track and bounce it down to an audio file in a non-destructive manner. This means that if you wish to make changes later you can simply select the 'Unfreeze' option and your original data, and all attached filters will be restored.
Q: Can I make changes to level and pan on a frozen track?
A: Yes, but the track will need to be unfrozen (defrosted?) before you can make these edits.
Q: Why?
A: There are two approaches to Track Freezing; effectively these can be regarded as 'full' and 'partial'. In 'full' track freezing style, which is the current Tracktion model, all frozen tracks, , complete with all of their effects, and levels, are bounced into one single file. This is very efficient for playback as only one wave data file needs to be read from disk and mixed in realtime. The penalty is that it is not as flexible as 'partial' freezing, in which individual sections can be frozen. Here the cost is in real-time playback, because each rendered section must be separately streamed from disk, and mixed at playback time. Conversely it is possible to apply extra processing to these sections in real time, so level adjustments can be made without re-freezing the entire mix. It is likely, however, that Jules will add support for both types to Tracktion, which will give the best of both worlds.
Last edited by valley on Tue Jul 22, 2003 11:29 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Someone shot the food. Remember: don't shoot food!
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4644 posts since 28 Nov, 2002 from Chicago
Protocol Support
Q: Is Tracktion available for Win9x, 2000/XP, Mac OS9, Mac OSX, Linux, or BeOS?
A: Tracktion is currently available for Windows (both 9x, and 2000/XP), and Mac OS X (10.2 and above). Linux is also a distinct possibility.
Q: Does Tracktion support DirectX Soundcards, and/or ASIO Soundcards?
A: Tracktion supports both DIrectSound and ASIO output and can provide respectable latencies under both.
Q: Does Tracktion Support VST Plugins?
A: Yes. Tracktion has full support for VST and VSTi Plugins.
Q: What about the FruityLoops VSTi
A: Yes, but with some caveats. Take a look in the 'Useful Tips and Tricks' section for some hints on how to make it work.
Q: Does Tracktion support DX Plugins?
A: No, although Jules hasn't ruled out adding support for DX Plugins at some later date. In the mean time you can use one of the many DX to VST converters, such as http://vincent.burel.free.fr/download/ffx4_FullDemo.zip.
Q: Does Tracktion support ReWire?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Tracktion support the UAD1?
A: Not all users are getting flawless results, but it seems that most UAD1 owners are having success now.
Q: Does Tracktion support MP3 import/export?
A: No. Jules has stated that the licensing costs involved in adding MP3 support would be prohibitive. At some point a workaround where Tracktion makes use of a third party encoder/decoder plugin if it is available may be added though.
Q: Does Tracktion support Audio Units (AU)?
A: AU Plugs are not currently supported. They may be in future versions.
Q: Does Tracktion support OPT or MFX Plugins?
A: No. Jules has not ruled out supporting either of these standards though.
Q: Can I use VST Plugins that do MIDI processing in Tracktion?
A: Yes. Due to Tracktion's linear path nature, it is very easy to add VST Plugins to a MIDI signal and have it processed in some way by that Plugin.
Q: Will Tracktion ever be a ReWire client as well as a host?
A: Jules says: Probably not! Not just because it'd be very difficult to do, and wouldn't map very well onto the way Tracktion's inputs and outputs are organised. If I was going to add some kind of 'slave' mode to Tracktion, ReWire's got a lot of disadvantages (you can't store the state of a ReWire device in the edit that contains it, and it's a clunky way of launching the application's UI). I reckon a better way to do it would be as a VST plug-in in the same way that FruityLoops works. But this will be a low-priority idea - at least a few months away.
Q: Does Tracktion support VSTis with multiple outputs?
A: You can use Tracktion with multiple output VSTis by inserting a 'patchbay' filter after the VSTi. This allows you to set how the outputs are routed, but you can only route them into the host track (IE they'll all go through the same filter path). Full support for Mulitple Output VSTis will come with Rack Filters.
Q: Is Tracktion available for Win9x, 2000/XP, Mac OS9, Mac OSX, Linux, or BeOS?
A: Tracktion is currently available for Windows (both 9x, and 2000/XP), and Mac OS X (10.2 and above). Linux is also a distinct possibility.
Q: Does Tracktion support DirectX Soundcards, and/or ASIO Soundcards?
A: Tracktion supports both DIrectSound and ASIO output and can provide respectable latencies under both.
Q: Does Tracktion Support VST Plugins?
A: Yes. Tracktion has full support for VST and VSTi Plugins.
Q: What about the FruityLoops VSTi
A: Yes, but with some caveats. Take a look in the 'Useful Tips and Tricks' section for some hints on how to make it work.
Q: Does Tracktion support DX Plugins?
A: No, although Jules hasn't ruled out adding support for DX Plugins at some later date. In the mean time you can use one of the many DX to VST converters, such as http://vincent.burel.free.fr/download/ffx4_FullDemo.zip.
Q: Does Tracktion support ReWire?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Tracktion support the UAD1?
A: Not all users are getting flawless results, but it seems that most UAD1 owners are having success now.
Q: Does Tracktion support MP3 import/export?
A: No. Jules has stated that the licensing costs involved in adding MP3 support would be prohibitive. At some point a workaround where Tracktion makes use of a third party encoder/decoder plugin if it is available may be added though.
Q: Does Tracktion support Audio Units (AU)?
A: AU Plugs are not currently supported. They may be in future versions.
Q: Does Tracktion support OPT or MFX Plugins?
A: No. Jules has not ruled out supporting either of these standards though.
Q: Can I use VST Plugins that do MIDI processing in Tracktion?
A: Yes. Due to Tracktion's linear path nature, it is very easy to add VST Plugins to a MIDI signal and have it processed in some way by that Plugin.
Q: Will Tracktion ever be a ReWire client as well as a host?
A: Jules says: Probably not! Not just because it'd be very difficult to do, and wouldn't map very well onto the way Tracktion's inputs and outputs are organised. If I was going to add some kind of 'slave' mode to Tracktion, ReWire's got a lot of disadvantages (you can't store the state of a ReWire device in the edit that contains it, and it's a clunky way of launching the application's UI). I reckon a better way to do it would be as a VST plug-in in the same way that FruityLoops works. But this will be a low-priority idea - at least a few months away.
Q: Does Tracktion support VSTis with multiple outputs?
A: You can use Tracktion with multiple output VSTis by inserting a 'patchbay' filter after the VSTi. This allows you to set how the outputs are routed, but you can only route them into the host track (IE they'll all go through the same filter path). Full support for Mulitple Output VSTis will come with Rack Filters.
Last edited by valley on Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:06 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Someone shot the food. Remember: don't shoot food!
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4644 posts since 28 Nov, 2002 from Chicago
Features Pending
Q: Dual monitor support.
A: Not yet. You can set Tracktion not to minimize when another application is active though, so you can run Tracktion on one screen and a sample editor, or patch editor for example on the other. You can also drag locked filter windows onto the second screen. Dual monitor support is on the list of things to be added, although right now, there is little detail how exactly it will work.
Q: Rack Filters
A: A Rack Filter is envisaged as a filter than can contain other filters. Rack Filters will have two unique features that set them apart from other filters:
Q: Rack Filters as 'effect sends' or 'crossover bridges'.
A: Rack Filters will be able to exist globally. That is to say, one Rack Filter will be able to exist simultaneously in a number of tracks. In this way they could be used as an 'effects send', or as a 'crossover bridge' between two tracks.
Q: Rack Filters as Modualar Synths
A: It is probable that Jules will give Rack Filters a more flexible 'wiring' system than the standard 'linear' model used elsewhere in Tracktion. This will allow more complex connections between the filters housed inside Effects Racks, such that they could act almost like modular synthesizers.
Q: Saving 'presets' on Rack Filters
A: Jules has expressed an interest in allowing 'patches' of combined filters to be saved as a preset for Rack Filters.
Q: The native sampler
A: Yes, it will be getting a work over. This is now looking like a V2 update.
Q: The Piano Roll
A: Jules has said that he will tidy the Piano Roll up when most of the popular features have been added. This is now looking like a V2 update.
Q: Step Sequencer
A: On the to-do list. ModuLR created a cool step sequencer VST plugin called StepCHiLD (http://subminimal.org/stepchild/) which you can use in the mean time.
Q: Will I be able to attach automation data to indivdual clips?
A: Probably. It is unclear exactly how this will work, but a range of extended tools for working with automation are quite likely.
Q: Will there be an option to change the default colours?
A: Yes. This is probably coming fairly soonish.
Q: I'd like to be able to assign MIDI channels to individual filters in a tracks' filter chain
A: On the list.
Q: Dual monitor support.
A: Not yet. You can set Tracktion not to minimize when another application is active though, so you can run Tracktion on one screen and a sample editor, or patch editor for example on the other. You can also drag locked filter windows onto the second screen. Dual monitor support is on the list of things to be added, although right now, there is little detail how exactly it will work.
Q: Rack Filters
A: A Rack Filter is envisaged as a filter than can contain other filters. Rack Filters will have two unique features that set them apart from other filters:
Q: Rack Filters as 'effect sends' or 'crossover bridges'.
A: Rack Filters will be able to exist globally. That is to say, one Rack Filter will be able to exist simultaneously in a number of tracks. In this way they could be used as an 'effects send', or as a 'crossover bridge' between two tracks.
Q: Rack Filters as Modualar Synths
A: It is probable that Jules will give Rack Filters a more flexible 'wiring' system than the standard 'linear' model used elsewhere in Tracktion. This will allow more complex connections between the filters housed inside Effects Racks, such that they could act almost like modular synthesizers.
Q: Saving 'presets' on Rack Filters
A: Jules has expressed an interest in allowing 'patches' of combined filters to be saved as a preset for Rack Filters.
Q: The native sampler
A: Yes, it will be getting a work over. This is now looking like a V2 update.
Q: The Piano Roll
A: Jules has said that he will tidy the Piano Roll up when most of the popular features have been added. This is now looking like a V2 update.
Q: Step Sequencer
A: On the to-do list. ModuLR created a cool step sequencer VST plugin called StepCHiLD (http://subminimal.org/stepchild/) which you can use in the mean time.
Q: Will I be able to attach automation data to indivdual clips?
A: Probably. It is unclear exactly how this will work, but a range of extended tools for working with automation are quite likely.
Q: Will there be an option to change the default colours?
A: Yes. This is probably coming fairly soonish.
Q: I'd like to be able to assign MIDI channels to individual filters in a tracks' filter chain
A: On the list.
Last edited by valley on Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:10 pm, edited 7 times in total.
Someone shot the food. Remember: don't shoot food!
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4644 posts since 28 Nov, 2002 from Chicago
Possible Features Pending
Q: Can we have a real mixer?
A: Unlikely, and you should invest some time with Tracktion before deciding you really can't exist without one. A number of ideas have been banged around on this forum for methods to add a more visual aspect to the mixing process in Tracktion, however.
Q: Will Tracktion offer support for resizing or hiding the various panels?
A: Possibly.
Q: Can we have a real mixer?
A: Unlikely, and you should invest some time with Tracktion before deciding you really can't exist without one. A number of ideas have been banged around on this forum for methods to add a more visual aspect to the mixing process in Tracktion, however.
Q: Will Tracktion offer support for resizing or hiding the various panels?
A: Possibly.
Last edited by valley on Thu Jun 12, 2003 11:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Someone shot the food. Remember: don't shoot food!
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4644 posts since 28 Nov, 2002 from Chicago
Useful Tricks and Tips
Mixing
Q: Can I create something like mixer busses in Tracktion?
A: Yes. Simply change the output device for a track to be another track. In this way you can group a number of tracks together just like with a conventional mixer bus.
Q: I made an automation curve for a level control, but now I want the whole track to be louder!
A: A useful trick with automation of levels is to insert two level filters into a track. The first one you should use for automation. The second one can then be used to scale the result. In this way you can create volume fades without needing to know the final mix level.
Q: Can I automate enabling and disabling filters?
A: No, not at this time. However, you can apply filters directly to audio clips (just drag the filter onto an audio clip). If you wish to apply delay just the final snatch of a drum loop for example, you could create a clip that contains just the end of the loop, and then drop a delay onto it.
Optimization
Q: How do I optmize Windows?
A: This is not a Tracktion specific question, so any good optimization guides should be your first starting point. It goes without saying that you should try and get the latest *stable* drivers for your hardware (including your motherboard). Disabling any unused background services, and tasks. CTRL+ALT+Delete should allow you to see what applications are being launched behind your back. Generally speaking however, running a fully optimized audio workstation is incompatible with day to day Windows usage. If you are serious about squeezing every last drop from your machine, you should consider creating a dual boot system, and setting one Windows partition aside for purely audio work. In this partition you can also disable all hardware that you will not be needing, such as network cards.
Bassburner provided this link for XP users: http://www.musicxp.net/
Q: What can I do to get the most out of Tracktion, my computer is a little slow?
A: Firstly always disable unused devices. If you don't need a set of MIDI/Audio inputs or outputs, disable them on the settings page. Disable unused filters also. Beyond this, the answer becomes more strategy than definition. Plan ahead and choose your tools wisely. For people used to trying to work in a hardware environment where a physical delay device couldn't simply be duplicated and inserted somewhere else in a rack, this should be second nature. For people not used to thinking in this manner, it requires a slight shift in perception. Some suggestions to help could be:
Mixing
Q: Can I create something like mixer busses in Tracktion?
A: Yes. Simply change the output device for a track to be another track. In this way you can group a number of tracks together just like with a conventional mixer bus.
Q: I made an automation curve for a level control, but now I want the whole track to be louder!
A: A useful trick with automation of levels is to insert two level filters into a track. The first one you should use for automation. The second one can then be used to scale the result. In this way you can create volume fades without needing to know the final mix level.
Q: Can I automate enabling and disabling filters?
A: No, not at this time. However, you can apply filters directly to audio clips (just drag the filter onto an audio clip). If you wish to apply delay just the final snatch of a drum loop for example, you could create a clip that contains just the end of the loop, and then drop a delay onto it.
Optimization
Q: How do I optmize Windows?
A: This is not a Tracktion specific question, so any good optimization guides should be your first starting point. It goes without saying that you should try and get the latest *stable* drivers for your hardware (including your motherboard). Disabling any unused background services, and tasks. CTRL+ALT+Delete should allow you to see what applications are being launched behind your back. Generally speaking however, running a fully optimized audio workstation is incompatible with day to day Windows usage. If you are serious about squeezing every last drop from your machine, you should consider creating a dual boot system, and setting one Windows partition aside for purely audio work. In this partition you can also disable all hardware that you will not be needing, such as network cards.
Bassburner provided this link for XP users: http://www.musicxp.net/
Q: What can I do to get the most out of Tracktion, my computer is a little slow?
A: Firstly always disable unused devices. If you don't need a set of MIDI/Audio inputs or outputs, disable them on the settings page. Disable unused filters also. Beyond this, the answer becomes more strategy than definition. Plan ahead and choose your tools wisely. For people used to trying to work in a hardware environment where a physical delay device couldn't simply be duplicated and inserted somewhere else in a rack, this should be second nature. For people not used to thinking in this manner, it requires a slight shift in perception. Some suggestions to help could be:
- If two tracks need similar compression, or delay, say, then consider moving the compression onto a third track and feeding the other two into it.
- If you only need a light delay on a riff with well spaced notes, it *may* be more efficient to simply place notes with reduced velocity in the phrase.
- do you need to use your highest quality effect on the part you are working on? For individual tracks and parts, often lower quality effects with a lower CPU overhead may be sufficient. In the context of a mix you very likely wont hear the difference.
- Similar to the point above, spend your power wisely. Lets say you find you can't run high quality EQ plugins at the same time as a high quality Reverb. If you need to choose one over the other then probably the EQ is more important. Good EQ can tame bad reverb, but good reverb will do nothing to tame a badly eq'd track. Moreover, in most cases you will find the quality of EQ more essential to the early mixing process than the reverb. Use a lightweight reverb to sketch the mix. When you're happy with your levels and EQ then you can start bouncing tracks to audio files. Now you should have enough room to run the reverb.
- Make use of Track Bouncing and Track Freezing. The style of music that you are writing will often determine which parts of your track become the reference from which other aspects are mixed. Whatever the reference, with a little thought you should be able to get one component set such that you can freeze it at the beginning of the mix down, but yet avoid having to keep freezing and unfreezing.
Someone shot the food. Remember: don't shoot food!
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- KVRist
- 199 posts since 2 Mar, 2003 from NYC
" Q: Does Tracktion support Audio Units (AU)?
A: AU Plugs are only available for Mac OSX, and since there is no Tracktion version for Mac - yet - the answer is currently, no. "
you might want to update that saying Tracktion mac OSX only support vst/vsti under mac osx.
-stoney
A: AU Plugs are only available for Mac OSX, and since there is no Tracktion version for Mac - yet - the answer is currently, no. "
you might want to update that saying Tracktion mac OSX only support vst/vsti under mac osx.
-stoney
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- KVRAF
- 3002 posts since 24 Nov, 2003 from Heidelberg&Hamburg
Hi all,
I'm a glad tracktion-user now too. Program's wonderful, support from Jules extremely good even for newbies like me
. Still the official FAQ goes like this, I quote from the website where people go before purchasing surely: it's deceiving when it comes to registration mode!
- - - - - - -
" To keep developing Tracktion, we've got to persuade people to buy it. So if a serial number worked on any computer, it would only take one unscrupulous person to post their number on some kind of 'serialz' website, and thousands of sales would disappear overnight.
The serial numbers used in Tracktion are designed to work on a particular PC in such a way that you can change most of its hardware and software without stopping the number working. When you do need a new number, you can get it automatically here.
Genuine users can also get free extra numbers for their laptops, second PC's, etc. - the aim isn't to prevent people making fair use of the software they've bought; just to stop it getting pirated on a large scale.
Another way of dealing with the problem would be with dongles, but this increases costs and creates a whole new set of support problems. They may be used if we decide to release a boxed version of Tracktion in the future, but this won't be for quite a while, and it'll be more expensive than the downloaded version."
- - - - - - -
So I bought Tracktion yesterday, and found afterwards that there are NO serial numbers but registration-keys. And they don't work like in Jorgen Aase's MASSIVA, where anything is simple and effective. I am NOT here to write another discussion about dongles and all those things, but I surely want to know from the official website BEFORE purchasing the right things. After some bad luck with a XP-like-registration-company I especially wanted to know WHAT I buy. Besides that I'm extremely happy with Tracktion, but I do think thiefs will stay thiefs with or without registration-procedure of that or this way. Most of the little companies run user-friendly registration - modes (rgcaudio, Massiva, Linplug, DiscoDSP, dashsignature and some more). Tracktion suggests it would do in a similar way on the official FAQ. And it's wrong.
At least the FAQ should be changed as not all who buy programs go first to KVR, but ALL go to the website of the program surely. It's kinda unfair, I think and should be mentioned so all the users know BEFORE they buy. I think the wonderful program itself and the great support is enough reason to buy a program and as stated from various people it seems unlikely that more user-unfriendly registrations persuade thiefs not to be thiefs.
All the best
Kubsch
I'm a glad tracktion-user now too. Program's wonderful, support from Jules extremely good even for newbies like me
. Still the official FAQ goes like this, I quote from the website where people go before purchasing surely: it's deceiving when it comes to registration mode!- - - - - - -
" To keep developing Tracktion, we've got to persuade people to buy it. So if a serial number worked on any computer, it would only take one unscrupulous person to post their number on some kind of 'serialz' website, and thousands of sales would disappear overnight.
The serial numbers used in Tracktion are designed to work on a particular PC in such a way that you can change most of its hardware and software without stopping the number working. When you do need a new number, you can get it automatically here.
Genuine users can also get free extra numbers for their laptops, second PC's, etc. - the aim isn't to prevent people making fair use of the software they've bought; just to stop it getting pirated on a large scale.
Another way of dealing with the problem would be with dongles, but this increases costs and creates a whole new set of support problems. They may be used if we decide to release a boxed version of Tracktion in the future, but this won't be for quite a while, and it'll be more expensive than the downloaded version."
- - - - - - -
So I bought Tracktion yesterday, and found afterwards that there are NO serial numbers but registration-keys. And they don't work like in Jorgen Aase's MASSIVA, where anything is simple and effective. I am NOT here to write another discussion about dongles and all those things, but I surely want to know from the official website BEFORE purchasing the right things. After some bad luck with a XP-like-registration-company I especially wanted to know WHAT I buy. Besides that I'm extremely happy with Tracktion, but I do think thiefs will stay thiefs with or without registration-procedure of that or this way. Most of the little companies run user-friendly registration - modes (rgcaudio, Massiva, Linplug, DiscoDSP, dashsignature and some more). Tracktion suggests it would do in a similar way on the official FAQ. And it's wrong.
At least the FAQ should be changed as not all who buy programs go first to KVR, but ALL go to the website of the program surely. It's kinda unfair, I think and should be mentioned so all the users know BEFORE they buy. I think the wonderful program itself and the great support is enough reason to buy a program and as stated from various people it seems unlikely that more user-unfriendly registrations persuade thiefs not to be thiefs.
All the best
Kubsch
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- KVRAF
- 5350 posts since 8 Aug, 2003 from Berlin Germany
To download the new full version of tracktion you have to go here
http://my.mackie.com/profile/member.asp?t=rp
http://my.mackie.com/profile/member.asp?t=rp
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- KVRAF
- 1600 posts since 1 Apr, 2003 from Seattle, WA
Just letting this fall away as we now have all the new documentation and most of this information is very out of date.
Ben
Ben
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4644 posts since 28 Nov, 2002 from Chicago
I watered it, I tended it, I raised it with my own bare hands, and now it is cast out into the rain and cold like an unwanted puppy. 
Someone shot the food. Remember: don't shoot food!
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- KVRist
- 478 posts since 22 Nov, 2004 from Alexandria, VA
You did good Valley! Mucho thanks. It wasn't cast out into the rain; it was unteethered of its earthly burden. 
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- KVRAF
- 1600 posts since 1 Apr, 2003 from Seattle, WA
Don't be sad Valley. I've let it out to pasture, to enjoy the rest of its days resting lazily under an old oak tree.
Ben
Ben
