How does Tracktion 5 compare to Reaper 4 ?

[mcnelson]

AFAIK, Reaper never had bendy arrows in its rich lineage. This is the main difference between Tracktion and Reaper I feel, and what sets Tracktion truly apart from other DAWS

[LawrenceF]

Tracktion 5 is clearly 3 digits better.

Fixed that for ya

You're both wrong. Tracktion 5 and Reaper 4 both have 1 digit.

Very true... ye' both.

KVR is the true king of humorous and friendly non-offensive sarcasm. Although... without Dan being around anymore the quips have lost some of their "zing".

Dan was the master.

[frankz00]

Vague but hyperbolic statement relating to the numerous positive attributes of something. +4

Response long enough to answer the question, but claim you can't answer the question as it would take too much time. +1

'if you are sincerely interested' deflection. +1

The 'answer' is behind a paywall. +2

8/10

Yes, but the demo is still free. I will add to the "vagueness" by saying it really is as I said. If you sit down and "try it, it my just work" it usually does. The benefit to that is that the learning curve is fairly shallow. At least in my opinion it is. It is unintuitive in the sense that it doesn't act like a typical DAW but I found that with the things I tried to do and worked, it made complete sense in the context of the interface. The only thing I had trouble finding was loop stretching but even that made sense after someone showed me the way.

If you're more suited to the "formal approach", I would say that Tracktion is probably not for you. But if you are into flexibility and context oriented tracking, then it's really great for that.

[HobbyCore]

Vague but hyperbolic statement relating to the numerous positive attributes of something. +4

Response long enough to answer the question, but claim you can't answer the question as it would take too much time. +1

'if you are sincerely interested' deflection. +1

The 'answer' is behind a paywall. +2

8/10

Yes, but the demo is still free. I will add to the "vagueness" by saying it really is as I said. If you sit down and "try it, it my just work" it usually does. The benefit to that is that the learning curve is fairly shallow. At least in my opinion it is. It is unintuitive in the sense that it doesn't act like a typical DAW but I found that with the things I tried to do and worked, it made complete sense in the context of the interface. The only thing I had trouble finding was loop stretching but even that made sense after someone showed me the way.

If you're more suited to the "formal approach", I would say that Tracktion is probably not for you. But if you are into flexibility and context oriented tracking, then it's really great for that.

'Loop stretching' is a suitable answer to my original question. Thank you.

[warp x]

Tried both bought Tracktion. No contest.

[bk]

Could you please elaborate on what exactly is 'cutting edge' about tracktion?

Freeze points and Edit Clips.

[pdxindy]

Could you please elaborate on what exactly is 'cutting edge' about tracktion?

Freeze points and Edit Clips.

note per midi channel capability... also supports the Seaboard...

[metamorphosis]

If workflow > stability then = tracktion
if stability > workflow then = reaper

[HobbyCore]

Could you please elaborate on what exactly is 'cutting edge' about tracktion?

Freeze points and Edit Clips.

Edit clips-like functionality is definitely not new. DP has had chunks, which are very similar and more flexible, for 10+ years. Tracktion's implementation is interesting, but it's simply having a clip be a symlink to a project.

Freeze points look neat. I have no clue how 'cutting edge' that is since my work doesn't require freezing tracks, but it certainly looks like a neat idea.

Could you please elaborate on what exactly is 'cutting edge' about tracktion?

Freeze points and Edit Clips.

note per midi channel capability... also supports the Seaboard...

Midi note per channel has been around for 20+ years in other sequencers. The fact that some VST's supported it before Tracktion should give an indication that it's not exactly a unique or new idea.

The seaboard looks neat, but I don't see why that's special to Tracktion? The seaboard website says it works in Logic, Cubase, ProTools, Reaper, Tracktion, Max MSP and a variety of plug-ins. From what I can gather, logic/cubase/protools/max have had the necessary functionality since before Tracktion 1 even existed.

[hibidy]

I dunno, I think it's cool when people like something. I haven't tried tracktion since it's rebirth because I'm happy (for now) with live. Reaper is a good program. If it doesn't sit with you, that's cool too.

Frankly, I think hosts are behind where they should be. But I applaud tracktion for coming back strong, bringing the former tracktioneers back into the fold, and gaining much new support. Plus, I'm pretty sure (if I'm keeping up properly) it's well supported. Reaper used to be like this but now updates are few and far between. I'm good to 4.99 so I'm still a reaper owner. Would love to see them take a step up though.

[pdxindy]

note per midi channel capability... also supports the Seaboard...

Midi note per channel has been around for 20+ years in other sequencers. The fact that some VST's supported it before Tracktion should give an indication that it's not exactly a unique or new idea.

The seaboard looks neat, but I don't see why that's special to Tracktion? The seaboard website says it works in Logic, Cubase, ProTools, Reaper, Tracktion, Max MSP and a variety of plug-ins. From what I can gather, logic/cubase/protools/max have had the necessary functionality since before Tracktion 1 even existed.

I don't think many hosts can do polyphonic per note expression. Cubase got that feature with version 6 which was like 3-4 years ago... I'm not up on all the various hosts, but with Cubase, I think a plug-in synth has to be VST3.5 to take advantage of that functionality. The latest Bazille beta (VST2.4) can do poly per note expression in Tracktion and it is well implemented.

There are a variety of innovative features in Tracktion but I don't believe you have the slightest interest in an honest conversation and just want to say you are right so it is a waste of time to speak with you further.

[fedexnman]

Tracktion 5 is the sheeeeet .... Tracktion 1 nfr I got for free and was my 1st VST Host . I do hope they'll bring back the old school bendy arrows one day x fingers . Reaper 4 is good too . I prefer Tracktion . I have a little a.d.d. so I like the one screen approach of Tracktion . Its a lot of fun to use . Its a little different than the Pro tools Cubase types of DAWs . I like it a lot .

[Turello]

Tracktion is very strange and also the least\worst intuitive DAW... I can't understand how people as David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and others famous ones do their pre-productions with this software... REAPER rules\win!

[HobbyCore]

note per midi channel capability... also supports the Seaboard...

Midi note per channel has been around for 20+ years in other sequencers. The fact that some VST's supported it before Tracktion should give an indication that it's not exactly a unique or new idea.

The seaboard looks neat, but I don't see why that's special to Tracktion? The seaboard website says it works in Logic, Cubase, ProTools, Reaper, Tracktion, Max MSP and a variety of plug-ins. From what I can gather, logic/cubase/protools/max have had the necessary functionality since before Tracktion 1 even existed.

I don't think many hosts can do polyphonic per note expression. Cubase got that feature with version 6 which was like 3-4 years ago... I'm not up on all the various hosts, but with Cubase, I think a plug-in synth has to be VST3.5 to take advantage of that functionality. The latest Bazille beta (VST2.4) can do poly per note expression in Tracktion and it is well implemented.

Ok, so we agree. It's not new. It is great that Tracktion has implemented the functionality, but it is disingenuous to characterize it as 'cutting edge'.

There are a variety of innovative features in Tracktion but I don't believe you have the slightest interest in an honest conversation and just want to say you are right so it is a waste of time to speak with you further.

The few times someone has actually answered my questions I have responded with a thank you, and even otherwise I have been positive and affirming. Including in the post you quoted.

People keep making vague and hyperbolic statements about tracktion. If you're going to talk about how something is cutting edge or has features with specific qualities, then that should be easily discussed.

If you are not aware, I have invested a significant amount of time into researching DAWs lately and I could not be any more interested in having an honest discussion. Making generic, yet superlative, statements then refusing to discuss them is quite far from an honest discussion.

[HobbyCore]

Tracktion is very strange and also the least\worst intuitive DAW... I can't understand how people as David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and others famous ones do their pre-productions with this software... REAPER rules\win!

Where did you get the info that David Gilmour uses Tracktion?

I tried to google it and the only link I could find that specifically mentions Gilmour and tracktion (or reaper) just happens to be your post. Perhaps I'm missing some video interview or something?