How does Tracktion compare to Ableton for loop handling?
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- KVRer
- 15 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from USA
I'm strongly considering buying Tracktion because it looks like a killer app., but I'm not sure how flexible it is in handling and manipulating loops. Can someone give me some insight on what it can and cannot do? Also, I need to be able to record my guitar direct into Tracktion audio tracks....how well does it handle this? I'm completely over the likes of Cubase SX and Sonar, and looking for something to make my life easier. Thanks.
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- KVRAF
- 2874 posts since 22 Oct, 2002 from "somewhere between digital and analog"
It''s no Live for sure, but it will timestretch loops quickly and painlessly. Pretty quick for cutting up loops as well. Plus, you can place different loops on the same track, Acid's big shortcoming! Live is sort of like an audio editor that is non-destructive... You can do an awful lot to a static clip, but what you do is not necessarily suited to all types of music. A classic linear style sequencer (Logic, Cubase) is probably better suited for pop, jazz, etc. types of music... Live is a great creativity booster... Good fx too!
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
In no way can Tracktion be considered a rival for loop usage against ANY loop-oriented software. I use it for loops all the time, mind you, but I still wouldn't want to make the comparison, especially to Live.
Tracktion's loop capabilities--
1. Import a loop clip
2. Auto-set the track's tempo based on a small menu (this is the most useful feature of T's loop handling)
3. Select the amount of times your clip will loop back-to-back (no cross-fade) from 2X to 32X
That's about it. Sure, you can slice up and re-arrange a loop very easily, as you could with any other audio, but this process is nothing special-- just a matter of snipping here and there and moving stuff around, like in Cubase.
The pitch/time stretching is usable only as an effect... it is not smooth enough to keep the original clip's intended sound.
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Don't get me wrong-- I use loops within Tracktion, and I find that Tracktion is still the quickest and easiest way to throw a song together (I did an entire song from a CM construction kit in about 10 minutes), but its real strength (and as Jules intended, from what I gather) is in audio multitracking. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed by T's very basic loop-handling capabilities. Get it for other reasons, though.
Greg
Tracktion's loop capabilities--
1. Import a loop clip
2. Auto-set the track's tempo based on a small menu (this is the most useful feature of T's loop handling)
3. Select the amount of times your clip will loop back-to-back (no cross-fade) from 2X to 32X
That's about it. Sure, you can slice up and re-arrange a loop very easily, as you could with any other audio, but this process is nothing special-- just a matter of snipping here and there and moving stuff around, like in Cubase.
The pitch/time stretching is usable only as an effect... it is not smooth enough to keep the original clip's intended sound.
---
Don't get me wrong-- I use loops within Tracktion, and I find that Tracktion is still the quickest and easiest way to throw a song together (I did an entire song from a CM construction kit in about 10 minutes), but its real strength (and as Jules intended, from what I gather) is in audio multitracking. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed by T's very basic loop-handling capabilities. Get it for other reasons, though.
Greg
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- KVRAF
- 3745 posts since 29 Sep, 2002 from Killafornia
Bluto wrote:I'm strongly considering buying Tracktion because it looks like a killer app.,
And it is
Tracktion's loop handling and time stretch abilities are nowhere near as advanced as Acid's or Live's (atleast not yet). BUT, it does handle loops very well compared to most other DAW's.Bluto wrote: but I'm not sure how flexible it is in handling and manipulating loops. Can someone give me some insight on what it can and cannot do?
How well? VERY WELL. This is where Tracktion shines. It has non destructive editing that is awsome for moving things around and experimenting. And the simple interface helps you concentrate on the important stuff and get the ideas out of your head.Bluto wrote: Also, I need to be able to record my guitar direct into Tracktion audio tracks....how well does it handle this?
Me too. I switched from SX a year ago and never looked backBluto wrote: I'm completely over the likes of Cubase SX and Sonar, and looking for something to make my life easier. Thanks.
As always, play around with the demo to make sure its an exact fit for you and it works with your equipment.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
Yup, forgot to mention... I mainly record guitar as well.
Greg
Greg
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from USA
Hey, thanks for all of the great responses, fellas. I don't usually get too involved in a lot of loop mangling, but just wanted to know what the possibilities are.
On the other hand, are there any plugin tools that can be used for situations where more loop manipulation is needed than what Tracktion provides for?
On the other hand, are there any plugin tools that can be used for situations where more loop manipulation is needed than what Tracktion provides for?
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- KVRist
- 288 posts since 13 Oct, 2003 from Houston,Tx
The guys pretty much hit the nail on the head. I use Tracktion for recording. Mainly keyboard parts. I use alot of drum loops because i hate taking the time to do complex drums on the keyboard. I have been able to use Tracktions time stretching feature to a certain extent with success. Keep in mind that Tracktion does stretch the audio so sometimes snare hits and stuff sound kinda distorted. I also tried Live and fell in love. Unless Tracktion2 evolves significcantly this is my next sequencer. It is so easy to import loops into Live as it automatically sets the loops to project tempo without pitch shifting(if desired).
Also there are quite a few plugins to do loop manipulation. A good way to do it for free is to download Cmuzys and use the beatslicer application and then import the new file into Tracktion.
Also there are quite a few plugins to do loop manipulation. A good way to do it for free is to download Cmuzys and use the beatslicer application and then import the new file into Tracktion.
"..because anybody can
or should be able to rock off turntables
Grab the mic, plug it in and begin
..." -KRS-One
www.myspace.com/synthlegend
or should be able to rock off turntables
Grab the mic, plug it in and begin
..." -KRS-One
www.myspace.com/synthlegend
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- KVRAF
- 3745 posts since 29 Sep, 2002 from Killafornia
Phatmatik Pro is one. Also NI Intakt is nice. I think Muon came out with a VST that plays all acid loops in tempo with the host. But I forgot the name, you might wanna check out their forum if you have Acid loops.Bluto wrote:Hey, thanks for all of the great responses, fellas. I don't usually get too involved in a lot of loop mangling, but just wanted to know what the possibilities are.
On the other hand, are there any plugin tools that can be used for situations where more loop manipulation is needed than what Tracktion provides for?
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
Lots of 3rd party loop manipulation.
eXT (which is also a standalone sequencer that can already manipulate loops and has upcoming sampler and beatslicing capabilities) will do it, as will ConcreteFX dicer.
Greg
eXT (which is also a standalone sequencer that can already manipulate loops and has upcoming sampler and beatslicing capabilities) will do it, as will ConcreteFX dicer.
Greg
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- KVRAF
- 4891 posts since 3 Jan, 2003 from Vancouver
Good ol' Dicer. Cheap and effective! But I need to start leaning on Jon to tidy it up just a little... 
BTW, the Muon thing is maybe a little confusing. They're working on two VSTis (Tachyon and Neutron? - one sampler like DS404 and one drum machine/beat slicer like SR202?) but at the same time they're working with sample companies to create custom versions with sample content. So right now you can get AMG ONE/Solo, which is a stripped-down version of the forthcoming AMG ONE, either with or without sample content. These are rebadged versions of the forthcoming Tachyon... I think. Whatever. Download a demo from here.
BTW, the Muon thing is maybe a little confusing. They're working on two VSTis (Tachyon and Neutron? - one sampler like DS404 and one drum machine/beat slicer like SR202?) but at the same time they're working with sample companies to create custom versions with sample content. So right now you can get AMG ONE/Solo, which is a stripped-down version of the forthcoming AMG ONE, either with or without sample content. These are rebadged versions of the forthcoming Tachyon... I think. Whatever. Download a demo from here.
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- KVRAF
- 25015 posts since 12 Jul, 2003 from West Caprazumia
a word of warning from a frustrated long-time user:
Tracktion has NO audio-loop-recording so its audio-recording-capabilities are very restricted
- there's no shiny right-click take-menu like Cubase SX offers
Tracktion has NO audio-loop-recording so its audio-recording-capabilities are very restricted
- there's no shiny right-click take-menu like Cubase SX offers
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
I also would like to have 'cycled' or 'loop' recording. It's actually probably at the top of my list, along with track folders.
However, I think "very restricted" is a bit of an exaggeration. I rarely use MIDI, and even then I usually render to audio, leaving me in a purely audio environment. I still find it comfortable and efficient, although without cycle recording "somewhat" restricted.
Cubase costs roughly six times as much even for the SL version, and more than that for the full. I still think it's a combination of flattering and pointless to compare the two all the time when the price point is so vastly different. Hopefully the real comparisons will begin with T2.
Greg
However, I think "very restricted" is a bit of an exaggeration. I rarely use MIDI, and even then I usually render to audio, leaving me in a purely audio environment. I still find it comfortable and efficient, although without cycle recording "somewhat" restricted.
Cubase costs roughly six times as much even for the SL version, and more than that for the full. I still think it's a combination of flattering and pointless to compare the two all the time when the price point is so vastly different. Hopefully the real comparisons will begin with T2.
Greg
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- KVRAF
- 25015 posts since 12 Jul, 2003 from West Caprazumia
eXt costs 49$ and it has audio-loop-recordingLunch Money wrote:I also would like to have 'cycled' or 'loop' recording. It's actually probably at the top of my list, along with track folders.
However, I think "very restricted" is a bit of an exaggeration. I rarely use MIDI, and even then I usually render to audio, leaving me in a purely audio environment. I still find it comfortable and efficient, although without cycle recording "somewhat" restricted.
Cubase costs roughly six times as much even for the SL version, and more than that for the full. I still think it's a combination of flattering and pointless to compare the two all the time when the price point is so vastly different. Hopefully the real comparisons will begin with T2.
Greg
(and multi-channels per track as well b.t.w.)
