Announcing Waveform 9 Public Beta

[dRowAudio]

Tracktion is proud to present a month long public beta period for Waveform 9! We are offering all registered users a beta copy of W9 to test throughout January. At the end of January, this copy will cease to open and you will have to purchase a full release version of W9 to continue using the application.

The main aim of this beta period is to gather feedback on bugs and compatibility issues which you can report using our support system at [url=mailto:support@tracktion.com]support@tracktion.com[/url]. Please note that whilst we read all beta emails, we won’t necessarily be able to answer all of them directly. Please make sure to include as much info as possible in the report including:

- A suitable title
- Operating system/platform
- A description of problem
- Steps to reproduce the problem
- A Waveform log file (to get this, from the app click “Help” -> “Show the Waveform log file“)
Remember, this is beta software so there will be bugs and features are subject to change and removal. New features are also undocumented at this time and we can’t offer full support, only in relation to bug reports.

Please don’t use W9 for existing important projects as this will render them un-openable in previous versions of Waveform. Use this public beta version of W9 for exploring the new features and helping us make the full release the best it can be.

The quickest and simplest way to help us improve the app is to turn on Crash, System Info and Usage reporting from the window at startup or from the new “Maintenance” Settings page.

New Features:

- Brand new Multi-Sampler instrument
- Plugin macro parameters
- Modifiers: LFO, Breakpoint, Step, Envelope Follower, Random, MIDI Tracker
- Plugin Faceplates
- Rack Stack view
- Chord Track
- Track Loops
- Improved Tag Browser
- Quick Render
- Improved keyboard shortcuts page
- Automatic feedback and crash reporting

All registered W8 users can find W9 Beta in their downloads area.

=============================================
Quick Rundown of new Features

• Multi-Sampler instrument:
Drag files to the multi-sampler to create complex, multi-layered sample-based instruments

• Plugin macro parameters:
Plugins, tracks and Edits can now have Macro parameters.

To create a macro:
- Select the “Macro Parameters” tab
- Press the Macros “+” button to add a macro, double click it to rename, press return when finished.
- Click the “o->” assign button next to the newly named macro to enter assign mode. Available parameters are shown on the right hand column. (You can search for a parameter by scrolling through the list, or you can move the parameter in the plugin UI to bring it to the top of the list.)
- Alternatively, you can also click the “+” in Assignments to enter assign mode and select the parameter (or any previously constructed macros for the plugin) from the small pop up that appears.
- Drag on the outlined parameter knob (i.e., change the value) to make an assignment.
- Assign as many parameters as needed to the macro knob. Assignments will appear in the middle table
- You can adjust the value and offset. Note that the macros add to or subtract from the existing value, so it is necessary to set the range and offset for the knob to have anticipated effects. To do this:
- Move the plugin parameters to set their base level
- If the “o->” is not flashing, click it
- Move the macro control to add or subtract from this plugin parameter
- Modification to this base level are shown as a white arc
- Click the “o->” again. It should be in a steady state.
- During assignment, a floating window will show in the top left of the edit. Click the X to exit assign mode.
- The macro is now ready to use. A blue triangle indicates a parameter is being modified by something

• Modifiers:
The old LFOs have been replaced by a new range of modifiers. These work in a similar way to macros, modifying the base level of a parameter and are assigned in the same way.
Old LFOs will be converted to the new type where possible but as these now add to to parameter values rather than set them, you might get slightly different audible results. This may be changed in future if we add an exclusive mode to modifiers.

Modifiers have automatable parameters so if you want to modify a modifier’s parameter you can do this by clicking the “Parameters” tab of a selected modifier.

Oscillating LFOs can be free running, synced to transport or free running and reset on note-on events. Rate types can be in Hertz, Bar or sub-divisions of a bar. The Rate control effectively works as a multiplier to the rate type base.

LFO - Basic LFO with a a range of shapes now including random (S&H) and noise (ramp)
Breakpoint - An oscillator with a variable number of points that can be dragged to create a custom shape. Drag points to move them, hold a modifier and drag a point to adjust the curve.
Step - A step sequence between 2 & 64 bipolar steps. Use the randomise button to get started.
Envelope Follower - Follows the audio signal on the track and maps this to parameter changes. Use the attack, hold and release controls to determine the shape. Optionally filter the input signal to isolate aspects of the signal
Random - Similar to the random types of the LFO except this has smoothing and step depth controls for random-walk type movements
MIDI Tracker - Track incoming pitch or velocity in absolute or relative modes. Create a map of MIDI to output value

• Plugin faceplates:
Select a plugin and choose the “Faceplate” tab to create a custom interface for the plugin. Unlock the editor with the padlock and then set the grid size to determine the resolution.
Right click the editor to add parameter, sliders, parameter names, parameter values, labels, buttons and XY controls.

Right clicking the background will also enable you to set the canvas size, background colour and images. Use the Image Placement option to tile small images. You can also set a default skin to use for all controls.

Once added, right click a parameter to set a style, skin or assign a parameter.
Alternatively, build your UI and then use the right column assign button to assign parameters. Pressing the quick assign button below it (>) will automatically advance controls when a plugin’s parameter has been touched.

Pressing the file icon will enable you to save presets and load them again.
Factory presets will be coming in a future update.

• Rack Stack view:
Click the new eye icon in the Rack editor window to show the Rack in a stacked view.
When in the stack view, plugins will be stacked vertically containing either their faceplate if they have one or a blurred image of the plugin UI if one has been generated.

In stack view, if the Rack is patched in a serial way, dragging plugins around will automatically reconnect them. You can use the new plugin generator to add plugins to the stack and they will be automatically patched.

Plugins can be minimised with the [-] button on the right and the plugin window shown with the window button at the bottom right of the panel.

• Chord track:
The pattern generator in multiple midi clips can now all follow the same chord progression. Drag new clips to the chord track and build chord progressions in the same manner as the pattern generator in midi clips.

The midi clips can now either follow the chord track or global track. If there are any chord clips on the chord track, new midi clips will default to following the chord track, otherwise they will follow the global track as before.

• Track loops:
Track presets can now include clips, LFOs and multiple tracks. As well, audio previews of track presets are also created. When adding a track preset to an edit, they can either be added as a audio clip or 'track loop', a render of the track(s). Or the track(s) can be recreated - with all the original clips, LFOs, automation, plugins, etc.

• Preset Changes & Tag Browser:
Presets are now separate files that can be shared between users. The preset file can be accessed by right clicking on the preset file and choosing "Open the folder containing this file..."

The tag browser will now only show tag buttons that will further narrow the search. As well, right clicking a tag can make it a favourite. Favourite tags show in red and appear first.

When tagging files, two new controls quickly allow recent and popular tags to be quickly selected.

• Quick Render:
There is now a file icon on all clips, which can be used to quickly render clips. Clicking the file icon can either set the render to be pre or post filters. Dragging the file icon quickly renders the clip, and it can be dropped on other track, the preset browser, the file browser, plugins that support file drop, other audio application, the Finder/Explorer.

• Misc:
• App is 64-bit only and can only load 64-bit plugins
• Full user guide is now installed by default and can be launched from the “Help” menu
• More keyboard shortcuts and macros by default
• Improved keyboard shortcuts page sections and I snow searchable
• New User Interface settings page
• General and User Interface settings pages are now grouped

[fwsuperhero]

Please,
when changing anything in chord track make melody pattern to transpose itself like every other type of pattern does. It is annoying to lost your melody because you are trying different scales.
(Otherwise there is no purpose of its auto update feature)
Thank you

Btw. dont know why but waveform 9 is not sending midi clock

[chico.co.uk]

It's a beta. Bugs are not "annoying", they're expected. If that's not okay, wait till it's long out of beta before using new software. Assume you've emailed that melody remapping issue to support@tracktion.com if you want it fixed, as requested?

[aMUSEd]

• Preset Changes & Tag Browser:
Presets are now separate files that can be shared between users. The preset file can be accessed by right clicking on the preset file and choosing "Open the folder containing this file..."

Finally - think I asked for that maybe 5 years ago

Still no improvements to preset handling for AU and VST3?

[fwsuperhero]

It's a beta. Bugs are not "annoying", they're expected. If that's not okay, wait till it's long out of beta before using new software. Assume you've emailed that melody remapping issue to support@tracktion.com if you want it fixed, as requested?

No, because this is something i have been reporting till Waveform first version. It seems that this is not a bug but a feature.
Sometimes ive got very subtle melody and there is a hundred of ways how to make Waveform delete it (clear the pattern). In the moment i notice it it is usually too late.
And undo is not 100%. Sometimes i press DEL on my keyboard because i am used to it from other DAWS. And it deletes something and undo wont return it.
So there is no reason to sending a log to that email IMHO but maybe we should discuss how the melody should update itself. And how to make waveform less mutable .

[pekbro]

Still no improvements to preset handling for AU and VST3?

VST3 preset type is still not defined.

[aMUSEd]

Ridiculous

[tatanka]

Does checking evrything from the reports on installation means you automatically get all crash reports ? I dont like automatically sent things normally but in this case would be helpful cause I definitely dont have the time to sent evry report. And I am sure there will be a lot, loading my first plugin (kontakt.....) into the new rack view just causes first crash after no more then 5 minutes....

Think I will stay on the new chord track/midi pattern things to explore if I hopefully find a normal, single plugin that loads without crash....

[dellboy]

Downloaded the beta.

Had a play with the sampler - seems very nice.

Setup a template with two audio inputs and two midi inputs,which is the maximum for tracktions antiquated input system with two different midi keyboards as inputs. (other daws allow the same midi input to be used on every track)

Loaded two vsts and saved as a template.

Rebooted Tracktion,opened the saved template and enabled a midi input.

Press record.

Lockup every time.

[joule]

I can't wait to try the chord track feature. However, now it doesn't seem possible to expand the chord clip (dragging it right by clicking its edge). Might be a bug?

[vanhaze]

Dear Tracktion - Waveform,

I wanna thank you for further developing Waveform and releasing V9-beta.

Although i am really happy with Reaper (on OSX) for years now, as my first choice DAW (and will be maybe forever, cause imho, it's utterly amazing), i am anxious to try V9 out and i will for sure.

I am a legal owner of V7 and V8 but never took the time to dive into Waveform.
But i can see the great potential of this DAW, it seems all quite revolutionary to me.
The support for Javascript is really awesome, opening endless possibilities to enhance workflow.
The new Chord Track: awesome !

I am sure i am gonna have much fun with V9 beta.
I will try to contribute as much as possible regarding any issues i experience with it on OSX. (10.13.2).

Warm Regards and i hope for Tracktion - Waveform it will be a great 2018 !

[GearNostalgia]

Downloaded the beta.

Had a play with the sampler - seems very nice.

Setup a template with two audio inputs and two midi inputs,which is the maximum for tracktions antiquated input system with two different midi keyboards as inputs. (other daws allow the same midi input to be used on every track)

Loaded two vsts and saved as a template.

Rebooted Tracktion,opened the saved template and enabled a midi input.

Press record.

Lockup every time.

How did you download it? I have logged into my account and I can only see al lot of version 8 in my possible downloads. Where is the beta file?

[GearNostalgia]

Downloaded the beta.

Had a play with the sampler - seems very nice.

Setup a template with two audio inputs and two midi inputs,which is the maximum for tracktions antiquated input system with two different midi keyboards as inputs. (other daws allow the same midi input to be used on every track)

Loaded two vsts and saved as a template.

Rebooted Tracktion,opened the saved template and enabled a midi input.

Press record.

Lockup every time.

How did you download it? I have logged into my account and I can only see a lot of version 8 in my possible downloads. For Biotek I can se a button labeled BETA, but no such button for Waveform. Where is the beta file?

[FigBug]

Please,
Btw. dont know why but waveform 9 is not sending midi clock

It's a bug, fixed in next beta.

[FigBug]

I can't wait to try the chord track feature. However, now it doesn't seem possible to expand the chord clip (dragging it right by clicking its edge). Might be a bug?

When you mouse over chord clip, you should get title bar with two triangles, pull triangle