Having trouble getting started with Tracktion
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- KVRer
- 2 posts since 7 Sep, 2018
Tracktion is up and running for me at the moment, and the demo songs are creating sound. However, and I apologize if this is a stupid question, I can not find out how to record any sound at all using a plugin synthesizer. I know there are some connections between recording and plugins that I have to make, but I have no idea how to make them and I've check several tutorials with none of them demonstrating how to connect a plugin synthesizer to the recording device. They all seem to assume that this is something I already know how to do. Can someone tell me or show me with a good guide how to create and sequence a recording of a plugin synth to Tracktion?
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- KVRAF
- 1605 posts since 9 Jan, 2018
I can try. I don't want to overcomplicate this because, as you suspect, it's pretty simple. Once you get the basic concept down, the rest generally falls into place quickly.
Also, I think this will be covered in the user manual, which installed along with the software. I'm not sure what version you're running, but am guessing it's at least T7, so I'll try my best to cover T7, W8, and W9.
Some basic basics:
A. The main screen contains the music. The stuff at the bottom edge is called "The Properties Pane." Very important: basically, everything you could likely want to do at any given moment is viewable from this pane or a menu item. As a result, the Properties pane will change from moment to moment, but you'll quickly discover how predictable this really is. You shouldn't have to look far to get what you want.
B. There are often 3 or 4 different ways to do something in this DAW. If you don't like one way, there's almost certainly another you'll like better.
C. On the main screen, INPUTS are on the left... OUTPUTS are on the right. Your VSTs or plugins go on the right. Your audio inputs, mics, MIDI controllers, etc., will go on the left if you need them. If all you're doing is creating some notes by hand to play through a plug in, you won't need an input.
1. You need a "track" in which to work. I think you have this figured out, since you have a demo song working. The track can be anything, as I'll get to next. Let's pick Track 1, the top horizontal row across the screen.
2. Let's do the output first. To the right of the track, you'll see a couple of rectangles...one is a dark box with a colored horizontal line in it. This represents your track's overall volume. Next to it, you'll see a dark vertical slot...this is your output level meter. If you play your demo track, you'll see the left and right audio signal strength pump through this.
3. In the upper right of your monitor, you'll see a gray box with a + in it. This is your plug in/VST selection. Click and drag this icon to the OUTPUT of the track... right to a spot to the LEFT of the track's overall volume. (Yes, you can place it anywhere in the output area, but that can have different results, so keeping this simple, drop the + to the LEFT of the overall volume.
4. A popup menu will let you select which plug in you want here. Choose a software synth. (Later, you can add an effect here by dragging the same + between the synth and the volume box and selecting an effects plugin!)
5. Okay--you've now got a synth loaded for your track. Now you'll need a "clip" to edit.
6. Drag the RED "+" icon from the top of the screen and drop it onto Track 1. Drop it anywhere: you can drag it left or right to exactly where you want it, stretch it or shrink it to cover however many bars you want later.
7. A popup will ask you if you're creating a MIDI track or an audio track. Keeping it simple, select "MIDI."
8. If you want to start creating MIDI notes by hand, double click the clip, and the MIDI editor will open. Pressing the PLAY button will play your result. If that's enough to get you started, you're done!
9. If you want to record notes from a MIDI controller, you need to create an input.
10. On the LEFT end of the track, you'll see a box that says Track 1, with a dark gray pennant shape under it. Click in the gray pennant and hold down the button: a list of valid inputs will appear.
11. Assuming you have your MIDI controller connected by USB to your computer, you should see the name of your MIDI controller there. Select it.
12. The MIDI controller now appears in the input, your music is in the middle, and the plug in is your output. That's your musical chain, ready to go.
13. You should notice a small dot has appeared in the INPUT box next to the name of your MIDI controller. To record live, you need to "arm" the track. Click this dot.
14. You'll notice it's turned an angry red! You're just about ready to record.
15. Click the record icon in the lower right of the screen. You should hear a click track start counting down... get to your controller.
16. On the last click, you're recording. If you press notes on your MIDI controller, you should (a) see notes appear on the screen and (b) hear them played through your plug in.
17. When you're done recording, press STOP.
That's basically all there is.
If you want to create a second track of music, repeat those steps. You can create a ton of tracks this way, with different plug ins, and build yourself a massive orchestra.
You can also record live audio (vocals, electric guitar, hardware synths) through a not-surprisingly similar set of steps! This is all pretty well covered in the manuals and on the many videos. Don't be afraid to view those, as Tracktion/Waveform is quite flexible, creative, and does some highly unique and impressive things.
And never, never, never be afraid to ask a question in this forum. It's one of the few places on earth where you can get an answer from the guys who actually code the software!
Also, I think this will be covered in the user manual, which installed along with the software. I'm not sure what version you're running, but am guessing it's at least T7, so I'll try my best to cover T7, W8, and W9.
Some basic basics:
A. The main screen contains the music. The stuff at the bottom edge is called "The Properties Pane." Very important: basically, everything you could likely want to do at any given moment is viewable from this pane or a menu item. As a result, the Properties pane will change from moment to moment, but you'll quickly discover how predictable this really is. You shouldn't have to look far to get what you want.
B. There are often 3 or 4 different ways to do something in this DAW. If you don't like one way, there's almost certainly another you'll like better.
C. On the main screen, INPUTS are on the left... OUTPUTS are on the right. Your VSTs or plugins go on the right. Your audio inputs, mics, MIDI controllers, etc., will go on the left if you need them. If all you're doing is creating some notes by hand to play through a plug in, you won't need an input.
1. You need a "track" in which to work. I think you have this figured out, since you have a demo song working. The track can be anything, as I'll get to next. Let's pick Track 1, the top horizontal row across the screen.
2. Let's do the output first. To the right of the track, you'll see a couple of rectangles...one is a dark box with a colored horizontal line in it. This represents your track's overall volume. Next to it, you'll see a dark vertical slot...this is your output level meter. If you play your demo track, you'll see the left and right audio signal strength pump through this.
3. In the upper right of your monitor, you'll see a gray box with a + in it. This is your plug in/VST selection. Click and drag this icon to the OUTPUT of the track... right to a spot to the LEFT of the track's overall volume. (Yes, you can place it anywhere in the output area, but that can have different results, so keeping this simple, drop the + to the LEFT of the overall volume.
4. A popup menu will let you select which plug in you want here. Choose a software synth. (Later, you can add an effect here by dragging the same + between the synth and the volume box and selecting an effects plugin!)
5. Okay--you've now got a synth loaded for your track. Now you'll need a "clip" to edit.
6. Drag the RED "+" icon from the top of the screen and drop it onto Track 1. Drop it anywhere: you can drag it left or right to exactly where you want it, stretch it or shrink it to cover however many bars you want later.
7. A popup will ask you if you're creating a MIDI track or an audio track. Keeping it simple, select "MIDI."
8. If you want to start creating MIDI notes by hand, double click the clip, and the MIDI editor will open. Pressing the PLAY button will play your result. If that's enough to get you started, you're done!
9. If you want to record notes from a MIDI controller, you need to create an input.
10. On the LEFT end of the track, you'll see a box that says Track 1, with a dark gray pennant shape under it. Click in the gray pennant and hold down the button: a list of valid inputs will appear.
11. Assuming you have your MIDI controller connected by USB to your computer, you should see the name of your MIDI controller there. Select it.
12. The MIDI controller now appears in the input, your music is in the middle, and the plug in is your output. That's your musical chain, ready to go.
13. You should notice a small dot has appeared in the INPUT box next to the name of your MIDI controller. To record live, you need to "arm" the track. Click this dot.
14. You'll notice it's turned an angry red! You're just about ready to record.
15. Click the record icon in the lower right of the screen. You should hear a click track start counting down... get to your controller.
16. On the last click, you're recording. If you press notes on your MIDI controller, you should (a) see notes appear on the screen and (b) hear them played through your plug in.
17. When you're done recording, press STOP.
That's basically all there is.
If you want to create a second track of music, repeat those steps. You can create a ton of tracks this way, with different plug ins, and build yourself a massive orchestra.
You can also record live audio (vocals, electric guitar, hardware synths) through a not-surprisingly similar set of steps! This is all pretty well covered in the manuals and on the many videos. Don't be afraid to view those, as Tracktion/Waveform is quite flexible, creative, and does some highly unique and impressive things.
And never, never, never be afraid to ask a question in this forum. It's one of the few places on earth where you can get an answer from the guys who actually code the software!
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and even Deezer, whatever the hell Deezer is.
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
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- KVRAF
- 1605 posts since 9 Jan, 2018
Don't forget to build a library of plug ins, if you haven't already. Tons of free ones on the internet that are very good; just remember to pay attention to whether they're 32-bit or 64-bit, as this matters to what version you're running.
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and even Deezer, whatever the hell Deezer is.
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
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- KVRAF
- 1605 posts since 9 Jan, 2018
DUPE post. Looks like KVR is in a mood today.
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and even Deezer, whatever the hell Deezer is.
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 2 posts since 7 Sep, 2018
Thank you so much! This help was exactly what I needed. I managed to get to step 3 before your guide, but now I can actually record stuff. It's still more complicated than my previous DAW was and I'm not sure if I should feel stupid about it or not but either way I've got a good foundation to go off of. I will start building my library of synth plugins and effects right away. Again, thanks a lot for your help, it is much appreciated.
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- KVRAF
- 3735 posts since 17 Sep, 2016
Well said!Watchful wrote:I can try. I don't want to overcomplicate this because, as you suspect, it's pretty simple. Once you get the basic concept down, the rest generally falls into place quickly.
Also, I think this will be covered in the user manual, which installed along with the software. I'm not sure what version you're running, but am guessing it's at least T7, so I'll try my best to cover T7, W8, and W9.
Some basic basics:
<snip>
I will also add, don't forget to watch the free videos at the Tracktion website. A lot covered there, including a few things that are not fully covered yet in the user guide.
https://www.tracktion.com/training/videos
For example, this is a good video tutorial about basic MIDI recording and record modes.
Waveform 9 Quickstart - MIDI Recording
Windows 10 and too many plugins
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- KVRAF
- 1605 posts since 9 Jan, 2018
Don't feel stupid! Waveform and T7 do an incredible amount, and I'm serious when I say there are multiple ways to do things. I'm probably using only 5% of what it can do. It's fascinating to watch folks answer a question 10 different ways; confusing as hell to the first-timer, but proof of this DAW's flexibility. I know I can eventually find a way to get it to do what I want...so don't give up.
Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and even Deezer, whatever the hell Deezer is.
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual
More fun at Twitter @watchfulactual