Traction T7 (getting sounds to play)

[159]

How can I select inputs that have input monitering, so i can play presets with audible output? How can i make notes make sound in midi or audio clip? How do i choose instruments for notes? Is this the right forum?

[pough]

Yes and no. Tracktion 7 is 4 versions ago, so not everyone here has used it or remembers it. I happen to have it still installed, so I did a screen capture and put numbers over key areas.

I'm not sure if I can answer your questions as asked because they seem a little ambiguous and/or based on incorrect assumptions. But I can give you a little primer that might answer all or most of them.

Tracktion has a left-to-right flow that I find easier than other DAWS - ( INPUT -> AUDIO/MIDI -> INSTRUMENTS/EFFECTS ) but some of the details can still be non-obvious at first go.

1. On the left you right-click the dark chevron to get a menu for choosing your input - audio or MIDI.
2. Things that you record go into the track lane.
3. Instruments and effects go into the right-hand area. Click and drag the grey + chevron (3a) onto the track (3b) you want a plugin (instrument OR effect) and let go to get a menu of plugins. (There are more ways to add plugins to a track.)

If you are not hearing things when you expect to, you might need to go for the #4 (bottom left.) In the Options menu there is a "Run audio engine when stopped" selection. If it's off then you will only hear sounds when the edit is actually playing.

Tracktion 7 Left to Right Basics.jpg

I hope that helps.

[Peter Widdicombe]

As an aside, look for "movement" on screen. In the "1" area, input midi should indicate "volume" when midi keys are hit, IF you have a midi device on input. If you've selected a valid audio input, it would do the same.

If using MIDI input, make sure you have a MIDI .vst loaded and patch selected (3a), and when you hit midi notes, you should see the level meters (3) somewhat. Lower right hand corner is another level meter - the master volume/level indicators. It should bounce with any audio or midi-processed-to-audio from any of the tracks. That you should hear on the output device.

You HAVE done the settings/audio devices, made sure that makes sense, and run the TEST button to make sure you hear the tone?

[fde101]

Also consider grabbing Waveform 11 Free now that it is out.

[Peter Widdicombe]

The "getting audio to work" will be a common thread for not only all versions of Tracktion/Waveform - and it's the initial understanding of the source-through-output and how to troubleshoot, and the above steps apply equally to all versions of Tracktion/Waveform
(and even to other DAW's... although their flows for troubleshooting will be different. Bandlab? Their MIDI processing I just can't understand, although some of the included .VST's are nice).

Agreed, though, that if you ARE just getting started, why not go through the effort on the latest and greatest Waveform 11, unless you're specifically looking at running 32-bit VST's.

[159]

Can i create notes in this program, without any instrument connected? I don't read music, but i would like to create music visually. The Traction website says the newest version can. Can Traction T7 do this?

[pough]

I also don't read music and I can't really play a keyboard, so what I do is create a MIDI clip and plunk in notes. Up at the top right is a red thing that you can drag to a track. Releasing it should give you the option to create a MIDI clip. Open up the MIDI clip and there will be a vertical keyboard that you can use to audition notes. There are a variety of tools to add and edit notes.

This might help:

[159]

I seem to have set up my audio devices correctly, because I can hear a tone when I hit "test".
I would like to create a MIDI track, because that gives me a keyboard, and a UI where I can drag notes around.
However, this MIDI track doesn't give any sound. I can't find any other configuration to make this track audible.
Midi Devices settings show "Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth" as default MIDI output. How do I make the MIDI track make sound?

[pough]

I can't give you any advice regarding the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth as mine is disabled and I have no idea how to enable it. The MIDI from MIDI clips usually go through a VST synth to make noise. Do you have any VSTs installed? I think T7 didn't come with any instruments. Great for those of us who already have lots of VSTs and don't like to wade through the kind of junk that usually gets bundled as default instruments. Terrible for anyone getting started who has no idea about VSTs.

[Watchful]

FM Synth, at least, should be in the plugins list. Depending on the package, T7 may have included Collective, which is a workhorse. Not sure if the free versions of T7 have Collective.

[Peter Widdicombe]

I theory, I suppose the MS Wavetable synth could work. Select the track, and where the output is given, set the output to that. The problem might be that the audio it generates might not be heard, as it operates completely outside of Tracktion. I don't think very many have even TRIED to get it to work.

Make life easier for yourself, and use a VST.

1. As mentionned above there are limited ones included with Tracktion 7, like the FM synth. Put that on the right hand side, just before the track volume control. It then translaates MIDI notes to audio, and that can be heard then.
2. Better still, get the Waveform 11 Free - it's current and supported, and does include Collective and a whole lot of other useful stuff. Collective itself is a fairly massive patch collection.
3. There are lots of good/free VST's out there. Just be aware that there are 32- and 64- bit ones; make sure the ones you try are available in the right format. Tracktion 7 was available in 32- and 64- bit format, and you ran 32 -or- 64 versions; Waveform only supports 64-bit plugins, unless you do a LOT of reading and fiddling around... (32-bit "bridging").