Tracktion Software

pough · Post by **pough** » Wed Apr 22, 2026 5:59 pm

I've just loaded the WF14 beta and there is no longer an expanded Controls Panel. They've gone all-in on the Actions Tab.

So ignore 90% of the help I've provided over the years.

Anyways, it's time to check it out.

unholyeyebrows · Post by **unholyeyebrows** » Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:48 pm

Any details you can report on the beta? Major features or screenshots? Hopefully Tracktion might release one of their Universe videos teasing the new stuff.

Watchful · Post by **Watchful** » Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:49 pm

Ugh, this was not the right move. The Actions tab is not particularly logical in its layout, and will make "seeing everything at a glance" impossible.

pough · Post by **pough** » Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:58 pm

unholyeyebrows wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:48 pm Any details you can report on the beta? Major features or screenshots? Hopefully Tracktion might release one of their Universe videos teasing the new stuff.

1. Projects are now folder-based (related: DAWproject import/export)

2. ARA2

3. Multi-channel/surround

4. UI changes, including the removal of one of my personal favourite components: the expanded Controls Panel. But the good news is you have more control over colours. Also, the UI seems noticeably faster to me.

5. AI assistant, which doesn't interest me at all but I guess it's the hip new thing and has to be mentioned

unholyeyebrows · Post by **unholyeyebrows** » Wed Apr 22, 2026 7:01 pm

Thanks!

pough · Post by **pough** » Wed Apr 22, 2026 7:03 pm

Watchful wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:49 pm Ugh, this was not the right move. The Actions tab is not particularly logical in its layout, and will make "seeing everything at a glance" impossible.

Maybe it's because modern monitors tend to be squat and there's more space available on the edges than the bottom.

Kido · Post by **Kido** » Thu Apr 23, 2026 6:36 am

Please bring back the panel at the bottom. Even if it duplicates some functions from the side menu, that’s fine. I really don’t want to change my habits. Visually, I really like the new version. However, if the changes are mainly related to AI, I don’t see the point in updating—maybe 14.5 will convince me otherwise. I also liked the Ara improvements, but I rarely use them.

Peter Widdicombe · Post by **Peter Widdicombe** » Thu Apr 23, 2026 11:50 am

+1 for keeping the useful panel.

From what I've read, the most logical improvement is the project folder-based file system "separation" from the somewhat confusing current system with what seems like "arbitrary indexing" for keeping track of projects.

ForrestH · Post by **ForrestH** » Thu Apr 23, 2026 4:21 pm

"Every large scale project, when it comes in reach of its goal, goes insane."
— Jon Kitman

Paree · Post by **Paree** » Thu Apr 23, 2026 8:42 pm

I think the actions tab should be movable like the browser, if the user can put it back to the horizontal position, that would be great

Jan Meyer · Post by **Jan Meyer** » Thu Apr 23, 2026 9:08 pm

The horizontal menu panel is still there. Select the menu items Faceplate or Pattern Generator. I believe restoring the feature will require minimal effort.

Watchful · Post by **Watchful** » Thu Apr 23, 2026 11:21 pm

That looks pretty close to the old version. I might be able to work with that.

citrusui · Post by **citrusui** » Wed Apr 29, 2026 11:22 pm

Jan Meyer wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2026 9:08 pm The horizontal menu panel is still there. Select the menu items Faceplate or Pattern Generator. I believe restoring the feature will require minimal effort.

Nice! I might reinstall the beta to try this. Not having that bar at the bottom has me greatly worried.
I saw a mention that the interface is faster too, I will explore a bit more to see if it solves some past gripes about performance.

Tracktion Software

KVR Audio

Goodbye, "Useful Mode"! (Hello, Waveform 14!)