Tracktion

[edelweiss]

Drag and drop from the filter list to a track (or clip). VST effects are applied the same way...

[Lunch Money]

To elaborate, in the upper right of your edit, there's a trapezoid with the word "filter". Click and drag it to the 'filter' (plug-in) area to the right of the track. You can put them in any order, though a VSTi will usually come before the effects, I guess. After you release the button from the drag, you'll see a list of your available VST.

Under there is also a "racks" button, which opens an area for doing modular routing. "Filters" can also be dragged into there.

[3mph]

I've tried Tracktion too, and the only thing that's holding me from a complete turn-over (from Sonar) is the lack of DX/DXi-support and the possibilty to use a non-ASIO audio-driver. My computer is rather slow, and I only use ASIO if I have to (when I play the B4 for example). The project-handling is a bit confusing to me too.

But yes.. the workflow is exellent. The interface has gone way beyond the "big guys".

My $0.02..

[Lunch Money]

I'm 98% certain that Tracktion offers non-ASIO. It offers WDM at least... and I haven't looked into others since I DO use ASIO... but the only host I know of that's ASIO-specific is eXT.

As for DX/DXi, for the cost of Tracktion AND a DX-VST wrapper, you're still getting a bargain. I don't think we'll ever see DX support, which is unfortunate for Sonar users who have accumulated a lot of DX plug-ins. There IS a wrapper, though, so it's still something to at least consider.

Greg

[Jeremy_NSL]

... and the possibilty to use a non-ASIO audio-driver. My computer is rather slow, and I only use ASIO if I have to (when I play the B4 for example).

You can use Directsound in Tracktion. Go to the settings tab and click the dropdown box next to "wave device". Of course, it will have awful latency, but you already know that right?

[LBN]

I believe Console can be loaded as a VST plugin and then host DX plugins within it. FL Studio should be able to do this too.

[Muzik 4 Machines]

hi
i just read the first third or so of this threa earlier and d/l the demo
WOW
you got a new converted
im 98% sure but im on mac...
no aux sends is quite strange
and how to access the multi outs on VSTi's?
and how to feedback fx in the racks?

[Robert Randolph]

I'm 98% certain that Tracktion offers non-ASIO. It offers WDM at least... and I haven't looked into others since I DO use ASIO... but the only host I know of that's ASIO-specific is eXT.

As for DX/DXi, for the cost of Tracktion AND a DX-VST wrapper, you're still getting a bargain. I don't think we'll ever see DX support, which is unfortunate for Sonar users who have accumulated a lot of DX plug-ins. There IS a wrapper, though, so it's still something to at least consider.

Greg

I think you will see DX support sometime... check JUCE, there is a nice little hole there for DX to be popped in.

[Neil G]

hi
no aux sends is quite strange
and how to access the multi outs on VSTi's?

you can use rack filters for both of these and its not really that hard to setup at all

[Ian F]

Is anybody using Traktion and SampleTank without any problems. I remember reading somewhere that they did not get along.

[j_T]

Is anybody using Traktion and SampleTank without any problems. I remember reading somewhere that they did not get along.

I do.

Regards,

Tommy

[Ixox]

I use Sampletank 1LE and 2LE with Tracktion.
Sampletanks 1LE often freeze Tracktion specially if you are in real time mode and if you use several instances of it.

Here are my main pros for Tracktion:

1. One single screen - zero layered windows and menus
2. Fast ASIO host, stable as a rock, lean on CPU. Has never crashed once on me
3. It's so simple to route audio and MIDI using a single track metaphor, and FX and mixing is so transparent it's beyond intuitive.
4. Have not needed a manual or readme file once.
5. The GUI is a masterwork of design, simplicity and uses scalable fonts to make it appear consistent across any machine or resolution
6. Racks are pure genius
The only thing I'd like to see added is a "Save to MP3" feature.

I also like Tracktion very much and don't need another host for the moment.
You wrote good points here...

Just some bad points to balance :
- I don't find racks are very good. You always have to open and close them... I often plug the wires at a wrong position. Make a simple send is not so simple. wet/dry + input level + output leve makes it difficult to understand.
- Tracktion automation is a toy... It seems not to be finish and often drive me crazy.
- tracktion is owned by Mackie and the new silent + rare update policy is a pity.

Misc remarks :
The midi editor is not as bad as some say. Short-keys are your friends.
Have any one every made a good use of groove template ?

Xavier

[loomchild]

I second what Xavier said. However, I have tried Traktion several times, but even with the latest additions I have been very disapointed each time and still cannot help thinking that it's a very unfinished program. Of course, some will tell you that this or that will be added into Traktion 2, but...it's not out yet.

My main gripes about it are:

- The "original" way of mixing [no global mixer, but per channel volume/pan]. I know this is regarded by most Traktion users as a great feature, but I really find it cumbersome to use when the project uses a lot of tracks.

- The pretty toyish piano roll. Once again, it's a personnal opinion about it. I find it pretty annoying to use if you are doing a lot of midi editing to your project.

- The lack of Midi Clock Transmit which is an essential feature to me.

- The lack of support for Midi Control devices for anything but Keyboards( at least!:) )

- The rack filter system as a work-around to emulate buses(send/return): I find it pretty amazing that a program which is praised for having one of the greatest workflows ever, relies on such a tedious system to perform such a basic functionality. Someone calling himself ModulR has developped a plugin which makes it easier, but IIRC it was going crazy when soloing.

To conclude, I think Tracktion could be a great application, but is not quite there yet.
If workflow is your main concern, then any app could be the one that offers you "the best workflow". It's just a matter of what you are used to.

[TheWall]

loomchild's post is the only one that has answered the original poster's question. (it wasn't a question at all - it was a plea for reassurance to stick to Sonar )

[hugolp]

Thanks to all for the answers. Very useful. I think before buying Sonar, Ill give it a try to Tracktion, to see if I can get what I want with the limitations it seems to have, as everybody agrees the workflow is the best.

Thanks

Hugo