Is Waveform a complete misfire? [Solved]

[keithm]

I really want to try Waveform, but: one of the greatest attractions of Tracktion is its small footprint and fast download time. So I was horrified to discover the download for Waveform is over 3GB: 3GB! Why on earth have you guys done this? Not all of us have superfast broadband and believe it or not some people still have a 2 or 4GB cap on downloads.

This seems a complete misfire and will surely cost you sales.

What the heck is bundled to make it 3GB download? I suspect there is a lot of demo content that a lot of people won't want or need, indeed the download is 3 X my Cakewalk Sonar download.

I hope you sort this out - quickly. I really want you guys to succeed and having had Tracktion 2.1 - 7 I have been a committed Tracktion user; unfortunately I can't even download the Waveform demo.

[pough]

The new Collective instrument includes a large sample library. So the good news is Tracktion (Waveform) now includes some instruments to allow new users to start making songs without having to get extra VST instruments. The bad news is Tracktion (Waveform) now includes some instruments to allow new users to start making songs without having to get extra VST instruments.

From my perspective this is a mostly good idea. For anyone starting out, there's so much to learn that having to also learn about what VST instruments are, where to get them from, which ones to get, how to install them, how to get your DAW to see them, how to start using them... that's an enormous and frustrating hurdle where so many points of it are new and un-intuitive.

Having said that, I think it would also be a good idea to have a Waveform-only download easily available, if it's not already. I think I saw someone mention that you can change a URL to get the Waveform-only download, but I haven't really investigated it and it might only work if you've already bought a license for it.

[jabe]

You'll need to create an account on the Tracktion website, but you don't need to have bought the licence.

[Steverdo]

Not at all a complete misfire for me. Yes, the downloads are a problem for some (I'm fortunate - it's only seven minutes for me); yes, there are stability issues, particularly with Collective. But I'm cutting them some slack - it's a small team and a big vision. It says something that despite crashes I still keep coming back to Waveform and finding a lot to like. These are early days - I think we should be more generous, and give praise where it's due. Collective has some great instruments, for example, and the colour schemes are tremendous.

[dRowAudio]

You can download Waveform only from the "archives" link in your downloads section (yes, we'll work on a more obvious name and place for the link).

[fedexnman]

NO ... I agree with the statements above . It's also a new release and not Tracktion 7 so bugs are kind of expected. Seems that there are bugs in Waveform as well as Collective .... I did get pissy about it the other day because I didn't really want to bother with Collective , there are some really cool sounds going on in the Collective presets. I can see how someone NEW might like it . Just not for me ...

[chico.co.uk]

Just so you know, there's a typo in the subject of the post. You've put "Is Waveform a complete misfire?" when you probably meant to say "I have slow broadband".

[gesslr]

Just so you know, there's a typo in the subject of the post. You've put "Is Waveform a complete misfire?" when you probably meant to say "I have slow broadband".

[pathworker]

I don't think waveform is an absolute misfire. tracktion has always been about streamlining the music production/composition/creation workflow. So i see waveform more as an evolutionary step for the tracktion product line.

Any DAW regardless of how simplified or streamlined the interface. will have some learning curve associated with it.
the majority of DAWs are now being developed with content included as part of the bundle so this is not unique to Tracktion/waveform. I think my only concern would be that over time users may lose the ability to create custom sound sets due tp the inherent convenience factor of having a plethora of ready made sounds at your fingertips.( think of the likes of HALion or omnisphere, although granted there is scope for customized sound design within these packages if you feel so inclined).

as for download caps and the large size of downloads, I do sympathize with anyone having to contend with that issue. chunked downloads over multiple sessions might be one possible solution.

[spectralwings]

Just so you know, there's a typo in the subject of the post. You've put "Is Waveform a complete misfire?" when you probably meant to say "I have slow broadband".

I hope the original poster can see the truth in this. The disparity between the topic title and the actual content is actually sort of hilarious (not meaning to offend the original poster....it just is). I understand the sentiment in the question BEHIND the question though so...

YES Waveform is now available as a 20MB standalone installer for both purchasers and trial users.

I too am a big fan of lightweight applications, so this is great. However I think Collective is well worth checking out and a good instrument for this particular product. In this case I think I prefer it is part of the base package (leading to a small additional cost). Others may share a different opinion. I can understand Tracktions' original desire for all users to see this instrument (which I think is what lead to the 3GB only download).

[jabe]

Just so you know, there's a typo in the subject of the post. You've put "Is Waveform a complete misfire?" when you probably meant to say "I have slow broadband".

One has to admire your straight-to-the-point "it's a *****ing SHOVEL" bluntness.

[pdxindy]

Just so you know, there's a typo in the subject of the post. You've put "Is Waveform a complete misfire?" when you probably meant to say "I have slow broadband".

I hope the original poster can see the truth in this. The disparity between the topic title and the actual content is actually sort of hilarious (not meaning to offend the original poster....it just is). I understand the sentiment in the question BEHIND the question though so...

YES Waveform is now available as a 20MB standalone installer for both purchasers and trial users.

I too am a big fan of lightweight applications, so this is great. However I think Collective is well worth checking out and a good instrument for this particular product. In this case I think I prefer it is part of the base package (leading to a small additional cost). Others may share a different opinion. I can understand Tracktions' original desire for all users to see this instrument (which I think is what lead to the 3GB only download).

I would prefer (were I planning to upgrade from T7 which is still undecided) to have a Waveform Download that included Collective without content.

For me, it is not about the download speed, but rather not wanting that 3 GB's on my computer taking up space when I'm just not gonna use it. I really do not want the content.

[jabe]

There might be some sort of delete option.

[pekbro]

For me it's about poor server performance in regard to the downloads. I'm at 300 mb p/sec. The package would consistently download to 98 % or so in like 8 min (which is slow) The last 2 % took 2 hours and multiple restarts. It simply stops responding. TSC needs to get on Amazon about that if they are hosting that as well as the commerce.

-cheers

[dRowAudio]

Just a quick update on this, both Waveform and Collective are now available as app/plugin only installs from your account area (if you’ve purchased) and from the trial form if you haven’t.

We're looking in to any potential server issues.