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{{Multiple issues|{{Advert|date=May 2018}}
'''Tracktion''' is a [[digital audio workstation]] for recording and editing [[audio]] and [[MIDI]]. The software is cross-platform, running on [[Mac OS X]] and [[Microsoft Windows]].
{{More references|date=May 2018}}
{{Single source|date=May 2024}}}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Tracktion
| logo = Tracktion Waveform logo.png
| screenshot =
| caption = Tracktion Main Edit Screen
⚫
| developer = [https://www.tracktion.com/ Tracktion Software Company]
| released = {{Start date and age|2002}}
| latest release version = 12.0.53
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2022|03|23}}
| operating system = [[macOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Linux]]
| genre = [[Digital audio workstation]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.tracktion.com/}}
}}


'''Waveform''', previously known as '''Tracktion''',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/namm-2017-tracktion-daw-becomes-waveform-and-now-works-on-raspberry-pi-647387|title=NAMM 2017: Tracktion DAW becomes Waveform, and now works on Raspberry Pi|work=www.musicradar.com|access-date=2018-05-30|language=EN-GB|archive-date=2017-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707070625/http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/namm-2017-tracktion-daw-becomes-waveform-and-now-works-on-raspberry-pi-647387|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[digital audio workstation]] for recording and editing [[sound|audio]] and [[MIDI]]. The software is cross-platform, and runs on [[Apple macOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], and [[Linux]].

<gallery>
Image:MackieTracktion_EditArea.jpg|Main Edit Area
Image:MackieTracktion_FolderTracks.jpg|Folder Tracks
Image:MackieTracktion_FXRacks.jpg|Effects Racks
Image:Tracktion_MainScreenshot.jpg|Main Screen
</gallery>


==History==
==History==
Tracktion was originally developed by a single [[UK]] designer/programmer, [[Julian Storer.]] It was first released in 2002 by UK-based [http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com Raw Material Software]; US-based [[Mackie]], a division of [[LOUD Technologies]] specializing in studio recording and live sound products, took over distribution of Tracktion in 2003 and continues to develop and market it. The software is sold in standalone, boxed retail versions as well as bundled with Mackie computer-audio interfaces and digital-capable mixing boards. It is said to have a growing cult following of users, frustrated by legacy sequencers' sometimes complex workarounds, feature bloat and nonstandard approaches to common tasks. Mackie began shipping the latest version, Tracktion 3.0, in April 2007.
Tracktion was developed by independent [[UK]] designer/programmer Julian Storer and was released in 2002 by UK-based Raw Material Software. In 2003, US-based [[Mackie (company)|Mackie]], a division of [[LOUD Technologies]] specializing in studio recording and live sound products, took over the distribution of Tracktion. It was sold in standalone, boxed retail versions and bundled with Mackie, Tapco, and Echo Audio computer-audio interfaces and digital-capable mixing boards.

Although no official word came from Mackie, the users' understanding was that Tracktion had been discontinued as the company issued no updates, communication, or announcements on it since January 2008. However, at the January 2013 [[NAMM Show]], Tracktion's original developer Julian Storer announced he had reacquired control of the software and would continue developing Tracktion with his new Tracktion Software Company.


==User interface and unique features==
==User interface and unique features==
Tracktion was designed to be as transparent and intuitive to the user as possible. It largely avoids the modal dialog boxes, multiple menus and windows common to most legacy MIDI sequencers and DAWs, favouring instead a single-screen, task-centric user interface. Object controls and parameters are context-sensitive,and effects, MIDI instruments and other software objects can be added to tracks or even applied directly to individual clips using a drag-and-drop system of ''filters''. Complex chains of filters can be created, stored and recalled for later use as ''rack effects.'' [[QuickTime]] video support is also included to aid in soundtrack creation.
Tracktion was designed to be transparent and intuitive. Track object controls and parameters are context-sensitive; effects, MIDI instruments, and other software objects can be added to tracks or applied directly to individual audio and MIDI clips using a [[drag-and-drop]] system of ''filters''. Complex chains of filters can be created, stored, and recalled for later use as ''rack effects,'' analogous to a saved [[channel strip]] settings in a traditional DAW/sequencer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=M. P. V. |title=macProVideo.com |url=https://www.macprovideo.com/article/audio-software/review-tracktion-waveform-11-free |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=macProVideo.com |language=en}}</ref>

Tracktion represented a move away from the [[modal dialog]] boxes, multiple menus, and cluttered windows common to legacy MIDI sequencers and digital audio workstations, in favor of a streamlined, single-screen approach that presented the user with minimal options at any time. In this way, Tracktion is often compared to [[Ableton Live]], but while the latter has two separate work areas (Session and Arrange), Tracktion has fully context-sensitive windows that automatically appear or hide depending on the current task. Both are also noted for their more abstract visual styles, in contrast to the [[photorealistic]] style of other interfaces (like [[Reason (software)|Reason]]) which imitate the appearance of real world recording equipment and [[effects units]].


Tracktion's other innovations, later emulated by many other DAWs, were the development of "freeze", the ability to convert a MIDI instrument track to audio to free up RAM and CPU, and an inline MIDI editor that allowed MIDI to be edited in-track rather than in a separate window or dedicated editor. It was also the first DAW to adopt a fully vector-based, resizable interface.
==Features in version 1.0==
No preset sample rate limits (limited only by hardware); on-the-fly sample rate conversion; internal 32-bit floating point math; [[DirectSound]], [[ASIO]] and [[Core Audio]] support including multi-channel playback and recording at low latencies; [[WAV]], [[AIFF]] and [[Ogg-Vorbis]] audio file format support; Punch-in and input-level-triggered recording; looped MIDI recording; real-time monitoring; full parameter automation for panning, levels, and effects; support for the [[VST]] plugin and [[VSTi]] virtual instrument standards.


⚫
==Open source library==
==Enhancements in version 2.0==
⚫
The underlying [[C++]] code developed to create Tracktion's graphic and audio capabilities was later released as an open-source library, [[JUCE]].
Version 2.0 greatly enhanced stability; this version gained an improved MIDI editor with step entry; a software [[sampler]] virtual instrument; optional support for 64-bit math, to create greater digital [[headroom]] in the mix summing bus and thus avoid distortion; External MIDI sync, MIDI clock and MIDI Machine Control send and receive; per-track input auto-assignment; optional fullscreen input metering; a newly scalable window; and the ability to import files from Mackie [[hard disk recorders]].


==See also==
==Enhancements in version 3.0==
*[[Comparison of multitrack recording software]]
Major additions include more tools for loop-based composition, including a keyword-based loop browser, support for the popular Sony [[ACID Pro]], Propellerhead Software REX2 and [[Apple Inc.]] Apple Loops file formats, and a [[timestretching]] algorithm useful for [[beat-matching]] and creating [[mashups]]. Core technical enhancements include support for multiple [[CPUs]] and [[multi-core]] processors; and support for control surfaces including the Mackie Control Universal, Mackie C4, and [[Novation Digital Music Systems]] ReMOTE SL series.
*[[List of music software]]


==References==
⚫
==Open source libraries==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
⚫
The underlying [[C++]] code that was developed to create Tracktion's graphic and audio capabilities was later split-out into an open-source library, [[Juce]], which is still maintained and developed by Julian Storer / Raw Material Software.
*{{Official website|https://www.tracktion.com/}}


{{Audio editors}}
==Links==
{{Digital audio workstations}}
⚫
*[http://www.tracktion.com Tracktion product page at Mackie.com]
*[http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22 Tracktion discussion forum at KVRAudio.com]
*[http://www.paintingbynumbers.com/bootcamp/ Boot Camp - Creating Mashups for Beginners using Tracktion]
*[http://www.davidviner.com/tracktion.php Tracktion Review by David Viner]
*[http://http://youtube.com/watch?v=SyJiGenLy2c Tracktion 3 promotional video (YouTube)]
*[http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com/juce/index.php Juce Open-Source C++ Libraries]


[[Category:Music software]]
[[Category:Audio editing software for Linux]]
[[Category:Mac OS software]]
[[Category:Audio software|Linux]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS software]]
[[Category:Digital audio editors for Linux]]
[[Category:Digital audio workstation software]]
[[Category:Linux software]]
[[Category:MacOS audio editors]]
[[Category:Proprietary commercial software for Linux]]
[[Category:Windows multimedia software]]

Latest revision as of 11:20, 21 November 2024

Tracktion
Developer(s)Tracktion Software Company
Initial release2002; 22 years ago (2002)
Stable release
12.0.53 / March 23, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-23)
Operating systemmacOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux
TypeDigital audio workstation
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.tracktion.com

Waveform, previously known as Tracktion,[1] is a digital audio workstation for recording and editing audio and MIDI. The software is cross-platform, and runs on Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.

History

[edit]

Tracktion was developed by independent UK designer/programmer Julian Storer and was released in 2002 by UK-based Raw Material Software. In 2003, US-based Mackie, a division of LOUD Technologies specializing in studio recording and live sound products, took over the distribution of Tracktion. It was sold in standalone, boxed retail versions and bundled with Mackie, Tapco, and Echo Audio computer-audio interfaces and digital-capable mixing boards.

Although no official word came from Mackie, the users' understanding was that Tracktion had been discontinued as the company issued no updates, communication, or announcements on it since January 2008. However, at the January 2013 NAMM Show, Tracktion's original developer Julian Storer announced he had reacquired control of the software and would continue developing Tracktion with his new Tracktion Software Company.

User interface and unique features

[edit]

Tracktion was designed to be transparent and intuitive. Track object controls and parameters are context-sensitive; effects, MIDI instruments, and other software objects can be added to tracks or applied directly to individual audio and MIDI clips using a drag-and-drop system of filters. Complex chains of filters can be created, stored, and recalled for later use as rack effects, analogous to a saved channel strip settings in a traditional DAW/sequencer.[2]

Tracktion represented a move away from the modal dialog boxes, multiple menus, and cluttered windows common to legacy MIDI sequencers and digital audio workstations, in favor of a streamlined, single-screen approach that presented the user with minimal options at any time. In this way, Tracktion is often compared to Ableton Live, but while the latter has two separate work areas (Session and Arrange), Tracktion has fully context-sensitive windows that automatically appear or hide depending on the current task. Both are also noted for their more abstract visual styles, in contrast to the photorealistic style of other interfaces (like Reason) which imitate the appearance of real world recording equipment and effects units.

Tracktion's other innovations, later emulated by many other DAWs, were the development of "freeze", the ability to convert a MIDI instrument track to audio to free up RAM and CPU, and an inline MIDI editor that allowed MIDI to be edited in-track rather than in a separate window or dedicated editor. It was also the first DAW to adopt a fully vector-based, resizable interface.

Open source library

[edit]

The underlying C++ code developed to create Tracktion's graphic and audio capabilities was later released as an open-source library, JUCE.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "NAMM 2017: Tracktion DAW becomes Waveform, and now works on Raspberry Pi". www.musicradar.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  2. ^ Staff, M. P. V. "macProVideo.com". macProVideo.com. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
[edit]
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