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Tracktion, by Raw Material Software and distributed by Mackie, has a premise: Current digital audio/MIDI host software is too bloated, too expensive, and too complex. It offers a completely different take on the user interface and workflow (for example, there's no conventional "mixer," although of course you can mix tracks), yet doesn't lack too many significant features compared to hosts costing much more. As with anything this different, reaction is polarized - from refugees of other programs who were immediately smitten by the Tracktion way of life, to those who find it too unconventional for their tastes ("dude, where's my mixer?").
In any event, Tracktion demolishes the rationale some software thieves use that "software is too expensive." At $80, and with a free demo so you can find out if it's for you or not, no one could argue this program is overpriced.
INSTALLATION
Just pop in the distribution CD (or run the download) and go - no dongles. Tracktion checks for ASIO, then scans your plug-ins. In my system, when it encountered the SampleTank dll, the program crashed; upon rebooting, it reported that it had disabled the plug-in because it didn't load properly. No big deal, I've moved on to SampleTank 2 anyway (which worked fine).
I started off with an early version, and program authorization was a major hassle. To make a long story short, it took about an hour to figure out how to authorize the program, because the procedure wasn't described on either the Mackie or Raw Material Software site. This has since been addressed, and I did download an update (once I found out from Mackie where to look) that went smoothly. I've been assured the registration and updating process will be more transparent in the future.
THE INTERFACE
Once installed, you start to realize what Tracktion is all about. Screen layouts are clean and open, with extensive pop-up help that really does make the concept of "read the manual" optional. The program has only three pages - project management, settings, and editing - and editing uses a "unified," one-screen interface with five main sections. Clockwise from upper left, these are:
- Track view, which shows I/O and audio/MIDI clips. This is pretty standard - trim clips, resize, add...