Tracktion Waveform Pro Overview
Tracktion Waveform Pro is a comprehensive and highly versatile digital audio workstation (DAW) designed to cater to the diverse needs of music producers, composers, and live performers. Here’s a detailed look at what Waveform Pro does and its key features:
Core Functionality
Waveform Pro is a powerful tool for recording, editing, and mixing audio and MIDI. It supports multi-track recording, allowing users to work with multiple audio and MIDI tracks, and includes a wide range of built-in effects, instruments, and utility plugins to enhance and refine your music productions.
Key Features
Arranger Track
Waveform Pro introduces the Arranger Track, a simple yet powerful tool for manipulating regions of your arrangement. This feature allows you to create arrange clips to control entire regions of your arrangement, with magnetic movement that automatically opens and closes regions based on your selections, making it easier to experiment with song structures.
Video Integration
Waveform Pro 13 enhances video integration by allowing you to drag and drop video clips directly into an edit. You can work with multiple video clips per edit, extract audio from video, and utilize various exporting options to streamline your workflow.
Quick Action Bar
The Quick Action Bar enables you to assign any shortcut action, including custom macros, to clearly labeled buttons. This feature allows you to create multiple workflow templates and switch between them easily, enhancing your productivity.
Recording Enhancements
Waveform Pro 13 includes several recording improvements:
- Monitor Modes: Three monitor modes (On, Off, and Automatic) provide flexibility in monitoring tracks.
- Mute Track Contents: An option to mute track contents while recording, similar to a “tape style” recording.
- Record to Slots: The ability to record-arm a track and start recording to empty slots.
- Auto-Monitor Record Mode: Automatic monitoring when inputs are armed.
Clip Launcher
Inspired by popular DAWs like Ableton Live, the Clip Launcher allows for easy drag-and-drop clip filling and copying. It supports vertical individual clip launching and horizontal scene launching, and can be controlled by hardware controllers like Novation’s Launch and Akai’s APC.
MIDI Tools and Enhancements
Waveform Pro 13 includes five new MIDI tools:
- Arpeggiator: Offers classic arpeggiation with tight control over timing and input.
- Note Repeat: Repeats MIDI notes based on selected patterns and clock settings.
- Chord Companion: Allows triggering complex chords with a single MIDI note.
- MIDI Monitor: Aids in analysis and troubleshooting by listing all MIDI events.
- MIDI Filter: Enables filtering notes to play two instruments with one keyboard.
Plugin Sandboxing
To protect your work environment, Waveform Pro implements plugin sandboxing, which contains plugin crashes and prevents the host from closing. Instead, the problematic plugin is simply deactivated.
UI and Performance Improvements
The DAW features a redesigned UI with customizable color schemes and improved responsiveness, especially in larger projects. The audio engine has been completely rewritten, resulting in reduced CPU load, perfect phase-locked delay compensation (PDC) in all routing configurations, and better support for modern multi-core machines.
Controller Support and Integration
Waveform Pro 13 has enhanced controller integration with support for a range of controllers from ICON, Behringer, Presonus, and Native Instruments, among others.
Additional Features
Other notable features include:
- Stem Separation: Allows splitting a stereo mix into 4 components or extracting specific elements like vocals or drums.
- Improved Ableton Link Support: Enhanced sync options and manual offset for better integration with Ableton Link.
- View Presets and Workflow Enhancements: Customizable view presets and improved workflow tools, such as the ability to set plugin defaults within racks and move loop points in the timeline.
System Requirements and Purchase Options
Waveform Pro is available for macOS (10.15 or later, 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon) and Windows (10 , 64-bit). It can be purchased in various bundles starting at $199, with upgrade options available from $99. The software includes a comprehensive suite of built-in effects, instruments, and utility plugins, as well as additional expansion sound packs and feature expansion packs.
In summary, Tracktion Waveform Pro is a robust DAW that combines intuitive design with powerful features, making it an excellent choice for music producers and live performers looking for a versatile and efficient music production environment.