Tracktion 5 Explained

Bill Edstrom returns with a smash hit video series covering the "one screen wonder" DAW Tracktion 5! Learn everything from installation to recording, adding effects, mixing down and more. If you're just getting started or want to go deeper into Tracktion 5, this series is for you.

Getting Started

• Introduction (02:05) - Bill introduces you to what Tracktion 5 and this series are all about.

• Installing Tracktion (03:27) - Installing Tracktion is easy. Watch step-by-step and decide which version to use.

• Installing the Demo Projects (04:50) - It’s great to have some demo projects ready as you explore Tracktion. Learn how to download the songs and how to set up some folders to organize Tracktion files.

• Configuring the Audio Interface (05:46) - Learn how to use the General page on the Settings tab to configure your audio interface.

• Basic Navigation (08:20) - Learn the fundamentals for playback, transport, and zooming.

• General Settings (06:59) - Bill explores some Tracktion's general settings.

• Getting Help (02:17) - Watch as Bill shows how to use pop-up help, tooltips, keyboard shortcuts, knowledgebase, videos, and KVR forum.

Fundamentals

• The Edit Tab (13:19) - Learn about all the panels and sections of the Edit tab – the Browser, Arrangement, and Controls panel.

• Using Markers (08:41) - Bill explains looped playback, adding markers, and marker navigation.

• Selecting & Snapping (08:24) - Learn how to select clips and how snapping works. Get familiar with the keyboard shortcuts and menu options that modify snap behavior.

• Basic Audio Editing (13:10) - Learn how to use Clip Tools along with keyboard shortcuts to work with audio clips and loops.

• Working with Loops (08:21) - Bill demonstrates reviewing and dragging loops, how to enable loops, drag to repeat, and set the tempo. Dragging loops to parallel tracks is also covered.

• Keyboard Shortcuts (04:24) - Learn how to customize the assignment of keyboard shortcuts.

Recording Audio

• Getting Ready to Record Audio (13:43) - See how to setup an audio track, select an input, and record. Bill shows how to set the tempo for your project and listen to a click as you record. Bill also discusses how to hear yourself while recording.

• Hit Record! (04:15) - Bill takes a close look at recording multiple takes with and without a click.

• Overdubbing (05:32) - Learn how to record while listening to tracks you already recorded.

• Cleaning up the Takes (14:01) - See how to use basic editing to clean up the takes before moving on.

• Loop Recording (05:52) - Learn how to set up looped recording and record to takes within a single clip. You will also see how to pick from the different takes.

• Comping (07:52) - Following from loop recording, learn how to keep the best phrases from multiple takes.

• Using an Amp Simulator (09:10) - See how to monitor through Tracktion while recording guitar parts using an amp simulator.

Recording MIDI

• MIDI Setup (03:23) - Bill shows how to enable your MIDI keyboard, create a track, load a virtual instrument and play it from your controller.

• Recording MIDI (10:17) - Learn to record what you play on your MIDI keyboard and playback the recording. You will also learn about the various record modes. Also learn some basic editing for MIDI clips.

• MIDI Loop Recording (04:30) - Bill explores recording to takes and comping with MIDI.

• MIDI Editing (09:31) - Learn how to work with notes in the MIDI editor. Also learn how to render MIDI to audio clips.

• Quantizing Notes (06:14) - Learn how to quantize your MIDI performance in various ways.

• Sequencer Clips (07:00) - See how to use step-sequence clips to program drum patterns.

Adding Effects

• Scanning 3rd Party Plug-Ins (06:35) - Learn how to get Tracktion to recognize your existing library of plug-ins.

• Adding Plug-Ins (06:06) - Learn more about inserting plugins in the Tracktion mixer section to add effects to tracks.

• Tracktion FX (15:22) - Bill demonstrates and discusses the built-in FX that are native to Tracktion.

• Adding Master Effects (05:48) - Learn how to use Aux Send and Aux Return plugins setup master effects that are shared by more than one track.

• Clip Effects (03:33) - See how easy it is to insert plugins at the clip level in Tracktion.

Mixing

• Folder Tracks (05:43) - As your projects get bigger with more tracks you can use folder tracks to keep things organized.

• Creating Submixes (03:42) - Learn how to configure submix busses in Tracktion.

• Automation (06:49) - Explore the basics for automating levels, panning and other parameters.

• Mixing Down (07:39) - Learn how to add FX to the master stereo output to prepare your mix for export. Learn how to export your song to WAV or MP3.