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From Our Research Team:

Desktop Recording Just Got Easier!

Tracktion 2 is the latest version of Mackie's intuitive audio recording and MIDI production software based around a refreshingly simple user interface, thoughtful features, and personality! Tracktion integrates all the major features of a professional digital audio workstation into a simple working environment that gets all the technical stuff out of the way, allowing you to focus on making music. And with full VST plug-in support, you can use all your favorite plug-ins from other applications.

Mackie Tracktion 2 at a Glance:

• Refreshingly easy to use audio software
  
• Easy audio playback and recording features
  
• Flexible drag-and-drop editing
  
• VST and VSTi plug-in support
  
• Built-in sampler
  
• Rack Filters let you build complex effects combinations
  
• ReWire 2.0 support
  
• Instant Help section
  
• Helpful project management tools
  
• Dozens of new features!

Refreshingly easy to use audio software
If you like your software to use dozens of overlapping windows, Tracktion is not for you. It won't pretend to be a mixing desk or show you panels with pictures of screws that are accurately copied from a real piece of hardware. There is no Windows clutter, nor obscure menus full of commands that you'll never use. In short, Tracktion is a little bit different. It's a continuously evolving product with new features and updates regularly released. Most people who've used a sequencer before can get to grips with Tracktion in about 10 minutes, and once you've grasped a handful of basic concepts (which aren't exactly rocket-science), the learning curve practically disappears.

Easy audio playback and recording features
Unlike other recording and sequencing software, Tracktion imposes no limits on the number of tracks or effects utilized in your project. The host computer's available horsepower can only be stretched so far, but with Tracktion, you can extend your computer's playback and processing power indefinitely. Thanks to Tracktion's "Freeze Tracks" function, your Mac or PC can secretly render (Freeze) groups of audio tracks and effects, thereby freeing up those valuable processing resources for additional tracks or effects. But wait, there's more! Frozen tracks' edits and effects can be "thawed", tweaked and then re-frozen at any time.

Flexible drag-and-drop editing
Tracktion's flexible architecture lets you explore complex permutations of digital audio clips, MIDI sequences and plug-in effects just by dragging-and-dropping them around the screen. More importantly, it allows you to assemble your ideas almost as quickly as you can dream them. That's the key - Tracktion will keep up with the fast pace of the creative process. All the editing is done on one screen, avoiding dozens of floating windows and pop-up panels that other applications present but that really just get in your way.

Editing controls on each clip allow the audio to be trimmed, slipped, and stretched (with or without pitch-shifting) in real-time, giving you full graphical feedback of all editing operations. Fades can be applied to the beginning or end of each clip simply by dragging the fade handles on the clip itself, or by manually entering fade type and duration. There are several fade shapes to choose from, and shortcuts for creating overlapped cross-fades between clips.

VST and VSTi plug-in support
In addition to its impressive array of bundled proprietary plug-ins (which include reverb, EQ, delay, chorus, phaser, compressor, and pitch-shifter), Tracktion also supports VST plug-ins - the most widely used and readily available plug-in format on the planet. An overwhelming variety of VST plug-ins can be obtained in stores for hundreds of dollars, as well as online at the cost of a few mere mouse clicks and perhaps an email address. Search online for "free vst plug in" and be overwhelmed. Tracktion comes with some really cool ones from maxim digital audio (MDA).

Tracktion also supports VSTi software synths. Download some MIDI clips or record your own - "plug-in" to the virtual synth and enjoy. New virtual instruments are popping up everyday all over the web, and we've included a few of those to sample so you're ready to start composing immediately after installation.

Built-in sampler
That's right. There's a powerful yet simple to use sampler waiting for you inside Tracktion. Just like any other filter or plug-in - simply drop it onto a track, select the clips you want to trigger, click and drag to map the sample to a key or range of keys!

Rack Filters let you build complex effects combinations
Tracktion's Rack Filters let you organize your frequently used combinations into one simple recallable package. And you aren't limited to the basic stereo input to stereo output patching! That means you can build complex and creative effect routings in Tracktion that are impossible with most other music software.

ReWire 2.0 support
Tracktion includes ReWire 2.0 support for integration with applications like Propellerheads' Reason, Ableton Live, and other ReWire supporting software. ReWire is described as an "invisible cable" that allows you to connect one application to another so you can stream audio and MIDI to and from the linked programs. Tracktion acts as a master (or "mixer") application to which other ReWire "synth applications" can be linked - simply enable ReWire in Tracktion, setup a track to receive the output of the "synth application," launch the "synth application" and crank out that next big hit.

Instant Help
Just in case the user interface isn't intuitive enough, nearly every object on the screen provides extensive pop-up help simply by pointing the mouse over the item. This is easily toggled on and off at the press of a key. Even with the Instant Help feature turned off, unobtrusive one-line tool-tips will still appear at the top of the screen.

Project management tools
The Tracktion Project screen shows all of the audio and MIDI clips, edits and other files that it can currently access at a glance. Each Project can contain audio that is either unique to itself, or shared with other Projects. The info panel at the bottom of the Project screen provides waveform overview and playback capability for the selected audio clip at the click of the mouse.
A comprehensive search engine on the Project screen lets you to search for, preview and import audio files in a variety of formats, searching by name, location or keywords in the audio file description.

New Features in Tracktion 2:
MIDI Step Recording
Piano playing skills not quite up to Carnegie Hall standards? Tracktion 2 offers a step recording mode, allowing you to enter MIDI notes correctly and at your own pace. This powerful new feature lets you sequence even the most complicated passages with confidence and ease.

Integrated Mackie Control Universal and C4 Support
Tracktion 2 offers complete support for the Mackie Control Universal and the Mackie Control C4 rotary controller, providing complete hands-on control of a wide range of recording and mixing parameters, including plug-ins and virtual instruments. In true Tracktion fashion, it's so intuitive that in no time you'll be enjoying the productivity boost only real knobs and faders can provide.

Scalable Interface
Tracktion 2's single-screen interface can be scaled to virtually any size, permitting users of large monitors to devote some of those pixels to other applications, while still keeping an eye on Tracktion. Thanks to a unique vector graphics based approach, the interface simply shrinks or expands with minimal scroll bar exaggeration

Show and Hide Inputs and Filters
With Tracktion 2, you can quickly and independently select to show or hide the input and filter sections of the interface, freeing up valuable on–screen real estate when you're focused on perfecting that complex musical arrangement.

New Color Schemes
Who are we to tell you what color your Tracktion 2 interface should be? With the color editor, you can customize the look of tons of Tracktion screen objects. And if you're one of those "moody" producers, you can even save and load new color schemes to perfectly complement your current state of mind. Bring it on, Picasso!

Import HDR files
Users of the Mackie HDR, MDR and SDR hard disk recorders can now import their project files directly into Tracktion 2, complete with all audio and edits intact. Track those rowdy musicians at the club to your hard disk recorder, then quickly transfer to your laptop and toss it in the van. When the bass player finally passes out, set your laptop on his head and mix on the way to the next gig.

New 64-bit Function and 192kHz Support
The sound quality of the internal summing bus is better than ever with Tracktion 2's new high-definition 64-bit mixing option. Plus Tracktion 2 comes ready for 192kHz audio interfaces for the ultimate in bleeding edge digital.

External Sync
In addition to Tracktion's ReWire host functionality, Tracktion 2 now offers more synchronization support, including MIDI Time Code (MTC) input/output and MIDI Clock output for working with hard disk recorders, keyboard workstations, groove boxes, etc. Tracktion 2 can also send and receive MIDI Machine Control (MMC) commands, opening the door to external transport control and integration with modular digital multi-track and hard disk recorders.

Import of Broadcast WAV Files
Tracktion 2 offers industry-standard broadcast .wav file import support. Support of b-wav audio files means even greater ease and flexibility for users importing audio from otherwise incompatible applications and hardware. And because these files are time-stamped, restoring them to their original position relative to other audio clips is a snap.

MIDI Controller Mapping
Tracktion 2 makes integrating any MIDI controller a breeze. Enter the MIDI Mapper, pick a parameter, move the controller, done. The controller and parameter are now linked, and this pairing is stored in the session file for next time. Control a filter with your keyboard mod wheel, reverb time with your synth's slider. Even map to any low cost midi control surface until you're ready for the Mackie Control Universal.

Improved Metering
Tracktion 2 now offers more ways to visualize your audio intensity. Input meters on every channel provide at-a-glance viewing of your input levels. The new "Large Meters Mode" transforms the horizontal tracks into a gigantic input meter bridge for super-accurate level setting. Improved meter response algorithms with user-definable response times and peak hold options provide comfortable, accurate metering the way you want it.

MIDI Editor
Tracktion 2 features a fully revamped MIDI editor with faster note entry, quicker controller and velocity editing, more intuitive keyboard control, and improved viewing of notes and controllers simultaneously. You can color code individual notes and even draw MIDI controller parameters with the new line tool. These enhancements (along with others too numerous to mention here) add up to the most powerful and flexible Tracktion MIDI editor ever.


Mackie Tracktion 2 Features:

• Clean, single-screen interface for easy recording, mixing and mastering
  
• Full suite of name-brand plug-ins from IK Multimedia, Lin Plug, reFX, Bismark, Acuma Labs, Raw Materials and more
  
• Unlimited track count (Depending on your computer's CPU)
  
• Support for sample rates up to 192kHz
  
• Importing and exporting of all major file types
  
• Simple drag-and-drop audio editing
  
• Track freezing for conserving CPU power
  
• VST instrument and plug-in support
  
• ReWire support for use with Reason software
  
• Powerful MIDI programming and editing with step recording
  
• Built-in Quicktime support
  
• 64-bit mix engine for superb sound quality
  
• Built-in sampler
  
• MIDI mapping for external controllers
  
• MTC input/output, MIDI Clock output, and MMC send/receive
  
• Powerful project management features

Specification Detail Manufacturer Part Number 0014960-00