Tracktion was designed to be as transparent and intuitive to the user as possible. Track object controls and parameters are context-sensitive; effects, MIDI instruments and other software objects can be added to tracks or even 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, which can be thought of as analogous to a saved channel strip setting in a traditional DAW/sequencer.

Tracktion represents a move away from the modal dialog boxes, multiple menus and cluttered windows common to most legacy MIDI sequencers and Digital Audio Workstations, in favour of a streamlined, single-screen approach that presents the user only with the options they need for the task they are currently doing, such as editing audio, adjusting MIDI automation parameters, effects settings, etc. Both also are notable for the use of a more abstract visual style that does not attempt to visually replicate "real world" recording equipment or effects boxes.

 

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 and ASIOsupport 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 [[ ]] plugin andVST virtual instrument standards. QuickTime video support is included to aid in soundtrack creation.

Enhancements in version 2.0

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. Mackie has been drawing criticism in the support forums for its continued supply of version 2.0 with Tapco (a Mackie company) hardware, even though it is not supported with the Windows Vista operating system.

Enhancements in version 3.0

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 an improved timestretching algorithm useful for beat-matching and creatingmashups. Core technical enhancements include support for multiple CPUs and multi-core processors; and support for control surfaces including the Mackie Control Universal, Frontier AlphaTrack, Mackie C4, and Novation Digital Music Systems ReMOTE SL series.

Enhancements in version 4.0

Tracktion 4 (T4) features the same operational characteristics as the original program but with an entirely new audio engine. This progression is intended not only to make T4 compatible with all the latest operating systems, plug-in and controller technology, but also to create a modern platform for further development. TSC is dedicated to the continued evolution of the product.

To be specific, T4 provides support for OS X Mountain Lion to take advantage of Apple's very latest hardware and operating systems. It also provides support for Microsoft's Windows 7 & 8. Apple Audio Unit (AU) is supported to open a new world of effects and instruments for Tracktion users and the latest generation audio codec from Microsoft, Windows Media Audio (WMA) is also supported.

Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI) is included for optimized audio data management between applications. There is also support for 64bit Mac and PC operating systems so Tracktion can squeeze the highest performance out of current computer resources.