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 represented 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. In this respect Tracktion is often compared to Ableton Live, although Live has two separate work areas (Session and Arrange) and does not have fully context sensitive non modal elements that automatically show or hide depending on the task as does Tracktion. However both 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. As well as the drag and drop based non modal interface and rack filters, other key innovations of Tracktion's, later to be followed by most other DAWs, were the development of "freeze", a way of reversibly converting a midi instrument track to audio to free up memory and cpu, and an inline midi editor that allowed midi to be edited in the track rather than in a separate window or dedicated editor.

What's New in This Release:
First up is the idea of ‘multiple edits’, with a new tab system allowing you to open different versions of tracks or edits side-by-side and work on them. Related to this is the new Edit Clips functionality, designed to help with arrangement, among other things. You can create an Edit Clip for any area of a song (verses, choruses and so on) and place it into a new tab as a single audio clip. By moving these clips you can work on arrangements while leaving the original multitrack session intact. And if you make a change to that multitrack it is updated in the Edit Clip version. It’s a nifty idea that works well.
MIDI is well supported and you now get the new in-line step-sequencing feature that lets you integrate step-sequenced material directly into a clip without having to open the target plug-in first, which is useful for programming beats. The Piano Roll Editor also gets ‘per note’ automation that lets you paint automation of many different MIDI parameters directly onto individual notes. MIDI Learn is nicely implemented and there’s support for a range of MIDI control surfaces built-in.

Home Page - www.tracktion.com