TRACKTION WAVEFORM PRO
Could this latest update tempt you to try or even buy this excellent DAW?
Waveform from Tracktion Software is a music production DAW that combines an innovative workflow with incredible value, and in recent years has grown immeasurably both in features and design. If you want to give it a try, there’s a very impressive free version (see next issue!) and you can also register for time-limited trials of the Pro application. The full package, Waveform Pro, has just received a significant intermediate update to version 11.5. It comes in three version – Basic, Standard and Extreme – and these offer tiered plugin and audioware content. As before, it works on OS X, Windows, Linux and Raspberry Pi and now has native support for Apple Silicon, making it one of the most cross-platform-capable DAWs available.
Go Pro
Waveform Free already has some great features including the Pattern Generator, sequencerstyle Step Clips, computer keyboard MIDI playback, custom macros and actions, bundled synths (4OSC and Micro Drum Sampler), automation and rendering. But if you want the full gamut of features, Waveform Pro is a must. The Pro edition has a core feature set, with the three versions differentiated by their content bundles (see boxout). It also includes much of the typical stuff you’d expect in a premium DAW such as edit groups and audio to MIDI (Groove Doctor). There’s also integrated (ARA) Melodyne Essential, bundled Antares Auto-Tune Access, timestretch courtesy of zPlane’s Elastique Pro and, of course, full email support should you run into any problems.
Last year’s version 11 added a host of neat features including the Arrange Track, which allows you to copy, move and flexibly restructure your track from one master track. It also added the Edit Overview lane for navigation, zoom and playback. A big change was customisation of the workspace, and the super flexible panel system includes undocking of the Mixer and Arranger panels, and setup for multiple screens including assigning one screen to open plugins. Custom layouts can of course be saved and recalled.
Version 11 also added two Quick Action features. The Quick Action bar sits just above the transport bar and allows you to create
“v11.5 includes one very significant change and that’s the option to run the new upgraded audio engine”
button triggers for shortcuts and macros, then save them as templates. Meanwhile the Quick Action Window allows you to create a simple panel more suited to touch screen use.
For MIDI programming v11 added five new tools – Arpeggiator, Note Repeater, MIDI Monitor and MIDI Filter and our favourite, Chord Companion with its extensive chord grid, integrated arpeggiator and randomisation features. Sandboxing is a feature designed to ringfence rogue plugins. This can be assigned to specific plugins, with a small increase in CPU usage. Nevertheless, if you genuinely have no other choice than to run an unreliable plugin, at least it won’t crash Waveform. Processing options were also extended with numerous additions to the integrated AirWindows plugin pack, Artesan, taking its total to more than 180 individual plugins.
What’s new in 11.5?
Despite it being an interim update, v11.5 includes one very significant change and that’s the option to run the new upgraded audio engine. This handles plugin delay compensation (PDC) much better, so auxiliary busses are now phase coherent; delay compensation is also much better within plugin Racks. It’s currently available alongside the original engine so you can compare the two. In addition to the improved PDC, CPU efficiency has also been improved.
Next up, right click context menus are now more abundant and better organised, with multiple options added from the main menus. Said main menu tab has also been rejigged and you’ll find the new layout and accompanying options (File, Edit, Options, Automation and so on) are more in tune with what you’d find on other DAWs. Also, the script-running option is now listed as Actions, and in this menu you can set up the options that will be available on the pop-up Custom menu. On the subject of menus, the plugin selector menu has been improved and includes a favourites category.
Waveform’s settings page has been overhauled and reorganised with far more keyboard shortcut options available, including nudging of both clips and notes. Also, mouse settings are improved so it’s much easier to position the playback cursor, select clips (marquee-style) and easier to create ranges for editing. In fact, the editing options are slicker overall, so once you’ve chosen the modes that best suit you, your workflow should be more efficient. Further 11.5 extras include computer keyboard playback (mentioned above and available across all versions) and native support for Apple Silicon.
Final thoughts
Despite the burgeoning feature set, Waveform Pro still retains its innovative mojo. What’s more, although new users are still presented with a bit of a learning curve, the incremental changes have brought it much closer operationally to other DAWs. We also like the fact that its content and features are squarely aimed at music production. Once thought of as a bit of an outlier, with its extra customisation, a more industry standard feel and highly flexible workspace, there’s a real sense that Waveform Pro is truly coming of age.
Web tracktion.com Info Basic $119, Standard $259, Extreme $749
“Despite the burgeoning feature set, Waveform Pro still retains its innovative mojo”