Tracktion

7aliens’ Catanya is a polyphonic pattern-based software arpeggiator VSTi MIDI plugin.

It retails for about $70.

Features:

• next generation pattern arpeggiator
• easy to use
• fully editable patterns
• multiple instances
• 9×32 note matrix
• 1100 presets (music phrazes)
• supports recording final output into DAW for additional editations
• presets browser with ability to choose genre, style, rhythm, instrument, tempo
• applicable with any VSTi plugin or external HW synthesizer (via DAW’s midi out)
• unique AI Random functions for making unique velocity Groove
• realtime velocity spread
• support Cubase, Ableton Live, Reaper, FL Studio, Mackie Tracktion, NI Kore 2, EnergyXT

Predefined Presets
By Musical Instrument

• Basic Arpeggios 54
• Basses 386
• Drums&Percussion 101
• Guitars 50
• Pads 27
• Pianos 262
• Strings 31
• Synth 217

By Music Style

• Dance 330
• Classical 19
• Free (Universal) 192
• Funk 27
• Jazz 48
• Pop 147
• Rock 93
• Urban (Hip Hop, R&B) 155
• World 123

Software manufacturers continue adding support for the AlphaTrack DAW controller from Frontier Design Group. Now you can use AlphaTrack with Mackie’s Tracktion 3 and with Cakewalk’s Guitar Tracks Pro 3.

With AlphaTrack’s touch-sensitive jog/shuttle strip, LCD display, three touch-sensitive encoder knobs, standard transport buttons, user-definable buttons, and 100mm touch-sensitive fader, you have everything you need right at your fingertips to control Tracktion 3 and Guitar Tracks Pro 3. AlphaTrack also works well with MOTU’s Digital Performer, Adobe’s Audition 2, Apple’s Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack Pro, Steinberg’s Nuendo and Cubase (SX/SL, Cubase 4, Studio 4), Cakewalk’s SONAR, Propellerhead’s Reason, and Digidesign’s ProTools.

Several AlphaTrack accessories are available now too. Frontier Design Group’s online store has padded gig bags, custom-made for AlphaTrack.

In response to customer requests, Frontier Design Group has also developed an alternate knob set for AlphaTrack. The set includes a fader cap and three knobs for the encoders. The new fader cap has a deeper curve than the original fader cap. The new knobs are more cylindrical than the original knobs, with protruding ridges which are easy to grasp. The new coating is slightly more textured while maintaining the touch-sensitivity of the knobs and fader.

Frontier Design Group is also pleased to announce that Ardour 2 now supports its TranzPort wireless remote controller in Linux systems. Simply connect TranzPort’s USB interface to an active USB port, launch Ardour 2 and select ‘TranzPort’ from the Options / Control Surfaces menu.

SWA Video, a product of Streamwork Audio, has partnered with Mackie to bring an exclusive offer for all registered users of Tracktion 3. In Tracktion 3’s Ultimate bundle users will find SWA Video’s extensive 4-hour instructional video covering everything from setting up to the Final Plug. SWA Complete Tracktion 3 will allow you to explore the depths of Tracktion 3 like never before to truly maximize your potential with the application.

Users of Tracktion 3 Project Bundle will find a quickstart overview video, also produced by Streamworks Audio, to get you up and running in no time. The Project Bundle also includes an exclusive offer to upgrade the quickstart video to the full-blown 4-hour SWA Complete Tracktion 3.

About SWA Complete Tracktion 3:

With over 4 hours of instructional material, Dan Worrall will take you into the depths of Tracktion 3. From setting up Tracktion 3 for optimal performance on your computer through working with Tracktion 3’s new loop feature, right down to polishing your masterpiece with the Final plug – Dan has not left out any details.

Tracktion has brought to the DAW world the much desired ‘non cluttered’ workspace with the single screen model – everything to can be accessed in just one simplified interface, and with SWA Complete Tracktion 3 you will find all the content you need to master all these functions and features of the program.

Not only does Dan offer clear explanations of the fundamentals of Tracktion 3, he dishes up some helpful tips and tricks when working throughout the program, such as getting the most out Tracktion 3’s looping feature or even tweaking your mix with Mackie’s included plug-ins.

For more information, visit their web site at www.swavideo.com.

NAMM Update: The TAPCO Link.FireWire 4×6 audio interface is a portable recording solution for musicians, composers and producers. The interface offers a 4-input/6-output format, and is bus-powered and compact so you can easily take it with you.

Features:

• 4-input/6-output
• Superior sound quality
• Low-latency 24-bit/96kHz operation
• Mackie-designed high-headroom/low-noise mic preamps
• 48V Phantom Power
• Dual combo mic/line/instrument inputs
• Main Line outputs
• Stereo Headphone output
• Stereo S/PDIF I/O
• Complete Front Panel control of all I/O
• Ultra-portable with FireWire bus power
• Includes Tracktion Music Production Software
• Mac or PC compatible
• ASIO2, WDM, and Core Audio compatibility
• Kensington Lock Port
• Collapsible swivel-foot for easy transport

At the 2007 NAMM show, Mackie announced the release of Tracktion 3, the next generation of its Tracktion digital audio and MIDI production software.

Tracktion 3 introduces more than 150 new features and improvements, while retaining the clutter-free, single-screen user interface that made previous versions of Tracktion a success. Tracktion 3 also continues to offer cross-platform compatibility, as well as full support for industry-standard plug-in, virtual instrument and video formats.

“Since its release, Tracktion has developed a large and loyal following of users, ranging from first-time recordists to professional composers and engineers. For Tracktion 3, we listened closely to user feedback and made significant enhancements to the core application, so it’s now even faster and more powerful,” said Mackie Recording Brand Manager James Woodburn.

Among the enhancements in Tracktion 3 are the addition of time stretching and pitch shifting, two powerful capabilities that round out the functionality of the audio production suite and bring it in line with more expensive pro recording software. Tracktion 3 also boasts a new user-friendly loop browser for quick and inspired music creation. Unlike many competing products, the Tracktion 3 loop browser supports three major loop formats — Apple, ACID and REX — on both Mac and PC for flexible music-making on any platform. Read more…