Building on the existing Waveform Free Feature Expansions, the launch of Waveform Pro 12.5 adds two brand new packs to the list - ‘Pro Video’ and ‘DJ Mix Tools’. These expansions are available to purchase individually in Waveform Free 12, allowing users to build their own DAW by adding the features best suited to their workflow and budget. This is a clever option since one of the biggest hurdles with software is precisely the challenge of adding features which are requested by specific user groups, but are completely irrelevant for other users, growing the software interface increasingly complex and less intuitive.
When Tracktion launched Waveform in 2017, it was undoubtedly one of the most powerful and versatile DAWs in the market, evolving from its popular Tracktion software. But as with every other attempt by companies to create a new audio recording, editing and production software contender in a competitive space, the challenge always becomes the learning curve to adjust to a completely new environment. And this has been consistently the challenge for software developers to challenge the market leaders, such as Pro Tools, which currently suffer from the inverse problem, which is they cannot fundamentally change the user interface, consequently limiting their options to evolve.
Waveform and Waveform Pro are audio software tools created already with this paradigm in mind, and not only Tracktion embraces many of the industry practices and familiar ways of doing things to ease the learning curve, but they have avoided cornering themselves (and their users) into an overly complex environment with endless menu bar options and contextual unfolding context menus or overly crowded toolbars. And the option is to allow users to load only the expansions that are required for the work they have in mind.
As an example, most audio users will never need to integrate with video. But Waveform Pro 12.5 addse new Pro Video functions precisely for those who need it, and the features make working with video effortless. Multiple video clips can now be dragged into a single project and arranged or edited as needed. Scalable thumbnails make syncing audio a breeze, plus audio fades and effects plugins can be applied directly to video tracks. Once a project is complete, Waveform 12.5 can export high resolution video directly from the edit. Alternatively, users can render and replace audio on existing video files.
Likewise, music editing is now further improved with the new DJ Mix Tools which now also includes Stem Separation. New functions include Automatic temp sync, perfect for DJ edits or remixes and colored waveforms to help identify sections of songs or specific elements within a clip. Plus, Stem Separation means users can split stereo mixes or extract specific elements like a vocal or drums.
Other workflow improvements in Waveform Pro 12.5 include Global Tracks Fold to help keep tracks neat and tidy, Loop Selection Move, and quick access to master channel plugins. Task management has been upgraded with enchantments to the Rack; Multi-out plugins can now be automatically wrapped, a plugin can now be set as a default, new Meter controls have been added to Faceplates plus a Rack’s Faceplate can now have its own window which itself can be set as a default.
Non users of Waveform Pro - as with any other audio software tools - will read the previous paragraph in amusement, having no idea about what it is we're talking about. And that's precisely the problem. Audio software tools only make sense for the actual users of audio software and resemble an alien language for everyone else. This is in a way a great advantage for audio professionals, because once they become proficient at using those tools they will be able to offer services for all others that have no time or willingness to learn how to use software. Which is a great thing.
Waveform Pro or Waveform (Free) is a recommended alternative for users who need something to work on their own, precisely because it is a more recent platform than almost all the other DAW alternatives. It can be simple enough to replace those no-longer supported copies of Sound Forge, Cakewalk, or Audacity and its audio engine is way more powerful and updated. And yes, it runs on macOS, Windows and Ubuntu Linux.
The Waveform Pro 12.5 update adds more options with more control to give users even more creative possibilities. Tracktion have also launched a 40% off all products on their website from now until June 10, so it’s never been a better time to upgrade from previous versions or purchase feature expansion packs. To download Waveform Pro 12.5, to upgrade from previous versions or to add new feature expansions to Waveform FREE 12 please go to
www.tracktion.com
