Welcome to Music Nation! Over the past few months we’ve immersed ourselves in Tracktion’s Waveform 12.5 Pro, and while its core feature set certainly provides a highly capable platform, the true test of a DAW is how immersive and easy to use it is. Could Waveform be the best platform available for media composers and songwriters right now?
In this review, we will delve into the key aspects that make Waveform 12.5 a standout DAW. We’ll explore its workflow, audio and MIDI editing tools, plugin ecosystem, and performance optimizations.
So, what is Waveform?
Waveform 12 is a fully-featured DAW that has been around in various incarnations for longer than you might realise. Originally owned by Mackie back in the early 2000s, it was offered as part of their studio consoles and interfaces packages, but the software eventually went into a defunct state and faded into obscurity. The software’s original designer announced in 2013 a buy-back with a new development company, Tracktion Software.
The team have since lifted its functionality with the latest v12 bringing in massive improvements. It’s still possible to see some of the quirks of the original platform, but it’s gradually modernising thanks to the progressive development team and a stalwart community of users.
Waveform 12 has a similar operational workflow to Ableton Live, in that its a modular interface that is based around a central properties inspector. It also shares familiar Reason Studio features like combinators, visual cable routing and modular effect racks. It supports MIDI, audio and simple video editing plus all the normal VST and ASIO standards.
Purchasing Options
I feel it’s important to cover this first as it’s probably the most confusing subject and something Tracktion needs to focus on clearing up. The website does a poor job of explaining the purchasing hierarchy, with pricing errors not helping matters.
Tracktion Software offers a comprehensive sandbox environment known as ‘Universe,’ which encompasses Waveform, its expansion packs, and associated (and sometimes 3rd party) DLCs. The best way to conceptualize Waveform is as a modular core platform that enables you to add components as needed.
Other than a special OEM version offered with some hardware purchases, Waveform is centred around a free core version with purchasable upgrades a-la-carte style. You can opt for the ‘Pro’ bundle, which is essentially the free version with everything included.
Upgrades “packs” primarily consist of MIDI instruments, video editing capability, audio FX, utilities, and visual GUI functions such as Chord Tracks, Faceplates, Arranger tracks, and the convenient Quick Action bar.
Each expansion pack costs between $30 – $50 USD and includes a number of related tools and functions. For instance, the $50 MIDI Producer expansion has an advanced MIDI editor, chord tacks, a number of MIDI instruments and a few extra utility tools.
The full Pro version encompasses everything in a comprehensive package, providing access to all features and is priced at $149 USD ($99 upgrade).
But wait, there’s more….there are 3rd party bundle deals.
Waveform is compatible with 3rd party DLC content, similar to Reason Studios Rack Shop. Notable titles like Kult, Chop Suey and Love are among the excellent range on offer over and above the cost of buying Waveform. DLC content is either synth instruments, effects or patch/loop content.
These 3rd party expansion devices tie in well with the general styling and workflow of Waveform. BioTek 2 and Collective are Tracktion’s cornerstone synth and sample engine, and generally speaking, inspiration all of the extensions have a similar look and workflow, so there is a connection visually making everything feel cohesive.
In addition to the virtual instruments on offer, Tracktion also has content and loops available for its Collective Sampler and BioTek synth devices brought separately or included in the Pro version of Waveform.
From what I’ve seen everything features a free demo so you can test before committing. The included Tracktion Download Manager conveniently tracks all your purchases and demos.
In addition to all of this, Tracktion offers “full bundles”. The ‘Everything’ pack is a whopping $999 USD, as you would expect contains every expansion and DLC available.
The Studio Bundle cuts all of the effects, focusing on instruments for $599, with a third Recommended Bundle for $299 offering a good selection of core elements.
All full bundles include Waveform 12 Pro (I had to confirm this with support, as depending on where you look on the website this isn’t the case), so considering the $149 cost by itself, the full bundles are excellent value.
Waveform Basic Workflow
It’s a breeze to set up from scratch with Tracktion’s Download Manager. This is where you’ll manage all future updates and installations.
When you launch Waveform, you will see an introduction screen with adjustable format settings, previous projects, a news feed, and tutorial videos. Waveform projects are launched as tabs within the shell, which makes it easy to exchange data between songs.
Waveform projects are encapsulated in ‘Edits’, which contain all MIDI and audio data, backup files, renders and videos. Projects can contain unlimited edits which serve as revision or historical snapshots of your project. Edits also include a handy rendered preview of the project when saved.
Upon launching a new project the most immediate thing you’ll notice is the unconventional modular track layout. Waveform features a logical left-to-right signal flow layout, similar to a point with Ableton Live. Tracks input definitions, the track data, and the final processing and outputs to the far right of the screen.
A central properties panel displays all selected controls, meaning you typically click a device and then move your focus to the properties panel to affect and modulate the controls.
Interestingly, the right-hand FX column lists all devices as blocks, including volume and pan controls. So a typical track may include an output block, mute, solo and level meters block, a volume and pan plus any VST effects and instruments each as individual blocks. This system allows you to simply rearrange the blocks as you see fit, effectively re-routing the device.
Also, rather ingeniously, inserting send and returns requires simply dropping in the relative block where you want this to happen. This is a stroke of genius when it comes to track freezing, as you can drop a ‘Freeze Block’ anywhere in the FX chain, automatically rendering everything to the left frozen, leaving devices to the right untouched.
While a neat system, the obvious “block bloat” will become a problem if you’re running multiple FX outside a container.
Track name headers are problematic, as they are located on the far left side of the sequencer, meaning you either need to carefully run your eye across the sequence lane to find the correct track you want to work with, or insert a specific text block to double-name the track.
Automation and modulation are a complete dream to use. Each track in the sequencer has a tiny ‘A’ near the effects column, for which dragging to a device automatically creates an automation lane ready for use. Equally convenient, dragging a modulation marker from the top of a device creates a custom modulation for any CC control, making for incredibly easy sound design on the fly.
Finally, in the long list of genius features is the built-in track MIDI editor. While you can double-click a MIDI block and open it in a floating full-screen editor, the easiest way is to edit directly within the project sequence by simply expanding the track height. I prefer to use the full editor for the scale, but for simple operations the track editor is brilliant.
The Interface
Waveform boasts a clean and uncluttered interface, making it easy for both new and experienced users to quickly adapt. While the layout exhibits a unique workflow that took me some time to adapt to after using other conventional DAWs, this should not pose any significant challenges for most.
The core tenant of the workflow is the unique device blocks which can be placed in any order that suits your needs. With the logical left-to-right signal flow you soon realise how simply the signal chain is constructed, leading to quite creative uses of assembling track blocks.
The default track block contains a single-function volume fader and pan control, after which you are free to drag-and-drop in any order effects, instruments or utility devices. The order in which you construct your blocks affects the signal flow, so some rudimentary understanding of audio signal flow is essential.
It soon becomes second nature creating complex signal chains on the fly. The ordinarily complex task of assigned BUS routings, for example, is as easy as dropping an AUX block in the chain where you want the single to come from.
The basic audio and MIDI editing tools are comprehensive, encompassing excellent options for time-stretching, fades, and crossfades, as well as standard MIDI quantization, velocity adjustment, and complete CC (Control Change) editing. There is extensive functionality for multi-track audio and MIDI recording and editing, along with straightforward video editing capabilities.
Modulators
One of the key standout features of Waveform is its modulators. Although they may not possess the same level of power as those found in Bitwig Studio, they offer comparable functionality with a far simpler approach.
In Waveform, modulators are compact blocks that can be easily dragged and dropped onto various elements within the signal chain, enabling the assignment of automated movement. They provide a higher level of versatility compared to traditional automation, allowing for greater complexity within the Waveform Rack environment.
Track Racks.
Waveform’s rack, akin to Reason Studio’s Combinators, provides mini-sandbox environments that enable the creation of more intricate devices beyond the capabilities of standard track aux sends. Racks serve as visual canvases where instruments, effects, and utility devices can be arranged and interconnected in a flexible manner. Additionally, Racks allow the construction of highly detailed macro controller screens called Faceplates, which can be stacked within a virtual rack, reminiscent of Reason’s rack system.
While not as powerful as Reason Studio’s Combinators, I find that they offer logical layouts and intuitive patch routing, especially when dealing with larger builds.
Performance
Earlier this year, Waveform 12 received a significant engine upgrade, and it’s evident that highly optimized code is at work here. The noticeable result is the ability to run a larger number of VST plugins, instruments, and native effects compared to competing DAWs.
During our tests, Waveform consistently outperformed other DAWs, particularly when it came to running sample libraries from Kontakt and EastWest Opus. This showcases Waveform’s impressive performance and efficiency in handling resource-intensive tasks.
I noticed a marked performance boost when changing to the Open GL video rendering option, especially on the larger orchestral template projects that contain over 1000 tracks. Waveform has a number of graphical options to improve performance overall.
Composing and song writing with Waveform
While Waveform proves itself as a highly capable platform in various aspects, what piques my interest are its song writing and composing tools. Despite Tracktion not explicitly positioning Waveform as a dedicated tool for orchestral composers, it might have inadvertently developed one of the finest DAWs available for this purpose. Allow me to elaborate on this point.
Waveform features a highly distinctive workflow that allows you to minimize unnecessary clutter on your screen. Unlike other DAWs that place all track information on the left side of the screen with important details densely packed together, Waveform places core track information, presets and plugin information on the right side. This not only makes visual sense for inserting blocks where needed but also allows you to hide and forget about it once it’s set.
The left side of the screen is dedicated to the action panel, which can be further subdivided into three sections if needed. This panel contains vital project details and can also be hidden when not required. Additionally, a third properties panel can be displayed along the bottom of the screen when you require more in-depth track-level information.
This system, while not entirely unique to Waveform, operates on a priority basis, allowing you to display only the data that is truly essential at any given time. For example, you may often open the properties panel to access effect settings, modulation assignments, and track-specific details. The right actions panel may be useful for locating tracks, adjusting certain parameters, and so on. Conversely, the left FX panel is seldom needed once it’s set, unless you’re performing basic mixing tasks.
Furthermore, important panels within Waveform are undockable, allowing you to arrange them across multiple monitors, which is a brilliant feature for enhanced workflow and flexibility.
When it comes to songwriting and composing, Tracktion Waveform 12.5 proves to be an invaluable tool for organizing and visualizing the entire song sequence. With its full-screen MIDI and audio editing capabilities, this system clears away the clutter and provides a streamlined experience. It not only enhances the overall look of the composition but also minimizes confusion, resulting in a cleaner and more efficient workflow.
Included in the Pro version is the excellent MIDI Pattern Generator, largely doing away with the need for MIDI packs or tools like Scaler and Captain Chords.
Integrated into the Chord track, the pattern generator offers four core generators to create new MIDI passages, all locked in key to the chord track. You can choose from straight chords, basslines, arpeggios and a melody constructor. You can choose from a large selection of included chord progressions or create your own.
There are a couple of missing tools I would like to see added soon, such as a tap tempo function and MIDI note channels (something only a composer would usually need), but overall an excellent package for media composing.
Freeze Points – complete genius.
One of the most incredible features of Waveform, and possibly the biggest “shut up and take my money” feature, is the incredible Freeze Point plugin.
Most DAWs these days offer a way to freeze or bounce MIDI tracks to preserve DSP overheads on projects. “Freezing” in Waveform is performed with a plugin, not as a track function per sea. You simply insert the Freeze Point block plugin anywhere on your track FX chain making everything to the left of this point frozen.
For example, you might have a Kontakt instrument, an EQ effect, a reverb and a compressor. You can insert the Freeze Point plugin at the very end of the chain and freeze everything, or just after Kontakt to freeze only the instrument, leaving the effects untouched and ready for use.
Absolutely brilliant.
MIDI Input handling
Waveform features a unique system for handling MIDI input devices. Ordinarily, you would tell the DAW what MIDI controllers, keyboards and devices you’ve got connected and then assign one or all to each track in your projects to control the virtual instruments.
With Waveform you can assign MIDI input devices traditionally like this, or use the Virtual MIDI Device option which allows you to set customised device configurations.
It’s possible to set the virtual devices to simply all MIDI signals coming in, or you might want to set specific MIDI device combinations. This allows you to create several customised MIDI input devices for each virtual device. Perfect if you run multiple synths and controllers and particularly handy if you use a MIDI patch bay.
Each track within a Waveform project can receive a MIDI signal from up to four sources at once. So with some preplanning of your Virtual MIDI Device banks, you can easily create very complex routings from your external hardware for each track within your project.
Waveform also features a complete MIDI patch bank librarian for each device(!), so you can import your synth patch names and completely control the program change information directly from your tracks.
Video editing
Composers who score to film will love this function. While not a full video editing suite, Waveform Pro 12.5 features some handy clip-editing functions. Simply drag and drop video into a track and you can cut and splice clips as needed. There are no video effects, custom LUTs or anything like that. But for simple cuts, this system works well.
Conclusion
On paper, Waveform may not have as many features as some top-tier DAWs, but in practical terms, it offers a productive, foundational platform with a streamlined workflow. Unless you’re regularly pushing the boundaries of your DAW, Waveform’s simpler toolset and workflow can ultimately boost productivity.
The purchasing model is flexible and generous, particularly given the full-featured free version. Costs do increase if you dive into the add-ons, but it’s a fair trade for customizability.
Waveform 12 includes some inspired features from other DAWs—such as Reason’s Combinator and Ableton’s inverted track workflow and modulators—yet it feels more cohesive and intuitive here. The central control, or “inspector” window, reduces the need for menu diving, making the interface uncluttered and refreshingly minimalist for a DAW.
While visually appealing, the interface has room for improvement. Font and color consistency is hit-or-miss; fonts look clear in the sequencer but can appear rough in the MIDI editor, and the overall aesthetic has a slight Windows 95 feel that’s hard to pinpoint. However, these are likely to be refined over time.
There’s a wealth of features I haven’t covered in depth, such as the drum machine sampler, cloud collaboration, and the strong default plugin suite. Retrospective recording is a huge time-saver, and the simple track automation and modulator tools are highlights. The well-written manual also deserves mention, offering hands-on techniques and examples.
Some minor issues, like the lack of tap tempo and an awkward piano track overlay during editing, could easily be addressed in future updates. I did experience occasional MIDI timing issues, with some notes sticking or dropping.
Reviewing a DAW is no small task, and Waveform is hard to place in simple “good” or “bad” terms. I won’t put Waveform Pro ahead of the top 5 platforms on the market, as its clearly a more boutique environment than a out-and-out audio/MIDI sequencer. But the thing is, who really needs every conceivable bell and whistle in a DAW when at the end of the day the main focus is on workflow and creativity.
In this regard, Tracktions Waveform 12.5 is one of the best platforms available, expecially with a-la-carte system allowing producers to start for free then ease in as they can afford. Not many developers would dare to offer such a generous system.
So I highly recommend and the very least you download and test Waveform Free for yourself, push its limits and give it a good opportunity to grow on you. I think like me, you’ll come to love this quirky little contender and possibly not look back.
More information and to download Waveform 12 Free, visit the website here
