T-Racks.yes or no?????????

[Doughboy]

Hi guys....newbie here! I just found out about this cool place the other day, and I've been reading up. Very cool!

I've read a few of the posts on T-Racks and like most other things, half the people like it, half the people hate it. Figures!!!

I am a songwriter that is looking for a real good sound, not an engineer that is looking for a real good sound.....if you know what I mean. I have fooled around with my Masterlink and Harbal, and lastly with Sound Forge.......and yeah...they all are nice. I love the Masterlink and Harbal.......but everything I have tried, just sounds a little different....and different is not necessarily better........I WANT BETTTTTTTER!!!! (By the way, when I say fooled around with them, I mean ungodly amounts of hours and attempts and coasters). Everyone keeps telling me to just move on.......but I'm just not satisfied yet.

Here's the thing.....I'm playing with this demo for T-Racks....and with one preset, tweaked just a tad.....I'm thinking it's the freaking sound I've been looking for. I've played with the demo so much...that I'm actually getting used to that little puff of white noise they throw in there every 10 seconds or so.

Like I said, I've read the other threads on it.....I guess I'm just lookin' for anything new, anyone can tell me to talk me out of it.

Thanks in advance new friends!

[RadioBox]

If it's giving you the sound you're looking for, why are you even asking? I have a copy of t-racks, and don't tell anyone, but I actually possibly maybe ummmm use it sometimes when no one else is looking.

[AlexLakis]

Well, if you're getting the sound you're looking for, then why look further? Buy it!

P.S. I think it's more like 10% like T-Racks, 90% dislike it based on previous threads. I dislike it.

[Andrew Kinsey]

Id say no personally but if you feel your getting the right ressults then why not?

[Doughboy]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

Well, if you're getting the sound you're looking for, then why look further? Buy it!

P.S. I think it's more like 10% like T-Racks, 90% dislike it based on previous threads. I dislike it.

That's right, I stand corrected....it was actually 50% of the replys were in favor of T-Racks....however, they were all from one guy, who was battling for his credibility in the music world! Felt kind of sorry for him!

[chrisp2u]

I thought t-racks was decent when I first tried it a few years ago. Then, the more I used it, the less I liked it. You can definitely hear it's t-racks on the final mix. I was just trying out the demo of Izotope's Ozone3... haven't really spent enough time with it to develop an opinion yet... seems like it may have more potential than t-racks though.

BTW, what are you monitoring on when you're doing this stuff? That might be the difference to "better".
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c

[Ruudman]

It has, chrisp2u...


ruudman

[Doughboy]

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

I thought t-racks was decent when I first tried it a few years ago. Then, the more I used it, the less I liked it. You can definitely hear it's t-racks on the final mix. I was just trying out the demo of Izotope's Ozone3... haven't really spent enough time with it to develop an opinion yet... seems like it may have more potential than t-racks though.

BTW, what are you monitoring on when you're doing this stuff? That might be the difference to "better".
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c

...that's one of my problems with the demo....I''ve been checking it out thru, a couple different set of headphones that I'm familiar with, and a set of Klipsch computer speakers.....that are pretty good...but color the heck out of the sound. Normally, I'm not sure about a sound, until I've burned it to CD and listened on a boom box, and CD Player, and my car, and on my Events....and on and on.....Dang it.....it's only a couple hundred bucks......I'll have to take a look at the Ozone thing, if I remember right, that costs a heck of a lot more.....if it's worth it though!!!

[jeronimo]

I like it! I use the Soft Cliper all the time, BUT I rarely use the Full Suite...
I have some serious headroom problems with the Suite, I didn't spend much time troubleshooting to see what was causing it, but sometimes I get some wierd crackling noise while using the Suite... I think it's the compressor working toooooo hard.

[chrisp2u]

Ozone 3 is usually $199 USD most places, whereas T-racks runs in the $300+ range last I looked.

I seemed to often encounter the headroom issues mentioned above as well. That's actually one of the main reasons I quit using it all together. No matter how careful I thought I was being with my levels it would always seem to break up a bit using the suite.
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c

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by jeronimo

I like it! I use the Soft Cliper all the time, BUT I rarely use the Full Suite...
I have some serious headroom problems with the Suite, I didn't spend much time troubleshooting to see what was causing it, but sometimes I get some wierd crackling noise while using the Suite... I think it's the compressor working toooooo hard.

I actually like the compressor, but I've always had problems with T-Racks spitting out digital hash and have blown drivers when it went right through a master fader set to -infinity.

They've got some code problems and that's on three different systems that I've had in the last couple of years. They always act like they don't know what I'm talking about but I've never had any other plugin do the same thing.

It's like anything, if it works, use it.

[deadhorses]

I tried it and moved on. Depends on how far you want to go with it but its presets are good for beginners.
What I found useful:
1. Cranesong Phoenix: TDM only format
2. Mcdsp AC: would come in 2nd...but it’s (RTAS/ TDM) and it does muddy up the mix!
3. I’d say something along the lines of cost and format would be PSP vintage warmer ($110.00) in your case coming from T-racks won’t hurt to try it out.

Cheers,


PS remembering back now, I found the sound quality to be a bit brazen for my taste

[Ruudman]

I don't find the AC to muddy up my mixes. Maybe we use it differently?

ruudman

[Gilliland]

Interesting discussion. I've used T-Racks successfully on occasion. I certainly wouldn't use it for everything, but it can be a useful tool sometimes. I'd never use its presets, though - they all seem to go way overboard. If you use it judiciously and choose your own settings, I think you can get good results from it.

What kinds of alternative tools would you recommend for making adjustments on a stereo mix (in the box)? I'm really not that familiar with similar tools from other vendors. I'd love to learn that there is something far better. T-Racks certainly can get "crunchy" if you push it too hard. I've never seen it put out "digital hash", though - I suspect that could only happen if it didn't have sufficient CPU resources to do its work.

[Doughboy]

Okay...I've been playing around with the Ozone3 demo now...appreciate that tip. For the most part, I think it's reiforced in my mind that I I'm okay with T-Racks........with a bit of work...I bet that Ozone kicks some rump thou. I'm not much liking there presets.....and I'm not real sure what I'm doing with it obviously, only played with it for a half hour or so......but with the T-Racks, I keep A/B ing it so to speak......T-Racks...seems to be warmer and the notes seem more defined. I kind of like that little stereo enhancer thing, (that seems to be a big joke, somewhere)....just used slightly that is.

....and yes....I am looking for a cure all, to be used every single time.

Sure appreciate all the input guys. Don't stop now though! I've been known to change my mind right up to the time I hit the "Buy it now" button!

[gsharp]

Soft Clipper is a secret weapon for sure. "Why doesnt' my vocal sound like Sheryl Crowe?" Well, 1. You're not a chick with an unlimited budget, 2. I'm not John Shanks, 3. I don't have the T-Racks Soft Clipper engaged.

[Doughboy]

Little embarrassed to say....but, I still haven't found that "Soft Clipper" button. There's not all that many knobs on there, why can't I find it? Is it possible, I have an old demo...that doesn't have that?

[chrisp2u]

Originally Posted by Doughboy

Little embarrassed to say....but, I still haven't found that "Soft Clipper" button. There's not all that many knobs on there, why can't I find it? Is it possible, I have an old demo...that doesn't have that?

It's not a button... it's a whole processor section (actually says "soft-clipper" in rather large type to the left under the t-racks logo)... think it shows up at the bottom of the stack if you have the suite open. I also found this to be one of the more useful tools in T-racks.

I think PSP's Vintage Warmer had a more natural warmth overall to my ear compared to T-racks.
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c

[Ruudman]

Originally Posted by Doughboy

Ok...I bet that Ozone kicks some rump thou. I'm not much liking there presets.....and I'm not real sure what I'm doing with it obviously, only played with it for a half hour or so...

It's got sucky presets, I know. I really don't know why they bother. If I was to judge based on the presets or graphics alone, I would dive a thumb.

I have T-Racks around somewhere, but I always feel like it's too much when I've used it. T-Racks has also very sucky presets.....

Skip presets, boyz.



ruudman

[Doughboy]

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

It's not a button... it's a whole processor section (actually says "soft-clipper" in rather large type to the left under the t-racks logo)... think it shows up at the bottom of the stack if you have the suite open. I also found this to be one of the more useful tools in T-racks.

I think PSP's Vintage Warmer had a more natural warmth overall to my ear compared to T-racks.
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c

Strange....mine doesn't have anything around the logo.....This is the "Stand Alone" version. There are three units in the stack.....I've seen that picture with 5 or 6 units in the stack....just figured that was for guitar effects and such. In my presets thou, under output...there's an option for it I guess...seems to blast the volume pretty good. The three units I have are EQ, Limiter, and Compressor.....

Maybe I'll just give away all my freaking equipment, and take up knitting or something.

[jwnc]

The plug in version has the soft clipper at the bottom not the stand alone version.

JW

[xopeth4]

In the standalone version, the whole output module on the right, where the volume control is, has the "sat" dial which is the soft clipper control.

[qubi]

I do a lot of inhouse mastering for my projects (mostly music for TV) but some local album work too. my mastering chain is mostly waves (mastering suite) and Ozone for some stereo widening and exciter, which i think its really best at.. I've tried the t-racks demo but it just didnt work for me, it just seemed a bit harsh and obvious.. for the warming up effect, i like vintage warmer better. I know waves is in a different price bracket, so if i had to do without, i'd probbly use vintage warmer AND Ozone. Ozone is a a PITA to control, but just go subtle with the parameters and you can get some really nice results.

Ofcourse, its all up to your ears and what you like, and if its t-racks, then just go with it

good luck

[max cooper]

The compressor in T-Racks has a M/S matrix stereo widening knob. It's fun as an effect on drum bus etc.

Enrico Iori from IKM (who makes T-Racks) recently mentioned

"The EQ was modeled on an analog console at Abbey Road in the '70s"

(I'm sure he meant a console from the seventies; a bit of a language gap as IKM is an Italian company.)

it's a pretty decent EQ, too.

[Osumosan]

I found that TRacks is good for adding that NY compression and definition to the drum bus on loud rock material. It would probably be great for that clicky metal sound. But I haven't used it in that area. Agreed that it seems to have fallen into the niche of dirty secret secret weapon.

[chymer]

the clipper rocks!!!!!!!
There I said it!!!
The compressor and limiter dont get much work though.
Chymer

[Doughboy]

Ooooooh.....the S.A.T. dial! Duh!!!! Thanks....should have been obvious to me...let's see...S=Soft....I guess the A.T.= Ain't Clippin'!

I can see where Ozone has more potential....just looks like it would take more experimenting though...and DAMN....I just want to get on with my next tune.

For some reason or other, when I A/B the same tunes (not just one, but several) with T-Racks and Ozone and no Ozone, and my Masterlink....it just sounds "Nicer" with T-Racks....I just feel the notes better, there more defined........might just be my ears this week.

...anyway....I'm pretty sure after I get it and use it for a few months....I'll be listening one day and say "Holy Cow....I can't believe I liked this sound.....it sounds like POOOOOOO!!!!"

Sure hope not though...

[popmann]

For "real" mastering, neither will get you there.

If you need a quick "what this will sound like mastered" RMS pump/EQ...T-Racks does a better job than anything I've used. Granted, I haven't used Ozone since v1, but the thing made my recordings sound like Phil Collins circa 1989 no matter what I did. T-Racks yeilded a better sound much quicker.

There are a lot better pieces for real mastering...they're still just not gonna touch mastering with analog gear. Just not. T-Racks does a nice quick "mastering lite", IMO.

...unless you just LOVE Phil Collin's sound in the late eighties. Then, all bets are off.

[Ruudman]

but the thing made my recordings sound like Phil Collins circa 1989 no matter what I did

So, you put a HP filter at 400 and a LP filter at 800, and still you got the Collins sound??
I am impressed thumbsup thumbsup


Ozone has the ability to sound shite, only minor tweaking will give decent results.
Which I think counts for T-Racks as well.



ruudman

[DTIS]

Doughy - listen to Popmann, go analog. Get a Cranesong or the like and be done with it. BTW, you wanna sell me that Masterlink?

That aside, I must say...if you guys heard some of the current stuff this Doughy mofo has done, you'd tell him to stick with what he's using.