Tracktion 4 is now free for everyone! The old version (last updated on December 9th, 2013) of the popular Tracktion digital audio workstation is now released as freeware for all interested users.
Tracktion 4 was normally priced at $59.95, however in April 2013 it was offered as a free music making program for all Behringer customers (here’s our coverage of that promotion). Now Tracktion 4 is being released as a free tool for anyone interested, potentially earning the title of the best free DAW at the moment. Granted, this is an older version of the software (the most current version is Tracktion 6) but it’s packed with features and incredibly powerful for a free music making application. I’ll have to spend some time with it first and check if it’s really better that Podium Free which is (or at least was up to this point) the best freeware digital audio workstation.
See also: Free Digital Audio Workstations!Let’s take a quick look at some of Tracktion 4’s most important features. First off, it can run on Windows (both 32-bit & 64-bit), Mac OS and Linux. Pretty much everyone can install it on their machine and start making music for free right away, regardless of their system environment (this also makes it much easier for people to collaborate even if they’re using different operating systems). Secondly, it features a powerful single screen user interface which (after you spend some time with it) is optimized for a super fast audio editing and mixing workflow.
Of course, Tracktion 4 also loads VST plugins, so you can use all of your favorite freeware and commercial virtual instruments and effect to create and mix music. I’ve also noticed that Tracktion 4 supports loading of video files, so it can be used to edit background audio for video projects (I think that there’s no other freeware tool which can be used for this at the moment).
On the downside, the user interface is definitely different to anything I’ve used before. It will obviously take some time for me to get used to it, but (as I’ve already mentioned) one of Tracktion 4’s main features (according to its users) is the streamlined user interface optimized for a fast mixing workflow. I’m guessing that I’ll be able to use Tracktion 4 to its full potential after I’ve familiarized myself with the interface a bit and after I watch some online tutorials in order to understand how everything works in this free DAW.
See also: Free VST Host Applications For Windows & Mac OS!Before you go and get your free copy of Tracktion 4, here’s a brief overview of the things you’ll need to do in order to get it up and running on your machine:
- Visit the Tracktion website and download the installer (linked below).
- Log in to your user account and register your free copy of Tracktion 4.
- Install Tracktion 4 and activate it by entering your username and password.
That’s all there is to it! After the activation process, you can scan your VST plugins folder and start working on your first project. The download page also has some free project files to help you get started and figure out how things work in Tracktion 4. Happy music making and leave a comment letting me know what you think about this new free music making tool!
Video Demo
Check out the Tracktion 4 demo video:
Download
Tracktion 4 is available for free download via Tracktion Software Corporation (21 MB download size, EXE installer, available as a 32-bit & 64-bit standalone application for Windows, Mac OS and Linux).
13 Comments
bmovie
onWow!
Finnbogi Ragnar Ragnarsson
onThe interface is like hitting a brickwall at first, but is in fact easy to use and kind of intuitive, when you get the hang of it, which happens quickly.
You are supposed to look at literally everything from left to right, song, input, flow.
The work area is in the bottom middle.
The only thing that’s really really illogical at first is how you insert plugins, synths and effects.
But after that, everything is actually easy.
In my opinion the world’s easiest DAW is energy XT, and probably Garage Band, but that’s not nearly as powerful as energy XT or Tracktion.
I got Tracktion 4 as a Behringer promotion and upgraded to T6 for 30$ right now, mainly to get an extra license of Melodyne Essentials, but there are tons of new and really powerful features on T6, that I will look into.
It would be interesting to know if you can upgrade to T6 from the free T4, that would be an insane deal.
Tomislav Zlatic
onExactly, everything starts making sense very quickly after the initial shock. :)
The thing that there’s no standard mixer view got me confused at first, but controlling everything on the channel strip itself is actually very intuitive.
It seems to be very frightening at the first view, however it is off course a self taught software, for sure an awesome tool.
Adam
onGuys this is awesome gift.And to make things even better – yes you can upgrade to T6 for 30 bucks :D Sure the GUI is something we have to get used to , but the same thing was in 2001 when Ableton came out. Oh to make things spiced up Tracktion also uses racking method of inserting plugins – so it’s straight rival to mentioned Ableton !!! :D And let me tell this again – THIS STUFF IS LIKE A CHRISTMAS GIFT !!!! :D This couldn’t be better day :D
ola
onImpossible to download T4. no download links after putting in personal details…, no submit button on form to continue
kasangaki Joseph
onilove it
Cheryl Patch
onHi,
Can I use this app to write my songs without infringing on their copyrights? Thanks, Chery
Ps. I’m a newbie
Tomislav Zlatic
onAbsolutely, it’s free to use (v4, that is).
Bob
onLooks like T5 is free now also.
Bob
onT5 is demo mode only. sorry.
Kenny
onNow march 2017, you can download Tracktion 5 for free as they are already on Tracktion 7.
Next year probably tracktion 6 for free!! lol