Tracks

A MultitrackStudio track is a combination of a mixer's channel strip, a tape recorder's record/playback switch, and a piece of tape. The latter is replaced by an audio or MIDI file.
Tracks can be added using the Add Track menu's Audio Track, MIDI Track, or Import Audio/MIDI File options. The latter can also import multiple files at once. Tracks can be removed by dragging the Name box (on the left) to the Garbage Bin (in the bottom-left corner of the main window). The track order can be changed using drag-and-drop as well.

All tracks have the following basic features:

• Name box: Displays the name of the opened file.
  The bottom-right corner indicates the file type:
  • "mono": Mono audio file.
  • "stereo": Stereo audio file.
  • "MIDI": MIDI file. If the file has multiple streams, the number of streams is shown ("4 MIDI" etc.).
  • "not opened": The file couldn't be opened, likely because it doesn't exist or it's an unsupported type. In this case, the Play and Rec buttons are disabled.
  Tip: You can change the width of the Name box in the Preferences window.
• File Options Menu (appears when clicking the Name box)
  The file options menu contains the following items:
  • Color: Chooses a color for the Name box and editor. Ten colors are available.
  • Open: Opens an existing Audio/MIDI file. This option does not copy the file to the song folder, unlike the Add Track menu's Import Audio/MIDI File option.
    Windows: If the file doesn't exist, it will be created. The file type is based on the file extension ("piano.mid" creates a MIDI file, "piano.gjm" opens or creates a .GJM audio file). If no file extension is entered, a .WAV audio file is opened or created.
  • Save: Saves the MIDI or .aem file to disk. Use this to save performed edits. Available for MIDI and edited audio tracks only. Disabled if the file hasn't been modified.
    Note: Tracks are saved automatically when the Song menu's Save option is used, so explicit saving is usually unnecessary.
  • Save As: Copies the file to a new file and opens it.
  • Rename: Renames the file. Note: The file is closed and reopened, which clears the editor's undo history.
  • Close: Unloads the file.
  • Properties: Shows the file's properties. For .mp3 files, you can edit the tags in this window.
  • Add Stream: Adds a stream to the MIDI file. (MIDI track only)
  • Split Streams: Splits the MIDI file into separate single-stream files, each opened in a new track. (MIDI files with multiple streams only)
  • Alternate Take: Creates and opens a new file, and puts the track in record mode so you can quickly record an alternate take. These files appear at the bottom of the menu. Hold the Ctrl key (Windows) / Command key (Mac) while clicking to open the new file in a new track.
  • Copy live performance to clipboard: After playing a software instrument live without recording, you can copy the performance to the clipboard and paste it into a track. (MIDI software instrument tracks only)
  • Duplicate: Creates a new track with a copy of this track's contents.
  • File History: Lists all opened files for this track. You can reopen previous files using this menu. Handy for auditioning alternate takes.
    Right-click (Windows) / Ctrl-click (Mac) for options. Use "Remove from list" to allow "Clean up Son Folder" to mark the file as unused.
• Play and Rec buttons: Enable playback or recording for the track. Start the transport to begin playback or recording.
• Level Meter: Displays the sound level. See Level Meters.
• Volume fader: Sets the track's playback volume.
• Mute button: Mutes the track.
• Solo button: Solos the track. The signal still passes through any Group and/or Effect Return sections. Use the Effect Return's Mute button if needed.
  Solo multiple tracks by holding the Ctrl key (Windows) / Command key (Mac) and clicking additional Solo buttons.
  Double-clicking a Solo button activates "half solo": other tracks are attenuated by 12 dB instead of being fully muted. The Solo button will display "H" in this mode.
• Pan knob: Sets the pan position (0% = left, 50% = center, 100% = right). It has a blue dot.
• Editor Preview pane: Displays a compact editor view. Click it to open the full editor.
  The data can be scrolled left/right. The transport position changes when using a trackpad (or horizontal scroll wheel). It doesn't change if dragged with the mouse.
  Note: An EDIT button may be present to show/hide the editor, depending on your Preferences.

Hold the A key and click any Play, Rec, Mute button or Editor Preview pane to toggle the same element for all tracks. Hold the C key to affect all tracks with the same color.

Audio Tracks

Audio tracks (tracks with an audio file) have these additional features:

• Effect Send knobs: Control the level of the (mono) signal sent to the corresponding Effect Return section. Sends are post-fader and post-effects, meaning they are affected by the Volume fader, Mute button, and any effects.
• Effect Slots: Can contain effects like EQ or Compressor. Effects are applied before volume and pan, so compressor settings remain consistent regardless of Volume fader changes.
• Output Selector: Determines where the track's output is routed. Choose between the Master section or a Group section. The Pro edition can route tracks to Audio Out Device channels (e.g., 3/4, 5/6...) if the song uses multiple stereo outputs (see Song Properties). Use the Pan knob to send the signal to a single channel.
  The Output Selector is hidden if there are no routing options besides Master.

MIDI Tracks

MIDI tracks (tracks with a MIDI file) include an Instrument slot. If the slot contains a software instrument (e.g., MultitrackStudio Instruments), MIDI data is converted to audio and routed through the mixer. If it contains an External MIDI Instrument, the output is sent to an external hardware synth. See the MIDI Instruments page for more details.

MIDI tracks using software instruments have the same extra controls as audio tracks (except the first Effect Slot is replaced by the Instrument Slot).