Trackspacer User Manual 2.5.0
Trackspacer User Manual 2.5.0
2.5.0
Trackspacer is a mix tool that creates space in the mix for an instrument, voice, or other audio by
performing automatic, multi-band equalisation on a channel based on the spectrum of another
channel. In real-time it analyses the audio frequency content via side-chain, and applies an
intelligent 32-band EQ to subtract those frequencies from the track where Trackspacer is inserted.
This may sound a little bit confusing, but in reality it’s a very useful mixing tool that can be managed
with a single knob. It’s utility is simple: blend two tracks together giving priority to one over the other.
In order to do that, we insert the plug-in in the track that we want to apply the effect, and set up the
side chain so Trackspacer listens to the track that we give priority. At that moment, you’ll be able to
see the spectrum analyser moving. It’s analysing the incoming side-chain signal and reducing the
needed frequencies to the track we inserted Trackspacer in. Then, you just need to increase the
“Amount” knob to the desired value and you’re done.
There is only one installer now instead of a different binary for demo and full versions. When
installing the demo you’ll be able to enter the serial number at anytime and turn it to the full version
without having to install anything else.
Support for RTAS has been dropped as well as support for MacOS 10.5 and 10.6, and Windows XP
and Vista.
GETTING STARTED
SPECIFICATIONS
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Mac
Double-click on the PKG file downloaded from Wavesfactory.
Follow the steps to install the plugin.
The installer will place the different plugin formats in the right folders for you:
‣ AU: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Trackspacer.component
‣ VST: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Trackspacer.vst
‣ VST3: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Trackspacer.vst3
‣ AAX: Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/Trackspacer.aaxplugin
Windows
Double-click on the EXE file downloaded from Wavesfactory.
Follow the steps to install the plugin.
The installer will place the different plugin formats in the right folders for you:
‣ VST 64 bit: C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins\
‣ VST 32 bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\Vstplugins\
‣ AAX 64 bit: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
‣ AAX 32 bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
The install will also create a folder at C:\Users\’username’\AppData\Wavesfactory named
Trackspacer that will contain all the necessary files like user manual and license.
TROUBLESHOOTHING
If Trackspacer doesn’t appear in your DAW plug-in list you can try following these steps:
‣ Re-scan all plug-ins.
‣ If you’re on Windows make sure that the plug-in is in the correct folder as the installer will place it
in the default VST location but your DAW may be using a custom one.
‣ Make sure that your OS version is 10.7 minimum on Mac and Windows 7 minimum on Windows.
If Trackspacer crashes your DAW on start-up or while using it please delete it from the folder and
reinstall it.
Make sure that you have the latest version by downloading a new installer from your user area:
https://www.wavesfactory.com/my-account/downloads
If the crashes continue, contact support with any available crash reports, specifying your OS version,
DAW version and any other valuable information that you may have.
https://www.wavesfactory.com/contact
DEMO EVALUATION
Trackspacer will run in demo mode by default. It will output a short burst of noise every 45 seconds,
parameters won’t be recalled when saving the session. All other features will be available for full
evaluation with no specific time expiration.
While in demo mode the plugin will show the authorisation panel every time you open the UI, if you
still want to evaluate it you have to click on “Continue evaluation” at the bottom of the pop-up.
When purchasing Trackspacer from Wavesfactory you’ll receive an e-mail immediately containing
the serial number. This will be formatted like this:
Serial: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Then open the plug-in and the authorisation panel will appear. Insert your username (e-mail address)
and serial. Press “paste” and the contents of the clipboard will be copied accordingly. Finally, press
the Activate button. If the information is correct he plug-in will save your serial number in
Wavesfactory/Trackspacer/License/. If the information is not correct the panel won’t disappear and
the version will still be in demo mode.
In order to de-authorise you can simply delete the file inside Wavesfactory/Trackspacer/License.
ABOUT SIDECHAINING
Side-chaining is a production technique used in a wide variety of music genres where an effect is
activated by an audio track different to the one that the effect is inserted in. In other words, an audio
effect uses an alternative audio source to trigger a processor.
It’s very commonly used in EDM to create a pumping effect on a bass or pad by putting a
compressor in side-chain mode listening to the kick and lowering the volume of the pad every time
the kick hits.
There seems to be a little bit on confusion on how to effectively set up Trackspacer in your DAW, so
here you have a selection of online tutorials (mainly from YouTube) on how to do side-chaining in all
major DAWs. If a link is down please report it here: https://www.wavesfactory.com/contact
PRO TOOLS
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXDjtj6xC1Y
CUBASE
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-hlD45Yv30
LIVE
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCXuqKTd590
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeJ7hPhhBAQ
REAPER
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDa-ydf1P3U
BITWIG
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUMTXxt_pi0
DIGITAL PERFORMER
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvaX_eBN8Dk
STUDIO ONE
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faqls72NvjM&t=3s
FL STUDIO
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frpTvh98ynA (Russian)
MASCHINE
‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKcSmX03U2c
This is the main view of the plug-in. On the top you have a spectrum analyser that will show you the
analysis of the incoming signal. When you set up the side chain the blue line will show the analysis
of the side chain signal and the white analysis the reduction amount based on the amount knob.
The Amount knob sets the amount of reduction that is being applied to the signal (the negative gain
of the filters).
Use the Low-Cut and High-Cut filters in order to reduce the range to which the effect is applied. For
example, if you are using a kick drum to duck the frequencies of a bass you don’t need the top
information from the kick, you just need the lower part of the spectrum. Turn the High-Cut knob
down so the higher information is not taken into account.
The Freeze button can be activated with a single click and will pause the reduction to the current
state of the filters. This is useful for having a static EQ that’s set up automatically based on the side-
chain spectrum.
If you look closely in the spectrum analyser you’ll see a little blue dot. When you activate this button
the Advanced Panel will be shown.
In the advanced panel you can find a set of parameters for a better audio control.
‣ Pan: controls the panorama of the effect. In L/R mode you can set the effect to the left or to the
right or anything in between. In M/S mode you can set the effect to the mid channel or the sides
channel or anything in between.
‣ L/R - M/S: Selects the processing mode to regular stereo (L/R) or to mid / sides (M/S).
‣ Attack: Sets how quickly the gain reduction reacts to changes in the input signal level.
‣ Release: Sets how fast the gain reduction.
‣ Side-chain: When activating this button you’ll hear the side chain signal with the Low-Cut and
High-Cut filter applied for a better fine-tuning.
USE CASES
‣ Make space for a vocal in a wall of electric guitars and synths.
‣ Make space for the kick drum in a heavy low-end mix.
‣ Snare low-end cutting-through the lower-mids.
‣ Voice-over on top of the background music in a more musical way than having a full-band
compressor.
‣ You name it!
SUPPORT
If you find any bug or you have any questions please get in contact with us following this link:
https://www.wavesfactory.com/support
FINAL WORDS
A huge thanks to all people involved in this project. Beta testers, video makers, reviewers, artists,
designers, composer friends and coding friends!
We hope you like it as much as we do and it helps you take your mixes to the next level.
Thank you very much for supporting Wavesfactory.
CREDITS
‣ Production: Wavesfactory
‣ Design: Nanopsy, Jesús Ginard.
‣ DSP: Xavier Oudin, Ivan Cohen.
I. Grant of License:
In consideration of payment of the Licensee fee, which is a portion of the price you paid,
Wavesfactory, as Licensor, grants to you, the Licensee, a nonexclusive right to use this copy of this
audio plugin (hereinafter the "SOFTWARE") on a single computer. All rights not expressly granted to
Licensee are reserved to Wavesfactory.
V. Transfer Restrictions:
Licensee shall not assign, rent, lease, sell, sublicense or otherwise transfer the SOFTWARE to
another party without prior written consent of Wavesfactory. Any party authorized by Wavesfactory
to receive the SOFTWARE must agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
VII. Remedies:
Wavesfactory's entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be at Wavesfactory's option either (a)
return of the purchase price or (b) replacement of the disk that does not meet the Limited Warranty
and which is returned to Wavesfactory with a copy of your receipt. This limited Warranty is void if
failure of the SOFTWARE has resulted from accident, abuse, modification, or misapplication. Any
replacement software will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty
(30) days, whichever is longer.
CHANGELOG
All bug-fixes, additions and all relevant changes made to Trackspacer will be documented here.