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Tracker Pro Guide
Chapters & reference
ContentsChapter 7

TRACKER PRO 1.1 USER GUIDE

Shape and mix

Choose instruments, order effects, balance levels and use sends or Audio Units.

Each track has an instrument followed by effects. The Mixer balances those tracks, two shared returns and the master output.

7.1Choose an instrument

Use an empty track when trying a different instrument. Changing an existing track's instrument changes the sound of its notes.

  1. Select the track in the tracker and open DEVICES if its panel is hidden.
  2. Tap CHANGE in the instrument header. Choose Sampler, Macro, Resonator, GrainOSC, MIDI Out or an installed Audio Unit.
  3. Open KEYS and play a note. Sampler needs a loaded recording; MIDI Out needs a receiving instrument.
  4. For Macro, tap the current engine name, such as Virtual Analog, and choose an engine. Play the same note again. The three tone controls change with the engine.

Sampler plays recordings. Macro generates tones and percussion. Resonator produces a tuned body or string response. GrainOSC uses internal wavetables to make grains. The instrument reference explains the main controls.

7.2Add and compare an effect

Start with a track that already makes sound.

  1. In its DEVICES chain, tap the circular + where you want the effect. The Add Effect browser opens.
  2. Choose Drive, then play the pattern. Raise Drive gradually to hear more harmonics; use Mix to blend the result with the unprocessed signal.
  3. Tap the effect's power button to bypass it. Tap again to restore it with the same settings.
  4. Open the effect's ellipsis menu and choose Move left or Move right to change its position. The instrument stays first; effects process the signal in their displayed order.

Use DEEP where offered for additional controls. Drag a numeric control up or down; move sideways during the drag for finer adjustment. Tap an editable value to enter a number. Compare the active and bypassed sound at similar volume.

Audio signal flowDiagram
  1. InstrumentSampler, synth or Audio Unit
  2. Track effectsProcessed in rack order
  3. MixerLevel, pan and sends to returns
  4. MasterThe combined output
Track effects process an instrument in rack order. Sends feed shared returns; tracks and returns reach the master output.

7.3Balance the starter tracks

Open a saved copy of Guide Starter. It has KICK, SNARE and TONE tracks.

  1. Open MIX and select Wide. Start the pattern with Play.
  2. Drag the SNARE fader down, then raise it until both kick and snare are clear. Its dB readout and meter show the change.
  3. Move the SNARE Pan bar slightly right, then return it to C to compare with the centered sound.
  4. Check Mute and Solo if a track unexpectedly disappears. Turn Solo off before judging the complete mix.

The Mixer shows faders, A, B and Pan together. Compact fits more strips across the panel.

Three tracks, two returns and the master. The track faders are at -6.0 dB; the A and B sends are still at 0%.

Mixer

Three tracks, two returns and the master. The track faders are at -6.0 dB; the A and B sends are still at 0%.

Open original PNG

7.4Share a reverb

  1. In MIX, tap the header of the A return strip, identified as Return. Its device chain opens.
  2. Tap +, choose Reverb, and set its Mix fully wet.
  3. Return to MIX. Raise A on the SNARE strip. You should hear a reverb tail after each hit.
  4. Lower the A return's fader to reduce the combined effect level. Leave its send point at Post while learning: the track fader then changes the level sent to the return too.

Pre-fader takes the send before the track fader. This choice belongs to the return and applies to every track feeding it. Tap Master devices to edit the effects on the combined mix. Save through the project-name menu when the balance is ready.

7.5Use Audio Units

Choose an installed AUv3 instrument through CHANGE, or an effect through + > Add Effect. OPEN PLUGIN opens its own interface.

If it is missing, install and open the plug-in's app, return to Tracker Pro, then choose ellipsis > SETTINGS > AUDIO UNIT HOST > RESCAN AU. After editing the sound, use the project menu's SAVE to capture its current state. A receiving iPad needs that plug-in installed; export audio when you need a version that plays independently.

Updated 24 October 2026