Harrison have announced the launch of a new software recording solution aimed at live sound engineers. LiveTrax offers multitrack recording and playback, making it possible to capture live shows and carry out virtual soundchecks, and boasts seamless integration with Allen & Heath’s range of live consoles.
The application has been developed in consultation with live engineers, and has been designed to offer all of the key features required for recording a live performance without the unnecessary complications that come with using a fully featured DAW. It boasts a simple and intuitive user interface with clear metering for input levels, CPU usage and disk usage/remaining record time, and is capable of recording FLAC files to save on drive space. There’s also no limit on track count other than the amount of I/O provided by the connected device.
As well as tracking a show, LiveTrax can also be used to play multitrack recordings back through the console, allowing users to carry out virtual soundchecks and fine-tune their settings for new venues. Once a performance has been recorded, the session file can be imported into Harrison’s Mixbus DAW for editing, mixing and mastering.
Allen & Heath Integration
Those working on Allen & Health consoles enjoy some enhanced integration with LiveTrax. Track names will be automatically synchronised between the console and software, and it’s possible to create markers in LiveTrax as console scenes are recalled, as well as controlling playback and recording directly from the console. Currently, the features are available for the company’s Qu, Avantis and dLive ranges, with more being added through future updates.
More Useful Features
As the software has been designed specifically for live scenarios, Harrison have included an wealth of features designed to make operation as simple as possible, such as the following:
- A resizable ‘big clock’ provides confidence that LiveTrax is rolling and recording from any vantage point.
- A dedicated Meterbridge window provides a full screen window for extra-large meters and record-arm status.
- System Lock prevents accidental keypresses while recording.
- Drag & drop reordering of tracks reorders I/O connections to maintain 1:1 inputs/outputs.
- Input meters show the user’s audio interface input levels before and after track creation.
- Tape-style track arming makes it easy to arm/disarm individual tracks while recording.
- Arrangement Markers allow for hassle-free rearrangement of a setlist with a simplified drag-and-drop window.
- Users can quickly draw Group Bars to allow record arm/mute/solo/fader ganging with Track Groups.
LiveTrax is also capable of importing sessions created with Waves Tracks Live, and supports a number of common control protocols including OSC and Mackie Control.
Compatibility
LiveTrax is supported on PCs running Windows 7 or above, Macs running macOS 10.14 and higher, and 64-bit Linux systems with kernel version 2.6 or higher (Harrison recommend a real-time audio-focused distribution such as AVLinux, UbuntuStudio or CCRMA). The software supports the use of VST, VST3, AU and LV2 plug-ins.
Pricing & Availability
LiveTrax is available now, priced at $14.99£14.38 including VAT.
