IK Multimedia has released the T-RackS 6, the latest generation of the acclaimed mixing and mastering suite. A free version called T-RackS 6 Intro with three plugins is also available.
T-RackS has long been the industry standard for many engineers, and this latest update promises innovation and improvements in significant areas.
The new T-RackS 6 boasts a collection of 60 mixing and mastering processors, available individually (in your DAW), as an all-in-one plugin, or as a standalone mastering console.
Right out of the gate, IK Multimedia seems to have focused on improving the overall user experience rather than just the end quality.
The different modes allow you to adapt T-RackS 6 to your workflow, and a range of meticulously crafted presets help speed up the process, whatever the instrument or genre.
The 60 processors include eight brand-new modules:
- Master Match X
- Channel Strip X
- Bass ONE
- Lo-Fi Punch
- Dual Spring
- Delay Lab
- Pusher
- Filter Fusion
IK Multimedia’s Master Match is among the most popular tools for aspiring artists/producers and professionals who want to transform a basic mix into a radio-ready product.
The latest version, Master Match X, offers the next generation of intelligent mastering by instantly matching any reference track’s EQ, balance, compression, limiting (and more). It’s easy for beginners and offers enough control for professionals who know precisely what they want.
Bass ONE is another new addition that should deliver maximum impact with minimal fuss. The multi-algorithm module ensures your bass is clean and powerful and sits right where it should. I often use Nugen Audio’s Monofilter, so I’m keen to see how Bass ONE stacks up.
Remember, you can still get a FREE mixing and mastering collection at Plugin Alliance.
Alternatively, if you aren’t ready to splash the cash on T-RackS 6 yet, you can check out T-RackS 6 Intro, a free version with three essential modules: Classic Comp, Classic EQ, and Master Match X Lite.
Potential users will be glad to hear that there is a new Modules Manager, allowing you to choose which modules appear in your DAW and remove unowned modules from your list. All GUI’s are refined, resizable, and easier to get around than ever.
The IK Multimedia installer is often a general point of contention for many users, and in response, the developer has worked hard to provide a smoother process.
I say this with no affiliation to IK Multimedia; I’ve never had any issues with installs, and I’ve always had great experiences with their products and team, whether via email or face-to-face.
I think they make some of the best plugins and virtual instruments on the market. If I had to look for a fault, it would be the previous bad call to restrict the number of downloads for registered users, which, luckily, I didn’t run into trouble with and has since been fixed.
But I know there were problems because enough people reported them. Similarly, I had nightmares about the Steinberg installer until I gave up, but I know people who swear by it.
Anyway, I hope T-RackS 6 is the release that brings the user experience level with the plugin quality for everyone!
Check out the deal: T-RackS 6 (T-RackS 6 Intro – Free / T-RackS 6 $99.99)
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36 Comments
Bruno de Souza Lino
onThe licenses are not transferable from version 5, so you will have to buy everything again. They also lowered the number of activations from 10 to 5.
Bob
onFrom what I hear you need a paid version of T-RackS 6 to use previous licenses. The free one won’t do this. I guess it doesn’t behave like the older CS versions in this regard.
Darryl Lim
onNoob-ish Question: Will plugins redeemed for past versions of T-RackS (like T-RackS 5 EQual, Opto Compressor, Classic Clipper, etc.), be usable within this new T-RackS 6 INTRO interface/framework? Or would version 5 & 6 both need to be loaded up side-by-side?
(Been collecting IK Multimedia plugins from BPB over the years, but haven’t yet gotten down to properly testing & using the T-RackS ecosystem stuff at this time.)
Darryl Lim
onWhoops, partially answered in an earlier comment (typed at around the same time).
L.R
onI downloaded it and I still have the t -racks 5 plugins there separately.
Jay Budd
onAll of these AI based plugins to “fix” your recordings or to make your recordings sound like others is a terrible idea. Don’t use them. Use your ears. Don’t be lazy. Listen to your mixes in different environments and decide if changes are needed. Part of the creative process is to learn how to engineer and manipulate sounds and get the effect you want. Musically, the future looks very bland!
MRugaW
onWell said Jay. There’s virtually an AI plugin for every task in music creation, which is impacting creativity negatively, which also creates some form of dependence to the creators of such products.
In my opinion, the only useful applications for AI in Audio would be restoration (de-clipping, de-verbing and maybe noise removal). The rest can be done by taking the time to learn how to use a couple of audio processors. I mean, the great producers and engineers from the early days of analog crafted amazing records with a panpot, EQ, Compressor, and an 8-track recorder.
Bruno de Souza Lino
onAs strange as that sounds, you don’t see multi-track recordings until 1949, which was when Les Paul was given a reel to reel machine by Bing Crosby and modified it. He then later went to make the first 8 track recorder which was custom built for him by Ampex.
Sir Otter
onCan’t agree more. At this point image AI models are starting to degrade because of using each other’s “works” as learning references. I feel like the same will happen with audio soon.
Numanoid
onA bit skimpy, only three modules available in the free edition compared to sixty in the full version
IMO a free version should be at least 10-15% of the full
Omi
onAny clue about how to install the 6 Intro? When I try to download it it just opens the manager but I can’t see it there
Robin
onIt’s right at the bottom of the list
Jacob
onYeah, except that there isn’t an install prompt for unowned products. You have to initiate the install through the “Try” option, which is basically a demo function and this isn’t specified ANYWHERE so ChatGPT couldn’t even help. I’m assumiing all versions use the same install, so that’s why you can’t acquire a license for Intro with a dedicated install. Hope that helps anyone else that was confused, I actually figured it out while initially writing this
MRugaW
onGo to IK Product Manager.
Scroll down to T-RackS 6.
Click Try.
Wait for Download to finish.
Go to your VST Plugins folder/VST3 Folder and delete all other DLL/VST3 Files except those of Classic T-RackS Equalizer, Classic T-RackS Compressor, and Master Match X Lite.
Done.
That’s Windows, I don’t know about Mac.
MRugaW
onForgot to mention: After download is complete you Install then delete the unnecessary DLLS/VST3 files. Peace.
Philip
onBTW IK are also giving away some free Amplitube pedals at the moment – they are for new users but if you unauthorise and re-authorise they will be added to your account.
Bob
onWhat exactly are you un-authorizing and re-authorizing to get the free pedals ??
Not sure how this is done.
Philip
onIn the IK product manager, if you have Amplitube authorised just unauthorise it and re-authorise, and the free plugins will be added. You will see a notification inthe top right of the window.
JEP1928
onwhat happened to previous master match (T-Racks 5 version) license even though got free or bought it?
are they eligible to X version?
Robin
onApart from a few new plugins, which admittedly look more modern, there is not much difference between 5 & 6, I think the term ‘revamped’ is more marketing than actual improvement. You need to ‘Max’ out to get all the new ones, I tried the free Match Lite version on a few tracks, it just made them louder, not better, a bit like Ozone11’s Master Assistant. Bass One? sure normal plugins cover that frequency range and Lofi? who wants their tracks sounding worse? There is no upgrade path unless you have at least 25 of the old ones, so it will be interesting to see if it gains any popularity.
Evheniy
onFrom my perspective, the Intro version is just not worth installing. You’ll get just EQ and Compressor (alternatives of which you can easily find for free with even better features).
Also, no hate to IK, but I really dislike that their installer installs EVERY plug-in from T-Racks even when I have a license for only a few. Why just not install what you actually own? Support told me the VST folder path so I can manually delete unowned plug-ins, which is… Well, funny… :)
AutPen38
onYeah, it looks like I have to download 2GB of files just to “try” the product. There doesn’t seem to be a direct download for the Intro version with just the 3 freebies that I want to test properly. I can delete/uninstall the other stuff later, but it seems a bit of a waste of time and bandwidth to download stuff that I’m not likely to buy for a while, if ever. (The full suite would be lovely to own if I didn’t already have competing products).
Bruno de Souza Lino
onThey have solved that with the Module Manager. That allows you to disable the plugins you don’t own and only they will appear. It may not be ideal for some, but it does solve the problem.
MRugaW
onDoes the Module Manager allow you to download the plugins you own without having to download the rest?
MRugaW
onFrustratingly funny.
I boycotted IK plugins because of that stunt. Like I have to download a 2.9GB File for T-RackS 5 to Install 3 plugins? No Thank you, Sir/Ma’am. I make music from the countryside. Internet is dial up so every MB of data counts. I don’t like online installers, but atleast all the other Installers (Waves, NI, Kilohearts, PA…e.t.c) have the option to download and Install Individual plugs.
Bob
onThere’s a couple of free pedals in AmpliTube this month. Fuzz Age and DComp. Unlock in the same way as the other recent Amplitube giveaways.
Atme
onHey Bob, could You pretty please explain to me how to unlock free pedals in Amplitube CS?? I would be infinitely grateful for that. :)
Bob
onHi Atme. Just run the IK product Manager and go to the Amplitube section. If you already have it installed and activated, click the deauthorize icon. Then reauthorize it. Wait a few seconds and you’ll see notifications that the pedals have been added.
Atme
onHi Bob, thank You very much for the info. I am asking this because I can’t use the IK Product Manager right now and for some time and I have no experience with IK Multimedia. Could You please tell me if You get some kind of activation/serial number when You add/buy pedals in the IK Product Manager?? I would really appreciate that. =)
Heiner
onAnd all purchased plugins that run in T-Racks 5 have to be bought again !?
Bob
onGood question. If one already purchased T-5 with all or most plugins, are we now expected to purchase them AGAIN ? I don’t think so. How many times am I supposed to purchase the same plugins ?
Bob
onHey Other Bob!
Intro won’t let you use your previous licenses. You need a paid version of T-RackS 6 for that.
Bob
onThanks other Bob !
Tomislav Zlatic
onSo many BOBs on BPB!
Robin
onWhile I’ll probably never buy it, I have to say it looks incredibly good. No doubt sounds that way too, as I do have mixbox and those plugins already sound amazing.
Ants
onYou DON’t need T-RACKS free as you already have enough EQs and compressors.
Instead of fumbling with installation and other issues, go play some actual music with the stuff you already have!