TrackPac is a batch utility for data compression of audio files. Unlike other compression methods, TrackPac uses Waves NoLoss compression technology, that assures absolutely no loss of audio quality, and reconstruction of the exact original samples. TrackPac is in fact two utilities : Encoder and expander.
TrackPac is in a way much like Stuffit, Compact-Pro, pkzip, arg, lharc, etc, destined to compress data for archiving or for transferring it through the net. Optimized for audio files, TrackPac has much better performance for the audio professional, and is ideal for archiving audio files to conserve disk space or for internet file transfer. Also, being an audio application, TrackPac runs it's expander in real-time (without additional hardware), allowing preview of compressed files and even listening to files while they get expanded. In addition, TrackPac encodes/expands faster than general archiving utilities.
TrackPac is optimized for non-compressed/limited 44Khz files, and thus yields best performance on multi-track recorded projects.
TrackPac is available both for MacOS and Windows-95. Currently, the formats supported by TrackPac are SoundDesignerII files on MacOS and WAV files on Windows-95. This makes it possible to archive easily a whole project of protools, Cubase, DeckII, etc.
TrackPac-Lite is a functional lite version of TrackPac, available as freeware to use and distribute, together with TrackPac-Xpander. TrackPac-Lite is simply limited to one file compression at a time and to file size up to 2MegaByes.
How to use
TrackPac
Simply drag any number of SDII files on TrackPac's icon or on TrackPac's main window. You also have the option to use the file-menu to open one input file for compression.
You will be asked for the output location of the first output file, and the rest will go beside it. Output compressed files have by default a '.lls' extension. you can also use the Preferences menu to control the batch behavior.
While processing, TrackPac will display, for each compressed file, a moving progress-icon, that draws the rate of compression as it varies along the file. In the end, the list will display the achieved rate of compression with success/failure comments.
Extra compression performance may be gained through selection of 'joint stereo' from preferences when compressing stereo 8 bit files with left channel very similar to the right. Also CRC option from user preferences can be used to create compressed files that are more resistant against future disk errors or file corruption, in the price of slightely worse compression rate.
If you wish to drag more items on TrackPac while it's processing other files, drag them on TrackPac's icon rather than on TrackPac's window.
TrackPac Xpander
Simply drag any number of compressed (.lls) files on TrackPac's icon or on TrackPac's main window. While a file is expanding, you can listen to it by holding the option key down. You also have the option to use the file-menu to open one input file for compression, or to preview the sound of a compressed file without actually expanding it to a new file.
You will be asked for the output location of the first output file, and the rest will go beside it. Output expanded files have by default the original filename of the uncompressed source. you can also use the Preferences menu to control the batch behavior.
While processing, TrackPac will display, for each compressed file, a moving progress-icon. In the end, the list will display the expanded filenames with success/failure comments.
Please note that a sound file compressed and expanded will have a few bytes more than the original uncompressed, since there are some extra string fields saved by the expander into the soundfile's resource-fork.
How to change the color of TrackPac's fingernails...
While doing some real-work, you can also enjoy changing the color of the fingernails on TrackPac's icon from time to time: Simply select the icon on your finder's desktop, and choose any label you like from the finder's 'Label' menu. Nice to try...
How to order TrackPac-Pro
http://www.waves.com/htmls/TP.htm or call the numbers bellow.
