I mixed a song on the free Pro Tools clone (Soundcraft by Artcraft): Here's what i think
Three weeks ago I recorded a live acoustic rock session here at VDSS Studio.
For tracking I played it safe: I used the preamps and converters of the UAD Apollo x8 Gen 2 (which Universal Audio left me as a demo these weeks to test and review), recording everything directly into Pro Tools.
So far, business as usual.
When it came time to mix, however, I decided to do an extreme experiment. I took the tracks, closed Pro Tools, and installed Soundcraft from scratch by Artcraft , the much-talked-about free clone of Avid's DAW, developed using artificial intelligence and reverse engineering.
My goal? To start from an empty session and reach the final bounce using only this new platform.
I'll tell you right away, without any filters: it was a bit of a nightmare . But beneath the bugs lies enormous potential. Here's my experience on the field.
Paradise: Feeling at Home (Without the Chains of Avid)
The first impression when opening Soundcraft is stunning: the aesthetics are already very good and faithfully mirror the interface we're used to. If you're new to Pro Tools, you'll immediately feel at home.
The mechanisms that differentiate PT from other DAWs are all there.
You have playlist management for comping, view of fixed insert and send slots on the mixer, and menu items positioned exactly where muscle memory leads you to click.
Also, the built-in stock plugins... sound amazing . I didn't expect that from software that's still in its infancy, but they sound excellent.
But the real wet dream of this DAW is conceptual: having a workflow identical to Pro Tools that frees us forever from the prison of the iLok stick and the obligation of the AAX format .
Imagine the convenience of having this system on your laptop when we're out and about recording or producing.
Hell: Pre-1.0 Bugs
As I was saying, getting to the final bounce required infinite patience. Soundcraft isn't even at version 1.0 yet, and the teething problems are taking a toll on the workflow:
The Resampling Monster: The DAW currently has a very annoying bug in its audio engine. Whatever sample rate you set, it automatically resamples the audio to 48kHz.
Inaccessible sends: Opening and managing sends is literally a work of art. The interface there is clunky and frustrating.
External plugins not found: Loading third-party plugins is a real gamble. Most of the time, they don't load correctly or crash the system, forcing you to work almost exclusively with native tools.
Zero Metering in Plugins: Stock plugins sound good, but they don't have meters. You don't have a clear visual indication of gain reduction.
The Verdict (and why blind mixing is good for you)
I got to the final bounce, and the song plays. But there's one important thing I want to emphasize: working with these bugs, after all, turned out to be a really fun exercise .
The limitation of means has been a blessing in disguise.
Using a compressor or limiter without having any visual cue whatsoever of what was happening led me to use an old-school trick: I would watch the overall meters on the mixer move to figure out how the peaks were leveling out.
But most of all, it forced me to listen .
It led me to a much better appreciation of how compression was changing the envelope and texture of the sound, forcing me to trust my ears rather than the on-screen graphs. A return to pure instinct.
If the Artcraft developers put in the effort and fix the structural bugs, Soundcraft could become a true revolution, especially for those who want the logic of Pro Tools without its infamous limitations. For now, I'm keeping an eye on it, but for serious productions, I'll return to my tried-and-true setup.
If you're curious, I posted a video of my reaction to Soundcraft on my Patreon , where I take a song from scratch to bounce.
Q&A: Downloading, Installing, and Learning Soundcraft
Q: How do I download Soundcraft by Artcraft?
A: Since it's an open and free project, simply download the official Artcraft Launcher online. From there, you can download the installation file updated to the latest build available for your operating system.
Q: How do I install it? Are there any special procedures?
A: Installation is a classic "Next, Next, Finish." Since there are no invasive licensing systems like iLok, the process is super quick. We recommend installing it in a dedicated folder and not having it scan huge third-party plugin libraries right away, to avoid crashes on the first launch.
Q: Is there a way to learn how to use it quickly without hitting my head on bugs?
A: Absolutely. I recorded my entire test and created a hands-on video. In the subscribers section of my YouTube channel (Subscribers / Members Area), you'll find an exclusive hour-long video where I install Soundcraft from scratch and mix the song from start to finish, working around bugs and showing you exactly how to make it sound. If you'd like to see it in action, join the community!
The final step: The Real Iron for your Master
Whether you mix on Pro Tools or a free clone, the last mile makes the difference between an amateur track and a real record.
When you entrust your tracks to VDSS Studio ’s Online Mastering or Stem Mastering services, we take your digital tracks and run them through real electricity. We dial in the Neve 8816 summing mixer, add energy with our custom Vari-Mu compressor, and recapture it all with the deadly physical transformers of the Burl B2 Bomber .
The result? Devastating volume, natural clipping on transients, and a three-dimensionality that no plugin can ever give you.
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