What is Deep Tracking?
When you save a project in Cockos Reaper (.rpp), FL Studio (.flp), or Ableton Live (.als), Sabes Pro does more than just copy files. It opens and reads the internal session structure to give you instant insight into your track history:
- Track & Channel Counts: Automatically tracks how many audio and MIDI channels you added or deleted between saves.
- Plugin Inventory: Indexes which VST, VST3, and native effects or virtual instruments were loaded during each save.
- Change Delta: Shows you which files were modified and how much raw audio data changed.
Using the 64-bit VST3 Companion Plugin
While Sabes Pro works completely standalone without any plugins, we also include a dedicated 64-bit VST3 companion plugin (Sabes_Pro.vst3) for engineers who hate switching windows during a session.
Downloading and Installing the VST3 Plugin
The VST3 companion plugin is downloaded separately from the Downloads page or your web dashboard. Download the standalone Sabes_Pro_VST3.zip package, extract it, and place the Sabes Pro.vst3 bundle into your standard VST3 directory (such as C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ or %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\VST3\). Your DAW will automatically discover it on the next plugin scan.
How to Use It in Your DAW
- Open your DAW and insert Sabes Pro on your Master Bus or any utility track in your template.
- The compact plugin window connects to your local Sabes Pro desktop engine automatically.
- When you finish a great take or reach a solid mix balance, click Bookmark Take (Star icon) right on the plugin interface.
- Type a quick note (like "Vocal double track comped" or "Bass EQ boosted 3dB") and hit Enter.
- The bookmark and note attach directly to your next save without you having to alt-tab out of your DAW.
Configuring Save Preferences & Debounce Timer
If you are a producer who hits Ctrl+S every 5 seconds out of muscle memory, you can prevent your timeline from getting cluttered with dozens of tiny intermediate saves:
- In the Sabes Pro desktop app, click Settings (gear icon) in the top right corner.
- Go to the Tracking Preferences section.
- Set the Save Debounce Timer to your preferred interval:
- Instant (Default): Captures a new Take node every single time you hit save.
- 2 Minutes / 5 Minutes: Groups rapid saves made within that time window into one clean Take node.
- Click Save Preferences.
Next Steps
Using Pro Tools, Cubase, or Nuendo? Read our guide on Cubase, Nuendo & Pro Tools Save Tracking to see how file-system tracking works with binary DAW formats.