Graphical Automation

Automation

Automation is the recording and playback of parameter changes over time. A parameter in this case is a DSP effect parameter, such as a Filter's Cutoff or Resonance. Every DSP device in Renoise can be automated. Automation can be achieved by two separate methods: graphically or with Pattern Effect Commands. Automation of plug-in instruments and their parameters is also possible by using an *Automation Device.

The easiest way to create Automation is to record it. This can be done by clicking, holding and moving a DSP effect's slider with the right mouse button while playing back the song. Depending on the Automation setting in the Pattern Editor's Control Bar (File:Vvoois renoise pc dsp automation.png / File:Vvoois renoise pc dsp automation active.png), your changes will then be recorded as either pattern effects or as graphical envelopes.

To quickly create an empty Automation and switch over to the Automation Editor, you can also click on the small rectangle to the right of each parameter:

(automation rectangles next to the parameter are blue for the first three parameters here)

Automation Editor

The Automation Editor consists of two main parts. To the left you will see a list of all available parameters and devices for the the currently active track. To the right of this is the envelope editor, where you will draw and edit the Automation. Beneath the envelope editor are a series of options and buttons used to edit and modify the envelope.

The envelope grid is labelled along the x-axis at the top with numbers that represent time. The values of the current parameter are represented along the y-axis.

File:2.7 automation editor.png

The Automation Editor will follow the progress of a song's playback as it playing. To turn off this behaviour, allowing you to edit any part of the automation while a song is playing, disable Pattern Follow mode in the Transport Panel.

Zoom Levels

You can zoom in and out of the Automation envelope by placing mouse pointer over the grid and scrolling the mouse wheel. The default zoom level is one pattern and so the numbers along the x-axis show the pattern line numbers. Zooming in you can begin to see fractions of lines all the way down to 1/256th, allowing for incredible resolution should you need it. Zooming out you can see individual patterns and eventually the entire song. The pattern you are currently editing is highlighted, which you can change by clicking on another.

When Lock is enabled, the zoom level is shown beneath the grid in the Automation Toolbar and can be changed there too.

File:2.7 automation editor zoom animation.gif

Creating Automation

To create an Automation point, select a parameter from the Automation List and then double-left-click somewhere inside the grid. Alternatively, double-click on the parameter, which will create an envelope and insert a point at line 0 with the parameter's current value.

To create pre-defined line patterns, right-click on the Automation grid area and expand the "Process" option. There you can select the options "Create Random Points", "Create Linear Curve", "Create Exponential Curve" and "Create Sine Curve". See also editing with the mouse.

When an Automation already exists for the current pattern, that parameter's name will be highlighted in the Automation List.

Editing Automation Envelopes

Once you've created an Automation, it can be edited with the mouse or keyboard in various ways:

Editing with the Mouse

Double-clicking in the envelope where no point is set will create a new point. Double-clicking on an existing point will remove it. If you click and hold on an existing point then you can drag it around and set a new value. You can also use the Draw tool located in the bottom left of the toolbar to manually draw in a waveform. If the Snap mode is off or enabled and set to "Grid", then the waveform will be drawn at the resolution of the current zoom level.

• "Left Shift" + Moving points will remove all points that the mouse pointer touches.
• "Left Control" + Dragging a point will fine-tune its value. "Left Control" + Hovering over a point will display the point's value.

Left-click and dragging across the grid will create a highlighted area. Any points within this area will be selected and can be adjusted all at once. You can also use the right-click menu on the grid to copy, paste, paste continuously to the end of the envelope and insert (moves the existing waveform to the right) selected areas.

The right-click menu also contains some additional options in the Process sub-menu:

Editing with the Keyboard

If you middle-click on the envelope, or right-click and select "(Set Keyboard Focus Here)", you can control the envelope with keyboard shortcuts:

• To move the selection cursor in the envelope, use the left/right arrow keys or the "Home" and "End" keys.
• To create a new point or remove an existing one, hit the "Enter" key.
• To enter an exact value for a point in the numerical edit field, press "Left Shift + Enter" and type in the value.
• To select parts of the envelope, hold down the "Left Shift" key while moving the cursor.
  • To copy the selection press "Left Control + C".
  • To paste the copied selection, move the cursor to the desired position and press "Left Control + V", or "Left Control + P" to paste it continuously until the end of the envelope.

Tip For Smooth Pattern Transitions

To maintain a smooth envelope between two patterns, simply create a point in the second pattern's envelope and move it to the beginning of the pattern. Now, as you move the point up/down, it will automatically snap to the waveform of the previous pattern.

Automation Tools

The toolbar below the envelope contains a few options and tools. From left to right they are:

• File:2.7 automation toolbar draw button.png - Activates Draw mode for drawing Automations by hand.

• File:2.7 automation toolbar line button.png - Activates the Line tool, allowing you to create a linear ramp across multiple patterns.

• File:2.7 automation toolbar snapping mode.png - Will snap the creation and movement of points to the current resolution of the grid, every pattern line or every beat.

• File:2.7 automation toolbar lock mode.png - Lock and choose the zoom factor of the envelope view.

• File:Vvoois renoise automation3.png - Select the envelope type:
  • Points: Only changes value when a point is encountered.
  • Linear: Values are changed along the Automation line, which is interpolated linearly between points.
  • Cubic: Values are changed along the Automation line, which eases into and out of points.

• File:Vvoois renoise automation value.png - Shows the value of the currently selected point. Left-click to enter a new value.

• File:Vvoois renoise automation cut.png - Copies the current envelope into the clipboard, then removes it from the editor.
• File:Vvoois renoise automation copy.png - Copies the current envelope into the clipboard.
• File:Vvoois renoise automation paste.png - Pastes a previously copied envelope from the clipboard.

• File:Vvoois renoise automation presets.png - These are slots used to store presets (right-mouse button = store, left-mouse button = recall). The presets are saved in the preferences, so they are retained when loading or starting new songs.

• Processing tools:
  • File:2.7 automation toolbar flip vertical.png - Flip the curve or points in the current selection across the vertical-axis (flip values).
  • File:2.7 automation toolbar flip horizontal.png - Flip the curve or points in the current selection across the horizontal-axis (flip times).
  • File:2.7 automation toolbar rotate buttons.png - Shifts the current selection to the left or right. Will wrap around the edges of the selection, or the pattern if none is selected.

Automation List

The list indicates which parameters are automated with a small icon next to their name. Left-clicking on a parameter will select it, while double-clicking on a parameter which has no Automation will create a new blank envelope.

Right-clicking on a name allows you to delete the Automation for the current pattern or the whole song. This also applies when right-clicking on a DSP device name, which will delete the Automation for all of the effect's parameters.

The search field at the top of the list allows you to quickly find a parameter or effect. Enabling the "Automated Only" button will only show effects in the list which are already automated.