Latest revision as of 18:37, 17 October 2019

Introduction To Redux

Welcome to Redux. This introduction will familiarise you with the main components of the user interface and explain their basic functions. Redux has taken the Sampler and Phrase Editor features from Renoise and made them available as a plugin. So while there is a lot of crossover between the two programs, not everything in this manual is necessarily relevant to Redux. Use the blue text links on this page to move on to other useful pages.

Compact Mode

Redux is significantly different from most other plugins and consequently it also looks different. When launched, Redux will be in Compact mode, which has been designed to take up minimal screen space while still providing access to essential features. Note that in Compact mode, the macro control section can be shown by clicking on the Macro button and extra phrase options will also be shown when working with a preset that contains phrases.

Interface Controls

At the top left are the buttons used to expand/shrink the interface. Enabling the Macros button will open the macro control section, while the Editor button will open the full Redux interface.

Loading & Saving Presets

The Preset Selector is found at the top center of the interface and is used to load, save, browse, search and filter presets, amongst other things. By default, this will be set to the blank preset, Init (initial values).

Instrument Properties

Just to the right of the Preset Selector are the Instrument Properties, which are global controls used to affect the sound and behaviour of the entire instrument.

VU Meters, Help and Preferences

Found at the top right of the interface are the VU meters showing the current volume level of Redux, the question button to open the Help menu and the button below it to open the Preferences menu.

Keyboard

The keyboard will display any keys pressed on the computer keyboard or played by a MIDI device. You can also use the mouse to click on the keys to play them. Not all of the keys are visible at once, so the arrow buttons at the left and right sides will move the keyboard an octave in that direction. If a key is 'greyed-out' then it will not produce a sound, because the key has been restricted in the Keyzones section or Keymap mode.

MIDI Controllers

Just to the left of the keyboard are MIDI controllers for mod-wheel, channel pressure and pitch-bend. The controllers will respond to MIDI messages received by Redux, but you can also use the mouse to click and drag on them to change their values.

The Full Editor

Clicking on the Editor button at the top-left will open the full Redux interface, which can also be resized by click-dragging its lower right corner. The extra options available to you in this mode are almost identical to those in the Sampler and Phrase Editor sections of Renoise.

Disk Browser

Found at the very top right of the interface, clicking the arrow button will open the Disk Browser as an additional method of loading and saving presets.

Keyboard

In the full Editor, the keyboard changes to show the specific layout of the notes on the computer keyboard, but otherwise still functions exactly as it does in Compact mode. There are also two additional options at the left:

Keyboard Octave: The current octave of both the computer keyboard and external MIDI keyboard. Moving this value up and down alters the octave of the notes played and hence their pitch. For more information, see the section on Playing Notes with the Computer Keyboard.
Computer Keyboard Velocity: When enabled, the computer keyboard will play and record notes at the velocity set in the value box. When disabled, only the note itself will be recorded into a phrase, leaving the existing velocity value untouched.

MIDI Controllers

In the full Editor, the MIDI controllers to the left of the keyboard can now be mapped as macros.

Phrase Controls

With the phrase controls to the right of the keyboard you can select phrases from the grid, create or delete phrases (+/- buttons), preview them with the play and stop buttons and choose their playback method.

Lower Status Bar

Only visible at the bottom of the interface in full Editor mode, the Lower Status Bar will display significant information regarding the status and current operations of Redux.

Guide Yourself Through the Interface: Tooltips

As you are using Redux, watch out for Tooltips, which can be seen by hovering the mouse pointer over a button or part of the interface for a second. Almost every button in Redux will provide you with a small tip about its function.

Redux Work-flow: Learning the Keys

While Redux supports drag'n'drop and mouse gestures, it is primarily a keyboard-based application. As such, there are keyboard shortcuts for practically every function. If you are interested in a shortcut specific to an interface area, you can right-click to open a context menu. The keyboard shortcuts can also be customised in the "Edit->Preferences->Keys" menu.

A list of most important shortcuts can also be found in the Keyboard Shortcuts section in this manual.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Main Screen =
+= Introduction To Redux =
-This introduction will familiarise you with the main components of both Renoise and Redux interfaces, as well as explain their basic functions.
+Welcome to Redux. This introduction will familiarise you with the main components of the user interface and explain their basic functions. Redux has taken the [[Sampler]] and [[Phrase Editor]] features from Renoise and made them available as a plugin. So while there is a lot of crossover between the two programs, not everything in this manual is necessarily relevant to Redux. Use the blue text links on this page to move on to other useful pages.
-== Renoise Main Screen Overview ==
+== Compact Mode ==
-Renoise is significantly different from most other music creation packages and consequently it also looks different. When you load Renoise for the first time you will be presented with something similar to this:
+Redux is significantly different from most other plugins and consequently it also looks different. When launched, Redux will be in Compact mode, which has been designed to take up minimal screen space while still providing access to essential features. Note that in Compact mode, the [[Sampler#Macros|macro control section]] can be shown by clicking on the Macro button and extra phrase options will also be shown when working with a preset that contains [[Phrase Editor|phrases]].
-[[Image:3.0_mainscreen.png]]
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-compact.png]]
+=== Interface Controls ===
-----
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-topleft.png]]
-Now we will briefly go through the main areas of the Renoise interface. Note the links in red, which you can click on for more detailed information about the various components.
+At the top left are the buttons used to expand/shrink the interface. Enabling the Macros button will open the [[Sampler#Macros|macro control section]], while the Editor button will open [[#The_Full_Editor|the full Redux interface]].
-----
+=== Loading & Saving Presets ===
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-presetselector.png]]
-=== Upper Status Bar ===
+The [[Instruments|Preset Selector]] is found at the top center of the interface and is used to load, save, browse, search and filter presets, amongst other things. By default, this will be set to the blank preset, Init (initial values).
-[[Image:3.0_upperstatusbar.png]]
+=== Instrument Properties ===
-Located at the very top of the interface is the Upper Status Bar. The left section of the status bar offers a variety of menu options. To the right of this is the Master volume slider which controls the overall volume of the song. Next is the button to auto adjust the Master volume level and avoid clipping (the volume is automatically lowered when clipping occurs). Further right is the VU meter showing the current Master volume level, followed by the MIDI controls ([[MIDI Mapping]] button, MIDI I/O LEDs), Song Timer and the current CPU usage.
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-topcentre.png]]
-=== Global Song Control ===
+Just to the right of the Preset Selector are the [[Instruments#Instrument Properties|Instrument Properties]], which are global controls used to affect the sound and behaviour of the entire instrument.
-[[Image:3.0_transportpanel.png]]
+=== VU Meters, Help and Preferences ===
-Just below the Upper Status Bar on the left-hand side are the basic [[Transport Panel]] controls. From here you can start/stop the song and access basic editing features such as Edit Mode (record) and the metronome.
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-topright.png]]
-=== Song Visualisation ===
+Found at the top right of the interface are the VU meters showing the current volume level of Redux, the question button to open the Help menu and the button below it to open the [[Preferences|Preferences menu]].
-[[Image:3.0_scopes-full.png]]
+=== Keyboard ===
-Below the Transport Panel are the [[Scopes]], which provide visual feedback and can help you to analyse the song as it is playing.
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-keyboard.png]]
-=== Loading & Saving Files ===
+The keyboard will display any keys pressed on the computer keyboard or played by a MIDI device. You can also use the mouse to click on the keys to play them. Not all of the keys are visible at once, so the arrow buttons at the left and right sides will move the keyboard an octave in that direction. If a key is 'greyed-out' then it will not produce a sound, because the key has been restricted in the [[Keyzones]] section or [[Phrase_Editor#Phrases_in_Renoise_and_Redux_Keymap_Mode|Keymap mode]].
-[[Image:3.0_diskbrowser.png]]
+=== MIDI Controllers ===
-At the bottom right corner of the interface is the [[Disk Browser]], which is used to load or save songs, instruments, samples, effect chains etc. Upon first loading Renoise you will see a list of demo songs here. Double click on a song to load it, then press play to see and hear Renoise in action.
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-midicontrollers(compact).png]]
-=== Selecting Instruments ===
+Just to the left of the keyboard are MIDI controllers for mod-wheel, channel pressure and pitch-bend. The controllers will respond to MIDI messages received by Redux, but you can also use the mouse to click and drag on them to change their values.
-[[Image:3.0_instrumentselector.png]]
-Just above the Disk Browser is the [[Instrument Selector]], which allows you to choose the instrument that you wish to play or record with, using either the [[Playing_Notes_with_the_Computer_Keyboard|computer keyboard]] or an [[Recording_and_Editing_Notes|external MIDI keyboard]]. Also, [[Plugin|VST/AU or external MIDI instruments]] will appear in this section when they are loaded.
+== The Full Editor ==
-=== Creating & Editing Instruments ===
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-full.png]]
-[[Image:3.0_instruments.png]]
+Clicking on the Editor button at the top-left will open the full Redux interface, which can also be resized by click-dragging its lower right corner. The extra options available to you in this mode are almost identical to those in the [[Sampler]] and [[Phrase Editor]] sections of Renoise.
-An [[Instruments|Instrument]] in Renoise may be one or any combination of [[Sampler|samples]], [[Plugin|plugins]] and [[MIDI]], and each type can be created or edited by selecting the appropriate tab from the top left of the Renoise interface.
+=== Disk Browser ===
-=== GUI presets ===
+Found at the very top right of the interface, clicking the [[Image:dux1.0_opendiskbrowser.png|text-bottom]] arrow button will open the [[Disk Browser]] as an additional method of loading and saving presets.
-[[Image:3.0_presets.png]]
+=== Keyboard ===
-Directly above the Instrument Selector are a set of eight global preset buttons used to switch between various sections of the interface and are accessed by either clicking on them or pressing ''F1'' - ''F8'' on the keyboard. Renoise comes with eight presets already stored by default.
-=== Sequencing Patterns ===
-[[Image:3.0_sequencer.png]]
-Located at the far left of the screen is the [[Pattern Sequencer]]. Renoise uses a sequence of patterns to arrange the structure of a song and the [[Pattern Sequencer]] is used to create, copy and organise your patterns.
-=== Creating Patterns ===
-[[Image:3.0_patterneditor.png]]
-To the right of the Pattern Sequencer and occupying the large central space is the [[Pattern Editor]], which is the main tool for composing and editing within Renoise. Although it may look intimidating to beginners, the [[Recording_and_Editing_Notes|method of adding/recording notes]] into tracks using the [[Pattern Editor]] is actually incredibly simple.
-=== Applying Effects ===
-[[Image:3.0_trackeffects.png]]
-Beneath the central area is the panel for [[Effects In Renoise|Track Effects]]. This displays and controls all of the effects that are being applied to the current track (the track which the cursor is in). Besides the typical [[Audio Effects]] (Renoise/VST/AU/LADSPA) you can also assign [[Routing Devices]] to send/receive audio, and [[Meta Devices]] such as LFOs that do not affect audio, but are instead used to alter parameters and automation.
-=== Lower Status Bar ===
-[[Image:3.0_lowerstatusbar.png]]
-Finally, at the very bottom is the Lower Status Bar. The icons at the left allow you switch between the [[Effects In Renoise|Track Effects]] and [[Graphical Automation]] panels or hide them completely. At significant points, Renoise will display information regarding its status and current operations here. If you wish to see the Welcome dialog box again, click on the Renoise logo at the right.
-== Redux Main Screen Overview ==
-When launched, Redux will be in Compact Mode, which has been designed to take up minimal screen space while still providing access to essential features. Note that in Compact Mode, the [[Instruments#Macros|macro control section]] can be shown by clicking on the Macro button and the Phrase Bank/Trigger Mode will also be shown when working with a preset that contains phrases.
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-compact.png]]
-----
-Now we will briefly go through the main areas of the Redux interface. Note the links in red, which you can click on for more detailed information about the various components.
-----
-=== Interface Controls ===
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-topleft.png]]
-At the top left are the buttons used to expand/shrink the interface. Enabling the Macros button will open the [[Instruments#Macros|macro control section]], while the Editor button will open [[#The_Full_Editor|the full Redux interface]].
-=== Loading & Saving Presets ===
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-presetbrowser.png]]
-The [[Preset Browser]] is found at the top center of the interface and is used to load, save, browse, search and filter presets, amongst other things. By default, this will be set to set to the blank preset, Init (initial values).
-=== Instrument Properties ===
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-topcenter.png]]
-Just to the right of the Preset Browser are the [[Instruments#Instrument Properties|Instrument Properties]], which are global controls used to affect the sound and behaviour of the entire instrument.
-=== VU Meter, Help and Preferences ===
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-topright.png]]
-Found at the top right of the interface is the VU meter showing the current volume level of Redux, the question button to open the Help screen and the wrench button to open the [[Preferences|Preferences menu]].
-=== Keyboard ===
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-keyboard(full).png]]
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-keyboard.png]]
+In the full Editor, the keyboard changes to show the specific layout of the notes on the computer keyboard, but otherwise still functions exactly as it does in Compact mode. There are also two additional options at the left:
-The keyboard will display any keys pressed on the computer keyboard or played by a MIDI device. You can also use the mouse to click on the keys to play them. Not all of the keys are visible at once, so the arrow buttons at the left and right sides will move the keyboard an octave in that direction.
+* '''Keyboard Octave:''' The current octave of both the computer keyboard and external MIDI keyboard. Moving this value up and down alters the octave of the notes played and hence their pitch. For more information, see the section on [[Playing Notes with the Computer Keyboard]].
+* '''Computer Keyboard Velocity:''' When enabled, the computer keyboard will play and record notes at the velocity set in the value box. When disabled, only the note itself will be recorded into a phrase, leaving the existing velocity value untouched.
 === MIDI Controllers ===
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-midicontrollers(compact).png]]
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-midicontrollers(full).png]]
-Just to the left of the keyboard are MIDI controllers for mod-wheel, channel pressure and pitch-bend. The controllers will respond to MIDI messages received by Redux, but you can also use the mouse to click and drag on them to change their values.
+In the full Editor, the MIDI controllers to the left of the keyboard can now be [[Sampler#Macros|mapped as macros]].
-=== The Full Editor ===
+=== Phrase Controls ===
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-full.png]]
+[[Image:dux1.1_phrases-controls.png]]
-The full Redux interface is opened by clicking on the Editor button at the top-left. In this mode, the plugin window can be resized by click-dragging its lower right corner. The extra options available to you are almost identical to those in the [[Sampler]] section of Renoise.
+With the [[Phrase_Editor#Phrase_Controls|phrase controls]] to the right of the keyboard you can select phrases from the grid, create or delete phrases (+/- buttons), preview them with the play and stop buttons and choose their playback method.
 === Lower Status Bar ===
-[[Image:dux1.0_interface-lowerstatusbar.png]]
+[[Image:dux1.1_interface-lowerstatusbar.png]]
-Only visible at the bottom of the interface in Full Editor mode, the Lower Status Bar will display significant information regarding the status and current operations of Redux.
+Only visible at the bottom of the interface in full Editor mode, the Lower Status Bar will display significant information regarding the status and current operations of Redux.
 == Guide Yourself Through the Interface: ''Tooltips'' ==
-As you are using Renoise watch out for Tooltips, which can be seen by hovering the mouse pointer over a button or part of the interface for a second. Almost every button in Renoise will provide you with a small tip about its function.
+As you are using Redux, watch out for Tooltips, which can be seen by hovering the mouse pointer over a button or part of the interface for a second. Almost every button in Redux will provide you with a small tip about its function.
+[[Image:dux1.1_tooltip.png]]
-== Renoise Work-flow: ''Learning the Keys'' ==
+== Redux Work-flow: ''Learning the Keys'' ==
-While Renoise supports drag'n'drop and mouse gestures, it is primarily a keyboard-based application. As such, there are keyboard shortcuts for practically every function. To view the available shortcuts, select ''"Help->List Keyboard Shortcuts..."'' from the Upper Status Bar. If you are interested in a shortcut specific to an interface area, you can right-click to open a context menu. Finally, the keyboard shortcuts can also be customised in the ''"Edit->Preferences->Keys"'' menu.
+While Redux supports drag'n'drop and mouse gestures, it is primarily a keyboard-based application. As such, there are keyboard shortcuts for practically every function. If you are interested in a shortcut specific to an interface area, you can right-click to open a context menu. The keyboard shortcuts can also be customised in the ''"Edit->Preferences->Keys"'' menu.
 A list of most important shortcuts can also be found in the [[Keyboard Shortcuts]] section in this manual.

Introduction To Redux: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:37, 17 October 2019

Contents

Introduction To Redux

Compact Mode

Interface Controls

Loading & Saving Presets

Instrument Properties

VU Meters, Help and Preferences

Keyboard

MIDI Controllers

The Full Editor

Disk Browser

Keyboard

MIDI Controllers

Phrase Controls

Lower Status Bar

Guide Yourself Through the Interface: Tooltips

Redux Work-flow: Learning the Keys