Latest revision as of 20:33, 11 July 2023

Pattern Editor

The Pattern Editor is the main editor used to create music in Renoise and is opened with the Edit tab at the top left of the interface. Instruments are recorded by entering notes onto lines in the order that they are to be played, from top to bottom. This is done with the Tracker Interface, so if you're unfamiliar with this method of working, you should read through that section of the manual before continuing here.

A pattern can contain multiple tracks, typically one for each different instrument and each with their own separate set of effects. Songs are created by arranging a sequence of patterns with the Pattern Sequencer and the Pattern Matrix. So, a pattern is normally used to represent a specific section of a song that may be repeated again in future. The length and speed of a pattern can be changed, so the exact nature of a specific pattern can vary wildly depending on the whims of the composer.

You may find it useful to watch a video about the various track types.

Track Types

There are four different types of track in the Renoise Pattern Editor:

Tracks

These standard tracks are where you record notes onto the lines of a Note Column. Each track also features Effect Columns, which are used to apply Effect Commands to instruments and to control Track Effects.

Group Tracks

Used to group together similar Tracks, such as all percussion, all synths etc. The child tracks have their output automatically routed through the parent track, though you can change this with the Pre Mixer. This means that Track Effects, Automation and Effect Commands used in the Group Track will affect the audio coming from the regular Tracks contained within it. Notes cannot be entered into Group Tracks and so they only feature Master FX columns.

Send Tracks

Send Tracks are fed audio from other tracks using Send Devices and are typically used to apply the same set of Track Effects to multiple tracks at once, though there is a whole range of possibilities for creatively complex routing. Notes cannot be entered into Send Tracks and so they only feature Master FX columns.

You may find it useful to watch our video covering the subject of Send Tracks & Devices.

Master Track

The Master Track is where all audio produced by the other tracks finally ends up, so effects placed here will therefore affect the output of the entire song. To help manage the master signal, the Post-Mixer device in the Master Track has a few more options than the other tracks. Notes cannot be entered into the Master Track and so it only features Master FX columns.

Track Options

Muting Tracks

An individual track can be muted by left-clicking on the 'Play' text underneath its name. Clicking again will un-mute it. Right-clicking a track's 'Play' text will solo it, muting all of the others so that only the audio from that track is heard. Right-clicking again will un-mute the other tracks. Similar operations can be performed on the Track Scopes.

Organising Tracks

Any track can be renamed by double-clicking on its name and typing in a new one. This is also true for Note Columns.

To add or remove tracks, you can use the "Edit->Insert Track" (Left Control/Command + T) and "Edit->Delete Track" (Left Control/Command + Left Shift + T) commands from the menu in the Upper Status Bar. If the currently selected track is a regular Track, then a new Track will be added to the right of it. If the currently selected track is a Send Track or the Master Track, then another Send Track will be added.

To add a group track, use the "Edit->Insert Group" (Left Control/Command + G) command or drag one track onto another while holding down Alt. This will create a new group and add both tracks to it.

To reposition a track left-click and hold the button on its name, then drag the track to either side. This can be done in both the Pattern Editor and the Mixer. You can also move tracks by using the Ctrl/Command + Alt + Left/Right shortcuts.

To duplicate tracks, you can use the "Edit->Duplicate Track" (Left Control/Command + D) command from the menu in the Upper Status Bar.

Collapsing Tracks

To collapse a track, press the small arrow to the left of the track's name. This just hides most of its information; the track will still play as normal. You can collapse a Group of tracks in the same way and also collapse the Group's Master FX column using the arrow to the right of its name.

Using Single Track Edit Mode will cause all of the tracks and groups to collapse, except for the track that the cursor is currently in. Moving the cursor to other tracks while in this mode will automatically expand those tracks and collapse the one you were previously in.

Changing Track Colors

To change the color of a track, left-click on the color slot above the track name. Using the color picker you can move around the grid to choose a color, while the left-hand slider controls the saturation value. You can also pick colors from the available swatches or right click on a swatch to save the current color to it. The "Background Blend" slider controls the amount of color present in the track's background. Enabling "Apply to all tracks" will apply the slider value to all of the tracks at once.

Pattern Editor Control Panel

At the bottom of the Pattern Editor is the control panel:

Single Track Edit Mode: When enabled, all tracks will be collapsed except for the currently selected track.
Pattern Wrap Mode: Toggle what will happen upon reaching the end of a pattern when entering notes step-by-step in Edit Mode. When enabled, the cursor will move to the top of the next pattern in the sequence. When disabled, the cursor will move back to the top of the current pattern.
Pattern Automation Recording Mode: When enabled, right-clicked and MIDI mapped parameters are recorded into Automation instead of the track's Master FX Column.
Quantize Controls: Toggle live quantization. The value box to the right specifies the quantization value in lines. Use the drop-down menu next to the value box to manually quantize a selected area of the current pattern after recording. Quantization is covered in-depth in this video.
Edit Step: Set how many lines the cursor will skip down in the Pattern Editor when entering a note or effect.
Vol/Pan/Dly/FX: Toggle the volume, panning, delay and Local FX sub-columns for the currently selected track.
FX Drop-down Menu: Quickly show and insert Effect Commands.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 = Pattern Editor =
-The Pattern Editor is the main editor used to create music in Renoise. Instruments are recorded by entering notes onto lines in the order that they are to be played, from top to bottom. A pattern can contain multiple tracks, typically one for each different instrument and each with their own separate set of effects. Songs are created by arranging a sequence of patterns with the [[Pattern Sequencer]].
+[[Image:3.2_tab-edit.png]]
+The Pattern Editor is the main editor used to create music in Renoise and is opened with the Edit tab at the top left of the interface. Instruments are recorded by entering notes onto lines in the order that they are to be played, from top to bottom. This is done with the [[Tracker Interface]], so if you're unfamiliar with this method of working, you should [[Tracker Interface|read through that section]] of the manual before continuing here.
-== Patterns ==
+A pattern can contain multiple tracks, typically one for each different instrument and each with their own separate set of effects. Songs are created by arranging a sequence of patterns with the [[Pattern Sequencer]] and the [[Pattern Matrix]]. So, a pattern is normally used to represent a specific section of a song that may be repeated again in future. The length and speed of a pattern can be changed, so the exact nature of a specific pattern can vary wildly depending on the whims of the composer.
-A pattern is simply a block of time containing the notes played by different instruments in different tracks. The easiest way understand this and how the Pattern Editor uses them, is to load in a demo song by double-clicking on it in the [[Disk Browser]] and observing what happens after you press Play with the ''"Spacebar"''.
+You may find it useful to watch [https://youtu.be/L1Ytodmo1OA a video about the various track types].
-As the horizontal bar moves down the pattern, it plays the notes that it encounters on the way. When the end of a pattern is reached, the song moves on to the next pattern in the sequence, as controlled by the [[Pattern Sequencer]]. So, a pattern is usually used to represent a specific section of a song that may be repeated again in future. The length and speed of a pattern can be changed, so the exact nature of a specific pattern can vary wildly depending on the whims of the composer.
+[[Image:3.2_patterneditor.png]]
-== Tracks ==
+== Track Types ==
-There are three different types of track in Renoise:
+There are four different types of track in the Renoise Pattern Editor:
-=== Sequencer Tracks ===
+=== Tracks ===
-[[Image:vvoois_renoise_note_track.png]]
+[[Image:3.2_patterneditor-track.png]]
-Sequencer tracks are tracks which can record instruments onto lines within a note column. Each track also features effect columns, which are used to apply effect commands to instruments and to control Track DSPs.
+These standard tracks are where you record notes onto the lines of a [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Note Column]]. Each track also features [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Effect Columns]], which are used to apply [[Effect Commands]] to instruments and to control [[Effect Chains|Track Effects]].
-=== Send Tracks ===
+=== Group Tracks ===
-[[Image:vvoois_renoise_send_track.png]]
+[[Image:3.2_patterneditor-group.png]]
-Send Tracks are fed audio from other tracks using ''"Send Devices"'' and are typically used to apply the same set of Track DSPs to multiple tracks at once. Notes cannot be entered into Send Tracks and so they only feature effect columns, which are used to control the DSPs.
+Used to group together similar Tracks, such as all percussion, all synths etc. The child tracks have their output automatically routed through the parent track, though you can change this with the [[Effect Chains#Pre_and_Post_Mixer_Effects|Pre Mixer]]. This means that [[Effect Chains|Track Effects]], [[Graphical Automation|Automation]] and [[Effect Commands]] used in the Group Track will affect the audio coming from the regular Tracks contained within it. Notes cannot be entered into Group Tracks and so they only feature [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Master FX]] columns.
-=== Master Track ===
+=== Send Tracks ===
-[[Image:vvoois_renoise_master_track.png]]
+[[Image:3.2_patterneditor-send.png]]
-The Master Track is where all other tracks automatically feed their audio. Effects placed on the Master Track will therefore affect the final output of the entire song. Notes cannot be entered into the Master Track and so it only features effect columns, which are used to control the DSPs.
+Send Tracks are fed audio from other tracks using [[Routing_Devices#.23Send_Device|Send Devices]] and are typically used to apply the same set of [[Effect Chains|Track Effects]] to multiple tracks at once, though there is a whole range of possibilities for creatively complex routing. Notes cannot be entered into Send Tracks and so they only feature [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Master FX]] columns.
-=== Adding, Removing, Duplicating and Re-ordering Tracks ===
+You may find it useful to watch our video covering the subject of [https://youtu.be/jChkwB8b7to Send Tracks & Devices].
-To add or remove tracks, you can use the ''"Edit->Insert New Track" (Control/Command + T)'' and ''"Edit->Delete Track" (Control/Command + Shift + T)'' commands from the menu in the Upper Status Bar. This will add a sequencer track if the currently selected track is a sequencer track. If the currently selected track is a Send Track or the Master Track, then another Send Track will be added.
+=== Master Track ===
-To reposition a track, click on its name, hold the button down and drag the track to either side. This can be done in both the Pattern Editor and the [[Mixer]].
+[[Image:3.2_patterneditor-master.png]]
-[[image:Vvoois_renoise_pattern_editor_dragging_tracks.gif|thumb|800px|left]]  <br style="clear: both" />
+The Master Track is where all audio produced by the other tracks finally ends up, so effects placed here will therefore affect the output of the entire song. To help manage the master signal, the [[Effect_Chains#Pre_and_Post_Mixer_Effects|Post-Mixer device]] in the Master Track has a few more options than the other tracks. Notes cannot be entered into the Master Track and so it only features [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Master FX]] columns.
-To duplicate tracks, you can use the ''"Edit->Duplicate Track" (Control/Command + D)'' command from the menu in the Upper Status Bar.
+== Track Options ==
-== Columns ==
+=== Muting Tracks ===
-There are two types of columns in tracks:
+An individual track can be muted by left-clicking on the 'Play' text underneath its name. Clicking again will un-mute it. Right-clicking a track's 'Play' text will solo it, muting all of the others so that only the audio from that track is heard. Right-clicking again will un-mute the other tracks. Similar operations can be performed on the [[Track_Scopes#Mouse_Operations|Track Scopes]].
-# Note columns, used to record instruments by entering notes.
+<!-- RENOISE_NO_PDF_START -->
-# Effect columns, used to apply effects and control DSPs.
+[[image:3.2_patterneditor-mutingtracks.gif]]
+<!-- RENOISE_NO_PDF_STOP -->
-Note columns also have three extra sub-columns each, which are used to control the following parameters on a per-line basis: volume, panning and delay.
+=== Organising Tracks ===
-Effect columns are set up in the format ''xxyy'', where ''xx'' specifies the effect type and ''yy'' determines the value to be used.
+Any track can be renamed by double-clicking on its name and typing in a new one. This is also true for [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Note Columns]].
-=== Adding / Removing Columns ===
+To add or remove tracks, you can use the ''"Edit->Insert Track" (Left Control/Command + T)'' and ''"Edit->Delete Track" (Left Control/Command + Left Shift + T)'' commands from the menu in the Upper Status Bar. If the currently selected track is a regular Track, then a new Track will be added to the right of it. If the currently selected track is a Send Track or the Master Track, then another Send Track will be added.
-To add/remove note or effect columns, you can use the small +/- icons next to the track names. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut, ''"Control/Command + Shift + left/right arrow key"'' to either add/remove a note or effect column, depending on where the cursor is (place it where you would like that column type to be duplicated).
+To add a group track, use the ''"Edit->Insert Group" (Left Control/Command + G)'' command or drag one track onto another while holding down Alt. This will create a new group and add both tracks to it.
-'''''Please Note:''''' All numbers in the effect columns and note sub-columns are notated in hexadecimal (counting from 0 to 16, where decimal is 0 to 10). If you are unfamiliar with hexadecimal, then you can read an explanation of it [[Hexadecimal|here]].
+To reposition a track left-click and hold the button on its name, then drag the track to either side. This can be done in both the Pattern Editor and the [[Mixer]]. You can also move tracks by using the ''Ctrl/Command + Alt + Left/Right'' shortcuts.
-=== Sub-Note Columns ===
+<!-- RENOISE_NO_PDF_START -->
+[[image:3.2_patterneditor-orderingtracks.gif]]
+<!-- RENOISE_NO_PDF_STOP -->
-* '''Note:''' e.g. C-4, A#3. The first two characters represent the musical note, while the third character is the octave number. The notes are not entered letter by letter like a text editor, but like a piano, using the computer keyboard or a MIDI master keyboard.
+To duplicate tracks, you can use the ''"Edit->Duplicate Track" (Left Control/Command + D)'' command from the menu in the Upper Status Bar.
-* '''Instrument Number:''' The instrument that will play the note. This is automatically entered when the note is recorded, but it can be changed by hand.
-* '''Volume:''' (00-80) - The note velocity/volume. Additional effects can also be triggered from here; see the [[Pattern Effect Commands]] section of the manual for more details.
-* '''Panning:''' (00-80) - The panning of the note. Note that panning can only be applied to sample-based instruments in Renoise (MIDI and VST plugins will be unaffected by values in this sub-column).
-* '''Delay:''' (00-FF) - A time delay added to the note.
-By default, the panning and delay columns are not visible. To show/hide them you can use the keyboard shortcuts, ''"Control/Command + SHIFT + V (Volume), P (Panning), D (Delay)"'', or you can press the corresponding buttons in the Pattern Editor's control bar, located at the bottom of the editor:
+=== Collapsing Tracks ===
-[[Image:vvoois_renoise_pc_track.png]]
+To collapse a track, press the small arrow to the left of the track's name. This just hides most of its information; the track will still play as normal. You can collapse a Group of tracks in the same way and also collapse ''the Group's'' [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Master FX]] column using the arrow to the right of its name.
-=== Sub-Effect Columns ===
+Using [[#Pattern Editor Control Panel|Single Track Edit Mode]] will cause all of the tracks and groups to collapse, except for the track that the cursor is currently in. Moving the cursor to other tracks while in this mode will automatically expand those tracks and collapse the one you were previously in.
-* '''Effect Number:''' The first two digits define the effect that should be triggered (like a cutoff parameter in a DSP effect, or a sample effect like pitch glide). See the [[Pattern Effect Commands]] section of the manual for a full list of the available effects.
+<!-- RENOISE_NO_PDF_START -->
-* '''Effect Value:''' The next two digits define the effect's value. For example, to a cutoff parameter this would change the frequency, for a sample glide this would change the rate of the glide.
+[[Image:3.2_patterneditor-collapsingtracks.gif]]
+<!-- RENOISE_NO_PDF_STOP -->
+=== Changing Track Colors ===
-== Lines ==
+To change the color of a track, left-click on the color slot above the track name. Using the color picker you can move around the grid to choose a color, while the left-hand slider controls the saturation value. You can also pick colors from the available swatches or right click on a swatch to save the current color to it. The ''"Background Blend"'' slider controls the amount of color present in the track's background. Enabling ''"Apply to all tracks"'' will apply the slider value to all of the tracks at once.
-Each individual pattern can have a different length, which can be changed by altering the value in the box at the top left of the Pattern Editor:
+[[image:3.2_patterneditor-colours.png]]
-[[Image:vvoois_renoise_pattern_editor_setting_pattern_length.gif]]
-=== Lines, Beats and Pattern Resolution ===
-How many Lines make up a beat, which resolution your patterns should have, is set up via the [[Transport Panel]]s ''Lines Per Beat'' setting. The higher the LPB setting, the more notes or effects you can place individually for a beat, the higher the resolution. By default the LPB is 4, which means when placing a note on every highlighted line, you get a simple 4/4 beat in a pattern which is 16 lines long.
-When working with time signatures other than 4/4, it's useful to set your LPB to a factor of the time signature nominator. So for example, when working at 3/4 you should use an LPB of 6, 12 or 24. When working at 5/4 you can use an LPB of 5, 10, or 20, etc. This will allow you to place your notes on exact pattern lines without having to delay notes with the delay column.
-How many lines should be used for a beat, actually is totally up to you. No one forces you to treat lines like beats at all. The only case where this actually is needed, is when Renoise interacts with other beat based instruments or sequencers, like plug-ins which use beat timings, or when syncing a Renoise song with other applications via ReWire.
-You can also customize the highlighting in the pattern editor to not show the LPB values. This is done in the [[Song Settings]] tab.
 == Pattern Editor Control Panel ==
-On the bottom of the pattern editor you will find a small bar with some controls:
+At the bottom of the Pattern Editor is the control panel:
-[[Image:Vvoois_renoise_pattern_editor_control_bar.png]]
-* '''Single Track Edit Mode:''' When enabled, only the currently selected track will be shown in the [[Pattern Matrix]].
-* '''Pattern Wrap Mode:''' Setup what should happen when reaching the pattern end: When on, the cursor is moved continuously between patterns. When off, editing will wrap around pattern edges.
-* '''Pattern Automation Recording Mode:''' When enabled, right clicked and MIDI mapped parameters are recorded into graphical automation instead into patterns.
-* '''Pattern Keyjazz Recording:''' When enabled and live recording, chords are recorded when pressing multiple notes at once, else notes are recorded monophonic.
-* '''Quantize Controls:''' En/Disable quantization of live played notes. The arrow button on the right allows you to quantize selections, tracks, pattern manually
-* '''Edit Step:''' Setup how by many lines the pattern editor should jump when entering a note of effect.
-* '''Vol/Pan/Dly:''' En/Disable Volume Panning and Delay sub columns in note columns.
-* '''FX:''' Quickly show and add pattern effect commands.
-== Editing and Navigating in Patterns ==
-Before anything can be written, recorded into the Pattern Editor, you have to tun on the global edit mode. This is done via the ESC key, or by hitting the record button in the Transport Panel.
-=== Basic Shortcuts ===
-To navigate around in the pattern you do use your keyboard. Basically it works like writing text in a text editor, so the right arrow key moves the cursor position to the right, left to the left, the page buttons to jump quarter wise and so on.
-To quickly jump the the next note column, you can use the TAB key. SHIFT + TAB will jump back to the previous note column.
-F9, F10,F11 and F12 will quick set the line to the beginning, first quarter, half, last quarter of the pattern.
-To select something you can hold down the SHIFT key while moving around in the pattern with the keys. This can also be done with the mouse. The selection also uses the the standard Cut/Copy/Paste keys you know from other applications: CONTROL/COMMAND + X (Cut), C (Copy), V (Paste).
-Alternatively to the shift key you can also start a selection with CONTROL/COMMAND + B and end it with CONTROL/COMMAND + E.
-=== Column/Track/Selection/Pattern Shortcuts ===
-To quickly edit copy and paste in the pattern editor, you should memorize the basic editing shortcuts for different sections of a pattern:
-* '''F1 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Transpose one Note Down
-* '''F2 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Transpose one Note Up
-* '''F3 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Cut
-* '''F4 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Copy
-* '''F5 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Paste
-* '''F6 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Flip
-* '''F11 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Transpose one Octave Down
-* '''F12 + ''MODIFIER:''''' Transpose one Octave Up
-Where ''MODIFIER is:''
-* '''CONTROL/COMMAND: '''Whole Pattern
-* '''SHIFT: '''Current Track
-* '''CONTROL/COMMAND + SHIFT: '''Current Column
-* '''ALT: '''Selection in the Pattern
-=== Drag & Drop of Selections ===
-To quickly move and copy selection of notes or effects you can also use the mouse: First mark something in the pattern, the click and hold on the selected area with the mouse button. Then drag the selection to a new position. Holding down the CONTROL/COMMAND key while dropping will copy the selection instead of moving it.
-== Recording of Notes into Patterns ==
-Instead of editing notes step by step you can of course also simply record what you play. This is done by playing back the song, enabling edit mode and then recording the notes you play. For a more detailed description take a look at the [[Recording and Editing Notes]] section in this manual.
-== Recording of Effects ==
-Just like notes, to quickly record DSP parameters changes into pattern, you can click and drag any slider in the Track DSPs with the right mouse button. Again have a look at [[Pattern_Effect_Commands#Recording_and_Editing_Pattern_Effects|Recording and Editing Pattern Effects]] for a detailed description of this topic please.
-== Applying Effects ==
+[[Image:3.2_patterneditor-controlpanel.png]]
-Finally, to get an overview of the available sample and other effects that are edited in the effect columns, have a look at [[Pattern Effect Commands]] please.
+* '''Single Track Edit Mode:''' When enabled, all tracks will be collapsed except for the currently selected track.
+* '''Pattern Wrap Mode:''' Toggle what will happen upon reaching the end of a pattern when [[Recording_and_Editing_Notes#Entering_Notes_Step_By_Step|entering notes step-by-step]] in Edit Mode. When enabled, the cursor will move to the top of the next pattern in the sequence. When disabled, the cursor will move back to the top of the current pattern.
+* '''Pattern Automation Recording Mode:''' When enabled, [[Effect_Commands#Device_Commands|right-clicked]] and [[MIDI Mapping|MIDI mapped]] parameters are recorded into [[Graphical Automation|Automation]] instead of the track's [[Tracker Interface#Columns|Master FX Column]].
+* '''Quantize Controls:''' Toggle live quantization. The value box to the right specifies the quantization value in lines. Use the drop-down menu next to the value box to manually quantize a selected area of the current pattern after recording. Quantization is covered in-depth [https://youtu.be/dGkoKWA-2Dg in this video].
+* '''Edit Step:''' Set how many lines the cursor will skip down in the Pattern Editor when entering a note or effect.
+* '''Vol/Pan/Dly/FX:''' Toggle the [[Tracker Interface#Columns|volume, panning, delay and Local FX sub-columns]] for the currently selected track.
+* '''FX Drop-down Menu:''' Quickly show and insert [[Effect Commands]].

Pattern Editor: Difference between revisions