Playing Notes with the Computer Keyboard: Difference between revisions

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= Playing/Recording Notes with the Computer Keyboard =
= Playing/Recording Notes with the Computer Keyboard =


'''Related topics''' 
In Renoise you can use your computer keyboard to play/record and edit notes. This virtual keyboard is always enabled in Renoise and has the following layout:
 
[[Renoise.SettingUpMIDIDevices |MIDI configurations for using a MIDI or Master keyboard]] 
 
You can use your keyboard to record (polyphonic) notes into your tracks. 
 
There is a limit though, because the keyboard matrix does not allow you to hit certain simultaneous key-combinations, you won't be able to jam in all chord or drum-kit percussion combinations. Using the PC-keyboard as a clavier currently serves, as a quick tool for altering a few notes without moving your hand to your MIDI clavier. 
 
If you do want to use a keyboard for doing polyphonic jams in the most optimal way, make sure you have a keyboard that supports '''full n-key rollover'''. The regular older keyboards from '97 and older support it. Or go for keyboards created for people with a visual handicap. 
 
Known facts about keyboard behaviour of keyboards that do '''not''' support full n-key rollover is that certain chord-combinations aren't recorded properly in Renoise. 
 
I would rather advise you to invest in a simple master-keyboard which operatess through MIDI than investing in an expensive PC keyboard that gives you this little extra luxury. A simple MIDI master-keyboard offers you more and is usually easier to play and isn't really much more expensive than a special PC keyboard. 


[[image:vvoois_renoise_keyboard.png|frameless|800px|center]]  <br style="clear: both" />
[[image:vvoois_renoise_keyboard.png|frameless|800px|center]]  <br style="clear: both" />


'''Note-key bindings in Renoise''' 
The lower octave is marked in blue in the picture above, the upper one in soft green.  
 
Each key is assigned to it's note-value. The lower-right keysection of the lower row's second octave match the first five note-keys of the upper-left keysection in it's first octave region. There is no way to change those mappings. 
 
{| border=1 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0 width=97%25 
|- 
'''Lower key''' 
| 
'''Upper key''' 
| 
'''Note reference''' 
|- 
''',''' 
| 
'''Q''' 
| 
'''C-x''' 
|- 
'''l''' 
| 
'''2''' 
| 
'''C#x''' 
|- 
'''.''' 
| 
'''W''' 
| 
'''D-x''' 
|- 
''';''' 
| 
'''3''' 
| 
'''D#x''' 
|- 
'''/''' 
| 
'''E''' 
| 
'''E-x''' 
|} 


If for some reason you assign samples to an octave region your current desktop keyboard cannot handle; 
== Octave Settings ==


You can shift your octave ranges using the '''*''' and '''/''' keys on your numeric keypad, the octave-offset will be related to your lowerleft key upon your regular desktop keyboard, however, your Master / MIDI keyboard will be influenced by this change as well.
By default Renoise will use octave 3 with the lower keys (ZXCVBNM) and octave 4 (QWERTYU) for the upper ones. To play also the lower and higher octaves you can change the ''Keyb. Octave'' setting in the [[Song Properties]] panel or use the keyboard shortcuts on the numpad. Please note that the octave setting also applies to the MIDI master keyboard input.


---- 
If you are using Renoise on a notebook or on a keyboard which has no numbad, you can also use the shortcuts "CONTROL + [" and "CONTROL + ]" (the two keys next to the "P")to change the octave. Alternatively you can also, just as with every keyboard setting in Renoise change it to something else you prefer: [[Preferences#Keys]].


'''Related topics''' 
== Computer Keyboard Limitations ==


[[Renoise.SettingUpMIDIDevices |MIDI configurations for using a MIDI or Master keyboard]]
To edit and program notes in the [[Pattern Editor]], the computer keyboard will perfectly do its job. You can even use the computer keyboard for [[Recording Notes into Patterns]] in real time, like on a real piano, but most computer keyboards do not allow all key combination to be pressed at the same time. This is called ''full n-key rollover''. Of course the computer keyboard is also not velocity sensitive, so using a simple MIDI master keyboard with Renoise is highly recommended. See [[Setting Up MIDI Devices]] on how to configure MIDI master keyboards.

Revision as of 12:57, 9 February 2010

Playing/Recording Notes with the Computer Keyboard

In Renoise you can use your computer keyboard to play/record and edit notes. This virtual keyboard is always enabled in Renoise and has the following layout:

File:Vvoois renoise keyboard.png


The lower octave is marked in blue in the picture above, the upper one in soft green.

Octave Settings

By default Renoise will use octave 3 with the lower keys (ZXCVBNM) and octave 4 (QWERTYU) for the upper ones. To play also the lower and higher octaves you can change the Keyb. Octave setting in the Song Properties panel or use the keyboard shortcuts on the numpad. Please note that the octave setting also applies to the MIDI master keyboard input.

If you are using Renoise on a notebook or on a keyboard which has no numbad, you can also use the shortcuts "CONTROL + [" and "CONTROL + ]" (the two keys next to the "P")to change the octave. Alternatively you can also, just as with every keyboard setting in Renoise change it to something else you prefer: Preferences#Keys.

Computer Keyboard Limitations

To edit and program notes in the Pattern Editor, the computer keyboard will perfectly do its job. You can even use the computer keyboard for Recording Notes into Patterns in real time, like on a real piano, but most computer keyboards do not allow all key combination to be pressed at the same time. This is called full n-key rollover. Of course the computer keyboard is also not velocity sensitive, so using a simple MIDI master keyboard with Renoise is highly recommended. See Setting Up MIDI Devices on how to configure MIDI master keyboards.

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