Meta Devices

Meta Devices

Meta Devices are effects that do not directly manipulate audio, but instead modulate or control other parameters. They can even be linked between different tracks/FX Chains, making for complex and powerful routing possibilities.

Common usages for Meta Devices are applying modulations with the *LFO device or *Signal Follower, controlling plugin instrument automation via the *Instrument Automation device, or sending MIDI to plugins using the *Instrument MIDI Control device. There are also devices which can use various real-time inputs (notes, velocity, audio output etc.) to guide their behaviour, such as the *Key Tracker or *Velocity Tracker. Finally, there are devices which can also be used to route and control other meta or audio effect parameters via the *XY Pad and *Hydra.

Instrument Devices (Renoise only)

Track Effects: These devices are used to directly control an Instrument through its Plugin and MIDI components or by automating instrument macros.
Sample FX: These devices are unavailable.

*Instrument Automation

Instead of working through MIDI, the Instrument Automation device sends parameter changes to the Plugin component of an Instrument directly. The device automatically populates itself with the selected Plugin's changeable parameters. Since every Plugin is different, the number and function of those parameters can vary wildly. You may find it useful to watch our short video.

• Instrument: The targeted instrument, chosen from those available in the Instrument Selector. If the instrument has no Plugin component the parameters below will be blank.
• Parameters: Shows the selected parameter. Left-clicking will open a drop down menu listing of all the Plugin's available parameters, allowing you to select and use the one you need.
• Show/Hide Parameters: The small arrow buttons in the bottom-right corner allow you to expand/shrink the device to show/hide parameters.

*Instrument Macros

This device provides a copy of the linked instrument's macro controls for altering the assigned Modulation or Effects parameters of a linked instrument. The instrument's Phrase can also be changed with the menu at the top right. You may find it useful to watch our video on this subject.

• Instr.: The targeted instrument, chosen from those available in the Instrument Selector.
• Phrase: The instrument's currently selected Phrase.
• MIDI Macros: A copy of the instrument's MIDI Controller macros.
• Macros: A copy of the instrument's macro controls.

*Instrument MIDI Control

The MIDI Control device broadcasts MIDI pitch bend, channel pressure, control change and program change commands directly to the Plugin and MIDI components of the selected instrument. You may find it useful to watch our video on this subject.

• Instrument: The targeted instrument, chosen from those available in the Instrument Selector.
• Show/Hide Parameters: The small arrow buttons in the bottom-right corner allow you to expand/shrink the device to show/hide parameters.

All of the other sets of parameters work in exactly the same way with the following options:

• "Custom Name" for CC message types: Allows you to name a control change parameter, describing what the CC number does. In addition to the standardised Controller Change numbers, Plugin and MIDI instruments often have customised sets of numbers and you'll typically find information about them in the instrument's reference manual.
• On/Off for PB/CP/Prg, a number for CC: Toggles the parameter or specifies the CC number that is sent.
• MIDI Message Type: Can be PB (Pitch Bend), CP (Channel Pressure), CC (Controller Change) or Prg (Program Change).
• Parameter Value: The actual value that is sent.

Affecting Samples

Normally this device only affects the Plugin and MIDI components of an instrument, but it is possible to affect samples in a few different ways:

• Program Change messages also affect the instrument’s Phrase.
• If the instrument is purely sample-based then changing the volume, scale key and scale mode via their CC numbers will adjust those parameters in the Instrument Properties. If the instrument contains Plugin and/or MIDI components though then the messages will be directed there instead. Scale & Key are covered in-depth in our video.
• The MIDI controllers to the left of the on-screen keyboard are also automated by any Pitch Bend, Channel Pressure or CC 01 messages, making it possible to affect samples through their macros.

Tips and Tricks

• MIDI channel numbers are not set with this device; this is handled independently in the instrument's Plugin and MIDI sections.
• By default, this device has only one preset, used to quickly start working with a General MIDI instrument. But if you make use of this device a lot, then it'll be worthwhile setting up and saving your own custom presets for your favourite instruments.
• If you’re using ReWire with Renoise as the master, then this device can be used to control the instruments of other applications.
• When a song is loaded that contains one or more Instrument MIDI Control devices, they will immediately send out messages from all of the enabled parameters. This is necessary to prepare the song for playing with the correct settings, but it may not be ideal for your particular setup. In this case you should use automation to initially start with the device disabled.

Mapping Devices

Mapping devices handle parameter modulations across multiple inputs and outputs. As with most effect parameters, the input values of these three devices can be changed through a variety of methods. The user can perform the changes live, or the value can be automated via Effect Commands, Graphical Automation or by another effect device. It's this last option of cross-routing multiple effects that makes the Mapping devices so powerful.

You may find it useful to watch our video on the Mapping Devices.

*Formula

The Formula device generates an output value from user-created code and up to three input values. The upper Code Box doesn't have to be used and is only needed when programming more complex functions that will be called by the Formula below. The language used is Lua. Pressing the Help button brings up the provided variables and math functions.

• Dest.: Destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter, allowing you to specify the parameter to be modulated.
• A/B/C Inputs: Inputs to be used in the formula. They can be renamed by double-clicking on them, but they must still be referred to as capital A, B and C when used as variables in your code.
• Hide/Show Code: Clicking the small arrow button will hide/show the panel containing the Code Box and Formula.
• Help: Brings up a new window showing the available mathematical functions and variables. The variables and constants must be written as capitals, while the math functions must be lower-case.
• Code Box: More complex programming functions are coded here. If your code (either in this box or the Formula) contains an error then the status above the Code Box will show this. Clicking on the warning icon will bring up the full error message.
• Formula: The formula to be calculated, potentially using the Inputs and any functions called from the Code Box. A new calculation is performed every tick or if an Input value is changed (and that Input is used in your code).

*Hydra

The Hydra device allows the mapping of its Input value toward up to nine different destinations.

• Input: The input value.
• Out 1-9: Each output has its own individual set of parameters:
  • Destination: The first set of three boxes are the destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter, allowing you to specify the parameter to be modulated.
  • Min/Max: The min/maximum value to be used from the destination parameter's range.
  • Scaling: The scaling that will be applied to the final output value. By default, the value will be mapped linearly, but you can also select from two exponential and two logarithmic scales.
• Show/Hide Parameters: The two small arrow buttons in the bottom-right corner allow you to expand/shrink the device to show/hide parameters.

*Meta Mixer

The Meta Mixer accepts input from up to three sources and combines them to create a new output value, as represented by the meter at the far right.

• Dest.: Destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter, allowing you to specify the parameter to be modulated.
• Min/Max: The min/maximum value to be used from the destination parameter's range.
• Scaling: The scaling that will be applied to the final output value. By default, the value will be mapped linearly, but you can also select from two exponential and two logarithmic scales.
• Input A/B/C: The three input values used to create the output.
• Weight A/B/C: Adjusts how much influence an Input has over the final output value. Each Input's Weight relative to the others is represented by the graph at the right.

Modulation Devices

Modulation Devices, as the name suggests, modulate other effect parameters. They can be triggered and synced by user input, Effect Commands, Graphical Automation, velocity values and even note values and volume envelopes of audio data.

*Key Tracker

The Key Tracker device works in much the same way as the Velocity Tracker, except it adjusts a parameter according to note value instead of velocity. As a track effect, input values are only accepted from an instrument that is playing in the same track as the Tracker device. When in a Sampler FX Chain values will be accepted from any track. Also note that a sample does not have to be specifically routed through FX Chains in order to trigger any Tracker devices within them.

• Input: The instrument/sample to be used for input.
• Dest.: Destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter, allowing you to specify the parameter to be modulated.
• Dest. Min/Max: The min/maximum value to be used from the destination parameter's range.
• Scaling: How the input value will be mapped across the chosen input Range. By default, the input is mapped linearly, but you can also select from two exponential and two logarithmic scales.
• Range: Minimum and maximum note range that will be used for input.

Range Modes

In addition to applying a scaling mode to the Key Tracker's range, you can also set up how the range will handle notes:

• Clamp: Each note within the range will trigger an event, while notes outside of the range will be clamped to the specified limits.
• Soft: Notes outside of the range are completely ignored and will not trigger anything.
• Octave: Notes played on different octaves will be handled equally, e.g. a C-5 will have the same effect as a C-4 or C-3.

*LFO

The Low Frequency Oscillator generates a signal that cycles through a relatively slow pattern. The signal is constructed by applying the various parameters to a repeating waveform, which can be chosen from four simple shapes or one customised by the user.

LFO device using a preset waveform:

• Dest.: Destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter, allowing you to specify the parameter to be modulated.
• Amplitude: The the maximum range that the value will oscillate to. 100% will modulate the full range.
• Offset: Offsets the central point of the modulation to a different position. The effect of Amplitude & Offset on the original shape can be seen in the meters at the far right.
• Frequency: The speed of the modulation in Lines per Cycle. For example, an LPC of eight will cycle the LFO once every eight pattern lines.
• Reset: Resets the position of the LFO back to the beginning. Renoise Pattern Editor only: See below for more details on syncing modulation.
• Modulation shape:
  • Sine wave
  • Sawtooth
  • Pulse/Square
  • Random
  • Custom: Allows you to draw a custom waveform. If you set the custom wavelength to match the Frequency value, then one grid line becomes equal to one line in the Pattern/Phrase Editor line.

LFO device using a custom waveform:

• Envelope Type: Dictates how the envelope's value will change over time.
  • Points: Only changes value when a point is encountered.
  • Lines: Initially interpolates in a straight line, but the handles between points can be used to create curves and control their easing.
  • Curves: Interpolates with a smooth cubic curve, easing into and out of points.
• Envelope Size: Alters the length of the envelope by changing the amount of grid lines.
• One Shot: When enabled, the envelope will run only once until a "Reset" command is given.
• Ext. Editor: This will open the envelope waveform graphic in the large central section of the interface, allowing for finer control over details. This provides additional tools and the "Detach" button in the lower right hand corner. When clicked, this will open the envelope in a completely separate window, which can be moved around and resized. Clicking "Attach" will reattach the window to the main interface. Clicking either the top right "X" or "Ext. Editor" button will remove the larger editor.
• Presets: Right-clicking a button will store the current envelope as a preset. Left clicking will recall a previously stored envelope.

Syncing LFOs

The LFO runs constantly, even while the song is stopped, so to synchronise the modulation's cycle to the song's playback, which will ensure it runs the same way each time, you have to automate the "Reset" button. This is achieved by right-clicking on it, which places a command in the current track's Master FX column, and can be done while the song is stopped or during playback (this is for track effects, sample fx need to be automated through macros). You can also control the position of the reset by manually entering the effect command: x8yy, where x stands for the location of the device in the effect chain (1 if it's the first device, 2 if it's the second etc.) and yy is the offset value. For example, if yy is equal to:

• 00 - The modulation restarts from the beginning.
• 40 - The modulation restarts from a quarter of the way through the cycle.
• 80 - The modulation restarts from halfway through the cycle.
• C0 - The modulation restarts from three quarters of the way through the cycle.
• FF - The modulation restarts from just before the end.

*Signal Follower

The Signal Follower measures the volume level at the location that it’s placed in a track or Sampler FX Chain and then uses its controls to craft an output signal from that volume input. The output is sent to a destination, which automates the chosen parameter of the chosen effect. You may find it useful to watch our video about this device.

• Dest.: The destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter to be modulated.
• Dest. Min: The minimum value to be used from the range of the destination parameter.
• Dest. Max: The maximum value to be used from the range of the destination parameter.
• Dest. Off: Applies an offset to the destination parameter's min and max values.
• Attack: The speed of the response to the input volume rising.
• Release: The speed of the response to the input volume falling.
• Sensitivity: Tunes the responsiveness of the device to the overall amplitude of the input.
• Scaling: How the final output value will be mapped across its range. By default, this is linear but there also two exponential and two logarithmic scales available.
• - Listen to how the input is being affected by the LP and HP filters, providing a better idea of exactly what the signal is that's working through this device.
• LP/HP Filter: Cutoff frequencies of the Low/HighPass filters applied to the input, which restrict the frequency range that triggers the volume envelope.
• L/R/L+R: Select which of the stereo channels will be used for the input's volume tracking: left (L), right (R) or both (L+R).
• Lookahead: Shifts the envelope back in time relative to the audio playback. Useful to catch very snappy attack rates. Activating it will add some latency to the device, and for it to work Automatic Plugin Delay Compensation must be enabled.

Destination Limitation

Unlike the other Meta Devices the Destination cannot be a device that appears before (to the left of) the Signal Follower, and this takes two forms.

When targeting the same track or Sampler FX Chain the device must be after the Signal Follower. This is because effect chains are processed left to right, with each device feeding into the next. Likewise, when targeting another track it must be to the right of the track that the Signal Follower is in. Although tracks don't feed into each other, unless you've set that up, Renoise and Redux do process everything in a strict order to ensure maximum efficiency and as little latency as possible. This is the same for Sampler FX Chains, except it’s applied vertically top-to-bottom.

So if you want to target a device that appears before the Signal Follower, then you'll need to make changes so that this is no longer true, either by moving the devices around, or reordering the tracks or Sampler FX Chains.

Tips & Tricks

• The Signal Follower does not actually alter the signal it receives and so the audio leaving this device will be the same as the input, regardless of what you do with the filtering options or any of the others.
• The Destination device is usually in another track or Sampler FX Chain, since a common reason for inserting a Signal Follower is for it to allow other elements of a song to react to what the audio is doing at its location. You may have realised that this is actually side-chaining, though obviously this is of the modulation variety and we're not passing along the full audio signal.
• If you’re looking to use automation to control the general output of this device, then the Dest. Off parameter is the best place to do it.
• The Sensitivity value applies an inverted gain to the input. At 100% the input gain is reduced to 1/1000th of the original. So generally speaking, if the input is very quiet then low values work best and higher values should be used for louder inputs. But playing around with this value in conjunction with the Output parameters (Min, Max, Offset & Scaling) is the best way to customise how the Destination effect should be controlled.
• The volume meters at the right of the device are not simply the input and output signals. The left meter shows the value that’s been created from the input once it’s gone through the Input (Attack, Release & Sensitivity) and Filter sections, while the meter on the right is the final value after it’s made its way through the Output parameters.

*Velocity Tracker

The Velocity Tracker adds another dimension of control by responding to the velocity values of notes. For example, when modulating a Filter's cutoff value with a Velocity device, the sound of an instrument can then be drastically altered by pressing the keys harder or softer. As a track effect, input values are only accepted from an instrument that is playing in the same track as the Tracker device. When in a Sampler FX Chain values will be accepted from any track. Also note that a sample does not have to be specifically routed through FX Chains in order to trigger any Tracker devices within them.

• Input: The instrument/sample to be used for input.
• Dest.: Destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter, allowing you to specify the parameter to be modulated.
• Dest. Min/Max: The min/maximum value to be used from the destination parameter's range.
• Scaling: How the input value will be mapped across the chosen input Range. By default, the input is mapped linearly, but you can also select from two exponential and two logarithmic scales.
• Range: Minimum and maximum velocity range that will be used for input.

*XY Pad

The XY Pad provides a graphical pad that allows the user to perform simple movements and more complex gestures to change two parameters at once. Unlike the other Meta devices, the focus here is on capturing a live performance by the user. You may find it useful to watch our video about this device.

• X/Y Axis Setup: Switches between configuring the X and Y axis parameters.
  • Dest.: Destination track/FX Chain, effect and parameter, allowing you to specify the parameter to be modulated.
  • Dest. Min/Max: The minimum/maximum value to be used from the destination parameter's range.
  • Scaling: The scaling that will be applied to the final output value. By default, the input will be mapped linearly, but you can also select from two exponential and two logarithmic scales.
• Auto Reset: Toggles whether releasing the mouse button on the XY pad will cause the device to jump back to the specified values, much like an auto-centring joystick.
• Show/Hide Parameters: The small arrow button next to the XY pad allows you to show/hide the parameters.