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. Automation in Renoise can be done in two ways: Graphically or with Pattern Effect Commands. Every DSP device in Renoise can be automated. Automation of plug-in instruments is also done via Track FX, by using an *Automation Device.

Creating Automation

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 across the top with numbers that correspond to the line numbers in the Pattern Editor, so the x-axis displays time. The values of the current parameter are shown up and down on the y-axis.

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

Automation State Icons

When an Automation exists for the current pattern, the parameter in the list to the left has a small blue icon next to it (colour can vary with different Themes). The same blue icon appears next to the parameter in the Track DSPs tab. If a parameter has Automation but it is not active in the current pattern, then the icon will be grey (again, this colour can vary according to the Theme).

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

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. Clicking, holding and moving with the right mouse button will draw a series of points, allowing you to quickly draw a shape.

• "Left Shift" + Moving points will remove all points that the mouse pointer touches.
• "Left Control" + Dragging a point will fine-tune its value. "Control" + Hovering over a point will display the point's value.
• "Left Alt" + Drag will move a selection of points up, down, left or right. Dragging with the right mouse button will rescale the points instead of moving them.
• "Left Alt + Left Control" + Dragging will move the points to new values but lock their pattern line positions.

Clicking and dragging on the rulers above and below the envelope will select an area. Right clicking opens a context menu with various options to affect the selection.

Editing with the Keyboard

If you middle-mousebutton-click on the envelope, or right-click on the small rulers above and below the envelope 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 select parts of the envelope, hold down the "Left Shift" key while moving the cursor.
• 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.

For other operations like copy/paste, right-click on the small rulers above and below the envelope to open the context menu.

Automation Tools

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

• 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 value.png - Shows the value of the currently selected point. Double-click to enter a new value.

• File:Vvoois renoise automation zoom.png - Choose the zoom factor of the envelope view.

• File:Vvoois renoise automation3.png - Select the envelope type:
  • Point: 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 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:Vvoois renoise automation yflip.png - Flip the curve or points in the current selection across the vertical-axis (flip values).
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation xflip.png - Flip the curve or points in the current selection across the horizontal-axis (flip times).
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation humanise.png - Add a small amount of randomisation to each value for a more "human" feel.

• Generate tools:
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation gencurve.png - Generate a smoothly rising logarithmic curve. Use the flip buttons after generating to create other curves.
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation genrandom.png - Generate a random envelope.

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 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.

Tips

To create Automations which cover more than one pattern, you can use a small trick to set up the correct start and end points. Let's say we want to create a volume ramp from -INF dB to 0 dB over multiple patterns:

1. Go to the first pattern and set the volume to -INF.
2. Go to the Automation Editor and double-click the volume parameter in the parameter list. This will create one point at -INF at the beginning of the envelope.
3. Add another point at -24 dB at the end of the envelope.
4. Switch over to the next pattern.
5. Again, double-click the volume parameter in the parameter list. This will now create one point at -24 dB, the parameter's last Automation value.
6. Repeat the same procedure for the next patterns until you reached 0 dB.