Graphical Automation

Automation

Automation is a change of a parameters value in time. A parameter in our case is any FX device parameter, like for example Cutoff and Resonance in a Filter FX. Another example: If you want to fade in a track by changing its volume, you either do this in real-time while playing back the song and record the volume changes, or you can draw a curve that does exactly this: changing the volume from -INF dB to 0 dB.

Automation in Renoise can be done in two ways: Graphically, that's what this chapter is about, and 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 create automation is to record it. This can be done by clicking and moving a DSP effects slider with the right mouse button while playing back the song. Depending on the automation setting in the Pattern Editors Control Bar (File:Vvoois renoise pc dsp automation.png or File:Vvoois renoise pc dsp automation active.png) your changes will then be recorded as pattern effects or as graphical envelopes.

To quickly create an empty automation and switch over to the automation editor for a parameter, you can also click on the small rectangle next to each parameter on the right:

(automation rectangles next to the parameter are green for the first three parameters here)

Automation Editor

The automation editor has two main parts. On the left you will see a list of all available automateable parameters for the the currently active track. Next to it is an envelope editor where you will draw and edit the automation. The grid in the envelope labeled and timed like the "lines" in the Pattern Editor.

To create an automation, simply select the parameter on the left first, then click somewhere in the grid. This will create an automation with one point only. Alternatively you can also double click the name of the parameter on the left. This will create an envelope with one point as well. This point has the parameters actual value.

You'll now notice that the parameter in the list on the left has got a small gree icon next to it. This means there is an automation present for the current pattern. If you switch over to the Track DSPs tab again to see the FX, you'll notice the same green icon there as well.

If you now switch over to a new pattern, you'll still notice a small icon at those places, but this icon is no longer green. This means, there is automation somewhere in the song, but not in the current pattern.

Automation Tools

File:Vvoois renoise automation4.pngThe toolbar below the curve contains from left to right:

• File:Vvoois renoise automation copy.png - copies current (selected) curve-values into memory
• File:Vvoois renoise automation paste.png - Pastes curve-values from current clipboard into the curve-window.
• File:Vvoois renoise automation cut.png - Removes the curve and automatically disables the automation for this effect parameter.
• File:Vvoois renoise automation value.png - Value of the current selected node, this can be manually adjusted by double-clicking it and change it to the exact value you desire.
• File:Vvoois renoise automation zoom.png - Zoom mode, 4 levels to pick in cases your pattern sizes are huge.
• File:Vvoois renoise automation3.png - Play mode, this sets the curve shape to use.
• File:Vvoois renoise automation presets.png - Preset containers to store presets (right mouse = store, left mouse is recall)
• Process tools
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation yflip.png - Flip curve across vertical-axis
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation xflip.png - Flip curve across horizontal axis
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation humanise.png - Randomly change value of each node to a value around it’s current value.
• Generate tools
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation gencurve.png - Generate a smooth interpolated curve
  • File:Vvoois renoise automation genrandom.png - Generate a randomised curve.

Editing Automation Selectively

To select a specific area inside the automation window, click and drag the region in the time-line bar of the automation window. You can also choose to copy and paste the area into the automation window in another preset on any arbitrary position of the automation curve. If there currently no automation envelope exists, the contents will be automatically pasted into the beginning. You can even paste the contents of the automation envelope to the instrument envelopes and vice versa.File:Vvoois renoise automation copy.gif