Introduction To Renoise
Main Screen
Welcome to Renoise. This introduction to the Renoise interface will familiarise you with the main components of the Renoise interface and explain their basic function. You can also find two additional introductions linked below.
Beginners Video Tutorial
If you prefer videos, then you should take a look at the Beginners Tutorial Video. It provides a step by step guide to creating a song and is perfect for those new to Renoise or computer composing in general.
Quickstart Guide
Alternatively, you can check out the Quickstart Tutorial. This PDF guide briefly explains the main concepts of Renoise and is recommended for those who are already familiar with other music applications.
Main Screen Overview
Renoise is significantly different from most other music creation packages and consequently it looks different. When you load Renoise for the first time you will be presented with something similar to this:
File:Vvoois renoise first look.png
Now we will briefly go through the main areas of the Renoise interface. Note the links in blue, which you can click for more detailed information about the various components.
Upper Status Bar
Located at the very top of the interface is the Upper Status Bar.
File:Vvoois renoise first look status indicators.png
The left section of the status bar offers a variety of menu options. To the right of this is a VU meter showing the current master volume level, the MIDI controls (a MIDI Mapping button, MIDI I/O LEDs), Song Timer and the current CPU usage.
Song Controls
Just below the Upper Status Bar on the left-hand side are the basic Song Controls.
File:Vvoois renoise first look song controls.png
From here you can start/stop the song and access basic editing features such as Edit Mode (record) and the metronome.
Disk Browser / Scopes
To the right of the Song Controls panel are the Disk Browser and Scopes.
File:Vvoois renoise first look diskop scopes.png
Using the Disk Browser you can load or save songs, instruments, samples, DSP chains and skins/themes. Upon first loading Renoise you will see a list of demo songs here. Double click on a song to load it, then press play to see and hear Renoise in action.
The various Scopes help you to visually analyse the song. Switch between the Scopes and Disk Browser using the four tabs located above this area.
Instrument Selector
To the right of the Disk Browser / Scopes area is the Instrument Selector.
File:Vvoois renoise first look instrument table.png
The Instrument Selector allows you to select the instrument that you wish to play or record with, using either the computer keyboard or an external MIDI keyboard. If they are loaded in, VST/AU or external MIDI instruments will also appear in this section.
GUI presets/switching
Directly above the Instrument Selector are a series of buttons that are used to affect the GUI.
File:Vvoois renoise first look gui controls.png
The set of eight global preset buttons are used to switch between various sections of the interface and are accessed by either clicking on them or pressing F1 - F8 on the keyboard. Renoise comes with eight presets already stored by default.
To the right of this are two buttons which show/hide the upper or lower sections of the interface and the full screen button, which fully obscures the desktop.
Pattern Sequencer
Located at the far left of the screen is the Pattern Sequencer.
File:Vvoois renoise first look sequencer editor.png
Renoise uses a sequence of patterns to arrange the structure of a song and the Pattern Sequencer is used to create, copy and organise your patterns.
Pattern Editor
To the right of the Pattern Sequencer and occupying the main central space is the Pattern Editor.
File:Vvoois renoise first look pattern editor.png
This is the main tool for composing and editing within Renoise. Although it may look intimidating to beginners, the method of adding/recording notes into tracks using the Pattern Editor is actually incredibly simple.
Track DSPs
Beneath the central area is the Track DSPs panel:
File:Vvoois renoise first look dsp property pane.png
This displays and controls all of the effects that are being applied to the current track (the track which the cursor is in). Besides the typical DSP effects (Renoise/VST/AU/LADSPA) you can also assign routing devices to send/receive audio, and meta devices such as LFOs that do not affect audio, but are instead used to alter parameters and automation.
Lower Status Bar
Finally, at the very bottom is the Lower Status Bar.
File:Vvoois renoise first look status info bar.png
At significant points Renoise will display information regarding its status and current operations here. If you wish to see the Tip of the Day dialog box again, click on the Renoise logo at the right.
Guide yourself through the interface: Tooltips
If you prefer exploring things by your own, then watch out for tool tips. Nearly every button in Renoise will provide you a small tip about what its for, what it does. To see those tips, hover a button or a part of the interface and rest the mouse pointer for a short while.
Renoise Workflow: Learning the Keys
While also supporting drag and drop and other mouse based gestures, Renoise is a keyboard based application. There are lots of shortcuts available for everything. Thats what what makes it so fast and at the end so comfortable to use. The more you are getting used to them, the more quickly you will be able to write songs and get in touch with the Renoise workflow.
To get an overview about all shortcuts, you can view and print them by clicking on “Help->List Keyboard Shortcuts...”. If you are interested in specific shortcuts, then try right clicking a component to open up a context menu. There many shortcuts are noted as well. All keyboard shortcuts can of course also be customized in the preferences.
Happy discovering of Renoise and thanks for reading this manual!