So, continuing from my thread about MIDI keyboards / controllers, I’d like to ask your advice on what works better with Renoise (for electronic music - psychedelic trance, dub/ambient, etc.):
pots (potentiometers) - i.e. the knobs that have a 270 degree cone & min / max range, OR
encoders - i.e. the “endless” knobs rotating full 360 degrees
As far as I understand, pots work great for parameters in your song that usually don’t change dynamically and are not automated (e.g. mixer volumes, panning, etc.) while encoders are better suited to control the values that are changing over time (e.g. filter cut-off, resonance, LFO, reverb strength, distortion drive). Obviously this is not a “rule” written in stone, but a practical consideration - e.g. if I have my cut-off pot on “max” but automation in the song changed the current cut-off level to 50%, then turning the pot will make the filter “jump” to near max value and then decrease it accordingly. With encoders the turn of the knob only tells the direction and speed of the change I want to make, so there’s no sudden “jumping” but on the downside it’s probably less expressive, i.e. it takes more turns to go from min to max?
In other words - pots set the current value to the desired level within specified range, while encoders change current value up or down by desired amount.
Am I getting this right? If so, which ones do you prefer or - as I’d imagine - it is best to have a controller(s) with both knob types?
Also,I guess I’m looking for a setup where if I have let’s say three plugins playing at once (bass, acid, lead), those are send to their effects (delays, reverbs, etc.) and I have 8 knobs - of whatever type - available then I want to assign e.g. 1 knob to bass, 2 to acid, 2 to lead and 3 to the effects so that I’m able to control all of them simultaneously (with my 8 hands ) without switching from one track / instrument to the other. Can I do that in Renoise and have the manipulations recorded on the fly?
Generally speaking, pots are good for mixing but endless encoders with some kind of LED are the most all-round useful ones - especially when they support relative messages - you can then control a parameter really fine-grained, since the encoder will allow you to make quite precise movements.
e.g. if I have my cut-off pot on “max” but automation in the song changed the current cut-off level to 50%, then turning the pot will make the filter “jump” to near max value and then decrease it accordingly. With encoders the turn of the knob only tells the direction and speed of the change I want to make, so there’s no sudden "jumping
True, but the software can be smart about this too. It’s called parameter pick-up, and basically will ignore messages from the controller until you reach a threshold value in which the controller and the value you’re adjusting are in sync. Then it “picks up” and lets you control the value.
This feature is not built into Renoise, but can be achieved via scripting. For example, I’ve implemented such a feature in the Duplex mixer.
Would you also be able to shed some light on my 2nd question - is it possible (without scripting, preferably)? Can I do that and will Renoise record it properly?
Also,I guess I’m looking for a setup where if I have let’s say three plugins playing at once (bass, acid, lead), those are send to their effects (delays, reverbs, etc.) and I have 8 knobs - of whatever type - available then I want to assign e.g. 1 knob to bass, 2 to acid, 2 to lead and 3 to the effects so that I’m able to control all of them simultaneously (with my 8 hands ) without switching from one track / instrument to the other.
Can I do that in Renoise and have the manipulations recorded on the fly?
I tried endless encoders, and find they are not so good for recording/live tweaking/automation. The absolute knobs are much better for this, you have intrinsic control over the exact position of the parameter, and the 270° make one wrist turn zoom over the whole range. Also the visual/tactile feedback via a physical notch on the knob and the stopping points is better than the vague led rings of endless knobs. And while keeping the whole range at grasp, you will have the same very exact feel for smaller delicate tweakings.
Endless encoders in relative mode are better however for dialing in sounds especially when switching instruments a lot - they are always at current parameter position, and never jump the values when touched the first time for an instrument. If you practice or know no other, you should also be able to record tweakings with them, I just think it is harder than with absolute knobs. Maybe it also depends on build quality and resolution of the endless encoders. If they feature acceleration of some kind (like making bigger jumps when turned faster), forget them for recording/live tweaking unless you can turn the acceleration off and still have high resolution.
Renoise can record parameters from midi gear, but not perfect - one point value per line currently, to graph automation or pattern data? I think there’s tools to circumvent this in hackish ways. We all are hoping situation will become better with future version. As for everything else - look for the midi mapping options, basically you fire it up, select a parameter, wiggle the control while keeping other controls quiet, and the parameter is mapped and can be controlled via midi. You can almost control anything this way, also multiple parameters at once. To control VSTs you should use the instr.Automation device, not direct midi mapping, so everything including recording automation is kept in renoise hands. Midi mappings are global and not bound to an instrument. I’m actually thinking about writing a tool that does the opposite, and make midi mapping sets bound to the currently selected instrument & switch mapped parameters automatically…
I tried endless encoders, and find they are not so good for recording/live tweaking/automation. The absolute knobs are much better for this, you have intrinsic control over the exact position of the parameter, and the 270° make one wrist turn zoom over the whole range. Also the visual/tactile feedback via a physical notch on the knob and the stopping points is better than the vague led rings of endless knobs. And while keeping the whole range at grasp, you will have the same very exact feel for smaller delicate tweakings.
Endless encoders in relative mode are better however for dialing in sounds especially when switching instruments a lot - they are always at current parameter position, and never jump the values when touched the first time for an instrument. If you practice or know no other, you should also be able to record tweakings with them, I just think it is harder than with absolute knobs. Maybe it also depends on build quality and resolution of the endless encoders. If they feature acceleration of some kind (like making bigger jumps when turned faster), forget them for recording/live tweaking unless you can turn the acceleration off and still have high resolution.
Renoise can record parameters from midi gear, but not perfect - one point value per line currently, to graph automation or pattern data? I think there’s tools to circumvent this in hackish ways. We all are hoping situation will become better with future version. As for everything else - look for the midi mapping options, basically you fire it up, select a parameter, wiggle the control while keeping other controls quiet, and the parameter is mapped and can be controlled via midi. You can almost control anything this way, also multiple parameters at once. To control VSTs you should use the instr.Automation device, not direct midi mapping, so everything including recording automation is kept in renoise hands. Midi mappings are global and not bound to an instrument. I’m actually thinking about writing a tool that does the opposite, and make midi mapping sets bound to the currently selected instrument & switch mapped parameters automatically…
) without switching from one track / instrument to the other. Can I do that in Renoise and have the manipulations recorded on the fly?
) without switching from one track / instrument to the other.