Add a "stairs" automation type

[broh]

Not sure this “stairs” is the right word to describe what I would like to have natively in Renoise, but some screenshots might help understanding it.

When drawing automations, we can choose between “Lines” (default), “Points” and “Curves”.
For specific kind of parameters automations (for a example a synced LFO rate, an ARP style or something), since that’s parameters that triggers only on specific values and not the whole “line”, I like to use points.

However, when using hardware synths and sending automations through MIDI, it can sometimes miss a point for some reason, which makes me need to actually have real lines so that changes happens even when there is a miss.

When I convert a “Points” automation to lines, here is what I get, which seems completely normal since it’s just linking my points, into lines.

However, back to my example, if those points were for example 1/4, 1/16 and 1/8, having those lines might just make it switch too early if I’m not EXACTLY on the breakpoint from 1/4 to 1/16, and even “pass” to 1/8 on the way from 1/4 to 1/16 which is not what I want.

Here is what I would expect of this new automation type, not sure exactly how to describe it.

Maybe it would be possible to have a 4th option alongside “Lines”, “Points” and “Curves” which would basically be what I describe ? Currently I’m just switching to lines, remove the time “magnet” and manually create those “stairs” where needed, which can be a pain.

[Mano.G]

I’ve been working on a trio of Shapers (Volume and Pan for the sample editor and an Automation one) for quite some time. Still testing them though. You can give it a try.

MG Automation Shaper v1.38.xrnx (93.9 KB)

[esaruoho]

gotta say, looks real good, @Mano.G

[broh]

Have to admit I’m not sure it fixes my exact issue, but nonetheless it looks good and I’ll try it! Thanks!

[Mano.G]

You’re right… I misread the details of your issue. Here’s a version of the trio of my shapers with a “hold” function. You can either turn a normal node to a “hold” one, or turn the whole envelope to “hold”. As long as the Hold checkbox is enabled, anything you draw is turned into “stairs”. Hope that solves your issue

MG Envelope Shapers v1.33.xrnx (192.6 KB)

[broh]

Wow, this one seems to be the perfect one! Gotta try it right away lol

After 5 minutes of playing with it, it seems perfect for what I want to do, thanks!
Just have a few questions:

• would it be possible to make the “hold” steps even more precise ? it seems that the straight “stair” line isn’t the straightess possible (can still drag it a few ms)
• Also, didn’t find the option to turn a node into a Hold one, just the whole enveloppe “hold” feature (which solve my issue in 95% of the cases lol)
• Last one: when we don’t enable “Auto Apply”, how can we actually apply things ?

Good job!
Seems a bit laggy sometimes, especially when Auto Read is on, and bi-direction between “real” enveloppe editor and yours seems not to always catch changes but for small things it’s not an issue.

Let me know if you would prefer me to post this in another thread if you have a dedicated one for the tool

EDIT: you updated it with v1.33 in between lol, will try the new one
EDIT2: seems to be kind of the same but again, nice tool!

[Mano.G]

I will get back tomorrow with details regarding your questions.

[Mano.G]

As I said, these tools are currently WIP. I still test, add/tweak features and try to find the best UX implementations possible. At the same time I create a collection of icons on all four sizes to match the corresponding built in Renoise UI scaling (with the intent to use the same consistent icons across all of my tools - the ones marked in pink are meant to replace buttons and other UI elements such as curve presets, seed randomizer, etc.).

would it be possible to make the “hold” steps even more precise ? it seems that the straight “stair” line isn’t the straightess possible (can still drag it a few ms)

On version 1.33, two nodes are always right next to each other - when on hold mode - without a long interpolation curve. Even the native envelope editor, can not align one top of each other perfectly.

Also, didn’t find the option to turn a node into a Hold one, just the whole enveloppe “hold” feature (which solve my issue in 95% of the cases lol)

This is a bit tricky because currently right clicking a node, removes it. So if you select a node and right click next to it you get the context menu with one of the options being to turn the node into “hold”. Perhaps I should reconsider the right click on node implementation, it’s not that intuitive I admit.

when we don’t enable “Auto Apply”, how can we actually apply things ?

Initially, there was an Apply button. Upon testing I decided that Auto-apply should be always on by default and after adding more buttons and UI elements, I removed it completely. But, as you said, the tool becomes laggy, especially when two many nodes are present on the graph. So, the Apply button is going to return at some point, after I redesign the UI using the icons, and rearrange stuff to be more intuitive and easy on the eyes.

…and bi-direction between “real” enveloppe editor and yours seems not to always catch changes but for small things it’s not an issue.

Yes, because when firing up the tool and there is an automation envelope already, the tool tries to recreate an approximation of it, but do not have the ability to read curve tensions and copy it 100%. Sadly, I haven’t found a way to overcome this limitation.

[broh]

Oops sorry I didn’t reply earlier!

@Mano.G

On version 1.33, two nodes are always right next to each other - when on hold mode - without a long interpolation curve. Even the native envelope editor, can not align one top of each other perfectly.

What I meant it that the curve (altough very small) seems a bit less curvier than with native automation editor, since I can still move the points in the standard automation editor after applying stairs. It’s very small but still (you may have a rounding error somewhere in the code)

@Mano.G

This is a bit tricky because currently right clicking a node, removes it. So if you select a node and right click next to it you get the context menu with one of the options being to turn the node into “hold”. Perhaps I should reconsider the right click on node implementation, it’s not that intuitive I admit.

Oh right, I tried right clicking and it deleted it. Knowing right clicking next to it will do the trick!
Just a suggestion, you could just add a “Delete” option in the menu when right clicking so that right click can be done on the point. Bonus if it behaves like the native automations editor: delete a point by double clicking on it, not right click.