Automation Vs. Channel Commands

Help, Support & Bugs Beginners Questions - Renoise
1

Hey everybody,

I am sitting here curious to know what do you think about automation vs. channel commands.
I mean, I think I know the technical differences of each, but I find myself moving back and forth between the two methods.

I must admit, I had the same situation with the pre and post volume and panning controls but in this regard the answer was more obvious - I use post controls for mixing and balancing, and the pre controls for automating the volume and pan.

The one big thing I do not like about automation, and therefore used channel effects column is that copying the automation is less straight forward than copying channel commands - and it is more hidden than the channel commands, but the channel commands are taking expensive screen real-estate.

Any thoughts?

P.S. Ctrl+Shift+Left Arrow does not hide the effects column, if it is the only effects column - I think it should.

2

both, it just depends on what you are doing.
your sequencing & instrument effects:
are all pattern based commands.
while your audio effects:
are all about the automation.

then a point comes when they merge together.

3

fluid vs. less-fluid

4

Thats all good and makes total sense.
Thanks for sharing.

Is there a way to copy all the envelopes from one track to another, at a single step? I mean other than copying the track and erasing the notes.

5

constantly chaning values => automation

switches, exact values, one-time values => pattern commands

6

You guys thought of everything.
I must say that in my opinion, no other software (in any field) comes close to the level of details in user interface that Renoise is showing.

Are the identities of the Chief Architect and GUI Designer public? I would like to build a statue in their form and put it in my garden… :)

7

Nice rule.
I think I will adopt it.

8

Also, when song position is changed, automation envelopes are updated whereas pattern commands are ignored (can be set in preferences > misc)

9

You know, one thing that I feel a little sorry is unavailable (or maybe it is and I didnt find it?) is the ability to edit envelope on a multi-pattern basis.
I am assuming I am not the only one whos using at least 4 patterns to represent a song section - I usually span my effects across the 4 patterns as if they were one.

For example, the volume starts at 0 at pattern one and slides up to maximum at pattern 4.

I guess there is no shortcut here is there?

EDIT:
It just occurred to me, maybe I should use 256 rows per pattern instead of 64? Put all 4 boxes in one pattern.
Good or bad idea? It is a little harder to edit, but the F9-F12 are quite helpful.

10

yeah, multi pattern envelopes is surely on the to-do list, been mentioned here plenty of times before. Using longer patterns from the start is an option, though you can also ‘merge’ already existing patterns. The automation envelopes will be merged automatically as well.

Select the patterns you want to join in the pattern arranger to the complete left of the screen, right click on a number and select ‘join selection’ (= ctrl + j)

11

thanks for the merge tip - really helpful, really smart.

12

i always use patten commands because
no need for acurate automation
and automation patterns are not showed in patern editor - witch track has automation envelopes or doesnt…

13

track 01 has automation => has that wave sign on the right of the “PLAY” label

14

Yes, agree with these points.
But I must say that after my postings in this thread, I have attempted to change my methods, and the results were much better than my previous tracks.

I am now working on 256 row patterns instead of 64 - meaning I combine 4 verses in one pattern, instead of having 4 patterns as I used to.
I am now using automation almost exclusively.
I like the accuracy.
I use F9-F12 and Numpad Enter heavily.

I agree that it is sometimes difficult to keep track of what is automated where, but I do not think Renoise could have done any better job in this area. I see the small Automation or Commands led near the parameter, I click it and voila.

One suggestion I have, in case some Renoise people read this, is to be able to see envelope overlay.
I would love to be able to see one envelope on top of the other - just two is enough, and forcing both to be of the same track, is also enough.
So you can see Panning on top of Volume etc.

Also - one thing in this regard bothers me quite a lot - when you press RCtrl or RAlt, they affect the “Pattern Repeat” toggle - so that the next time you use RWin button, it is influenced by whatever was pressed before Alr or Ctrl - this drives me crazy.

But its all just nitpicking - Renoise is so perfect, but we still need to feel that e are contributing, so we are looking for things to improve anyway right? :)