I would like to suggest a workflow feature that could make mixing and comparing tracks much easier.
Would it be possible to make the Master Track visually detachable and movable in both the Pattern Editor and Mixer, without changing the actual track order, signal flow or routing?
For example, normally you would have:
Track 1 | Track 2 | Track 3 | Track 4 | Master
But temporarily, for comparison, you could position the Master visually between tracks:
Track 1 | Master | Track 2 | Track 3 | Track 4
The Master would still remain the actual Master internally. Nothing about the audio routing, processing chain or track order would change. Only its visual position would change.
This could be useful when comparing the Master directly against individual tracks or groups of tracks.
For example:
- compare the Master against the kick and bass
- compare Master automation against a synth
- compare levels and dynamics between the Master and drums
- inspect the relationship between the Master and several tracks without constantly scrolling back and forth
Ideally, this would work in both views:
Pattern Editor:
Allow the Master Track to appear next to whichever tracks are currently being edited.
Mixer:
Allow the Master channel to be visually positioned next to selected channels for direct comparison.
The important distinction is that this should be a visual/layout function only. The actual signal routing and logical position of the Master would remain exactly as they are.
In other words, it would be a way of saying:
“Show the Master here for comparison”
rather than:
“Move the Master here in the audio routing.”
I think this could provide a very useful way of comparing the overall mix against individual tracks while keeping the existing Renoise workflow completely intact.