Wouldn’t it be nice to just draw something and that would drive some musical changes? The Drawtomator allows you to do this by assigning effect parameters to the X and Y axis of your drawing. However, this is more a proof of concept than a reliable automation device.
When you create an FX Chain within the Sampler, by default, that instrument will be then restricted to playing on a single track in Renoise, or a single output bus in Redux. However, an FX Chain’s output can be changed to route the audio to a specific track or output bus, and this can be different for each FX Chain.
The Sidechain device sends its audio signal to an effect that’s in a different track or sampler fx chain. This allows the receiving effect’s behaviour to be controlled by an audio source other than one that it’s actually processing.
A ghost note is a note in the Pattern/Phrase Editor that’s had its instrument or sample number removed by the user. When played it will retrigger the most recently played instrument/sample in its column, but with some useful differences from the normal behaviour.
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Effect commands offer a lot of control over instruments and this series has presented the major uses for each one, hopefully inspiring you to experiment with them in your audio projects. However, there are some non-obvious but useful quirks worth highlighting; either a specific application of techniques, or combos where different effect commands interact.
Equalization or EQ is the process of adjusting the balance of frequencies within an audio signal, enhancing or reducing certain elements to help them sit appropriately within the overall mix. To this end, Renoise provides three such tools to aid in your quest for mixing magic.
The Signal Follower measures the volume level at the location that it’s placed in a track or sampler fx chain and then uses its controls to craft an output signal from that volume input. The output is sent to a destination, which automates the chosen parameter of the chosen effect.
A Gate reduces the volume of the input signal while it is below a specific Threshold, but when it rises above this the Gate ‘opens’ allowing the original audio to be heard at its full volume. For example, this can be used to silence a constant low noise floor, or to reduce the low volume parts of a complex waveform (such as drum loops).
The Stepper device is found within the Modulation section of the Sampler and at first glance performs a pretty simple function: every time a note is played, the cursor moves forward in the envelope, changing the output value. However, there’s actually a lot more control available to you than it initially appears.
