[RWP] Automation

Fri May 24 00:31:22 EDT 2013

Hey, talk about going over the same ground; just today I read a request 
in a Cockos forum for a macro to nudge the volume up or down in larger 
steps, with the nudge action repeated again and again in a macro.
I believe, unless I'm asleep, that there's already  an SWS action to do 
that.
Tomorrow I'll google for it again.
I am getting bone tired, so don't want to go to Reaper now, but is 
alt+up or down arrow the one that's available at all times in either 
track view or effects view?
I never use it, but I remember a shortcut that always controls volume, I 
think that's the one you used for automation?
You know, I'm believing that the reason it works is it's a native Reaper 
shortcut, not something that Ivan invented.
However, some of ReaAccess was already there in straight Reaper.
I haven't confirmed it with sighted help yet, but there's a thing called 
the track control panel to the left of each track; which might be the 
thing we're accessing with our tab key in track view.

Tomorrow I'll try alt+up/down arrow , and look for methods of getting 
larger nudges.
I vaguely remember going over this nudging by larger increments subject, 
and think there's a quicker volume up down in another menu, maybe track 
properties, or item properties, that really moves the volume quickly, 
but it might not be automatable.
I remember that if you press home volume shoots immediately to 
infinitely high; and end takes volume to Infinitely low
Page up and down makes volume change by huge steps, like at least 1 db 
steps, or larger; when up and down arrow is changing volume by a 
fraction of a DB.
I'll look for that menu or sub menu tomorrow.
You're making great progress.
Indi

  5/23/2013 10:22 PM, Jim Snowbarger wrote:
> Ok,  I got reaper to record volume automation just as I described
> before, except using alt+downArrow.
> Tabbing to volume doesn't seem to work.
> The problem at the moment, is that alt+up and down arrow are attached to
> the action  track: nudge volume up or down, which moves in tiny little
> steps.
>
> Indigo, if you have your script established, I'm not that far yet, try
> writing a script that does  that action ten times per script call.   it
> would be nice if that key  moved in at least 1 db steps.  The tiny
> little micro DB steps it currently makes are ridiculously slow, and you
> could never mix on the fly like that.
>
>
> I'm trying to find the name of that API call,  RPR something, that lets
> you run an action from a reaper script.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Indigo" <33indigo at charter.net>
> To: "Reapers Without Peepers" <rwp at reaaccess.com>
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 10:37 AM
> Subject: Re: [RWP] Automation
>
>
> Hi Jim,
> I think Automation Mode Write should have been still showing when you
> went back to your track automation mode settings, so something turned
> that off and changed the display to trim off.
> The standard reaper instructions call for mouse moves to alter volume,
> pan, whatever during write; so must be that we will need to emulate
> mouse moves, instead of changing volume from the track settings at the
> tab key.
> Do you have any fader on a keyboard you can assign to a parameter?
> My Yamaha MM6 sends all its panel controls out by default; plus the
> Edirol PCR-300 sits just above My keyboard, and is enabled as a control
> surface, so always has a couple of controls that change some parameter
> in most synths; even without using midi learn
> How about your Peavey unit; did you enable it as a control surface?
>   Whatever it controls could demonstrate automation writing and reading.
>
> Even if not in the supported list, anything that transmits midi messages
> can be enabled in preferences to send controller data.
> My Edirol PCR, also my old M-Audio Trigger Finger, even an ancient Akai
> MM16 from back in the late eighties; all not supported, all send data as
> well as the supported Behringer BCF2000 does.
> Still, it would be nice to get hold of writing automation without any
> external gear.
> I'm guessing Ivan didn't enable controls in the tab key track control
> panel for generating automation data.
> That doesn't cripple us forever, we find another way.
> Here's what S O S magazine says about it:
> snip:
> You can generate automation data from software knob/fader movements or
> from an external MIDI controller, or draw it in using a mouse, and the
> resulting envelopes are all superimposed on the audio waveform or MIDI
> data, which makes it easy to synchronise your moves.
> You can then either draw in automation for any enabled and visible
> parameters using the mouse, or capture the movements of any
> mixer/plug-in parameter by 'arming' it, selecting write mode, moving the
> control with your mouse while playing back the song, and finally
> switching to Read mode to replay your moves. If you've got a MIDI
> controller you can also use the automation Learn mode to link a
> particular hardware button, knob, or fader to a particular parameter.
> There's plenty of scope for automation editing, too, and although in
> many cases drawing in the alterations with your mouse is probably the
> easiest approach, you can instead use latch or touch modes to do this
> while you move the controls in question. Latch starts capturing the
> modified data once you first move a control and continues until the song
> stops, while touch stops capturing data once you stop adjusting the value.
> End Snip.
>  From a tip Roy Shtupler provided, I have used Automation Mode Touch to
> do another action, to not begin recording the track at the beginning of
> measure 1, but to wait to begin recording until you press the first note
> key on your midi keyboard, so automation is not dead to everything  is
> sent from an ordinary midi keyboard.
> I'll try finding some control available by ReaAccess means to learn if
> anything Ivan set up generates automation data.Otherwise, one or more of
> the mouse modifier actions might be easy enough to assign a shortcut to,
> and might be used, with some thought about it.
> In Reaper; where there's a will there's a way.I never would have thought
> to make the metronome preroll into a way of limiting recording length to
> 2 or 4 measures, but someone in the forums did.
> Thanks,
> Indi
>
> .
>
>
> On 5/22/2013 10:58 PM, Jim Snowbarger wrote:
>> Indigo, thanks for the snip.
>> I tried translating this into non-mousey language, but so far couldn't
>> make it work.
>> Here is what I tried.
>> In the track menu, envelopes, toggle volume active is checked.
>>
>> Return to the track view, on the selected trac, and use the tab key to
>> find record automation, and set it to write, pressed enter and return to
>> track view.
>>
>> Pressed tab again, and located volume, set it to 0DB and pressed enter.
>> Started playback, pressed tab while playing, and mucked with volume to
>> create obvious changes.  Press enter.
>> Stop playback.
>> Tab key to find automation,  it had changed to Trim off.
>> I was surprised about that.  Changed it to read, and pressed enter.
>> playback showed no volume changes.
>> No automation was recorded.
>> Must be that my mousey back translator failed.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Indigo" <33indigo at charter.net>
>> To: "Reapers Without Peepers" <rwp at reaaccess.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 5:33 AM
>> Subject: Re: [RWP] Routing Tracks to master track
>>
>>
>> Automation and drawing envelopes is very similar in Reaper.
>> In the Track menu you have the option; Set Automation Mode.
>> Arrow right on that and you get the modes, write, read, latch and trim.
>> You can also set the track's automation mode per track by tabbing to
>> automation mode in track view, and arrowing to the desired mode.
>> When setting automation mode with the tab key and arrows, click enter to
>> save settings.
>> In track menu arrow down a couple more spaces and you get the option;
>> Envelope submenu.
>> Arrow right on that and you get the various parameters to activate for
>> writing automation, like volume, pan, etcetera.
>>
>> In actions you also have a load of mouse modifier options for editing
>> the envelope shape and points, available to us by assigning shortcuts to
>> them to carry out the mouse movements.
>> Here's the Cockos Wiki on Automation:
>> Snip:
>> Automation
>> Main Page > REAPER Documentation, going further
>> Contents [
>> 1 What is Automation?
>> 2 Creating Automation
>> 3 Managing Envelopes
>> 4 Writing Automation
>> 5 Automation Write Example
>> 6 Automation and Envelope Defaults
>> What is Automation?
>> Automation is one of the most useful features of REAPER.
>> It enables you to ensure that when your project is played back, changes
>> in such things as volume level or panning for different tracks can be
>> remembered and played back in real time, with the project. At its
>> simplest, for example, you can use automation to lift the volume of a
>> lead instrument during a particular break or passage, or to add a little
>> presence or warmth to the odd phrase here or there on a vocal track, to
>> make it stand out in the mix a touch more. As you will see in this
>> section, that’s only the beginning. When used well, Automation delivers
>> the power to produce exactly the mix that you want.
>> Creating Automation
>> REAPER makes available to you two methods of automating your projects.
>> Both have their own advantages. Try them both – you can use either
>> method in your projects or a combination of both, as you prefer.
>> ?Writing Automation: When writing automation, you are able to instruct
>> REAPER to remember your actions – such as fading the volume control up
>> and down for any track or tracks – as your project is played. These
>> actions are used to create an envelope which is then reproduced when you
>> play back or mix down the track in the future (see example, right).
>> ?Drawn Envelopes: As an alternative to using your faders to create
>> envelopes, you can shape them manually. This give you a very fine degree
>> of control over your project. You can manually draw in envelopes which
>> will have the same effect as if actual fader movements had been recorded.
>> With both recorded and envelope automation, it is perfectly possible
>> (and quite easy) to edit the automation instructions afterwards, or to
>> remove them altogether if that’s what you want.
>> Managing Envelopes
>> Any track’s envelopes are managed by displaying the Envelopes Window for
>> that track. This is displayed by clicking on the track’s Envelope
>> button. You use this window, for example to:
>> ?Set the Automation Status for the track.
>> ?Create an envelope (eg for Volume or Pan).
>> ?To show or hide an envelope from view.
>> ?To Arm an envelope or Disarm it.
>> These issues will be explained and explored in the pages that follow.
>> Writing Automation
>> To create automation envelopes using the Write feature, use this method:
>> ?In the Track Control Panel, click on the Envelopes button to display
>> the list of parameters that can be automated.
>> ?Select the item you wish to automate, and make sure to also select the
>> options Visible and Arm.
>> ?Set Automation mode to Write.
>> ?Close the Envelopes window.
>> ?Position the Edit Cursor where you wish to start.
>> ?Play the song. As you do so, adjust the on screen control which
>> controls the parameter that you are automating.
>> ?Stop play when finished.
>> ?Right click over the Envelope button for that track and select
>> Automation Read.
>> ?Play the song. Listen and look!
>> Automation Write Example
>> ?Open your file "All Through the Night.RPP" (This is an example file
>> available on the Wiki Main Page). Save it as "All Through the Night
>> AUTO.RPP". We are going to add an automation envelope to the Bouzouki
>> track to fade this track up a little in the passage between the first
>> and second verses of this song.
>> ?Use your mouse to increase the height of the Bouzouki track. This isn’t
>> absolutely necessary, but makes it easier to see what you are doing.
>> ?Position the Edit Cursor just before the end of the first vocal passage
>> (see above).
>> ?Now click on the Envelopes button for the Bouzouki Track. Select Volume
>> and make it both Visible and Armed. Select the automation mode Write for
>> this track.
>> ?Close the Envelopes window. Notice that the Volume fader for this track
>> is now coloured red. The Envelope button displays a red dot.
>> ?Play the song.
>> ?As the instrumental passage starts, use your mouse to raise the fader
>> for the Bouzouki Volume by about a decibel. Hold it there, then at the
>> end of the instrumental break lower the fader to its original position.
>> Stop play.
>> ?Right click over the Envelope button for the Bouzouki track and choose
>> Automation Mode: Read from the context menu.
>> ?The fader for the Volume control from this track will now be green, and
>> your automation envelope should be clearly visible (see right).
>> ?Play the song. The volume fader for your bouzouki will automatically
>> move up and then down in accordance with the movements that you recorded.
>> ?Press Ctrl S to save this file.
>> Automation and Envelope Defaults
>> Before exploring any more of REAPER’s automation features, it’s worth
>> taking note of where your default Automation settings are stored. They
>> are in the Preferences window, on the Project Defaults page.
>> Here you can specify in particular:
>> ?The default automation mode for new tracks,
>> ?Whether or not envelopes are automatically armed as they are added.
>> Envelope defaults are stored on the Editing Behaviour, Mouse page.
>> Here you can specify how the mouse is to behave when you click on an
>> envelope. The two options are:
>> ?Adds a point,
>> ?Adjusts segment.
>> By default, click is set to add a point, Shift click is set to adjust
>> segment.
>> End Snip.
>>
>> On 5/21/2013 10:10 PM, Jim Snowbarger wrote:
>>> That's the nice thing about recording automation in Sonar, isn't it.
>>> you can basically draw your own envelopes with your fader control on
>>> your control surface.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Belle" <cb1963 at sbcglobal.net>
>>> To: "Reapers Without Peepers" <rwp at reaaccess.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 6:14 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [RWP] Routing Tracks to master track
>>>
>>>
>>>> So your essentially splitting out bits of audio and then doing volume
>>>> gain on them?
>>>>
>>>> Well, I guess that'd work for small volume changes, but splitting out
>>>> a clop or item in reaper land and doing a big change would probably
>>>> cause problems with audible pops and such.
>>>>
>>>> We really do need a better way to do automation with reaper.
>>>>
>>>> That and midi editing is kind of what's kept me from going all the way
>>>> with reaper.
>>>>
>>>> But there are things to love about this little swiss army knive.
>>>>
>>>> And ofcourse sighted people can draw envelopes and all that with sonar
>>>> or reaper, it doesn't matter for them.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Chesworth"
>>>> <scottchesworth at gmail.com>
>>>> To: "Reapers Without Peepers" <rwp at reaaccess.com>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 4:59 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [RWP] Routing Tracks to master track
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hey Chris,
>>>>>
>>>>> Using the latest version here. At one point I had a reason for that,
>>>>> but tbh it's been so long that I can't think what it was. Maybe next
>>>>> time I get a few days off I'll roll back to 3.78 and see what's
>>>>> missing. For now, I'm using item gain for volume and muting
>>>>> automation.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 5/20/13, Chris Belle <cb1963 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>>>> Hey, that's great.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Are you using 378 or a later version?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And what about working around things like automation?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Scott Chesworth" <scottchesworth at gmail.com>
>>>>>> To: "Reapers Without Peepers" <rwp at reaaccess.com>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 4:09 AM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [RWP] Routing Tracks to master track
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Tracking and/or mixing pretty much every day in Reaper now, for and
>>>>>>> with humans who are paying actual money.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Just sayin'...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 5/20/13, Chris Belle <cb1963 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Patrick like you though I use reaper for just a few little things,
>>>>>>>> I've
>>>>>>>> chosen to stay with the 3.78 version for the better fit with the
>>>>>>>> static
>>>>>>>> access development, because nothing messes with work flow as much
>>>>>>>> as not
>>>>>>>> being able to do basic i/o stuff efficiently.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I always went for the latest versions before but I'm finding I can
>>>>>>>> actually
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> do stuff now with reaper and it actually does what I told it to do.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What good is a newer version if you can't get to things, or it
>>>>>>>> breaks
>>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> that you had, and this is the worst kind of senario for new users,
>>>>>>>> even
>>>>>>>> old
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> hats visiting a new set of tools.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I easily created a loop, tuned it and made it the speed I wanted,
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> exported it, and whala,
>>>>>>>> no extra space in the loop, no why the hell didn't that work, with
>>>>>>>> 3.78
>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>> just works and everything talks right.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Of course when I get in to more advanced functions, i might take my
>>>>>>>> statement back, but for now I think I'll stay where your at.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Since you do lots of post production and have to do essential
>>>>>>>> repetitive
>>>>>>>> tasks real world
>>>>>>>> audio chores
>>>>>>>> I value your experience and I think your the only one maybe
>>>>>>>> besides Roy
>>>>>>>> who I personally know who's actually doing work with reaper.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Not to take away from the explorations others are doing and talking
>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>> but if there's a compelling reason to work with later versions and
>>>>>>>> put
>>>>>>>> up
>>>>>>>> with the broken access, I haven't heard it yet.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Maybe the better midi editing?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>> From: "Patrick Perdue" <patrick at pdaudio.net>
>>>>>>>> To: "Reapers Without Peepers" <rwp at reaaccess.com>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2013 9:25 PM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [RWP] Routing Tracks to master track
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Everything should already be routed to master, unless you
>>>>>>>>> specifically
>>>>>>>>> unrouted them all individually, or if your tracks are in a folder
>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>> isn't sending to the master send itself. That's how the default
>>>>>>>>> new
>>>>>>>>> project template works. All newly created tracks are automatically
>>>>>>>>> routed
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> to master. If you press shift+f5 (mute master track) and all your
>>>>>>>>> audio
>>>>>>>>> goes away, then you'll know all your tracks are, in fact,
>>>>>>>>> sending to
>>>>>>>>> master. You can also use shift+j or shift+k to read the peak
>>>>>>>>> meter of
>>>>>>>>> left/right, respectively, of master track's output in real time.
>>>>>>>>> Assuming
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> you are using Reaper 3.78, where you can still fully access all
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> right
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> context menus for routing, unlike 4.x versions, pressing
>>>>>>>>> shift+context
>>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> any highlighted track (it's a bit different for folders,) and
>>>>>>>>> one of
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> options is "master track." Check or uncheck that box to
>>>>>>>>> route/unroute
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> selected track from master here.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 5/19/2013 9:08 PM,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Alexander Westphal wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Hello all!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I have a compressor on the master track, but how do I now route
>>>>>>>>>> all my
>>>>>>>>>> tracks to the master?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> RWP mailing list
>>>>>>>>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>>>>>>>>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> RWP mailing list
>>>>>>>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>>>>>>>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> RWP mailing list
>>>>>>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>>>>>>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> RWP mailing list
>>>>>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>>>>>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> RWP mailing list
>>>>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>>>>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> RWP mailing list
>>>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>>>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> RWP mailing list
>>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> RWP mailing list
>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> RWP mailing list
>> RWP at reaaccess.com
>> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> RWP mailing list
> RWP at reaaccess.com
> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> RWP mailing list
> RWP at reaaccess.com
> http://reaaccess.com/mailman/listinfo/rwp_reaaccess.com