MusicDevelopments

brandonjwinston · Post by **brandonjwinston** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:52 pm

Is it possible and does anyone have experience trying to automate Rapidcomposer

1) using macros/parameter sliders in a daw;
2) internally within rapidcomposer;
3) a third-party software like quickeys?

I'm using the latest 64bit vst on mac with reaper.

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:29 pm

Hi Brandon,
Can you elaborate? What parameters do you want to control via automation?

Some things, like volume for example, will be controllable inside the DAW.

Most parameters in RC are controlled by check boxes or sliding scales or other means within the dialog box; for example the phrase editor dialog has many parameters to adjust.

Are these the type of things you would like to control via macros? Or perhaps by a MIDI controller device.

Interesting concept!

To more directly answer your question, no, I haven't attempted this type of control; however, I can see how this could be very useful in improving work flow.

In its present form these parameters are not MIDI-mappable, but how great would that be! My Zero MkII would love to get its hands on that

Great question!

Let's see what Attila has in mind. He may have already been pondering this concept for a future edition. (Hope so

)

Happy Musiking!
dsan

musicdevelopments · Post by **musicdevelopments** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:44 pm

Hi Brandon,

can you provide examples, what would you like to automate? Any UI controls, or specific actions in your workflow? To be honest this has not been requested yet, and I do not know what could be done about it. I am not sure how useful it would be to automate parameter sliders from a DAW, because they have effect only when you apply the changes to a phrase.

One thought: in a next update, when you can assign actions to keyboard shortcuts, it could be possible to assign more than one action to a keystroke that are executed one after the other.

Thanks,
Attila

brandonjwinston · Post by **brandonjwinston** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 6:33 pm

THANKS for your responses dsan and Attila. My #1 desire would be to have a shortcut in the DAW to regenerate some or all generators in the composition. Also would love to be able to map the groove variation slider from individual generators to the daw. Attila, when is the next update coming with assignable keyboard shortcuts?! I think this may be a solution to my problem if I pair this new feature with QuicKeys.

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:52 pm

The last thing I want to do is to add to Attila's work load and, due to the lack of presence in this thread from my fellow forum members (to this point) I will assume there is not much interest in MIDI-mapping RC. I'm also not sure if adding these functions will move RC away from its intended purpose of phrase creation. RC is, afterall, a creation inspration tool and not a DAW.

However, in case there may be that possiblity, MIDI Mapping, here are my thoughts on what could be/should be mappable (Please note the addition of MIDI-Mapping will likely require a "Learn MIDI" function. Also please note all the functions listed appear in RC and have a way to be able to adjust or control inside the program. MIDI Controllers just make work flow so much better; for those that may have them. In most cases items that can be adjusted by the menus should likely remain within RC's menu system (instead of ported to a control device.).

Within the Composition Window:

1.) Any type of MIDI CC event data; such as modulation, pitch bend, volume, expression, portamento, sustain etc. - the common MIDI CC controllers. These are much easier to perform with a controller or pedal than with a draw tool, especially that such as pitch bend and modulation.

2.) Tempo settings; although this is easy enough to do inside RC, except in the case of graduated tempo changes. Since the addition of MIDI time code, sending gradual tempo changes will be ideal. (This may already be possible since MTC, I haven't checked it out.)

3.) Transport Controls: Start/Stop, Play, Record, Loop Section and Panic (so much easier to hit a button although the current "Esc" is quick and easy (some set-ups it may not be though)). Transport Start/Stop IS presentaly controllable by DAW since the addition of MTC.)

4.) a.) Just about any parameter that has a slider could be mappable. This improves work flow significantly if set to a slider or knob on a controller device opposed to right click track, click variation, click slider, etc., etc.. One fell swoop if mapped to a controller.

b.) The "Variations" menu has many sliders that may do well mapped to a controller.

5.) Track selection - again pretty simple by mouse; however, if using a controller the option to move around the GUI by controller will enhance the overall workflow. Both methods will likely need to be active simultaneously.

Much of what has been described could be carried to the other windows of RC - such as transport, tempo, sliders, etc.

While I think these enhancements will greatly improve the workflow of RC, I think this is a tremendous amount of work to pile on Attila. I know these enhancements will be appreciated, as has been every additional feature in RC. Perhaps he (Attila) will consider these options/features for future updates.

I also petition this community to give input; whether or not you would find MIDI mapping useful and if so your ideas on other enhancements. There is no point for Attila to consider this if the community has no interest. He's already overworked in my humble opinion.

The upcoming keyboard shortcuts is a valuable feature to have, especially if the ability to create short macros and user define the shortcuts is part of the plan. Thank you Attila!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

musicdevelopments · Post by **musicdevelopments** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:50 am

Thank you Brandon and dsan for the feedback, I added all these post to my task list.
The keyboard shortcuts were planned for v3.0, so not soon, maybe by the end of year. This may change as priorities change all the time and may come earlier.

Would it be helpful (until this is implemented) if a keyboard shortcut is assigned to 'Regenerate All Selected Generators' and 'Select All Phrases In <the current track>' ? This could be added quickly. Or if you need a keyboard shortcut to any other functions, please let me know, we have a few unused keys left on the keyboard

Thanks,
Attila

brandonjwinston · Post by **brandonjwinston** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:00 pm

Attila, this is super cool that you can add these shortcuts in. These would be the ones I want - the two you mentioned and another to select the different tracks

1. Select track/channel 1,2,3, etc; or a simple "select next track/channel" shortcut
2. Select all generators/phrases in current track/channel
3. Regenerate all selected generators.

P.S. what does the double arrow ( <-> ) button on the group track head do?

musicdevelopments · Post by **musicdevelopments** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:28 am

Sure, I'll add these shortcuts for the next beta (in a few days).

The double arrow is very useful. It means when you select phrases, their corresponding tracks will be highlighted. When you click on a track, all selected phrases will be moved to that track.
Leave the mouse pointer on the [<->] button to open the pop-up help window.

Thanks,
Attila

musicdevelopments · Post by **musicdevelopments** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:08 pm

brandonjwinston wrote:Attila, this is super cool that you can add these shortcuts in. These would be the ones I want - the two you mentioned and another to select the different tracks

1. Select track/channel 1,2,3, etc; or a simple "select next track/channel" shortcut
2. Select all generators/phrases in current track/channel
3. Regenerate all selected generators.

Hi Brandon,

these shortcuts are added now. You can download beta18 which contains these:
- select nth track: Alt-1..9
- select all phrases in current track: Ctrl-A
- regenerate all selected generators in current track: Ctrl-G
If you don't know how to download it please write me an e-mail (you need to append "beta" to the download link before ".php").

Thanks,
Attila

themixtape · Post by **themixtape** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:58 pm

I've talked with Attila many times in the past about automating RC in a lot of ways, including the way Ableton has midi-mapping capability. He said this is relatively easy to implement... such as maybe midi-mapping a phrase in a track... or a series, on different midi notes or keyboard strokes... so you can play the phrases with only those keys... it starts getting into much, much more complex territory considering the power of RC to begin with... but, it's something on the horizon, I'm sure...

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:43 pm

Thanks Chris! This is exciting news!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

musicdevelopments · Post by **musicdevelopments** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:16 pm

Yes, we should definitely talk about this later...

Thanks,
Attila

MusicDevelopments

KVR Audio

Automating Rapidcomposer