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diff --git a/manual/xml/mixer_strips.xml b/manual/xml/mixer_strips.xml new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..0e96f05908 --- /dev/null +++ b/manual/xml/mixer_strips.xml @@ -0,0 +1,499 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" standalone="no"?> + +<!DOCTYPE section PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.4//EN" "http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.4/docbookx.dtd" [ + +]> + +<!-- XXX lots to do on this page --> + +<section id="mixer-window-mixer-strips"> + <title> Mixer Strips </title> + <para> + Each track and bus is represented in the mixer window by a <emphasis>mixer + strip</emphasis> that contains various controls related to signal flow. + There are two places in Ardour in which you can see mixer strips. The mixer + window is the obvious one (and the one we deal with here), but you can also + view a single mixer strip in the editor window by clicking the + <guibutton>editor mixer</guibutton> button. + </para> + <mediaobject> + <imageobject> + <imagedata fileref="images/mixerstrip.png"/> + </imageobject> + </mediaobject> + <para> + this image needs replacing with labels and better resolution The mixer strip + for a bus is essentially identical to the one for an audio track, but it is + missing certain controls that make no sense - you cannot record into a bus, + so there is no record enable button, for example. + </para> + + <para> + The mixer strips are designed to visually model signal flow. The input + button selects the input of the track that this mixer strip monitors. The + outputs of the track (the 'tape recorder') are 'hard-wired' to the inputs of + the mixer strip. Think of the input to the strip starting at the polarity + switch, flowing down through the prefader inserts/plugins/sends section, + through the gain fader, past the postfader inserts/plugins/sends section, + the panner, and out through the output selector. In the case of a bus, there + is no 'tape machine' inserted between the input selector and the actual + input of the strip, but the signal flow is identical otherwise. + </para> + + <section id="mixer-strip-narrow-strip-button"> + <title>Narrow Mixer Strip Button</title> + <para> + the button on the top left of the mixer strip is labelled with two arrows + separated by a line. Left clicking this button will reduce the horizontal + size of the mixer strip. Clicking it again will restore the previous size. + The first click also has the effect of shortening the names of controls. + Plugin lists become very small in this mode, however more faders are + accessible without scrolling. Your needs may vary, hence the existence of + this button. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-hide-button"> + <title>Hide Button</title> + <para> + The button opposite the <emphasis>Narrow Mixer Strip Button</emphasis> + hides the mixer strip from view. this button has no effect on signal flow + or muting. When a mixer strip is hidden, it's entry in the strips list is + darkened. To restore the mixer strip to the visible state, click it's entry + in the strip list with the left mouse button. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-track-name"> + <title>Track Name</title> + <para> + The track name displays the current name of the track as displayed in the + editor window. right-clicking on the name brings up a drop-down menu that + allows you to rename, activate, deactivate and remove the track. Selecting + <guimenuitem>Rename</guimenuitem> opens a new window displaying the name of + the track. to change it, type your change and press ok. to leave it + unaltered, press cancel. Selecting <guimenuitem>remove</guimenuitem> opens + a new window asking for confirmation of your track removal request. + removing a track removes that track from the project. If the playlist used + by the removed track is not used by any other track, it will also be + removed. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-group-button"> + <title>Group Button</title> + <para> + The group button displays the name of the currently selected mix group. if + no group is selected, it will read no group. when clicked, a drop-down menu + appears which lists the current mixer groups, along with the option no + group. if a group is selected, any fader movement on one of the group + member faders will be translated to the other members of the group. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-input-selector"> + <title>Input Selector</title> + <para> + The input selector allows you to assign hardware or software inputs to the + track that this mixer strip monitors. clicking on the input box makes a + drop-down menu appear which lists ready-made combinations of jack ports, + along with the options disconnect and edit. You can either select a preset + hardware input combination from the drop-down list, or select + <guimenuitem>edit</guimenuitem> to open the input selector window which + allows finer control, such as changing the number of inputs to the track or + using software devices as inputs. For more information on this window, see + <xref linkend="sn-other-windows"/>. <guibutton>Disconnect</guibutton> + removes all input assignments while leaving the number of ports untouched. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-polarity-button"> + <title>Polarity Button</title> + <para> + The polarity button, when pressed, inverts the phase of the signal as it + leaves the track and enters the mixer strip. it has no effect on the signal + being recorded to disk. It has no effect on the timing of the signal, + either. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-solo-button"> + <title>Solo Button</title> + <para> + The solo button puts the mixer strip in solo mode. the solo indicator in + the editor window will flash if any mixer strip is set to solo, and only + those tracks that are set in solo will be routed through the system. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-mute-button"> + <title>Mute Button</title> + <para> + The mute button mutes the output of the mixer strip. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-track-speed-control"> + <title>Track Speed Control</title> + <para> + The track speed allows a varispeed setting to be applied to the track. a + setting of <literal>1.0</literal> corresponds to the normal playback speed + of the session. a setting of <literal>0.5</literal> will play at half + normal playback speed. when altered, the track will be redrawn to reflect + the new position of the audio resulting from the speed change. The Track + Speed Control has three decimal places of precision. A left or right click + on the displayed number will raise or lower the track speed by 0.1%. when + the speed is not exactly 1, the display will be coloured red. Hovering over + the displayed number will allow you to use the mouse wheel to set the + desired speed. A middle click on the displayed number will return the speed + to exactly 1. + </para> + + <para></para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-record-enable-button"> + <title>Record Enable Button</title> + <para> + The record enable button arms the track for recording. pressing this will + change the way you monitor and meter the selected input signal depending on + the state of the monitoring settings in the options editor, as well as the + auto input setting in the editor. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-automation-mode-buttons"> + <title>Automation Mode Buttons</title> + <para> + The automation mode buttons allow you to select a fader or pan automation + mode from a drop-down list. see <xref linkend="sn-automation"/> for more + information about automation modes. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-redirect-boxes"> + <title>Redirect Boxes</title> + <para> + These dark areas above and below the fader allow you to place inserts, + sends and plugins into the signal path before and after the fader + respectively. you may also easily reorder them whilst playing. + collectively, the objects that belong in these boxes are called redirects. + If there are redirects present in the channel, they can be reordered by + dragging them vertically. because plugins and inserts can have different + numbers of inputs to outputs, sometimes you may reach a situation where the + inputs and outputs cannot be all connected sensibly. in this case, your + reordering change will be disallowed by the program. + </para> + + <para> + Right clicking within the dark area will bring up a drop-down menu which + allows you to manipulate the redirects in various ways. + </para> + + <variablelist> + <title>Redirect Boxes</title> + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>new plugin</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + selecting new plugin will open a dialog which lists the plugins + available on your system. selecting a plugin which is compatible with + the number of streams in the channel at that point will result in the + plugin being placed in the redirect box in an inactive state. this is + indicated by the brackets around the plugin name. double-clicking the + plugin name will bring up a window that allows you to control the + parameters of the plugin statically (including bypass) or using + automation. all plugins that report their latency are time-compensated + automatically in ardour. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>new insert</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + places at least two new jack ports at that point in the mixer strip (one + input, one output). these ports will then be available to any jack + client (including Ardour itself), allowing another program (or channels + within another program) to be inserted across the channel. hardware + ports may also, of course, be used, allowing the insertion of outboard + equipment. the insert will then appear in the redirect box in brackets + indicating that it is inactive. to activate or deactivate an insert, + right-click on it and select activate. double-clicking on the insert + will bring up a dialog which allows to to assign its inputs and outputs + to other jack ports. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>new send</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + selecting new send will first bring up a dialog box that enables you to + select the number of outputs the send has, along with the destination of + each output. closing this dialog will reveal the name of the send in + brackets, indicating that it is inactive. to activate the send, right + click on it and select Activate. double-clicking on the send brings up + the previous dialog, which will now include a fader which is provided + for level control. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>clear</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + selecting clear in the menu removes all redirects from the mixer strip + (pre and post fader). you can remove an individual redirect by holding + the shift key and right clicking it. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>cut</guimenuitem>, <guimenuitem>copy</guimenuitem>, <guimenuitem>paste</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + these items allow you to cut, copy and paste plugins, including their + current settings, between Redirect Boxes. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>rename</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + selecting rename will bring up a dialog displaying the name of the + selected redirect. change the name by typing into the text area and + pressing ok. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>select all/deselect all</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + these two options select or deselect all plugins in the channel. this + could be used, for instance, in preparation to copy all plugins from a + channel to another one, along with the current settings. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>activate/deactivate</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + selecting either of these will activate or deactivate the currently + selected redirect(s) respectively. deactivate is the equivalent of + <guimenuitem>bypass</guimenuitem>. + </para> + <note> + <para> + note that you can bypass a plugin from it's parameter window as well as + from here. + </para> + </note> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>activate all/deactivate all</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + selecting either of these will activate or deactivate all redirect(s) in + the mixer strip respectively. deactivate is the equivalent of + <guimenuitem>bypass</guimenuitem> if you're a plugin. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>edit</guimenuitem></term> + <listitem> + <para> + selecting edit brings up the controls relevent to the selected redirect. + this is the equivalent to holding control and right-clicking on a + redirect. note that the right click method will not bring up the + controls of the selected redirect, only the one beneath the mouse + pointer. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + </variablelist> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-pre-post-input-button"> + <title>Pre/Post/Input Button</title> + <para> + This button cycles between three metering modes, which determine which + signal is fed to the meters. the modes are pre-fader (the signal at the + input to the fader), post-fader and input (the level at the track input). + left clicking cycles through the three modes one step at a time, while + middle-clicking alternates between the current setting and the setting two + steps ahead. this allows one-click direct a/b comparison between all + available monitoring points. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-gain-display"> + <title>Gain Display</title> + <para> + this control displays the current gain of the fader to the nearest 0.1dB. + left clicking on the value will lower the gain by an amount dependent upon + the fader position the graduations become smaller as the fader nears 0dB + gain. right clicking increases the gain by the same amount. middle clicking + resets the gain to 0dB. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-unit-selector"> + <title>Unit Selector</title> + <para> + Right clicking on the meter bars allows you to select the range of signal + levels displayed by the meters. the selected range will be displayed as a + column of numbers next to the meter. /*XXX this feature is currently not + working*/ Gain Level Display + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-peak-meter"> + <title>Peak Meter</title> + <para> + This control displays the highest peak since the last peak meter reset. + Resetting the peak meter is achieved by left-clicking the displayed number. + The peak meter monitors the signal selected by the <emphasis>Pre/Post/Input + Button</emphasis> .. the same signal as the meters. It should be noted here + that 0dBfs corresponds a value equal to the maximum input or output level + of your audio hardware, independent of it's bit depth. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-gain-fader"> + <title>Gain Fader</title> + <para> + The fader changes the signal level within the mixer strip before the + post-fader plugins, which are before the output ports. 6dB of gain is + allowed. there are several shortcuts available for the fader. Using the + scroll wheel of your mouse while hovering above the fader will coarsely + change its position. Holding the control key whilst mouse wheeling will + give you finer control. Holding the shift key and clicking the fader will + reset it to unity gain. Holding control and pressing the middle mouse + button whilst over the fader will allow you to bind a midi control to it, + provided you have an available midi device set in the options menu. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-meters"> + <title>Meters</title> + <para> + The number of meters displayed next to the fader is dependent on the number + of inputs or outputs the channel has, whichever is greater. The meters + provide a colour-graduated scale from -50 dBfs to +6dBfs. They display the + instantaneous value of the signal at the monitoring point selected by the + Pre/Post/Input button. 0dBfs corresponds a value equal to the maximum input + or output level of your audio hardware, independent of it's bit depth. + Exceeding 0dBfs does not correspond to running out of headroom within the + mixer, or in any signal path subsequent to that point within the Jack + server. It merely means that if that signal is connected directly to a + hardware port whose resolution is less than the 32-bit floating point + resolution that Ardour uses (i.e. a soundcard), then that port will exceed + it's maximum output level, resulting in distortion. hitting 0dB within the + mixer (or any point in the Jack server) means that you have approximately + 100dB of headroom remaining. as it is unlikely that you will reach this + point, it is not represented in any special way by the meter. Naturally, if + the input is selected as the monitoring point for the meter, exceeding + 0dBfs means that the input of your a/d converter has clipped. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-panner"> + <title>Panner</title> + <para> + The panner in Ardour is actually two panners. Because any mixer strip in + Ardour can route any number of streams of audio anywhere, the idea of + panning can be a complex one. To allow for the current stereo-centric + mainstream world as well as the multi-speaker experimental one, one of two + styles of panner will appear here depending on the number of outputs the + channel strip has. In the simple case of mono channel input / stereo + output, a single panner will be present. The current pan position is + represented by a dot (the dot is the audio stream) which lies between the + letters 'L' and 'R', which represent the left and right outputs + respectively. To change the panning position of the stream, move the mouse + while holding down the left mouse button. the dot will follow your mouse + pointer. To introduce sudden changes to the pan setting, place the mouse + pointer over the desired position and click the middle mouse button. The + pan control will immediately snap to the mouse pointer position. The panner + may be bypassed by right-clicking the control and selecting + <guimenuitem>bypass</guimenuitem> from the drop-down menu. The panner will + immediately be bypassed. The increased level you notice when the panner is + bypassed is due to the way panning works. It is not a bug. <emphasis>XXX + what gain law is used in the panner?</emphasis> + </para> + + <para> + In the case of a stereo input / stereo output combination, two panning + controls will appear, one corresponding to each audio stream. You can + <emphasis>link</emphasis> the controls together in two different ways in + this situation, using the direction arrows next to the + <guibutton>link</guibutton> button. Panners can be linked to travel either + in opposite directions or to maintain a consistent stereo width across the + travel of the control. These two modes are represented by the orientation + of the two arrows next to the <guibutton>link</guibutton> button, which + point in either the same or opposite directions. The + <guibutton>link</guibutton> button must be engaged before you can change + the <emphasis>link</emphasis> mode. To link all the panners in a mixer + strip, left-click the <guibutton>link</guibutton> button, then select the + desired link mode by pressing the button marked with arrows. + </para> + + <para> + Let's get a little more complicated by adding another output to the mixer + strip. From this point onwards, the panning positions are represented with + numbered dots on a square field. Orange dots represent the outputs, and the + numbered dots represent the streams. the position of the outputs change + according to the number of outputs in the strip. This happens in order to + allow the most useful arrangement of the available space. At some point, + adding an output will cause the outputs to line up from the top left of the + panning square towards the centre. this is to allow for the 'multi-speaker + big sweep' to occur - where the sound is panned from speaker to speaker + around the room in sequence. + </para> + + <para> + Don't forget that you can bypass the panner by right clicking and selecting + <guimenuitem>bypass</guimenuitem> from the drop-down menu. this may + simplify your multi-speaker setup, as often in this type of project panning + between all speakers or outputs is not required on all tracks. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-output-selector"> + <title>Output Selector</title> + <para> + The output selector allows you to assign the outputs of each mixer strip. + left-clicking the output selector causes a ready-made list of output ports + to appear in a drop-down menu, along with edit and disconnect options. + Selecting <guimenuitem>Edit</guimenuitem> will allow you to change the + number of outputs the channel has, as well as select software and hardware + ports to route signals to. For more information on the window that appears + when you select this option, see the <xref linkend="sn-other-windows"/>. + <guimenuitem>Disconnect</guimenuitem> will leave the number of output ports + unchanged, but remove all assignments to output ports. + </para> + </section> + + <section id="mixer-strip-scratch-pad"> + <title>Scratch Pad</title> + <para> + This is the text area below the <guibutton>output</guibutton> button. it + allows you to enter any notes that you feel may be relevant to that track. + The notes are stored when you save the session. + </para> + </section> +</section> |