manual/include/mixer-scenes.html

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<p>
<dfn>Mixer Scenes</dfn> are a convenient way to keep multiple variations
of a mix with the same set of tracks, busses, and plugins. In a recording
studio environment, you can use it to quickly navigate between versions
of a mix. In a broadcasting situation, it's a convenient way
to quickly "add" a new mic when another guest joins a conversation.
</p>
<p>
The user interface is located in the bottom left part of the <dfn>Mixer</dfn>
window. Scenes are numbered as 1 through 8 and have title to the right
of the numbers.
</p>
<figure class="right">
<img class="mini" style="width:400px;" src="/images/mixer-scene-list.png" alt="Mixer Scenes in the Mixer window">
<figcaption>
Mixer Scenes in the Mixer window
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>
You can store a new mixer scene, recall it, overwrite it, rename it,
or clear it. All interactions involve right-clicking, middle-clicking,
or left-clicking a button with a number that represents a scene.
</p>
<h2>What mixer scenes can and cannot do</h2>
<p>
As part of a mixer scene, you can store and recall only the controls
that you can automate:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Fader position in tracks, all types of busses, and VCA masters</li>
<li>Panner position in tracks and all types of busses</li>
<li>Monitor and foldback bus output levels</li>
<li>State of record arm</li>
<li>State of monitor input and monitor playback</li>
<li>State of solo and mute</li>
<li>Settings of plugins</li>
</ul>
<p>Mixer scenes do not cover:</p>
<ul>
<li>The general signal chain in the processor box, i.e. which plugins
are loaded in whatever order</li>
<li>Plugin bypass states</li>
<li>Comments for mixer channels</li>
<li>Any monitor section controls other than the output level</li>
</ul>
<h2>Storing a mixer scene</h2>
<p>
All mixer scenes are enumerated in the user interface. Hover the mouse
pointer over an unused scene slot, right-click, then select
<kbd class="menu">Store</kbd>.
</p>
<figure class="right">
<img class="mini" style="width:300px;" src="/images/mixer-scene-store.png" alt="Store a new mixer scene">
<figcaption>
Store a new mixer scene
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>
When you create a new mixer scene, the name defaults to the timestamp of
the moment you are creating this scene. Instead, you can give scenes
meaningful names. That way you can reopen a session months later and
be able to tell which scene corresponds to which variation of the mix.
</p>
<h2>Recalling a mixer scene</h2>
<p>
To switch to an existing mixer scene (i.e. to recall it), simply left-click
on the button with the scene number.
</p>
<p class="note">
When restoring a mixer scene, any control that is in automation Write or Touch
mode will not be restored.
</p>
<p>
If you want to quickly compare the current scene against a different one,
hover the numbered button of the other scene, middle-click it and hold.
Release the mouse button when you're done comparing.
</p>
<h2>Renaming a mixer scene</h2>
<p>
You can rename a scene at any time later. Right-click over the button with
scene's number, choose <kbd class="menu">Rename</kbd>, the enter a new name
in the newly opened dialog.
</p>
<figure class="right">
<img class="mini" style="width:300px;" src="/images/mixer-scene-rename.png" alt="Rename a mixer scene">
<figcaption>
Rename a mixer scene
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Clearing a mixer scene</h2>
<p>
If you don't need a scene anymore or if you want to reserve it for something
else in the future, you can clear it. Right-click over the button with scene's
number, and choose <kbd class="menu">Clear</kbd>. This will empty the scene slot.
</p>
<p>
If the scene you've just cleared was the one currently loaded, all positions
of faders, panners etc. will remain intact. You can continue making further
adjustments.
</p>
<h2>Overwriting a stored scene</h2>
<p>
If you made some adjustments and want them to be saved into an existing scene,
simply choose <kbd class="menu">Store</kbd> in the right-click menu for that
scene. Ardour will ask your confirmation for overwriting it and will suggest
renaming the scene (clicking the <kbd class="button">Store</kbd> button without
changing the name will effectively keep the old name).
</p>
<h2>Accessing more mixer scenes</h2>
<p>
Ardour only exposes 8 mixer scenes in the user interface for simplicity's
sake. However the actual number of scenes is larger. There are two ways
to work around that and store, recall, and clear more mixer scenes:
</p>
<ol>
<li>
Keyboard shortcuts: Ardour already defaults to Ctrl+F1..F12 for storing
mixer scenes and to F1..F12 for recalling them, which gives you 4 more
scenes that are, however, not visible in the list. You can also manually
assign any keyboard shortcuts
(<kbd class="menu">Window > Keyboard Shortcuts</kbd>) to mixer scene actions.
</li>
<li>
Scripting: you can use <a href="@@lua-scripting">Lua scripts</a> to access
the full range of available mixer scenes, which is 2<sup>64</sup>.
</li>
</ol>