Solved Is it possible to live-record mouse movements (up and down) as a CC controller?

[Huertaaj]

Hi all: I know I can draw lines in the automation area of Studio One area using the mouse and reshape them any way I want. These lines would control things like modulation, expression, etc. However I would like to record those mouse actions "live" by moving the mouse up and down as the song plays. I don't have a CC controller with a slider or knob at the moment. So, is there a way in Studio One to live-record the mouse movements to draw automation lines? Is there some plugin or macro available for that that I'm not aware of?

Thanks

 

[SwitchBack]

Maybe you're overthinking this. Rather than drawing in the automation area you can use your mouse to move say a fader. With the fader in write or touch mode that will record the movements as the song plays.

 

[Huertaaj]

OK, Thanks SwitchBack for your suggestion. Could you (or someone) briefly describe how I would assign an on-screen fader to the Dynamics automation and then access it via the mouse for live recording? I believe that I can do that using the Volume Fader but I can't figure out a way to do it with anything in the automation area to control things like modulation, pitch bend, expression, etc.

 

[Gerran]

You can hold your mouse over 'any' knob you want to control and use the scroll-wheel to adjust the knob.

 

[Huertaaj]

Oh wow! I didn't know that I could control things like Dynamics during live recording using only the mouse without using an actual fader. That said, it looks like I can drag with the mouse to change the value in real-time during recording, but the scroll-wheel doesn't seem to do anything.

 

[lokeyfly]

Oh wow! I didn't know that I could control things like Dynamics during live recording using only the mouse without using an actual fader. That said, it looks like I can drag with the mouse to change the value in real-time during recording, but the scroll-wheel doesn't seem to do anything.

That's because you never mentioned the scroll wheel until now. The scroll wheel is another function, but with a mouse that has the software to allow you to act on scrolling the same way as mouse movement (I don't know one, in particular), you could assign that. The problem with a scroll wheel in this fashion is it isn't fully variable and has steps. That would have to sync to your live automation the way you are hoping. Scroll wheels usually have crude or course gradients. But going forward, you have mouse movement.

Why not go one better and instead of a scroll wheel, just map off virtually any controller of your choice, a rotary knob or fader to do that for you. This is what Switchback suggested and is so readily available. It really moots the need for using some jittery scroll wheel. IMO.

 

[Huertaaj]

Yes, I think it's time to invest in a small physical controller with sliders. I suppose it would also be possible to obtain a breath controller to do the same, and then add/modify automation controllers for each parameter after the fact (after I lay down the notes in the MIDI window). I have to do it this way (mouse, physical fader, or breath controller) since I don't play keyboard. Every note that I enter when I write a song is entered using the mouse.

 

[lokeyfly]

Sure, the breath controller could be an option. Provided it is MIDI capable. You can find VERY cheap controllers that would even have a small keyboard such as a korg nano, or even Presonus' own Atom SQ which would provide a lot of extra features. Anyway, there are many affordable options.

While we're discussing the realm of possibilities, there are real time pitch to MIDI converters such as Jam Origin's MIDI Guitar. You don't need a guitar, and with a mic, you could create MIDI notes with your voice. Ive had it for years and its always been very fast and functional. You can set the level of how it tracks pitch detection.

 

[SwitchBack]

OK, Thanks SwitchBack for your suggestion. Could you (or someone) briefly describe how I would assign an on-screen fader to the Dynamics automation and then access it via the mouse for live recording? I believe that I can do that using the Volume Fader but I can't figure out a way to do it with anything in the automation area to control things like modulation, pitch bend, expression, etc.

Creating an automation lane for practically any fader or knob is easy: (mouse)click on the knob or fader and its name will appear leftmost in Studio One's top of the screen taskbar, together with a squared 'A' and a little hand:

Click on the A to create an automation lane inside the track that links to the plugin, or click&drag the little hand to open space in the arranger window to create an automation lane right there. The automation lane will have a box in its header on the left that defaults to 'Auto: Off'. Change this to 'Write' or 'Touch' to record your fader/knob changes in play.

 

[Huertaaj]

Hello Switchback: Thanks for the explanation. Please forgive my lack of knowledge in using these MIDI editing details of Studio One. Due to major time constraints and being a Jack of all trades but master of none, I do the minimum to be able to write my music. So, I have not dug too deeply into the intricacies of all the bells and whistles of S1. In spite of my "learn only what you need to get the job done" approach I feel that I have produced some decent songs (if interested, please see my signature page for a link).

That said, I got as far as the last sentence where it says to change the tab from Off to Write. In the next part of your sentence you say... "...to record your fader/knob changes in play". That's where I kind of get lost. After looking around in the S1 GUI, I can't find how to display an on-screen fader to control the parameter (in this case I'm trying to control Dynamics while using the Brass Band Soloists plugin by Fracture Sounds). I'm looking for something like a volume control slider. How do I get that slider to display on the screen so that I can control it with the mouse after pressing the Record button? Then, how do I get the GUI to go back to a normal display showing the regular track info instead of displaying the "Write" track for the Dynamics?

Thank you again for any help

 

[lokeyfly]

Just to expedite, it's where SwitchBack stated....
Switchback wrote: "(mouse)click on the knob or fader and its name will appear leftmost in Studio One's top of the screen taskbar, together with a squared 'A' and a little hand:"

So the fader where you mouse clicked, is now the active fader for automation. The automation lanes (from dragging down the hand) is where the fader movements will be recorded and displayed. Make sure you did what he said by selecting Write, or Touch, to start automation. By the same token, switch it off when you are finished with automation by selecting "read".
Switchback may provide more.

 

[Huertaaj]

Thanks so much Lokeyfly. I guess I couldn't see the forest for the trees. It works perfectly. I also figured out that if I change the little window from Dynamics back to "Display: Off", it goes back to normal and I can see the automation tracks that I recorded and edit the track length, split it up, etc. This is wonderful!!! I just need to keep practicing this so I don't forget it by the time I come back to continue on my song. Luckily I can always come back to this question in the user forum for a refresher

 

[lokeyfly]

Thanks so much Lokeyfly. I guess I couldn't see the forest for the trees. It works perfectly. I also figured out that if I change the little window from Dynamics back to "Display: Off", it goes back to normal and I can see the automation tracks that I recorded and edit the track length, split it up, etc. This is wonderful!!!

Very true. Another nicity is Touch. This allows automation to read undisturbed, but if that fader moves in any new position (deviates from automation), then it writes in the new.

I just need to keep practicing this so I don't forget it by the time I come back to continue on my song. Luckily I can always come back to this question in the user forum for a refresher

Once you do it a few times, not only will it be like riding a bike, you'll know where you can use it on future projects. It's really one of those integral gems of mixing.

Have fun!

 

[SwitchBack]

Thanks Lokeyfly for stepping in. Glad it works now

Note that you want to set automation tracks to 'Read' to hear your previously recorded changes during playback.

Also note that per default every track's channel (which you see when you hit the Mix button at the bottom of the screen) already has an automation lane for volume. The status of those lanes (read/write/touch etc.) can be seen/changed below the faders. Handy.

One last thing you may want to experiment with (especially when using the scroll wheel on the mouse) is Mouse-Over. You find this global setting at the bottom of the Recent Parameters list (dropdown to the right of the A, the hand and the parameter name). When Mouse-Over is ticked you only have to hover your mouse over a knob or fader to be able to control the parameter with the wheel. This can be a fun way of working