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Nonstopbeats « Review of Renoise 3 »
Published on 12/10/14 at 08:31
Value For Money :
Excellent
Audience:
Anyone
Renoise is one of the best tracking sequencers currently available and has now just launched it’s latest version. This version incorporates a selection of new features which have been added to the tracker and does away with some of the older fixtures. In this review we will take a look at the tracker and will also outline why it may be a good choice in modern music production.
Features
The Renoise 3 sequencer is different from other sequences in that it creates patterns consisting of note and velocity data in a downwards fashion. This can be confusing at first if you're not used to the Renoise style in which to work. However, after a little bit of practice it will make your workflow incredibly quick. Renoise has a number of colored strips in the main window and each one represents a track in which you can create sounds. This may seem a bit confusing at first but I quickly worked out the layout. Each track can also be effected by a range of different effects that come with the Renoise program. These include reverbs, EQs and compressors, as well other more creative effects such as distortion and flangers.
Sounds in Renoise 3 are used either from samples which are dragged into a sample window and then programmed into the tracker via keyboard input, or via plug-ins that use digital synthesis and can also be input into the tracker sequencer. Renoise is especially good with samples and can be used to edit and modify each sample that you bring into the program. This includes the ability to chop up samples and map them across the keyboard, as well as the ability to create volume fades on each sample. I found it easy to adjust the sounds of samples so that they fit well within the track.
The new version of Renoise works in both 32 and 64 builds. Certain features within the interface of Renoise have also been changed and the original sample envelopes have been discarded and a new set of modulation groups have been introduced. These carry out the same tasks of modulating the basic values within a sample, such as resonance, cut-off, pitch and panning but also introduces more advanced modulation such as LFO and tracking of the velocity.
Pros and cons
The aspect that I enjoyed the most about Renoise was the fact that it was very easy to get basic patterns up and running within the sequencer. Once you have learned how to lay down a pattern by importing samples then this becomes easy to do.
I also enjoyed the quality of the sound engine within the program, and was impressed by the crisp and bright sound that it had. The built-in effects also have a high level of quality and can make the music sound punchy and dynamic when the compressors and the various EQ devices are placed onto individual sounds.
What I did not like about Renoise was the fact that some of the functions are hard to find and doing simple tasks, such as automation also proved to be tricky. I also found that documentation on how to use the program was limited and only a few guides were offered on the web. Luckily I had a friend who is well versed in the program and he was able to show me some of the things that I didn't understand.
Comparison
Other trackers are also available on a selection of different platforms that are also styled as tracker sequencers. One of the most popular is that of Nanoloop. This advanced tracker sequencer is available for a selection of different platforms, including mobile devices such as Android and iPhone. The Android version is the latest release of this software and allows you the ability to create complete tracks which you can then save onto an SD card. This tracker is not a replacement to Renoise but is instead a fun alternative. It features 8 different channels which can be sequenced using a sample or a synthesizer, as well the ability to have 8 different patterns between each channel.
Summary
Renoise 3 is a sequencer that may seem complicated at first, but it quickly becomes understandable. Users will quickly see the software as an intuitive sequencing tool. The sequencer is especially good for sequencing, editing and automating audio samples. With the ability to edit and process each individual sample that you bring into the Renoise application. This program is not as sculptural as other sequencers and is probably more suited for electronic dance music. However, I still found it to be easy and effective with a wide range of different styles.
If you enjoy creating electronic music and want a stable tracking sequencer that is filled with effects of different ways in which to sequence and edit samples and digital synthesizers, then the latest version of Renoise is a good choice.
Features
The Renoise 3 sequencer is different from other sequences in that it creates patterns consisting of note and velocity data in a downwards fashion. This can be confusing at first if you're not used to the Renoise style in which to work. However, after a little bit of practice it will make your workflow incredibly quick. Renoise has a number of colored strips in the main window and each one represents a track in which you can create sounds. This may seem a bit confusing at first but I quickly worked out the layout. Each track can also be effected by a range of different effects that come with the Renoise program. These include reverbs, EQs and compressors, as well other more creative effects such as distortion and flangers.
Sounds in Renoise 3 are used either from samples which are dragged into a sample window and then programmed into the tracker via keyboard input, or via plug-ins that use digital synthesis and can also be input into the tracker sequencer. Renoise is especially good with samples and can be used to edit and modify each sample that you bring into the program. This includes the ability to chop up samples and map them across the keyboard, as well as the ability to create volume fades on each sample. I found it easy to adjust the sounds of samples so that they fit well within the track.
The new version of Renoise works in both 32 and 64 builds. Certain features within the interface of Renoise have also been changed and the original sample envelopes have been discarded and a new set of modulation groups have been introduced. These carry out the same tasks of modulating the basic values within a sample, such as resonance, cut-off, pitch and panning but also introduces more advanced modulation such as LFO and tracking of the velocity.
Pros and cons
The aspect that I enjoyed the most about Renoise was the fact that it was very easy to get basic patterns up and running within the sequencer. Once you have learned how to lay down a pattern by importing samples then this becomes easy to do.
I also enjoyed the quality of the sound engine within the program, and was impressed by the crisp and bright sound that it had. The built-in effects also have a high level of quality and can make the music sound punchy and dynamic when the compressors and the various EQ devices are placed onto individual sounds.
What I did not like about Renoise was the fact that some of the functions are hard to find and doing simple tasks, such as automation also proved to be tricky. I also found that documentation on how to use the program was limited and only a few guides were offered on the web. Luckily I had a friend who is well versed in the program and he was able to show me some of the things that I didn't understand.
Comparison
Other trackers are also available on a selection of different platforms that are also styled as tracker sequencers. One of the most popular is that of Nanoloop. This advanced tracker sequencer is available for a selection of different platforms, including mobile devices such as Android and iPhone. The Android version is the latest release of this software and allows you the ability to create complete tracks which you can then save onto an SD card. This tracker is not a replacement to Renoise but is instead a fun alternative. It features 8 different channels which can be sequenced using a sample or a synthesizer, as well the ability to have 8 different patterns between each channel.
Summary
Renoise 3 is a sequencer that may seem complicated at first, but it quickly becomes understandable. Users will quickly see the software as an intuitive sequencing tool. The sequencer is especially good for sequencing, editing and automating audio samples. With the ability to edit and process each individual sample that you bring into the Renoise application. This program is not as sculptural as other sequencers and is probably more suited for electronic dance music. However, I still found it to be easy and effective with a wide range of different styles.
If you enjoy creating electronic music and want a stable tracking sequencer that is filled with effects of different ways in which to sequence and edit samples and digital synthesizers, then the latest version of Renoise is a good choice.