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