Production techniques with Audiotent
Building macros for performance
#14
Let Pigments’ powerful macro engine be your extra set of hands
What are macros? Many modern day software synths contain multiple assignable macro controls. These let you map one or more parameters to a single rotary knob or fader. Macros are extremely handy for keeping your project automation lanes tidier. For example, reverb and delay amounts could both be controlled using one macro automation lane. This is also useful in a live performance scenario. We only have two hands to work with, limiting how many controls we can manipulate at once.
The simplest macro assignment is one destination. Great for mapping preset-specific parameters to a MIDI controller. You can build purposeful chains by mapping more than one parameter. This is what we’re going to be focussing on in today’s guide.
Firstly, timbre macros. The goal of this macro is to transform the timbre quality of the core sound of the preset. The destinations that you can choose are source-dependent. Experimenting is key here: anything that delivers a pleasant shift in sound is assigned. For this example, wavetable position, FM amount, oscillator voices, envelope attack and wavefolding have all been assigned to the Timbre macro inside Arturia Pigments.