Feature request: Sub groups about qtractor

[rncbc]

I'm not expecting this dream to come true

are you a "certified pessimist"? ;)

[thebutant]

You know, I applied, but I guess I'll never get that certification. ;)

Just kidding. I was simply guessing that sub-grouping and things like that would take Qtractor in a DAW direction that you maybe wouldn't want. But that was just guessing. I'll keep my hopes up until you give me reason not to!

[maxxatgit]

This is interesting... So in order to be able to add plugins, the outputs have to route to an audio output buss. Automation... that's a different animal. In order to add automation to a group of track inputs, they all have to respond to automation in omni mode. Then there is no need to have all tracks in the subgroup on the same MIDI channel. That way two tracks could be setup such that one responds normally to CC#7, and the other has an inverted response. So CC#7 acts as a fader between the 2 tracks (actually, you would want to use something other than CC#7 so that it doesn't interfere with the mixer) .
For maximum flexibility, you still need to be able to automate tracks within the subgroup individually as well. Select the subgroup, click automation, and get the subgroup automation I described, or select a track that is part of the subgroup, click automation, and get standard QTractor track automation.

I think a lot of the logic for this is already present, with the input busses, output busses, and omni mode. The way output busses work, it should be possible to have both audio and MIDI tracks in the same subgroup. This starts down the road to some really cool stuff like being able to hide the subgroup tracks in the main window, and show them when you double click on the subgroup. That makes for a simpler tracks window for tunes that have lots of parts. Along those same lines, being able to copy a subgroup (including all of the tracks in it) and paste it, would be really powerful.

MIDI only subgroups that output to a MIDI buss would be cool as well. Same UI, hide the individual tracks in the track window, only show them when you double click the subgroup. Same subgroup automation features. I would use Audio + MIDI subgroups for stuff like "Rhythm section" (Audio tracks for Bass & Guitar, MIDI tracks for Drums & Keys), and MIDI only subgroups for stuff like "String Section" (tremolo strings, pizzicato strings, marcato strings) or "Brass Section"...

Thanks for the awesome software! Open source rocks!

[oldcastlehq]

There's probably nothing new in wanting subgroups in Qtractor. I also know Qtractor is a proud, intuitive sequencer, not a bloated DAW.

Nevertheless I often dream of sub-grouping when working in Qtractor. Here's what my dream looks like:

1/ I right click on a track, let's say Track 1. 2/ Up comes the menu, I hover to the option "Link track", and on the submenu I choose which track to link it with. Let's say Track 4. 3/ As I press the mouse button, a window pops up, wanting me to name this group. And to choose outputs, maybe add some more tracks to the input. I add Track 3 and name the group "Chords". Then I press ok. 4/ Suddenly I have a new track in my working space. It's not a midi track, it's not an audio track, it's the group track! And this one is called Chords. Track 1, 3 and 4 are even automatically routed through this group track, where I can add plugins and automation just like in any track.

Well, I'm not expecting this dream to come true. But from a user point of view, I do think it's a good suggestion.

You were right! The dream didn't come true :-(

I also would like a way to group tracks. This feature helps a lot when you work on a laptop or small screen. Come Rui! Let's make this dream finally come true :-)