New Project Logical Editor / Logical Editor Improvements, Custom Scripts, Auto-LE(ALE), AI

[awesomeaudio]

I’ve got quite a few I will keep updating here,

A basic one at hand right now:

Generate Name - Only allows one type of numbering format

Generate Name can only do 1,2,3,4,5

If I put 001, it should do 001,002,003,004,etc

Generate Name Script (User Customized Script)

Not sure if this possible, but I’ve been thinking about whether or not PLE could have user created scripts.

For example if someone has 32 record inputs, they could create different lists of track names they could apply to all 32.

Or generate note names

etc

Classic PLE Function/Behaviour Broken

• Before the behavior change that came with new PLE window of being able to call a script to the window via command execution without executing the script:

  • Macro:

    • Open PLE Window

    • execute a PLE Script via keycommand

      • Results in the PLE script being called into the editor but not executed because the Window is open. This behaviour was important for users to call a script to enter values such as MIDI before executing the script.

Solution/Feature Request:

PLE Prompt Window

Logic is as follows

• Any activated Action Prompts are called always called open regardless of if Auto-Apply is on or off.
• If auto-apply is on, but there is an Action Prompt activated, that prompt appears, the user enters data and hits enter - and then auto-apply happens.
• Important Note: If the PLE Windows is already open, Auto-Apply does not function, so that the User can Open PLE Window, and “execute” a PLE command to bring that script to view without applying it (this was the old behaviour)

This gives users a few ways to implement PLE into their workflow. Auto-Apply on/off is stored with PLE presets.

The Action Prompt Window would just be a simple context window that shows the action to take place, and automatically has the user cued to type into the fields, and then press enter:

1.) User executes key command that triggers a PLE which has an Action Prompt and Auto-Apply Activated
2.) The Action Prompt Context Window opens, the user types ‘Vocal’ presses keyboard-tab ‘001’, and presses keyboard-enter…

…3 selected tracks are named ‘Vocal001’ ‘Vocal002’ and ‘Vocal003’.

Both Targets and Actions can have prompt activations.

Multiple Targets/Actions are stacked in the prompt. The user can quickly type and keyboard-tab through all of them and hit enter.

Project Logical Editor in the Right Zone

Allow us to optionally have the Project Logical Editor in the right zone with a search filter. Double clicking executes a command. There will need to be a sub-tab switch for Logical Editor / Project Logical Editor.

There will need to be a Right Zone in the MIDI editor for Logical Editor.

P/LE Command Execution History

Would allow user to re-use commands they had just made previously, as they often get tweaked without saving a preset.

This could appear in three ways.

• Attached Side-Panel Pop-Out from the P/LE editor window
• A dedicate prompt box the user can call via key command
• as a sub-tab in the Right Zone PLE I proposed above.

MediaBay Access and Scripting

I would like PLE to be able to place and or replace sounds on the timeline based on factors such as user entered text/track name in the prompt, folder directory, etc.

Explore the possibility of incorporating AI into both Targets and Actions.

More on this later, back to work.

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edit

There is an old PLE suggestion thread here that was created before the new PLE that is worth checking out, lots of ideas yet to be incorporated:

New PLE Functions? - Cubase - Steinberg Forums

[MattiasNYC]

+1 on this and thanks for linking to that older thread.

I’d add: The ability to rename tracks by filtering to select multiple target tracks with different names according to a list and replacing them with individual names according to a list. This could be a table with column A being target track names and column B being the new names.

Example: My template could have the following output buses/names in col A, followed by ( | ) desired naming col B;

“Stereo Mix” | “full-stereo-mix”
“Mix Minus Narration” | “DME”
“Music And Effects” |“music-and-effects”

Right now I can only target/filter a single track by name, and the new name can’t be pulled from a list but has to be typed into the PLE itself, as far as I know.

PS: The reason for this is that having default naming in a template in a way that makes it easy to read and consistent is desirable, yet many TV/streaming clients have other names for the same files, sometimes being ridiculously long. It would be good to be able to apply these when exporting rather than after export has finished.

[m.c]

@MattiasNYC

Right now I can only target/filter a single track by name, and the new name can’t be pulled from a list but has to be typed into the PLE itself, as far as I know.

Correct.
On the other hand, MIDI Remote can be used with a third-party app to perform tracks renaming.
I’ve prepared a tiny MIDI Remote for accepting the track names (targets|new names) from an HTML page using MIDI.
Here’s a video demonstrating this:

And here’s the midi remote file for anyone interested in seeing/testing the mechanism (contains the HTML file too):
Test_Renaming tracks.midiremote (3.5 KB)

[awesomeaudio]

@m.c Dude! That is clever af!

@MattiasNYC

I’m trying to understand the topology of your issue a bit better,

Is it that PLE can’t do this at all, or is it that it is too cumbersome to do with PLE? Because multiple PLEs could be strung together to achieve this but it’s dependent on the track target names being similar enough that ‘Name-Contains’ works properly.

I think I see the conundrum now, because even if your target names don’t change, you may require different Action names, in which case you’d need to go through each PLE preset.

Would this also require ‘Get Track Names’ so that you don’t have to type out each track name as a target into separate PLEs as well as their change name actions?

It looks like @m.c has a solution very close to what you want.

[m.c]

@awesomeaudio

It looks like @m.c has a solution very close to what you want.

I must note something here, just to be clear. I’m not suggesting such snippets as solutions but rather as demonstration of what is currently doable, just to add to the conversation

[MattiasNYC]

Thanks m.c.

How do I use that midi remote file (I don’t use MIDI at all, basically), and how would I modify it?

[m.c]

@MattiasNYC

I don’t use MIDI at all

If feeling a bit adventurous, you can download this midi remote file and install it by going to Studio→MIDI Remote Manager→Import Script and selecting the downloaded file.
Next step is to activate it, by opening the lower zone of the project window, navigating to MIDI Remote, and then adding the remote Test→Renaming tracks. You will need a virtual MIDI Port as a MIDI Input (and another one as an output but we don’t use it). Once this is up and running, navigate to [yourDocumentsFolder]/Steinberg/(Cubase or Nuendo)/MIDI Remote/Driver Scripts/Local/Test/renameTracks and you will find an html file named renameTracks.html. Open it using a compatible browser for MIDI (Chrome will do), set the port to the one you’ve previously set to the MIDI Remote and you can test it Important note: This script needs Cubase or Nuendo > 13.0.50.

[MattiasNYC]

@awesomeaudio

Is it that PLE can’t do this at all, or is it that it is too cumbersome to do with PLE? Because multiple PLEs could be strung together to achieve this but it’s dependent on the track target names being similar enough that ‘Name-Contains’ works properly.

I think I see the conundrum now, because even if your target names don’t change, you may require different Action names, in which case you’d need to go through each PLE preset.

That’s right. It would be a long string of PLEs where you’d have to set up one set per network preferences. I could easily have 16 outputs as sources for export and thus would need the 16 renames for just that one network.

@awesomeaudio

Would this also require ‘Get Track Names’ so that you don’t have to type out each track name as a target into separate PLEs as well as their change name actions?

Ideally yes, if I understand you correctly.

[awesomeaudio]

I don’t know too much about scripting/code although I’ve done some stuff in AutoHotKey, so I’m sort of basing my knowledge of its capability in making this obviously over simplified topology mockup.

It would require background code base and functions (making up my own terms here) that the user is scripting within much like AutoHotKey.

There’s sub scripts for both Actions and Targets, and a Execution Script that calls and receives the sub-scripts.

In this particular topology it would require some base scripting elements like:

• ‘GetTrackNames’
• The ability for users to create their own prompt boxes, column lists with functions.
• Direct to a txt file on computer as an alternate solution

This mockup isn’t necessarily the best way to do it, just inspiring the direction/idea of allowing PLE to become more open and customizable with deeper user scripting capability.

It’s also possible Steinberg could just incorporate a ready made solution that incorporates Bulk targeting/actions with a prompt UI/UX as explained in my earlier post.

I think incorporating AI into PLE could be interesting.

AI and PLE

• Creating scripts for users
• Learning Users Custom Scripts
• Asking a user if a script it executed worked properly / verification learning
• Allowing users to just type what it is they want and having AI figure out the Boolean Logic

Another thing I was thinking about that could also tie in AI…

Auto Logical Editor - Auto Scripts, AI Assistant, etc

Auto Logical Editor would be running as a constant background process in a project and could tackle various jobs, feature user customized scripts and perhaps AI Assistant as well.

• Auto-Colouring of Tracks Based on Name Content/Track Type
• Auto-Fill of Track Names while user is typing
• Auto-Track Picture Selection/Filter/Creation based on TrackName
• Auto-Track Organization based on user preferences
• Auto-Track Routing
• Auto-Silence Mute Editing
• Auto-Load-Track-Preset Based on Track Name
• Auto-MixConsole-EQ based on Track Name

Text in channel NotePad could be used as an alternative target identifier if users want less confliction with Track Names.

Also there would need to be a logic/scriptability that allows users to not have auto-changes occur during playback/record / until playback has stopped.

There would need to be a logic ability for knowing whether a user has already made custom changes to a track name for example, and not auto-re-naming it.

Users could pause ALE scripts individually or pause all.

[awesomeaudio]

Project Logical Editor: Make Preset Menu a Pop-Out Browser, also, where is ‘Create New’?

PLife would be much easier if the menu could stay open, double clicking a script loads it.

Increase Number of Pre/Post Commands

PLE Pre/Post Commands - is there a reason there is a limit to only 4 commands each?

4 is not enough, maybe 1/3 of what I need for many of my PLE scripts.

Also the boxes for Pre/Post Commands are too narrow, imo, this orientation might make more sense

Missing PLE targets/actions: Lock/Unlock/Locked Track, Freeze/Unfreeze/Frozen, and more

These would be very very useful

For Target:

• Is/is not locked (could apply to tracks or events)

• Is/Is not Frozen

• Contains DOP

• Contains ARA2

For Action

• Lock/Unlock/Toggle Lock (could apply to tracks or events)

• Freeze/Unfreeze/Toggle

Feel free to add any others to the list

Keycommands: Macro-box - Please Add a Search Bar for Macros!

I have a lot of macros and PLEs, many are tied together in series

I’m currently revising about 1000 PLEs and Macros to convert them into the new PLE Pre-Command/Post-Command system to clean things up.

I would have definitely appreciated the ability to search macros… Would have made this task a lot less daunting.

[awesomeaudio]

Target:

Channel Formats

• Stereo
• Mono
• Different Multi-Channel Formats

Target:

Event Conditions:

• Has Insert Active
• Has Insert Disabled

More UI Improvements

• Preset name is too short
• In old PLE, i was possible to alt+click the preset name field to edit/change the name (if I remember correctly).

[awesomeaudio]

This is one of the best suggestions in the old thread

@Sub3OneDay

Another feature that would be great -

Search/do action based on content of notepad.

If tracknotepad contains <some text> do a PLE action/function

You should also be able to add/remove text from the notepad.

I sometimes use track names as codes to do various PLE scripting actions,

It would be much better if this could instead be done in the notepad

[awesomeaudio]

Complete reworking of Project Logical Editor GUI/UX

If PLE UI/UX and workflow environment were to be fully optimized for everyone, but especially for people doing large amounts of scripts, customized controlled studio functions, etc… imo, it would be something like this:

• No momentary pop-up menus that are in the way, don’t recall properly, etc.

  • A preset browser side-panel that can be left open, user always has their last browsing position at hand.

  • No pop-up menus needed for the Pre/Post Command

• An integrated mirror of but slightly modified Key Commands/Macros browser with some additional features/function,

• Command History and Preset Load/Execution History allows quick recycling of needed commands.

• Cross-Comm protocols and features between PLE preset menu, key commands and macros, and post/pre commands.

The only other thing that would be needed to completely dial in the UI/UX of doing this type of stuff, is for MIDI Remote to have the ability to create Non-Graphical Devices that are just a mass trigger→command portal list… Like Generic Remote.

[awesomeaudio]

Make ‘Track Selection Follow Event Selection’ work with PLE event/part/data selection.

But if that were to happen:

Separate ‘On’ / ‘Off’ Commands for preferences as well as ‘Undo Preference Change’

I like having this preference on, but sometimes I have to turn it off. It being a toggle, means it can’t really be utilized in macros/scripts.

Separate On and Off commands could remediate that, an ‘Undo Preference’ history and command would also be very handy, so that users can disable/enable with on/off for the script, and then add an Undo Preference Change to return to their working preference.

Another example is, Selecting Tracks that have certain data conditions (muted events, etc). For that to work properly, ‘Track Selection Follows Event Selection’ needs to be on.

Other threads (there are only cumbersome workarounds for this behavior)

Select tracks based on part selection via PLE - Cubase - Steinberg Forums

A Workaround to Select Parent Tracks of Selected Parts/Events using PLE - Cubase - Steinberg Forums

Select events - Cubase - Steinberg Forums

PLE help - Need a ‘Child’ object is selected - Cubase - Steinberg Forums

[awesomeaudio]

Add Integrated Self-Contained Multiple PLE Scripts In the Pre/Post Commands

I often require multiple PLE scripts daisy chained together, I came up with a whole naming convention [PLE] vs [PLEM] (macro) in their own sub-folder, in an attempt to keep my preset list organized and not choose the wrong script to run…

But in many cases, it would be better if there could be multiple PLE scripts in one PLE and I was thinking this could be achieved with the Pre/Post Command slots, being able to add an integrated additional PLE script, with a mechanism to edit it which pops up another PLE Window.

This would clean up my list, and make daisy chained PLE editing way easier, rather than having to switch back and forth between presets, which requires you to always be saving the presets, etc, etc.

edit

Also, this is would be a lot simpler for the average person than trying to learn the Boolean algebra parenthesis order of operation.

[awesomeaudio]

Small Workflow Annoyance - Changing Condition Removes Values when not always nessecary.

Obviously there’s instances where Condition and Value won’t have corresponding functions/targets, but many times they could in which the value should stay.

Useful when creating multiple separate PLE presets from one script.

[awesomeaudio]

Lock Event Attributes - Separate into individual commands, break up ‘Other’ / add ‘Mute’, ‘DOP’, ‘Transpose’, etc

PLE is most useful and flexible when it has individual access to individual function elements via commands.

• Position (individual command)
• Length (individual command)
• Other (Individual top level command selected all in other)
  • Mute (individual sub command
  • etc

[awesomeaudio]

Please Add Macro and PLE command operation time delay commands/interjections

We need to be able to insert macro/PLE delay elements in between commands to make sure they fire off correctly.

Click above title for details

[awesomeaudio]

Rename Trackversions via PLE

@jorisdeman

I use track versions a lot for live recording in the studio of string sections etc.
A folder track with a bunch of channels grouped together works well for this, and I use trackversions for multiple takes.
However, renaming is a pain - I can’t do it during recording for fear of jumping out of record, the window width is too small to make the names anything meaningful, and in true SB fashion the window is also not scaleable vertically.

It is in dire need of an upgrade - use the right pane for an additional track version window that can be scaled horizontally (and vertically), showing more of the names, and for the love of god make them re-namable using the PLE.
This way, one can quickly create names and append characters (like a number of stars for the quality of the take) using PLE presets, which would be super fast.

@awesomeaudio

+1 on this,

was just about to create a thread for this when this one got suggested to me.

It could be implemented one of two ways, via Container Type - TrackVersion in the Target module, or, a dedicated NameTrackVersion in the Action module.

I would want all of the options that current Name has - addendum, rename, etc.

I have a few PLE scripts that generate multiple TrackVersions, it would be fantastic to be able to plunk a name into each based on the PLE script.

[thinkingfield]

Agreed, the P LE need to be updated!! I love using them, but they are a bit limited. I’d love to see the ability to change parameters before running the scripts. Instead of having 5 macros, LE, for 5 different volume levels, one command where I can send the value I want!