Ranges are selected sections of the arrangement that can be set for editing or re-opening later on. When creating ranges you are not bound to object borders, individual tracks or any other limitations like markers. Ranges that you search for are displayed inverted. By switching on the “Grid” function in the “Project options” you can set the step size of the selection.
Selecting a range
To select a range, move the mouse pointer to the top half of an object and press the left mouse button. Move the mouse pointer within the object while keeping the mouse button held. Now you can see an inverted rectangle between the starting point and the current mouse position. Once you let go of the mouse button, the range will be selected. The play cursor always automatically remains at the beginning of the range, even if you can’t see it at this moment in time
To expand the range onto other tracks, click on the top half of the selected object again and drag the mouse down vertically while keeping the mouse button held.
You can also select a range by dragging the mouse across the timeline. It will also be displayed in inverted form. Double-clicking on this timeline area selects a range in the selected track, a further double-click selects the range over all tracks, the next double-click then reverts back to the simple timeline selection.
Leaving a range
If you wish to select a different range, click elsewhere in the project that does not include the current range. The old range turns gray and you can now select a new range. Now you can see the play cursor at the position you clicked.
Reactivating a range
Double-click on the grayed out range to get it back or enter the keyboard shortcut: “Shift+Backspace”. By clicking on this command repeatedly you can restore the last five ranges. You can execute the same function by clicking on the button with the left arrow in the transport control.
Changing the border of a range
If you wish to change a border of an already existing range (beginning, end, top edge, or bottom edge), left-click inside the range of the existing area and keep the mouse button pressed. Now, while keeping the mouse button pressed, leave the range in the direction whose border you wish to change. As soon as you have crossed the border of the existing range, the range border will follow the movements of the mouse pointer. Once you have newly defined the range border, you can let go of the mouse button.
The start of the range can be changed with the arrow keys of the keyboard, while the range end can be changed with Shift key + arrow keys.
Horizontal movement of a range
Left-click within the existing range while holding down the Shift key, keep the mouse button held and move the range horizontally.
Saving and opening ranges / Special range commands
Selected ranges can be saved via the “Range menu” or via “Alt” and the feature keys “F2 … F10″ and recalled again by pressing “Ctrl+F2″.
“Alt+F4″ however, shouldn’t be used as it is a Windows command that closes the current screen. Similarly “Alt+F9″ should not be used either as it is used for 4-Point Cut editing in . In you can redefine this keyboard shortcut whenever you like via “Options” > “Program settings” > “Shortcuts” and “Edit menu”.
You can also save and rename ranges without any restrictions using Alt+F11. These and further special functions for defining, changing, and using ranges can be found in the “Range” menu. Beneath this you’ll find a range editor dialog for the exact numerical input of ranges and the Range Manager for quick and easy viewing of and jumping to ranges.
Examples for working with ranges
Example 1:
You wish to move multiple neighboring objects to a new position. Instead of selecting each object separately while holding down the Ctrl key, you can select a range that contains all objects. To do so, use the function “Object” > “Select objects”.
Example 2:
You wish to completely remove a section of a song from the VIP window. This may be, for example, a verse of a song that should be cut out in order to reduce the overall length of the track. You can select the verse in question by dragging out a range and activating all tracks with a double-click. Then select “Edit” > “More” > “Delete with time/ripple” to remove the verse.
Example 3:
You wish to play a selected range as a loop. Here you can modify the range borders. Before making your cuts final, you can preview the possible result.
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