A Track Strip is a display component that can contain other components for
controlling tracks and showing track status. There are two types of track strips you can configure, fixed track strips that are arranged along the bottom of the Mobius window, and floating track strips that may be added to the status area.
Each track has one fixed track strip arranged in a row along the bottom of the window. While you can change the components dispalyed in the fixed track strips, they will all have the same components and they cannot be moved. Usually the Track
Number component is displayed so you can easily identify the track. Fixed track
strips typically have components that show the track status such as the Loop Status list and the Loop Radar and may contain a few track controls such as Output Level. The next picture shows the default components in the fixed track strips. The currently selected track will have a white rectangle drawn around its track strip.
Default fixed track strips
The floating track strips are displayed in the status area, by default there is one on the left containing the major track controls.
Default primary floating track strip
The components inside the track strips are always arranged horizontally. Because there are many controls and status components that can be added, it is possible to create track strips that are very tall. To keep the floating track strips shorter, there are two of them that may be added to the status area and they can contain different components. To add the secondary floating track strip to the status area, go to the
Main tab of the Display Components window and move the item Track Strip 2 into the
panel on the right.
Adding the secondary floating track strip
The next picture shows the status area with both floating track strips. By default, the secondary track strip is positioned on the right side, but it can be moved.
Default secondary floating track strip
To change the components that are displayed in the track strips, go to the Track
Strips tab of the Display Components window. The tab contains three item selectors,
the first two select the components to be displayed in the two floating track strips, and the third selects the components to be displayed in the fixed track strips along the bottom.
Display Components Window - Track Strips Tab
Like other item selectors the panel on the right shows which track strip components are selected and the order in which they will be displayed. The next screenshot shows what a track strip would look like if most of the possible items were selected and in the sections that follow we will describe each of the components.
Fully loaded track strip
8.4.1 Focus Lock
The Focus Lock component is similar to a small LED that will be lit when the track has Focus Lock. If you click on this component it will toggle the state of focus lock. It is not used often since the Track Number can also indicate which tracks have focus lock.
8.4.2 Track Number
The Track Number component is a useful and popular choice for the track strip. It will display either the track number or a user defined track name from the setup. When the track has focus lock the number or name will be displayed in a different color. Clicking on the number or name will toggle focus lock, just like the Focus Lock component.
8.4.3 Group Name
The Group Name component displays the name of the group assigned to this track. This component is only selected if you choose to make use of Track Groups.
8.4.4 Track Controls
The Track Controls are knobs that display and modify various track operating levels. See the Using Controls section in Getting Started With Mobius for information on the purpose of each of these controls. Each knob can be added or removed individually. Some of the newer controls related to speed, pitch, and time stretch are not shown in the previous screenshot but they may be added. Unlike other components in the track scripts, the track controls may be modified by the user. Click and hold the mouse button over the knob and drag the mouse to change the value.
8.4.5 Loop Meter
The Loop Meter is a smaller version of the Loop Meter shown in the status area. It fills with color as the loop plays but it does not have subcycle markers or show scheduled events.
8.4.6 Loop Radar
The Loop Radar is an alternative to the Loop Meter that is popular with many users. It displays progress through the loop as a pie-chart which is often lovingly referred to as the "loop pacman". When the loop is at its start point the radar will be empty, as the loop plays it will draw a clockwise filled arc. When the loop is at the end point it will display as a complete filled circle, then clear and start over. While this is larger than the Loop Meter it is easier to see from a distance.
8.4.7 Output Level Meter
The Output Level Meter is similar to the Audio Meter except that it shows the level of the audio signal being played in the loop. It is another "thermometer" that will bounce around according to the average loop level.
8.4.8 Loop Status
The Loop Status component is another useful and popular track strip component although it does consume a lot of space. Each row represents one loop in the current track. If the loop has content a green rectangle is drawn. The active loop will be drawn with a white border. If you are performing a Loop Switch , the next loop will be drawn with a red border.