text is a tough way to do audio — ⇧ SHIFT — ⌃ CONTROL — ⌥ OPTION — ⌘ COMMAND
7 Creative Automation Tips for Music Producers:
Earlier this year, we discussed mix automation basics, detailing how the process works and why it benefits your music. If you still need clarification on these points I suggest taking a look at the article, because in this post we’ll be diving deeper into automation with seven creative tips, applicable to all genres.
Get the Most from DAW Automation: 3 Creative Approaches:
In the early 1970s the recording industry changed drastically with the introduction of mixing consoles that could record and play back fader movement. Leading up to this, mixing multitrack tape recordings was a group effort. For larger sessions of 16 or 24 tracks, up to four people could be needed behind the desk just to manage faders.
Digital audio workstations (DAWs) sophisticated the entire automation process, providing creators and engineers with the ability to control nearly every parameter with precision. In this article, I’ll show you three ways to use automation for more expressive, stand-out music.
What Is Mix Automation? Everything You’ve Been Too Afraid to Ask:
In this article, I will try to answer all the questions you’ve always had about mix automation but were too afraid to ask. We’ll go over what automation is, why you’ll want to use, and the basics. To learn three creative applications of using automation in a DAW, check out this article.
Logic Pro X keyboard command of the day. #LogicProX @StudioIntern1
Region Automation: Note Velocity
Almost everything can be automated in Logic. Automation is an interesting programming language.
To show automation use the ‘Show Automation — A’ command. Initially Track automation will be displayed. Click on the ‘Track’ button in the track header to switch to Region automation. Click and hold the track/region button to select the automation that you want displayed.
I don’t expect to automate Note Velocity very often, but those Control Change lanes could be interesting.
Show automation curves — Logic Pro X:
Before you can add automation points to a track’s automation curves, you need to show the automation curves. Automation curves are displayed as colored curves and points on top of audio and MIDI regions across the track, running the length of the project. You can choose whether to view and edit automation across the track (track-based automation) or only within the track’s regions (region-based automation).
⇧ SHIFT – ⌃ CONTROL – ⌥ OPTION – ⌘ COMMAND
Command Key Touch Bar
- Views showing Time Ruler
Automation: Toggle Track/Region
Region Automation: Volume
Region Automation: Panorama
Region Automation: Balance
Region Automation: Modulation
Region Automation: Breath
Region Automation: Foot Control
Region Automation: Portamento Time
Region Automation: Expression
Region Automation: Sustain Pedal
Region Automation: Control Change 20
Region Automation: Control Change 21
Region Automation: Control Change 22
Region Automation: Control Change 23
Region Automation: Control Change 24
Region Automation: Control Change 25
Region Automation: Control Change 26
Region Automation: Control Change 27
Region Automation: Control Change 28
Region Automation: Control Change 29
Region Automation: Control Change 30
Region Automation: Control Change 31
Region Automation: Control Change 32
Region Automation: Surround Angle
Region Automation: Surround Diversity
Region Automation: Surround LFE
Region Automation: Channel Pressure
Region Automation: Pitch Bend
Region Automation: Program Change
Region Automation: Note Velocity ⌃⌥⇧⌘⌦
Logic Pro X keyboard command of the day. #LogicProX @StudioIntern1
Region Automation: Control Change 20
Select CC20 for Region Automation. There a *lots* of things that can be automated. When you “Display Automation” for a track (happens if you use this command) you can see the enormous set of parameters that can be manipulated. You can even automate a change of MIDI channel!
Automation is the “program” that is applied to the tracks in the project. The sounds that are made come from the MIDI instruments or audio files that “sound” at a point in time. What happens to the sound is modified by plugins. All of the things that can occur over time — changes to plugins, volume, pan, all of it — the automation — is the program that gets written to create the finished product.
It appears that almost every single bit of what Logic can do is available as an “automation” parameter. We program the environment through automation, and allow real-time control to be applied — and recorded!
From the past — “MIDI Draw” — need to check old manuals to learn more about this. This leads me back to the days of Opcode Vision and the entire MIDI orchestra world.
Use the Automation/MIDI area in the Piano Roll Editor — Logic Pro X:
When track-based automation is displayed in the Automation/MIDI area, the displayed automation curve is identical to the automation curve displayed in the automation lane in the Tracks area. Any adjustments to the automation curve made in either location is reflected immediately in the other. However, with region-based automation, you can choose to display either the automation curve associated with the region in the Tracks area automation lane or the MIDI data associated with individual notes. Therefore, with region-based automation it is possible to have the automation lane in the Tracks area showing the automation curve associated with the region and the Automation/MIDI area displaying MIDI data associated with each note (or vice versa).
⇧ SHIFT – ⌃ CONTROL – ⌥ OPTION – ⌘ COMMAND
- Views showing Time Ruler
Automation: Toggle Track/Region
Automation: Cycle Through Used Parameters ⌘Y
Automation: Display Off ⇧⌘Y
Region Automation: Volume
Region Automation: Panorama
Region Automation: Balance
Region Automation: Modulation
Region Automation: Breath
Region Automation: Foot Control
Region Automation: Portamento Time
Region Automation: Expression
Region Automation: Sustain Pedal
Region Automation: Control Change 20 ⌃⌥⇧⌘⌦
Region Automation: Control Change 21
Region Automation: Control Change 22
Region Automation: Control Change 23
Region Automation: Control Change 24
Region Automation: Control Change 25
Region Automation: Control Change 26
Region Automation: Control Change 27
Region Automation: Control Change 28
Region Automation: Control Change 29
Region Automation: Control Change 30
Region Automation: Control Change 31
Region Automation: Control Change 32
Region Automation: Surround Angle
Region Automation: Surround Diversity
Region Automation: Surround LFE
Region Automation: Channel Pressure
Region Automation: Pitch Bend
Region Automation: Program Change
Region Automation: Note Velocity