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318 Chapter 7 Automation
The Write mode of traditional mix automation systems will rarely be needed when
working with Logic’s advanced Track Automation features. It’s mainly there to complete
the selection of automation modes. It’s easier to erase automation data by selecting
Options > Track Automation > Delete All Automation Data of Current Track (or All Tracks,
respectively). In earlier analog mix automation systems, the Write mode was the only
way to erase automation data from tape when beginning a new project. The Options >
Track Automation > Write to End and Write to Right Locator commands are self
explanatory. One writes Track automation data to the end of the song, and the other to
the right locator position.
MIDI
MIDI disconnects the Mixer controls from the Track Automation system, and switches to
Region Based Automation (see “Region Based Automation” on page 322).
The fader will act like a standard external MIDI source, and will be recorded and played
back as normal MIDI data in MIDI Regions.
Switching Automation Modes For All Channels Simultaneously
Hold Command when switching the mode of a channel strip, and all channel strips that
were previously set to the same automation mode will switch to the selected mode.
Writing Track Automation Data
You have the following write options for Track Automation data:
• Move any fader or control of the selected channel strip—in the Track Mixer or
Environment Mixer—with the automation mode (see “Automation Modes” on
page 316) set to Touch, Latch, or Write. In real world usage, you’ll rarely (if ever) use
the destructive Write mode, which erases all automation data. The standard write
modes are Touch and Latch.
• Choose a parameter in the Arrange track list, and move the value slider to the right
of the track list, with one of the write modes engaged.
• Move the external faders (and other controllers) of your Logic Control or another
suitable hardware controller that has been set up on your system, with one of the
write modes engaged.
• Use HyperDraw (see “HyperDraw” on page 323) to manually draw in automation data
Important: The recording of Track Automation data takes place if Logic is in record or
playback mode! The Arrange window track selection or audio record ready status is
irrelevant. Whatever you touch/move will be recorded, when a channel strip is set to
one of the write modes. The movement of Mixer controls (when in a write mode) can
be used to overwrite and/or edit existing automation data, in real time.