Specifications
Chapter 28: Automation 465
Thinning Automation
Pro Tools writes a maximum density of automa-
tion data during an automation pass, in the
form of breakpoints. Since Pro Tools creates
ramps between breakpoints, it may not need all
of the captured points to create a sonically accu-
rate representation of the automation moves
that you have made. Each breakpoint takes up
space in memory allocated for automation, so
thinning data can maximize efficiency and CPU
performance.
Pro Tools provides two different ways to thin
automation data and remove unneeded break-
points: the Smooth and Thin Data After Pass op-
tion and the Thin Automation command.
Using Smooth and Thin Data After Pass
When this option is selected in Setups > Prefer-
ences > Automation, Pro Tools automatically
thins the automation breakpoint data after each
automation pass.
In the default settings for new sessions, the
Smooth and Thin Data After Pass option is se-
lected, with the “Some” setting chosen. In most
cases, this setting yields optimum performance
while providing an accurate reproduction of
your automation moves.
If you choose None, Pro Tools writes the maxi-
mum possible number of breakpoints. You can
still perform thinning at any time with the Thin
Automation command (Edit > Thin Automa-
tion). For more information on smoothing auto-
mation data, see “Smoothing” on page 456.
Using the Thin Automation
Command
The Thin Automation command lets you selec-
tively thin areas in a track where automation
data is too dense. You can use the Undo com-
mand to audition the results of thinning (com-
paring thinning and not thinning) before you
apply it permanently.
To use the Thin Automation command:
1 In the Edit window, click the Track View Selec-
tor to display the automation type you want to
thin.
2 With the Selector, highlight the automation
data you want to thin. To thin all automation of
the selected type in the track, click the Selector
in the track and choose the Select All command.
3 Choose Edit > Thin Automation to thin the se-
lected automation by the amount you have se-
lected in the Automation Preferences.
Drawing Automation
Use the Pencil tool to create automation events
for audio and MIDI tracks by drawing in any au-
tomation or MIDI controller playlist.
The Pencil tool can be set to draw a series of au-
tomation events with the following shapes:
The Smooth and Thin Data After Pass Option
Choosing a Pencil tool shape