User`s guide

Pro Tools Reference Guide300
Drawing Automation
You can use the Pencil tool to create auto-
mation events for audio and MIDI tracks by
drawing them directly in any automation
or MIDI controller playlist.
The Pencil tool can be set to draw a series of
automation events with the following
shapes:
Free Hand Draws any shape. In audio
tracks, the shape has the number of break-
points needed to smoothly interpolate and
reproduce the automation shape. In MIDI
tracks, the shape is reproduced as a series of
steps, according to the resolution setting in
the MIDI preferences.
Line Draws a straight line. In audio tracks,
the line has a single breakpoint at either
end. In MIDI tracks, the controller value
changes in steps according to the resolu-
tion setting in the MIDI preferences.
Triangle Draws a sawtooth pattern that re-
peats at a rate based on the current Grid
value. In audio tracks, the pattern has a sin-
gle breakpoint at each extreme. In MIDI
tracks, the controller value changes in steps
according to the resolution setting in the
MIDI preferences. Amplitude is controlled
by vertical movement of the Pencil tool.
Square Draws a square pattern that repeats
at a rate based on the current Grid value.
Amplitude is controlled by vertical move-
ment of the Pencil tool.
Random Draws a random pattern of levels
that change at a rate based on the current
Grid value. Amplitude is controlled by ver-
tical movement of the Pencil tool.
Using Pencil Tool Shapes
You can draw automation for audio as well
as MIDI tracks. For example, you can use
the Triangle pattern to control continuous
functions, or the Square pattern to control
a switched function such as Mute or By-
pass.
Since the pencil draws these shapes using
the current Grid value, you can use it to
perform panning in tempo with a music
track, or on-frame scene changes when
working in post-production.
Resolution of MIDI Controller Data
When using the Pencil tool to draw MIDI
automation, the data is drawn as a series of
discrete steps. You can control the density
of these steps to help manage the amount
of MIDI data sent for a given MIDI control-
ler move.
To set the resolution for the Pencil tool:
1 Choose Setups > Preferences and click
MIDI.
2 Enter a value for “Pencil Tool Resolution
When Drawing Controller Data.” The
value can range from 1 to 100 milliseconds.
Choosing a Pencil Tool Shape