User Manual

Chapter 45: Automation 1001
Chapter 45: Automation
Pro Tools features dynamic automation of mix-
ing controls on each of the track types. You can
write automation moves and view them in real
time during playback of your session. You can
also edit automation data with the same tech-
niques you use to edit audio and MIDI data.
Automation Accuracy with
Control Surfaces
Control Surfaces D-Control, D-Command, Pro-
Control, C|24, Control|24, and Command|8
control surfaces (as well as the 003 and Digi 002
integrated audio and MIDI interfaces with con-
trol surfaces for Pro Tools) support the automa-
tion features in Pro Tools. Pro Tools control sur-
faces provide 10-bit resolution, or 1,024 steps of
fader resolution. Pro Tools interpolates this in-
put to 24-bit resolution on playback, resulting in
extremely accurate and smooth fader automa-
tion.
EUCON Avid control surfaces using EUCON pro-
vide 12-bit resolution fader and knob control.
MIDI Control Surfaces Most MIDI control sur-
faces have 7-bit resolution, or 128 steps.
Pro Tools interpolates this input to 24-bit reso-
lution on playback, resulting in accurate and
smooth fader automation.
Automation QuickStart
Pro Tools provides many options for recording,
replacing, and editing automation data.
The basic steps for automation recording are:
• Enable the automation type that you want to
record (volume, pan, mute, send level, send
pan, send mute, or plug-in automation).
• Put the appropriate tracks in an automation
writing mode (Write, Touch, or Latch, or a
Trim mode).
• If you are automating a plug-in, enable the in-
dividual plug-in controls to be automated.
• Automation Safe any plug-ins, outputs, or
sends that have existing automation data that
you want to protect from being overwritten.
• Begin playback to begin automation record-
ing, and adjust controls as needed. Pro Tools
remembers all moves performed on enabled
controls.
To edit automation once it has been recorded,
you can:
• Repeat the above steps to write new automa-
tion over the previous data.
• Graphically edit the automation data in the
Edit window.
• Cut, copy, paste, or delete automation data
(certain restrictions apply).
For details on using control surfaces to cre-
ate mix automation, see
your control surface
guide
.