User guide

Tracktion 4 Reference Manual
153
Recording Automation Changes Live
When the automation record button is enabled (Fig.
7.3.14), any changes made to an automatable parameter dur-
ing playback will be recorded. It is important to understand that
this applies to all parameters, not just those that have visible,
or previously created, automation curves. For this reason, the
automation write button should always be left in the “off” state
unless you are actively recording live automation changes.
When recording automation curves, there are two punch-out options available. Both can be accessed
from the automation button’s pop-up menu (Fig. 7.3.14):
Punch out: When this option is selected, the recorded changes are inserted into any existing automa-
tion curve.
Keyboard shortcut: U.
Punch out (to end): When this option is chosen, any automation points beyond the punch-out point are
cleared.
Keyboard shortcut: CTRL + U.
If you stop playback while in automation record mode, the recording will be ended as if you had se-
lected the punch out option.
You can record changes by adjusting controls on the lter’s interface, or by using an external control
surface, but the method we shall look at here is that of using MIDI controls such as modulation wheels to
control automation.
Using control surfaces with Tracktion is discussed in Section Four of this chapter, but the premise is
basically the same as what follows below.
Controller mappings allow you to assign any knobs, sliders, or control wheels your control keyboard
may offer to various parameters in your edit. For example, you could assign the modulation wheel on
your control keyboard to the cutoff control of a synthesiser plug-in for instant dance-oor appeal.
In many ways creating MIDI controller mappings shares much with creating custom control surfaces,
but the end results are often quite different. Custom control surfaces can control both lter parameters,
and transport control options. In addition, custom control mappings are not tied to specic lters or
tracks in a specic edit. However, with custom controllers, you often have little control over which pa-
rameters of a lter will be available to the surface. MIDI controller mapping creates a link between a
controller, and a specic parameter. You can therefore easily control parameters spread across a num-
ber of lters.
It is possible for one MIDI device to mix and match MIDI controller mappings and a custom control
surface setup however, so if your controller offers a high number of sliders or rotary controls, you may
want to consider setting aside some or all of the controllers to act as a control surface. If you only have
a few performance controls available however, the easy accessibility of the MIDI controller mapping
panel makes it by far the more exible choice.
Figure 7.3.14
Figure 7.3.15