User manual

Table Of Contents
204
Automation
Background
Cubase provides very comprehensive automation fea-
tures. Virtually every mixer and effect parameter can be
automated.
There are two main methods you can use to automate pa-
rameter settings:
By manually drawing curves on automation subtracks in
the Project window.
See “Editing automation events” on page 212.
By using the Write/Read buttons and adjusting para-
meters in the mixer.
See “Using Write/Read automation on page 209.
The methods are not different in terms of how the automa-
tion data is applied – they only differ in the way the auto-
mation events are created; manually drawing them or
recording them. Any applied automation data will be re-
flected in both the mixer (a fader will move for example)
and in a corresponding automation track curve (although
this may be hidden).
About automation subtracks
Audio tracks, group channel tracks and FX channel tracks
all have automation subtracks. These allow you to view
and edit the automation of all mixer settings for the track,
including settings for the track’s insert effects. There is
one automation subtrack for each parameter, and sub-
tracks can be shown or hidden in any combination.
Similarly, MIDI tracks have automation subtracks for mixer
settings, track parameters and (if used) for send and insert
effect settings.
VST Instruments have special automation tracks that ap-
pear in the Project window when you add a VST Instrument.
There is one automation track for the plug-in parameters,
and one track for each mixer channel used by the instru-
ment. These tracks all have automation subtracks, giving
you access to all parameters and mixer settings.
Instrument tracks, as a combination of a MIDI track and a
VST Instrument, have automation tracks that provide auto-
mation parameters for the VST Instrument itself, for the
VST Instrument channel and the respective MIDI automa-
tion parameters.
Finally, for ReWire channels and input/output channels,
automation tracks are automatically added as soon as you
activate automation (with the Write button) in the corre-
sponding mixer channel strip or in the Channel Settings
window. These automation tracks have subtracks for all
parameters as well.