Automation & modulation

Automation stores a parameter's value over time: a volume fade, pan movement or filter sweep. Modulation creates ongoing variation, such as an LFO movement. A manual override can temporarily take control without deleting the stored automation.

Select a track and use Automation in the track-header controls, or choose Automation Select/Automation Curve from the arrangement tool menu. A shows automation across the arrangement. Select a track to inspect its existing lanes; + Add chooses another parameter. Creating a lane does not automatically turn the view on. For a plug-in parameter, right-click its control and choose Create Automation when available.

1. Choose Automation Select.
2. Double-click empty space in the envelope to create points.
3. Drag a point horizontally for timing and vertically for value.
4. Create a second point at a different value.
5. Choose Automation Curve and drag the segment to bend it.
6. Play across the interval to hear the result.

Enable Record Automation from the Automation menu, start recording and move the intended control. Stop, disable automation recording if you are finished, and inspect the recorded lane. Do a short test before a long pass so you understand the active automation mode.

Manual mute can pause that track's mute automation without deleting its points. Resume Automation or Re-enable Automation returns control to the stored lanes. If a value appears to jump back during playback, inspect its automation before changing unrelated settings.

With Pointer or Pencil, Option-drag a continuous segment to bend it. Shift-click makes it Linear; Command-click makes it Step. The segment menu also offers Exponential and Logarithmic. A parameter that only switches values has different step guards. Escape cancels the active drag. Turning automation view off while an automation tool is active returns to Pointer. The A key plays a note while MIDI Keyboard owns that key context.