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DawnamiteUser guide · Development build 20260921.24

Sound & mix

Automation & modulation

Make a parameter change over time, then edit its points.

Phosphor automation line and Track Volume selector on a MIDI track
Automation view exposes the device and parameter selectors. This example shows Track Volume and its automation lane. Captured from development build 20260920.20. Select the image to view it full size.

What automation does

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.

Reveal the lane

Select a track and use Automation in the track-header controls, or choose Automation Select/Automation Curve from the arrangement tool menu. The selected track's automation is revealed. For a plug-in parameter, right-click its control and choose Create Automation when available.

Draw and edit

  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.

A single point or a flat segment will not show the same bend as two different values. Escape cancels a drag. Undo restores the previous edit. Check that you are in the intended track and parameter lane.

Record a movement

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 overrides

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.

Guide for the macOS development build. For changes between versions, see update history. Public installers and final system requirements are not available yet.