OK, a bit of an exaggeration perhaps. But here’s the thing: sometimes, as you’re producing a track there are spots where it’s important to automate the volume (fading parts in and out for example). The problem is that later on when it comes time to do a final mix, adjusting the level of tracks with […]
AUTOMATION THINNING
You might have noticed at some point that automation that looks like this while you are recording it… …ends up looking like this after the recording stops: This is because Live automatically “thins” the automation data. In other words, it removes breakpoints that are deemed unecessary and creates a simpler shape with more straight lines. […]
AUTOMATION EDITING: BREAKPOINT DRAG & DESTROY
I mentioned in the prior tip that simple automation shapes are easier to edit, but really It’s easy to edit just about any automation shape, especially if you’re handy with a few techniques. Here’s a good one. Hold down the SHIFT key while dragging a breakpoint to delete any other breakpoints in it’s path. Using […]
AUTOMATION EDITING: DELETING
Whether or not you use multiple automation lanes, deleting automation is easy delete a chunk of automation, highlight it…. …and hit Cmd+Delete (Ctrl+Delete PC) If you’re editing the automation in a separate lane, then you just use Delete without the modifier key.
AUTOMATION EDITING: SUPER MEGA DELETING
Live’s Global Record mode is great because it makes it so easy to capture a performance, but it’s also potentially aggrivating because it makes it so easy to record unecessary automation. It’s very common to have to go through and completely remove entire tracks of automation after recording an arrangment – fortunately there are a […]
AUTOMATION EDITING: CLEAR AND PRESERVE
This is a good one. You might have never realized it, but when using the Clear Envelope command, the position of the insertion point determines what value the cleared envelope is set to. For example, let’s say you’re recording a performance and while you do you make a bunch of parameter tweaks to a synthesizer […]
AUTOMATION EDITING: MOVE IT AROUND
To save time during the production process, it helps to be a master of basic (and no-so-basic) automation editing. Let’s take a look at a few techniques for moving around chunks of automation. For example, to quickly adjust the volume for a single clip, highlight it first. Then, drag the automation line and it will […]
AUTOMATION EDITING: CONFINING MOTION
When moving automation using this technique, you’ll sometimes find yourself accidentally moving the automation to the right and left. It’s nice that this is possible, but aggrivating when it’s not what you mean to do. To confine movement to up and down only, hold down Cmd(Mac) / Ctrl (PC) while dragging. Option/Alt is also used […]
AUTOMATION EDITING: LOCK IT DOWN
One of the most frequently overlooked features of the Arrangement view is the Lock Envelopes switch: When activated, this switch locks automation to the timeline, instead of to the clip. With this switch enabled, you can make a copy of a clip… …without copying it’s automation. …or delete\replace a clip while leaving the automation in […]
