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 […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE
Special thanks to Francis Preve for suggesting this tip many months ago…if you’re not familiar with Francis, make sure to check him out. He makes great music and is a terrific educator – he’s the author of the Remixer’s Bible and countless articles for Keyboard magazine. If you’ve ever tried to freeze a track that […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE, pt. 2
Once you’ve frozen a track that requires a sidechained effect, you’re faced with a decision. Do you need to keep the track frozen, or can it be flattened? If you’re prepared to flatten the track, it’s very simple. Flatten the track, then drag the sidechain device from the track you temporarily parked it in back […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE: STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
The prior tips for freezing a track containing a sidechain device assume that you’re fine with the device being at the very end of the effect chain. For example, what if you’ve got a sidechained Compressor sitting before EQ and distortion? If you move the compressor out of the track, then add it back after […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE: THE CATCH
When you render\export a track with a sidechain effect, you need to bear in mind that it becomes possible for the rendered effect to become out of sync with the sidechain source. That’s the problem with rendering sidechain effects, and the very problem that was mentioned in the first tip on this topic. Therefore, when […]
FOLLOW ACTION FREAKOUT
I’m gonna show you a fun workflow for generating a ton of variations on a beat using Follow Actions. Even if you’re familiar with Follow Actions, you might have never stumbled on this one before.This technique works best for an IDM or possibly Dubstep context where a lot of syncopation and variation works well. First, […]
