Chapter 15
Automation
Choose the target #
Automation can address a track, instrument, effect, MIDI controller, note or video object. Select the track and add a lane through the automation lane controls. The add-lane menu lists applicable targets, including instrument and effect parameters and the latest adjusted hosted parameter.
The master lane menu offers BPM Automation. This is project-tempo automation in standalone. A hosted DAW owns its own transport and tempo. Do not expect a CC lane or a note-expression lane to change the project BPM.
Points and curves #
Use the lane tools to draw or edit points at beats. Drag a point to change its time and value. The curve between points is the parameter change over that interval. Segment modulation is available where the lane supports it; the interaction hint identifies the V action.
Right-click a lane for Remove Lane or Clear All Points. These do different jobs: one removes the lane from the visible set, while the other clears its content. Save a version before clearing a curve that you may need later.
MIDI CC lanes #
The add-lane menu provides common controllers and Custom CC Number.... CC1 is modulation, CC11 is expression and CC64 is sustain. Choose the controller your instrument actually receives. A CC lane belongs to the selected track and channel.
A MIDI CC curve sends controller values. A hosted-plug-in parameter lane changes a particular plug-in parameter. Those targets are not interchangeable even when they appear to affect the same sound. For control from hardware, use Learn MIDI CC on a supported knob and clear the mapping through its context menu when needed.
Note properties and expression #
The per-note lane can display Velocity, Pan or Expression through its label context menu. These values belong to notes. A MIDI CC curve instead belongs to a track timeline. Select the intended notes before applying a batch property change.
Pitch-bend points and curves are note-expression editing. Vocal expression lanes are also distinct from track CC. DiffSinger and UTAU expose their own available expression parameters; inferred vocal curves can be cleared through Clear Inferred Curves without treating them as a controller recording.
Automation clips #
Make a time selection, then use Make Automation Clip from Time Selection in the lane menu. Right-click the resulting clip for Duplicate Automation Clip, Rename Automation Clip, Loop Count, Loop Region, Consolidate Touching Automation Clips, Dissolve Automation Clip or Delete Automation Clip.
The clip loop region can be set from a time selection and reset to the whole clip, just like the loop window for other clip content. Moving, trimming or repeating an automation clip changes where its curve is used. Check the target and range before consolidating touching clips.
Video keyframes #
Select a video clip in Arranger, then use its Inspector. Enable Auto-Key when you want an eligible property change at the current playhead to create a keyframe. Change a property, move the playhead and set another value to create motion.
Keys shows stored keys, while Curves shows their interpolation. These views share the selected owner and stored automation. Selecting a different clip or node changes the owner. Confirm that selection before editing a key. Video modulation routes and per-frame scripts can also drive parameters; those are separate from a hand-authored keyframe curve.
A small automation check #
On a saved copy, add a visible instrument parameter lane and draw two different values a few beats apart. Play through them, then Undo the curve edit and confirm the previous value behavior. Repeat with CC11 only if the receiving instrument supports it.
For video, select a simple clip, enable Auto-Key, change one eligible property at two playhead positions, and inspect both Keys and Curves. Native playback, persistence and export parity for these exercises remain unverified in this manual draft.