Automation Curves

Note : The automation curves are a run-time feature and therefore, they consume CPU. Using too many automation curves might result in CPU overworking and audible sound errors.

Automation curves (Shift+C) are curves that allow you to visually configure track and VST parameters. A curve within the time range can describe the changing values of a parameter over time.

An automation curve can be attached to:

• A mixer item (Master In/Out/MidiIn/MidiOut/Tempo)
• A track, affecting its volume
• A VST, affecting one of the VST automation parameters.
• A link, affecting either the volume of the link (See mixer) , or a VST automation parameter.

Additionally, a curve can send MIDI data (notes or CC) to any midi-in device.

An automation curve has the following properties:

• The actual data, floating point values between 0 and the max mixer position (default is 200%).
• The "A" property, "Active". If you disable this, then the curve will not be applied.
• The "R" property, "Record", which allows you to "record" an automation curve (see below).
• The target property, specifying where the curve is attached. You can attach the same curve to more than one targets. Double click on the gray area at the left of the curve to specify the targets.

All these properties can be reset either offline or online.

The curve editor reacts to mouse hits as follows:

• Clicking on a non-point creates a point at the position.
• You can drag a point
• Right clicking on a point removes that point
• Double clicking on a point shows a dialog box for its time and value
• Click between 2 curve points while holding down Control to define a Quadratic Bezier curve point.
• Click between 2 curve points while holding down Control and Shift to define a Cubic Bezier curve point.

A curve can also be armed for recording. When a curve is armed, its contents after the current position are removed. Then the curve records the changes to the target that is supposed to be attached. If a curve is attached to more than one targets, it records changes from any of those targets.

Note: In order to save CPU when playing, a curve records only left mouse clicks. The mouse wheel or mouse dragging is not recorded.