Automation?

Posted on

Marijuana Czar
Member Since: Oct 01, 2009

How do you do your automation in your DAW?
It's dodgy doin it with the mouse, and I've seen MIDI controllers with knobs n sliders. Would that be the way to go?

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Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Apr 01, 2010 03:46 am

Those midi controllers seem nice, havent found one i want to invest in yet though.

Its ok with my mouse, I use Cubase and if u record ur mouse movements to do automation it cleans it up pretty good and then u can go in and edit it. I think even if ur using a controller ur gonna end up going into the automation and cleaning it up, fitting to the beat and such.

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Apr 01, 2010 04:55 am

yeah, just mouse it and then go back and fix it up.

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Apr 01, 2010 08:12 am

The only advantage to buying a usb hardware one is that you're going to be able to automate several fields at once.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Apr 01, 2010 03:17 pm

M-audio makes an interface that has a Cubase mode; I use it in PT mode. I like mine...but it's likely overkill for what you'd need for electronic music though. If you think you'll ever record drums it has 8 inputs with phantom power in addition to a slew of customizable midi controls. Got mine for $700 on Craigslist. Looks like the price has come down significantly for a new unit. Was typically $1500 new when I got it; looks like 1k is the norm for a new unit now. Just pray it never breaks bc Avid tech support is ****.

Projectmix I/O
www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProjectMixIO.html

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Apr 01, 2010 03:24 pm

My advice is the same as that above, just stick with the mouse method.

Just like any other step-sequenced process, you can go back and look at the automation that you've recorded for the track in question. Then you can erase and redraw bits and pieces of it to make it cleaner, more even, or whatever.

The Operations Manual, available from the Steinberg website or probably from the install CD that came with your copy of LE4, is a good thing to study when you're working with Cubase:

ftp://ftp.steinberg.net/Download/Cubase_LE_4/4.1.2.851/docs_english.zip

The chapter on automation begins on page 90, and is actually quite informative.

Information on displaying the automation track is on page 92, and page 97 has info on drawing automation curves with the line tool (the pencil). Those 2 sections should explain how to go back and correct any mistakes or smooth out any poorly timed passages.

Good luck!

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Apr 01, 2010 03:34 pm

Yeah...but automating multiple tracks at once is fricken' fun.

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