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Very basic volume automation question


0B02
Go to solution Solved by David Nahmani,

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I've got a synth part that I want to fade to nothing in the middle of a song, but then return the track to the volume of the volume fader for more parts.

The fade to nothing part is easy, what I can't get my head round is how to set up the volume automation of that track so it starts at the level set on the fader and then, when it comes back up after the fade part, it returns to the volume level of the fader... not to a set dB level... when I'm mixing the song. 

Sorry if this is really basic stuff!

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Do you want to record live automation, where you're moving the fader with the mouse or a controller during playback? Then use the "Touch" mode. Start playback. Move your fader to produce your fading down to nothing, and when you release the fader, it automatically jumps back up to the previous level. 

Or do you want to draw offline automation, drawing the curve with the mouse pointer? Then click the curve where you want the fade down to start and where you want it to end. Now you've set the beginning and end levels. You can now click inside those two points to create more points and drag them around, like this: 

fade.gif

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Hi David

I understand how to draw the fade - the issue is making sure the level either side of the fade (red arrows in attached screen grab) is always the same volume as the volume fader, if the volume fader is moved during playback (i.e. when mixing).

Using your example...

1. I manually draw the volume automation with the fade.  Before and after the fade it's -6.6dB.

2. I then play the song back and reduce the overall level of the track using the fader (while mixing) to -8dB.

3. When the song gets to the end of that fade, currently the volume of the track jumps back to -6.6dB.

4. I want it to return to -8dB, where the volume fader has been moved to. 

Does that make sense? I think I might be missing something fundamental with how automation works.

Screenshot 2023-11-19 at 09.21.06.jpg

Edited by 0B02
Clarity
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  • Solution
Just now, 0B02 said:

the issue is making sure the level either side of the fade (red arrows in attached screen grab) is always the same volume as the volume fader, if the volume fader is moved during playback (i.e. when mixing).

Oh ok I understand now! Ok so then what you're asking is not possible. Once you have an automation curve, you can't move parts of the automation curve with the fader. 

What you could do is route that channel strip's output to a bus and use that bus as the mixing volume control. Or use a Gain plug-in. 

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