Automating VSTi Parameters

1. If bus tracks aren't already visible, choose Show Bus Tracks from the View menu.

2. Select the bus track header for the VSTi soft synth you want to edit.

3. Perform either of the following actions:

   • Click the Configure Soft Synth Parameter Automation button in the VSTi's Soft Synth Properties window.

     or——

   • From the Insert menu, choose Envelopes, and then choose Soft Synth Automation from the submenu.

     The Soft Synth Parameter Automation dialog is displayed.

4. The Soft Synth Parameter Automation dialog displays a list of the VST instrument's automatable parameters. Select the check box for each parameter you want to automate.

5. Click the down arrow in the Envelope box and choose a command from the menu:

   Item	Description
   Insert Envelope	If the parameter does not have an automation envelope, No is displayed. Click the down arrow and choose Insert Envelope to add an automation envelope to the timeline.
   Show/Hide Envelope	If the parameter has an automation envelope, Visible or Hidden is displayed. Click the down arrow and choose Hide Envelope or Show Envelope to toggle its display. TIP Click the Hide all Envelopes button at the bottom of the dialog to hide all envelopes on the bus track.
   Reset All Envelope Points	If the parameter has an automation envelope, you can click the down arrow and choose Reset All Envelope Points to restore all points to the default value.
   Delete Envelope	If the parameter has an automation envelope, you can click the down arrow and choose Delete Envelope to remove the envelope and all envelope points from the timeline. TIP Click the Remove all Envelopes button at the bottom of the dialog to delete all parameter envelopes on the bus track.

6. Click the down arrow in the Curve Type box to set the default fade curve for each parameter's automation envelope. The new curve type will be applied to all envelope segments. You can right-click a segment and choose a new fade curve to override the default curve type.

7. You can now edit the parameter automation data by editing the envelopes on the bus track or adjusting the VSTi's controls in the in the Soft Synth Properties window.

After you've added VSTi parameter automation envelopes to the soft synth's bus track, each envelope represents an automatable parameter, and the envelope points represent parameter values.

You can edit parameter automation data by editing the envelopes on the bus track, or you can use the VSTi's controls in the in the Soft Synth Properties window to record automation data:  

1. Double-click the soft synth icon in the Mixing Console window to display the Soft Synth Properties window for the VSTi you want to automate.

2. Click to position the cursor in the timeline where you want to edit a parameter.

3. Adjust the control in the Soft Synth Properties window that corresponds to the envelope you want to edit. An envelope point is created or the envelope point at the cursor position is updated to match the control setting.

   If you want to record automation settings during playback, the controls in the Soft Synth Properties window behave differently depending on the track automation recording mode.

   Click the next to the Automation Settings button and choose a setting from the menu to set the automation recording mode:

   Mode	Track Icon	Description
   Off		Automated parameters are ignored during playback. When you switch to Off mode, the control setting from the cursor position is used as a static setting, and the envelope is dimmed to indicate that it is unavailable.
   Read		The envelope value is applied during playback, and the control in the Soft Synth Properties window reflects the envelope settings at the cursor position. Adjustments to the control are not recorded.
   Write (Touch)		The envelope value is applied during playback, and the control in the Soft Synth Properties window follows the envelope during playback and when you position the cursor. Envelope points are created only while a control is being adjusted. When you stop adjusting the control, automation recording stops and the existing envelope points are unaffected.
   Write (Latch)		The envelope value is applied during playback, and the control in the Soft Synth Properties window follows the envelope settings during playback and when you position the cursor. Envelope points are created when you change a control setting, and recording continues until you stop playback. When you stop adjusting the control, the control's last setting overwrites the existing envelope points/keyframes.