Reference Manual

CHAPTER 18. CLIP ENVELOPES 233
18.3 Mixer and Device Clip Envelopes
Clip envelopes can be used to modulate mixer and device controls. Since mixer and
device controls can also be controlled by the Arrangement's automation envelopes, this is
a potential source of confusion. However, clip envelopes differ from automation envelopes
in one important way: Whereas automation envelopes dene the value of a control at any
given point in time, clip envelopes can only inuence this dened value. This difference
allows the two types of envelopes to work together in harmony when controlling the same
parameter.
Imagine that you have recorded volume automation for an audio clip so that it gradually
fades out over four bars. What happens to your fade-out when you create a clip envelope
that gradually increases the mixer volume over four bars? At rst, your fade-out will become
a crescendo, as the clip envelope gradually increases the volume within the range allowed
by the automation envelope. But, once the decreasing automated value meets with the
increasing clip envelope value, the fade-out will begin, as automation forces the absolute
control value (and the operable range of the clip envelope) down.
18.3.1 Modulating Mixer Volumes and Sends
Notice that there are actually two volume modulations: Clip Volume and Mixer Volume.
The latter is a modulation for the mixer's gain stage and therefore affects the post-effect
signal. To prevent confusion, a small dot below the mixer's volume slider thumb indicates
the actual, modulated volume setting.
Modulating the Mixer
Volume. The Little Dot
Below the Volume Slider
Thumb Represents the
Modulated Volume
Setting.
As you raise and lower the Volume slider, you can observe the dot following your movement
in a relative fashion.
Modulating the track's Send controls is just as easy. Again, the modulation is a relative