User guide

Chapter 26 Working With Automation 619
Using Automation Quick Access
The Automation Quick Access feature makes track automation extremely fast and
simple if you only have one hardware MIDI controller available (one fader on your MIDI
keyboard, or maybe just the modulation wheel). You can use this single hardware
controller to access (and automate) the currently active automation parameter of the
selected track in the Arrange window.
To set up Automation Quick Access:
1 Open the Automation preferences, by doing one of the following:
 Choose Logic Express > Preferences > Automation (or use the Open Automation
Preferences key command, default: Option-A).
 Click the Preferences button in the Toolbar, and choose Automation from the menu.
2 Enable Automation Quick Access, by clicking the On button in the Automation Quick
Access section.
A dialog will prompt you to assign the desired controller.
3 Click the Assign button and slowly move the hardware controller that you’d like to use
for Automation Quick Access. Ensure that it’s moved through its entire range.
4 Confirm your selection, by clicking the Done button below the Off/On buttons in the
Automation Quick Access section.
The Done button turns into a Learn Message button. Clicking the Learn Message
button allows you to assign a new controller for Automation Quick Access.
A click on the Edit button opens the Controller Assignments Editor, where you can
assign the desired controller manually. See the Logic Express 8 Control Surfaces Support
manual for more information.
Once set up, you will have hardware control over the active automation parameter on
the current Arrange track.
Enabling and Disabling Automation Quick Access
Should you choose the modulation wheel for Automation Quick Access, you might
want to switch between using it for Automation Quick Access and normal modulation
wheel duties—as MIDI controller 1.
This is most efficiently done with the Toggle Automation Quick Access key command
(default: Control-Option-Command-A).