Reference Guide

1005
Quick automation guide
Automation
“Automating effects” on page 1036
“Recording automation data from an external controller” on page 1038
Automation write modes (Producer and Studio only)
There are three modes available when writing automation: Overwrite, Touch, and Latch. The
following table describes each mode.
Mode Icon Description Parameters affected
Overwrite Overwrite mode overwrites any existing automation data
for the currently armed parameter while the transport is
rolling, even if you don’t touch the parameter. Any
previous automation is erased. This mode is useful if you
want to set some parameters to their desired write
positions before you press Play.
Only the parameter
currently shown in the
track’s Edit Filter.
Touch Touch mode overwrites any existing automation data for
the currently armed parameter only when the parameter is
moved with the mouse or a MIDI controller. Automation
writing stops when the parameter is released, and the
parameter returns to any previously automated position.
This mode is useful if you want to update a previous write
pass, appending new automation data only where
desired. When using a touch-sensitive MIDI controller,
new automation data will only overwrite existing
automation data when you physically touch a control.
All automation data on the
track.
Latch Latch Mode is similar to Touch mode; new automation
data overwrites existing automation data when you move
a control. However, when you release the parameter, it
will remain “latched” into its current position and continue
to overwrite any existing automation data until playback
stops. This mode is useful if you want to start writing
automation only after a parameter is moved. This mode is
particularly useful for automating pan controls and plug-in
parameters when using a non-touch sensitive control
surface (because it does not revert to its previous position
when you release a control).
All automation data on the
track.
Table 180. Automation write modes
Note 1: When writing automation from control surfaces, SONAR uses whichever automation
write mode is set on the track.