User Manual

MIX AUTOMATION
836
Return ramps
A return ramp (Figure 71-12) is an automation
ramp automatically inserted by Digital Performer
after you punch out from an automation edit. The
return ramp makes a smooth transition between
the level you were at when you punched out and the
the level of the any existing automation in the track
just after the point where you punched out.
The default length for return ramps is 500
milliseconds (half a second). You can change it to
any length you prefer in the Automation Setup
window (Figure 71-3 on page 829), and you can
change it at any time.
RECORDING AUTOMATION
Automation data can be recorded in real time
during playback. To do so, enable the automation
record button for the track you wish to record (as
shown in Figure 71-7), and choose the desired
mode (Overwrite, Touch, Latch, etc.) You do not
need to put Digital Performer into record mode to
record automation. Just start playback and adjust
volume, pan, plug-in settings, send levels, and
mutes as desired during playback.
The automation data is recorded directly into the
track, replacing existing automation data of the
same kind, if any.
Figure 71-13: Automation data can be recorded or inserted directly
into each audio track.
Controlling MIDI data density
The Min Time and Value Range mini-menu
command in the Mixing Board window lets you
control the density of the MIDI controller events
generated by the Mixing Board faders and knobs in
MIDI tracks. Higher minimum values produce
lower density, which generally ensures smoother
playback performance. But densities that are too
low can cause zipper noise or “stair-stepping”.
When experimenting with data density, factors
such as playback tempo also come into play.
INSERTING AND EDITING AUTOMATION
All of the various types of automation data (plug-in
automation, mute automation, send levels, etc.)
can be inserted and edited in the Event List, MIDI
Editor and Sequence Editor for both MIDI and
audio tracks. Use the Insert menus in the Event List
or the Pencil and Reshape tools in the Graphic and
Sequence Editors to insert and edit automation
data. For complete details, see:
■ “Inserting data in the Event List” on page 425
■ “Editing continuous data in Points or Bars
mode” on page 407
■ “Editing continuous data in Lines mode” on
page 409
■ “Working with breakpoint mix automation” on
page 383.