Automation write modes

There are three modes available when writing automation: Overwrite, Touch, and Latch. The following table describes each mode.

Table 83. Automation write modes  

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.

 

Note 1: When writing automation from control surfaces, Sonar uses whichever automation write mode is set on the track.

Note 2: All automation write modes obey the Auto Punch region. For details, see Punch recording.

To specify a track’s automation write mode

Select the track. Click the Show/Hide Track Properties button at the top of the Inspector pane, or press CTRL+SHIFT+I. In the Track Properties Inspector’s Automation section, click Write Mode and select Overwrite, Touch, or Latch. For details, see Automation section.

Tip: You can use a Quick Group to assign multiple selected tracks to the same automation write mode. For details see Quick Groups.

 

See:

Automation

Quick automation guide

Automation methods

Automation time base

Automation Read and Automation Write buttons

Recording individual fader or knob movements

Automation lanes

Creating and editing automation envelopes

Automating track mute

Envelope mode and Offset mode

Converting MIDI controllers to envelopes

Snapshots

Automating effects

Recording automation data from an external controller