Creating and editing automation envelopes

You can create automation envelopes for tracks, buses, clips and plug-ins. Drawing an envelope overwrites any preexisting envelope for the same parameter that occurs at the same time in the same track or bus.

To edit automation envelopes, first select the automation parameter from a track’s Edit Filter control (see Selecting the data type to edit), and use the global tools in the Control Bar’s Tools module (see Tools) to edit the envelope.

If a time selection spans multiple tracks, the global envelope editing tools affect all selected tracks.

Figure 503. Edit Filter control.

To control track automation, click a track’s Edit Filter control, point to Track Automation and choose the desired track parameter on the submenu menu. To control clip automation, point to Clip Automation and choose the desired clip parameter on the submenu. The Edit Filter menu uses bold text to indicate already created envelopes. For more information about using the Edit Filter, see Selecting the data type to edit.

Tip: You can quickly toggle between Track Volume and the last/previously shown data type on the current track. To do so, press the = key. This only works on the current parent track, not in Automation lanes. To toggle between Clip Gain and the last/previously shown data type on the current track, press SHIFT+=. To toggle between the two most recent Edit Filter settings, hold down the SHIFT key and right-click in the Clips pane.

 

See:

To insert a new automation envelope

To select automation

To move automation

To add envelope nodes

To move envelope nodes

To snap nodes vertically

To reset envelope nodes

To show values on automation envelopes

To raise/lower selected envelope nodes

To raise/lower an envelope across a time range

To raise/lower an audio Clip Gain envelope

To draw automation freehand

To draw a straight line

To change an envelope segment’s shape

To draw automation patterns

To draw MIDI continuous controller envelopes

To erase automation

To delete a single envelope

To delete several or all envelopes

To copy an envelope

To paste an envelope

To copy track automation to a bus

To reassign an envelope

Automation editing mouse cursors

 

See also:

Using the Smart tool on automation

Using the Select tool on automation

Using the Move tool on automation

Using the Edit tool on automation

Using the Freehand tool on automation

Using the Line tool on automation

Using the Pattern tools on automation

Using the Erase tool on automation

To insert a new automation envelope

In the Track view, click the track’s Edit Filter control and select the desired parameter on the pop-up menu.

The envelope appears in the Clips pane as a straight, dotted line in the envelope’s individual color, with a node (very small circle) at the beginning. When you move the cursor over the envelope, a vertical, double-ended arrow appears under it with the name and current value of the envelope in a box next to the cursor. The envelope’s vertical position reflects the current value of the parameter you are editing.

Note: The dotted line in an envelope shows two things: 4 There is no automation data at the time in a track where the dotted line is. 4 The value of the last piece of automation data that exists before the dotted line is represented by the vertical level of the dotted line. You can move an automated control while your project plays, and if you move it during a time where that control has a dotted line in its envelope, the control will stay where you move it. As soon as the Now time reaches a node or solid line, the control snaps to the value of the node or solid line.

A. Node B. Envelope name and current value C. Envelope value range

To select automation

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Do one of the following:

With the Smart tool or Select tool , drag left/right to make a time selection.

With the Smart tool or Select tool , drag with the right mouse button to lasso select.

With the Select tool , click the node. Hold CTRL or SHIFT to extend the selection.

With the Edit tool , click the node.

To move automation

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Do one of the following:

With the Move tool , position the pointer over the envelope segment you want to move, then drag the segment to the desired location.

With the Edit tool , position the pointer over the envelope segment you want to move, then drag the segment to the desired location.

To add envelope nodes

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Do one of the following:

With the Smart tool , position the pointer over the envelope where you want to insert a new node, then click.

With the Smart tool , make a time selection, then drag vertically from the top of the track to insert two nodes at the selection boundaries.

With the Select tool , position the pointer over the envelope where you want to insert a new node, then double-click.

With the Move tool , position the pointer over the envelope where you want to insert a new node, then double-click.

With the Edit tool , position the pointer over the envelope where you want to insert a new node, then click.

With the Line tool , drag to add nodes at the mousedown and mouseup points. Hold down the SHIFT key and drag to add nodes at the Snap to Grid value.

With the Freehand tool , hold down the SHIFT key and drag to add nodes at the Snap to Grid value.

With any pattern draw tools (Sine tool , Triangle tool , Square tool , Saw tool , or Random tool ), hold down the SHIFT key and drag to add nodes at the Snap to Grid value.

 

Note: You can specify how shape smoothing works when recording automation in real-time and when using the Freehand tool on envelope shapes. To do so, click the Track view Options menu, point to Automation Smoothing, then select one of the following options: 4 Smooth. Uses the existing fit-to-curve functionality. This is the default setting 4 As Drawn/Recorded (Linear). Joins the nodes up with linear shapes 4 As Drawn/Recorded (Jumps). Leaves the nodes as is, making them jump shapes

To move envelope nodes

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Do one of the following:

With the Smart tool , drag the node to the desired location.

With the Move tool , drag the node to the desired location.

With the Edit tool , drag the node to the desired location.

When dragging an envelope node, the tooltip shows the current value and the delta value for the change.

To snap nodes vertically

While moving nodes up or down, hold down the CTRL key to snap vertically to the previous node or two previous flat line segments. As the dragged node is snapped, the vertical snap target is highlighted. The global Snap to Grid settings are also active while the CTRL key is pressed.

Figure 504. The vertical snap target is highlighted.

A. Snap target (previous two flat line segments) B. Snap target (previous node) C. Node that is being moved

To reset envelope nodes

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Do one of the following:

With the Smart tool , double-click the node.

With the Move tool , double-click the node.

With the Edit tool , double-click the node.

Note: You can also move the cursor over the node until it a cross appears under it, right-click the node, and choose Reset Node on the pop-up menu.

To show values on automation envelopes

To show/hide values on automation envelopes, click the Track view View menu and select Display > Show Values on Envelopes.

To reset an envelope to the current value

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Move the Now time to where the envelope’s value is to your liking.

3.	Right-click the envelope and choose Clear All on the pop-up menu.

Sonar resets the envelope to the current value.

To raise/lower selected envelope nodes

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Do one of the following:

With the Smart tool , position the pointer near the top center of the track/clip, then drag up/down.

With the Edit tool , position the pointer near the top center of the track/clip, then drag up/down.

To raise/lower an envelope across a time range

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Drag in the Time Ruler to select the duration of the envelope that you want to raise/lower.

3.	Do one of the following:

With the Smart tool , position the pointer within the selection near the top center of the track/clip until the mouse pointer looks like this , then drag up/down.

With the Move tool , position the pointer within the selection, then drag up/down.

To raise/lower an audio Clip Gain envelope

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to Clips.

2.	Select the Smart tool .

3.	Hold down the CTRL key and drag the bottom part of the clip up/down.

Tip: For greater control over clip gain envelopes, set the Event Filter to Clip Automation > Gain.

Note: Clip envelopes can be adjusted in the parent track or in a Take lane.

To draw automation freehand

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	With the Freehand tool , drag to insert envelope nodes and segments.

 

Note: You can specify how shape smoothing works when using the Freehand tool on envelope shapes. To do so, click the Track view Options menu, point to Automation Smoothing, then select one of the following options: 4 Smooth. Uses the existing fit-to-curve functionality. This is the default setting. 4 As Drawn/Recorded (Linear). Joins the nodes up with linear shapes. 4 As Drawn/Recorded (Jumps). Leaves the nodes as is, making them jump shapes.

To draw a straight line

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	With the Line tool , click to set the line start point, move the mouse, then release the mouse button to set the line end point.

To change an envelope segment’s shape

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Move the cursor over the segment of the envelope that lies between the two nodes until the double-ended arrow appears, then right-click the envelope and choose one of the following shapes on the pop-up menu:

Jump. This choice causes the envelope to make a ninety degree jump where the envelope reaches the second node. Sonar displays jumps with a dotted line, meaning that there is automation data at the nodes where the dotted line begins and ends, but not where the line itself is.

Linear. This choice draws a straight line between the two nodes.

Fast Curve. This choice draws a curve between the two nodes that changes value rapidly at first, but more slowly toward the end of the curve.

Slow Curve. This choice draws a curve between the two nodes that changes value slowly at first, but more rapidly toward the end of the curve.

Tip: You can also change an envelope segment’s shape with the Edit tool . To do so, select the envelope segment you want to change, then hold down the CTRL key and drag the selected envelope segment up/down. To specify the default shape, click the Track view Options menu, point to Default Automation Curve, then select the desired curve type

To draw automation patterns

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Select the desired pattern tool: Sine Pattern tool , Triangle Pattern tool , Square Pattern tool , Saw Pattern tool , or Random Pattern tool .

3.

Set the Snap to Grid to the desired length of each cycle of the shape you want to draw. For example, if you want to draw sine curves, and you want each complete sine curve to last one beat, set the Snap to Grid to a value of Quarter. If the Snap to Grid is disabled, the default cycle is one measure.

4.	Click and hold the mouse button in the Clips pane at the place where you want to draw the envelope shape. The place where you click also sets the vertical midpoint of the shape.

5.

Drag up or down to set the vertical range of the envelope, then drag to the right or left to set the length of your edit. As you drag, the cursor’s vertical distance from the midpoint (the point where you originally clicked) determines the amplitude of the shape. To create a series of identical shapes, hold the SHIFT key down while you drag. To gradually increase or decrease the amplitude, gradually move the pointer farther from or closer to the midpoint.

6.	Release the mouse button when done. The shape you selected appears, repeating according to the Snap to Grid setting.

Tip:   4 To halve the cycle frequency (for example, if snap resolution = quarter note, make each cycle a half note), hold down the ALT key while you draw. 4 To double the cycle frequency (for example, if snap resolution = quarter note, make each cycle an eighth note), hold down the CTRL key while you draw. 4 To invert the phase of the pattern, drag the cursor below the zero-line/center (where you initially clicked to start the pattern).

To draw MIDI continuous controller envelopes

1.	Click the track’s Edit Filter control, point to Track Automation and choose MIDI to open the MIDI Envelope dialog box.

2.	Specify the desired MIDI envelope parameter settings:

In the Type field, choose what kind of MIDI event you want to control with your envelope.

In the Value field, choose the name of the controller you want to edit.

In the Channel field, choose the MIDI channel that you want the envelope to send data on.

Click OK to close the MIDI Envelope dialog,

Sonar creates the envelope you chose.

3.	With the Freehand tool , drag to insert envelope nodes and segments.

Note: MIDI envelopes you create in the Piano Roll Notes pane and MIDI envelopes you create in the Track view Clips pane are actually separate envelopes, even if they control the same parameter. Both kinds of envelopes are visible in the Clips pane, and should generally not be used to control the same parameter. You can convert Piano Roll view envelopes to Track view envelopes by selecting the time range and tracks that the Piano Roll envelopes occupy, then use the Track view Clips > Convert MIDI Controllers To Envelopes command. For details, see Converting MIDI controllers to envelopes.

To erase automation

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Do one of the following:

With the Erase tool , click a node to erase a single node, or drag over nodes to erase multiple nodes.

With the Erase tool , click an envelope segment to erase the nodes to the left and right of the segment.

With the Erase tool , position the pointer outside the clip, then drag to lasso erase nodes across clips or tracks.

To delete a single envelope

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Move the cursor over the envelope until a vertical, double-ended arrow appears under it, and right-click the envelope.

The Envelope Editing menu appears.

3.	Choose Delete Envelope from the menu.

Sonar deletes the envelope.

To delete several or all envelopes

1.	Select the data that contains the envelopes you want to delete—you can select parts of tracks, one or more whole tracks, or all tracks.

2.	Do one of the following:

Use the Edit > Delete Special command to open the Delete dialog box.

Press CTRL+ALT+X or use the Edit > Cut Special command to open the Cut dialog box.

3.	Select Track/Bus Automation if it’s listed.

4.	Select Clip Automation if it’s listed.

5.

Click OK.

Sonar deletes any track and clip envelopes that are in the data you selected.

To copy an envelope

1.	In the Track view or the Clips pane, select the track that has the envelope you want to copy. If you want to copy all the automation data in the track, select the whole track.

2.	Press CTRL+ALT+C or use the Edit > Copy Special command.

The Copy dialog box appears.

3.	Choose Track/Bus Automation.

Note 1: The basic Edit > Copy (CTRL+C) and Edit > Paste (CTRL+V) commands only apply to the data type that is selected in the track’s Edit Filter. The Edit > Copy Special (CTRL+ALT+C) and Edit > Paste Special (CTRL+ALT+V) commands open a dialog that lets you specify which elements to copy/paste.

Note 2: If the Track/Bus Automation field is grayed-out, you must re-select a part of the clip that contains either a node or a solid line (shape). A dotted line by itself is not an envelope and can not be copied.

4.	Choose any other kinds of data you want to copy—if you only want to copy the automation data, choose only Track/Bus Automation.

5.

Click OK.

Sonar copies the data you selected to the Clipboard.

To paste an envelope

1.	Select the track(s) and location (Now Time) you want to paste the data to.

2.	Press CTRL+ALT+V or use the Edit > Paste Special command.

The Paste dialog box appears.

3.	Choose a track and location to paste to, if you haven’t already.

4.

Click OK.

Sonar pastes the automation data and any other types of data you chose in the Paste dialog box into the track and location you selected.

You can reassign an envelope to control a different parameter from the one it originally controlled. For example, you can reassign a volume envelope to control pan.

To copy track automation to a bus

Automation envelopes can be easily copied and pasted from tracks to buses and vice versa. To copy track automation to a bus, first select and copy the envelope from the track, then click on the target bus or lane and paste. You can also copy and paste bus automation to tracks the same way.

To reassign an envelope

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Move the cursor over the envelope until the cursor changes to a double-ended arrow, and right-click the envelope.

The Envelope Editing menu appears.

3.	Choose Assign Envelope > (name of the parameter you want the envelope to control).

The envelope changes color to reflect its new parameter assignment.

To copy and assign an envelope

1.	Set the track’s Edit Filter control to the desired automation parameter (Track Automation or Clip Automation).

2.	Move the cursor over the envelope until the cursor changes to a double-ended arrow, and right-click the envelope.

The Envelope Editing menu appears.

3.	Choose Copy and Assign Envelope > (name of the parameter you want the envelope to control).

The envelope changes color to reflect its new parameter assignment.

Automation editing mouse cursors

The mouse pointer provides helpful information when editing automation envelopes. The mouse pointer informs you if you are moving a single node, multiple nodes, a line segment, or a time selection. The following table shows the various mouse cursors.

Table 84. Automation mouse cursors  

Mouse cursor	Description
	Move a single envelope node
	Move multiple selected envelope nodes
	Move an envelope line segment
	Adjust selected envelope region up/down

For a list of all global tool mouse cursors, see Mouse cursors.

 

See:

Automation

Quick automation guide

Automation methods

Automation write modes

Automation time base

Automation Read and Automation Write buttons

Recording individual fader or knob movements

Automation lanes

Automating track mute

Envelope mode and Offset mode

Converting MIDI controllers to envelopes

Snapshots

Automating effects

Recording automation data from an external controller