Logic Pro Automation Points and Auto Select Parameter In Read Mode Explained

The basics of getting your automating tasks done quickly and efficiently!

Watch a brief tutorial on this.

In Logic Pro using Automation point, or automation snapshots or automation envelopes as the feature is known in other DAWs, can be a quick and efficient way to automate, especially in scenarios where you don’t have a control surface and especially if you want precision, which a control surface could get in the way of. I’d argue when you know precisely what you want in some ways this could even be faster than the visual method of drawing it in as well.

There are two ways to break down automation points in logic. One set is strictly for automating volume, pan or sends. The other set is for automating any other parameter that can be automated. Additionally you have a single point which is for changing a value over time, and two points which is for snapping a parameter from a specific value to another value immediately.

For example, a single point is useful if say from bar 9 to bar 13, you want a track to slowly rise in volume from -6db to 0db, or you want it to slowly pan from all the way left to all the way right.

You would utilize this method by at bar 9 setting the volume or pan to where you want it to begin and dropping one automation point at bar 9 then going to bar 13, setting the value to where you want them to end and dropping another automation point.

Two automation points is when you don’t want the parameter value to change over time but immediately jump or snap to the new value. Case in point, Lets say you need an instrument to jump up by 3db at bar 17, You will set the volume to it’s new value of being 3db louder at bar 17 and then drop two automation points via key command. When the play head hits bar 17 on playback the volume immediately will change to the new value.

This works pretty much the same with effects parameters, solo, or muting tracks etc.

Logic also has a handy feature called “Autoselect Automation Parameter in Read Mode”. It’s found under the mix menu, and when it’s enabled, after you press A to show automation for the selected track, if you adjust the parameter you plan to automate, it will automatically set that as the parameter that will beautomated when you start dropping points.

So after selecting “Autoselect Automation Parameter in Read Mode” under the mix menu and pressing A to make automation visible. You can then move the parameter you want to automate. If you are planning to automate volume, pan, or sends, you can use Logic magician to change the value of the volume, pan or send parameter using the keyboard command. In a case where the parameter is set to a value you want it to start at already just change it to a new value and change it back to tell Logic this is the parameter you plan to automate. You can do the same with solo or mute using their key commands as well. In the case of a plug in parameter, you will want to move that parameter in the plug in.

In the case of automating a volume, pan, or send parameter, you will use Control Command 3 for one automation point and Control Command 4 for two automation points. If you want to automate any other parameter, then you can use Control Command 5 for a single point and Control Command 6 for two points.

So odd numbers, 3 or 5 for single points with the lower number being for volume, pan, or sends, and even numbers 4, or 6, for two points with the lower number being for volume, pan, or sends.

See examples of automating volume, pan and effects or catch all the automation tutorials on this playlist.