Help with automation in Pro Tools 9

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piso3studios

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Hi all,

At my studio we run a few different programs depending on the needs of the artist, as well as the preferences of the engineer on duty. I'm a Cubase man myself, but recently I was given a session to mix in Pro Tools 9. I'm doing ok so far, since I can carry over a lot of the principles from one piece of software to the other.

I am having an issue with a few of the mixer channels, and that is that they seem to have automation turned on, so when I try to adjust the fader, it shoots right back up (or down), hence leaving me with no control whatsoever over the volume on that channel.

The problem might not even be automation, but that's what it looks like to me. If this sounds right, how can I disable automation on specific tracks, and/or the entire session? If you can think of anything else that might affect my control over the channel faders, then please let me know. I'll try any suggestions and report back my findings.

To be clear, the channels are not moving on their own when I dont touch them, so it's not like they have actual automation changes programmed in, but once I try to move certain faders, they go back to their original position.

Thanks in advance!
 
You're right, Volume automation has been drawn in, which means moving the fader won't 'stick'.

Even if the faders aren't moving as you say, one point drawn on the volume envelope is enough to constitute 'automation'.

You have three options.
1
You can set automation to off in mix or edit window. (It should currently say read)
This means your fader is free, but you can't automate volume at all.

2
You can go into your mix window, and make sure the track in question is set to view volume.

You should be able to see the volume envelope; Select it all.
Hit delete. (don't worry, your audio won't be touched)

If there are NO points left on the audio level line, you'll have your fader control back.

3
The other option is to switch the automation mode for that track from read to touch write.

Touch means if you move the fader it will 'update' the automation for that section, but if you let go it will stop writing. IE, the old automation won't be affected. (Forgive me if i'm patronising you there)

Hope that helps.
 
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Thanks Steenamaroo!

That did not seem patronising at all btw, I'd never take offense at a thorough explanation, after all, it's not like you know my level of experience.

I'm quite familiar with automation and most other concepts in DAWs, but like I said it's a matter of not knowing my way around pro tools just yet, so while your explanation makes perfect sense, it'll just tbe a matter of finding the right buttons to get where I'm going.

I'm at work right now, but I'll try this tonight at the studio and report back.

Thanks again.
 
Cool. Glad to have helped.

I can do you screen dumps if you need them, but i expect you'll see what I'm talking about.

In the edit window there's a cluster of buttons for each track at the left.

Solo,Mute,Record, View (waveform/volume/region), Elastic audio mode etc.

That's where you'll find the automation setting.

Let me know if you're stuck.
 
I'll let you know if I have any trouble getting through your instructions above. I won't be at the studio til tonight though so I'll reply back then.

Your help is very much appreciated!
 
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