Steinberg Cubase SX/SL 3 Operation Manual

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Automation track operations
Opening automation subtracks 
Every track/channel has a number of automation subtracks, each 
showing one automation parameter.
For audio, group, MIDI and FX channel tracks, there are two ways you 
can open an automation subtrack for the channel:
•By right-clicking (Win) or [Ctrl]-clicking (Mac) the track in the Track 
list and selecting “Show Automation” from the pop-up that appears.
•By clicking on the “Show/Hide Automation” button (the plus...

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Opening additional automation subtracks
•If you click on the “Append Automation Track” button (the “+” sign) for 
an automation subtrack, another subtrack opens, by default showing 
the next parameter in the Add Parameter list (see below).
Assigning a parameter to an automation subtrack
Default parameters are already assigned to automation subtracks 
when you open them, according to their order in the Add Parameter 
list (see below). To select what parameter an open...

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•If the parameter you wish to automate is on the pop-up you can select 
it directly.
The parameter will then replace the current parameter in the automation subtrack. 
•If you wish to add a parameter not available on the pop-up and want 
to view all parameters that can be automated, go on to the next step. 

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3.Select “More...”.
The Add Parameter dialog appears. This dialog shows a list with all parameters, sorted 
into different categories, that can be automated for the selected channel, including the 
parameters for any assigned insert effects. See page 319 for a list of the available pa-
rameters according to channel type.
The Add Parameter dialog for an audio track.
4.Select a parameter from the list and click OK.
The parameter will then replace the current parameter in the...

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• Note that the “replacing” of the parameter displayed in the subtrack is 
completely non-destructive. 
For example, if the subtrack contained any automation data for the parameter you just re-
placed, this data would still be there, although it would not be visible after you replaced 
the parameter. If you click in the parameter display you can switch back to the replaced 
parameter. All automated parameters are indicated by an asterisk (*) after the parameter 
name on...

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Hiding automation subtracks
•To hide a single automation subtrack, click the “Hide Automation” 
button (the minus sign) in the Track list.
•To hide all automation subtracks for a track, right-click (Win) or [Ctrl]-
click (Mac) the track for which you wish to hide the automation sub-
tracks, and select “Hide Automation” from the pop-up menu that ap-
pears.
•To hide all automation subtracks for all tracks in the Track list, right-
click (Win) or [Ctrl]-click (Mac) any track...

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Muting automation subtracks
You can mute individual automation subtracks by clicking their Mute 
buttons in the Track list. While clicking the Read (R) button (see page 
328) for an automation subtrack will activate or deactivate Read mode 
for all automated parameters of the track, using the Mute button allows 
you to turn off automation for a single parameter.
The “Automation follows Events” setting
If you activate “Automation follows Events” on the Edit menu (or in the...

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Using Write/Read automation
All track types except folder, marker, video and ruler tracks feature 
Write (W) and Read (R) buttons in the mixer, in the Track list and in the 
Channel Settings window. Furthermore, the control panels for all plug-
in effects and VST Instruments also feature Write and Read buttons.
The Write and Read buttons for a channel in the mixer, and for an automation 
subtrack in the Track list.
•If you activate Write for a channel, all mixer parameters...

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There are also global Read All and Write All Automation buttons in the 
mixer’s common panel and at the top of the Track list:
The global Write and Read buttons in the mixer, and in the Track list.
•When Read All is activated, all your recorded mixer actions for all 
channels will be performed during playback.
•When Write All is activated, all mixer actions you perform during play-
back (for all channels) will be recorded as automation events.
The “MIDI Controller Input to...

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About the five automation modes (Cubase SX only)
In Cubase SL the automation mode is always “Touch Fader”.
When recording automation, you can choose one of five automation 
modes (available on the Project window toolbar):
•When Touch Fader mode is selected, the program starts writing the 
automation as soon as you click the control and stops writing when 
you release the mouse button.
If you are overwriting existing automation, the Automation Return Time setting (next to...