Total newbie... question about filters

[stevedavy]

So I'm totally new to Tracktion... and pretty new to multitracking and audio editing.

I'm wondering how you would go about animating the level of an effect over time (not even sure that "animating" is the right word in this field -- I'm a CG animator by trade though and this is the same principal!).

For example, if I wanted to start out with heavy reverb on a clip that is slowly reduced during a fade-in? Howjadoit?

[AD80]

The term you're looking for is "automation".

Theres a couple of easy ways to automate in Tracktion (bare with me I'm not good at explaining things like this).

If you want to draw the automation, all you have to do is drag the little "a" thats at the end of each track to the plug-in (filter) you want to automate. Once you drag the "a" on top of the plug-in you'll get a list of automatable perameters. Then you just choose which ever one you want and the automation line will show up on the track. Then you double click or draw on the line to add different points to set your automation.

Another way to automate which is faster and easier is to use the automation arm buttons. They're just left of the play button. The green one is automation read (which lets you read the automation), and the red one is record. So first make sure the green one is activated so it'll read the automation after you record it. Then arm automation by pressing the red one. Now while the song is playing turn the knob you want to automate and you'll see that the automation button will start flashing, that means its recording all your knob movements. After you're done recording automation make sure you dissarm the automation button so you wont accidentally record anymore. Then you can zoom in to the automation line and edit it how ever you want.

Hope that helps.

[stevedavy]

Thanks! Getting the hang of this bit by bit...

I have found editing the curves very intuitive -- much like editing in After Effects.

But couldn't get the other "arm automation" method you mentioned to work. I can't see which "knobs" you're referring to. Are they hidden somewhere? I guess these are track filters I'm using.

Also, how do I go about automating master filters that I drop into the little box in the bottom right hand corner... Is it possible?

Thanks again!

[AD80]

But couldn't get the other "arm automation" method you mentioned to work. I can't see which "knobs" you're referring to. Are they hidden somewhere? I guess these are track filters I'm using.

Sorry, I wasnt very clear. What I meant by knob is any slider or knob on the plug-in GUI (this will pop up when you click on the filter). Each filter has a GUI with knobs or sliders etc that you use to adjust the sound. You can automate any of those by arming the automation button, and moving the desired perameter. It'll record the automation as you move the knob or slider.

So basically you just arm the automation button, play the song, and adjust the perameter you want to automate as the song is playing in real time.

Also, how do I go about automating master filters that I drop into the little box in the bottom right hand corner... Is it possible?

Thanks again!

Yeah its possible. Its the same process. You just drag the "a" from any track, onto the master filter you want to automate and it'll give you the perameter list. Then you choose the perameter you want to automate.

The "a" and filter dont have to be on the same track. You can have automation from any filter on any track you choose.

Its really pretty simple, I just cant explain it simply.