Waveform 13 unable to write automation during playback

[jasonrwong5]

i can't write automation during playback in Waveform 13 on any plugins, but i can do this easily in Waveform 12. the read and write automation buttons are turned on. is this a bug or did something change? i noticed the read auto button is now blue instead of green.

[pough]

Something changed.

[jasonrwong5]

ok i forgot to mention i'm using the free version 13.5.13 . this must be for the paid version because i don't even have the option to change the automation mode.

[pough]

ok i forgot to mention i'm using the free version 13.5.13 . this must be for the paid version because i don't even have the option to change the automation mode.

What did you do to try? I can't see anything on the website's comparison page to indicate that anything other than clip automation is missing from the free version. I've never used the free version, so I don't know.

Clicking on the [A] at the right of a track doesn't have "Automation mode" as a selection option?

[talby]

If as a FREE user you can also see on the Tracktion site in the downloads area of your account the BETA versions, then change to current beta 13.5.18. Your 13.5.13 is unfortunately known to trouble and crash a lot. The 13.5.18 seems to run very stable again.

[jasonrwong5]

If as a FREE user you can also see on the Tracktion site in the downloads area of your account the BETA versions, then change to current beta 13.5.18. Your 13.5.13 is unfortunately known to trouble and crash a lot. The 13.5.18 seems to run very stable again.

thanks i thought i was using the latest but i wasn't. so i updated and tried both 13.5.18 and 13.5.19 (which just came out). still doesn't work on either of them.

ok i forgot to mention i'm using the free version 13.5.13 . this must be for the paid version because i don't even have the option to change the automation mode.

What did you do to try? I can't see anything on the website's comparison page to indicate that anything other than clip automation is missing from the free version. I've never used the free version, so I don't know.

Clicking on the [A] at the right of a track doesn't have "Automation mode" as a selection option?

i guess "clip automation" is what it's called. but i mean like a midi clip, not the clip launcher stuff. i don't even see the clip launcher in this version, but i think its supposed to be there. anyway, this automation used to work on version 12. what i did on 12 is just click the "write automation" button (red A with record symbol) and just move whatever parameter i want to automate while it plays and it writes it. the button blinks as i'm writing the automation. then you can go back and make an automation lane and manually edit the points that were written. that's it. but on 13, it doesn't do this, even if i create an automation lane first, it just ignores it. all that's available is to manually write the automation dots with the mouse or either use the list of shapes (sine, tri, square).

[dysjoint]

I just switched over to the free version from my Pro version and it does seem that the four automation options are missing from the free version, and I guess it's set to Read by default with no way of changing it for free users. That could be a bit of an unintended consequence of removing the 'clip automation' feature from the free version. Might be worth raising a support ticket???

[pough]

i guess "clip automation" is what it's called.

Clip automation is new in 13.5. It's different from the regular automation that appears over a track or in its own lane. You can still use the regular automation but you would need to pay for clip automation. It's not really what you're wanting to do, so that doesn't really matter.

i don't even see the clip launcher in this version, but i think its supposed to be there.

The clip launcher is also new and it's not in the free version. You can see what's in the free version and what you need to pay for here:
https://www.tracktion.com/products/wave ... e-versions

As for the method to record automation in the free version, I'll let others who have access to the free version work it out.

[alex_rx]

I use Waveform 13.5.8 Free and have the same problem with automation. And this is not about clip automation, this is about any plugin parameter value changing in time, like in any other DAW. And I confirm it works in Waveform 12 Free. I tried to find some options in Settings page, but nothing there.
But Tracktion Support bot gave following answer:
In Waveform 13.5 Free, plugin automation recording is not available as a built-in feature. Automation recording, especially advanced modes like clip automation and real-time parameter recording, are part of the Recording Engineer or Pro expansions.
To enable plugin automation recording, you would need to upgrade to Waveform Pro or add the Recording Engineer expansion pack to your Free version. These provide full automation capabilities including:
Clip-level automation
Touch and Latch automation modes
Real-time automation recording and editing

If you want to start using plugin automation recording, consider upgrading or adding expansions here:
Compare Waveform Expansions
Buy Waveform Pro
This will unlock the full automation workflow and allow you to record and edit plugin automation smoothly.

But the bot gave a similar answer to the question about Waveform 12 Free.

[Sweeto-k]

This is what the bot told me

Currently still on 13 5 8
Windows 11
Not near laptop to test at moment.


Yes, you can use automation features in the free version of Tracktion (Waveform Free). The core operation of Waveform, including automation, is the same across Free, EOM, and Pro editions. This means you have access to automation tools such as automation patterns, ramps, and clip automation even in the free version.
For example, you can create automation ramps to fade automation in or out over a selected region, and use various automation modes to control your mix dynamically.
If you want to explore automation in detail, there are helpful tutorial videos and user guides available to get you started:

Yes, you can automate plugins during playback in the free version of Tracktion Waveform (Waveform Free). To do this, you need to enable Automation Write mode on the Transport. While playing back your project, any adjustments you make to plugin parameters—either via MIDI controller or on-screen controls—will be recorded as automation.
Here’s how to do it:
Set up an Automation Track for the parameter you want to automate.
Enable the Automation Write button on the Transport bar.
During playback, move the plugin controls or use your MIDI controller to change parameters.
Waveform will record these changes as automation data in real time.
After recording, you can use the Simplify function to clean up the automation points for smoother curves.
This feature is fully supported in Waveform Free, allowing dynamic plugin automation without needing the Pro version.

Automation has not been removed from the latest version of Tracktion Waveform Free. Automation remains a core feature available in Waveform Free, allowing you to program changes to volume, pan, and plugin parameters during playback. You can create automation tracks, use automation patterns, ramps, and even automate plugins in real time.
The latest updates continue to support and improve automation

The Automation Write button requires both the track and the global automation write mode to be enabled for it to work.
In Waveform Free, if the global automation write is not enabled, the Automation Write button will appear greyed out and won’t function.
Here’s what you can do to ensure automation writing works:
Make sure the Automation Write button on the Transport bar is enabled.
On the track you want to automate, click the A button and set the automation mode to Touch, Latch, or Write (not Read).
Confirm that the global automation write mode is enabled; otherwise, automation writing will be disabled.
When writing automation, the track’s A button and the global automation write button will flash to indicate active writing.

If these steps are followed and the button still does not work, it might be related to a bug or specific system issue. In that case, please contact Tracktion Support with details about your system, Waveform version, and steps to reproduce the issue:
Contact Tracktion Support
This will help the team assist you promptly.

If all the above isnt working Sounds like yet another bug.
Make sure its reported otherwise doubt it be fixed

[jasonrwong5]

I use Waveform 13.5.8 Free and have the same problem with automation. And this is not about clip automation, this is about any plugin parameter value changing in time, like in any other DAW. And I confirm it works in Waveform 12 Free. I tried to find some options in Settings page, but nothing there.

i guess they took it back. i sent an email to their support yesterday so i'm still waiting to hear back from them

[alex_rx]

This is what the bot told me

Currently still on 13 5 8
Windows 11
Not near laptop to test at moment.


Yes, you can use automation features in the free version of Tracktion (Waveform Free). The core operation of Waveform, including automation, is the same across Free, EOM, and Pro editions. This means you have access to automation tools such as automation patterns, ramps, and clip automation even in the free version.
For example, you can create automation ramps to fade automation in or out over a selected region, and use various automation modes to control your mix dynamically.
If you want to explore automation in detail, there are helpful tutorial videos and user guides available to get you started:

Yes, you can automate plugins during playback in the free version of Tracktion Waveform (Waveform Free). To do this, you need to enable Automation Write mode on the Transport. While playing back your project, any adjustments you make to plugin parameters—either via MIDI controller or on-screen controls—will be recorded as automation.
Here’s how to do it:
Set up an Automation Track for the parameter you want to automate.
Enable the Automation Write button on the Transport bar.
During playback, move the plugin controls or use your MIDI controller to change parameters.
Waveform will record these changes as automation data in real time.
After recording, you can use the Simplify function to clean up the automation points for smoother curves.
This feature is fully supported in Waveform Free, allowing dynamic plugin automation without needing the Pro version.

Automation has not been removed from the latest version of Tracktion Waveform Free. Automation remains a core feature available in Waveform Free, allowing you to program changes to volume, pan, and plugin parameters during playback. You can create automation tracks, use automation patterns, ramps, and even automate plugins in real time.
The latest updates continue to support and improve automation

The Automation Write button requires both the track and the global automation write mode to be enabled for it to work.
In Waveform Free, if the global automation write is not enabled, the Automation Write button will appear greyed out and won’t function.
Here’s what you can do to ensure automation writing works:
Make sure the Automation Write button on the Transport bar is enabled.
On the track you want to automate, click the A button and set the automation mode to Touch, Latch, or Write (not Read).
Confirm that the global automation write mode is enabled; otherwise, automation writing will be disabled.
When writing automation, the track’s A button and the global automation write button will flash to indicate active writing.

If these steps are followed and the button still does not work, it might be related to a bug or specific system issue. In that case, please contact Tracktion Support with details about your system, Waveform version, and steps to reproduce the issue:
Contact Tracktion Support
This will help the team assist you promptly.

If all the above isnt working Sounds like yet another bug.
Make sure its reported otherwise doubt it be fixed

I checked the status of the automation buttons in the transport panel: both are enabled (read and write), but pressing Play doesn't record the automation. The red "A" button doesn't flash as it should during recording.
Changing the recording mode by pressing the "A" button isn't possible – there are simply no such options in the pop-up menu, so the "A" button is always grayed out (the demo videos show them as such, but in my setup, they're not available).
I updated Waveform Free to 13.5.19 – nothing changed.

[Sweeto-k]

Fire the issue to support.
I'll do the same if once I can test its not working.

[alex_rx]

Fire the issue to support.
I'll do the same if once I can test its not working.

I have sent an email to support

[Sweeto-k]

Fire the issue to support.
I'll do the same if once I can test its not working.

I have sent an email to support

Just checked in 13 5 8 and its not working.
Uodated to latest version and not working there either.
So have also emailed support.
That 3 emails.
Will be interested to hear what the response will be.
Please report back here once you here back as I will once they get back to me.