Mixing : Automation : Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Automation : Cut, Copy, Clear, and Paste Special Commands

Cut, Copy, Clear, and Paste Special Commands
Four “special” commands—Cut Special, Copy Special, Paste Special, and Clear Special—simplify the tasks involved with moving or clearing different types of automation data and MIDI controller data between tracks, sends, and plug-ins. These commands let you
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Edit automation and MIDI controller data only (without associated audio or MIDI notes).
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Edit automation and MIDI controller data without having to change Track Views
In addition, the Paste Special command lets you copy one data type to another (for example, Left Pan data into the Right Pan playlist)
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You cannot paste MIDI controller data to automation data nor automation to MIDI.
Cut Special
The Cut Special commands let you cut just automation data from the current selection (without associated audio or MIDI notes) and place it in memory to paste elsewhere, as follows:
All Automation
Cuts all automation or MIDI controller data whether it is shown or not.
Pan Automation
Cuts only pan automation or MIDI pan data whether it is shown or not.
Plug-In Automation
Cuts only the plug-in automation that is shown.
Copy Special
The Copy Special commands let you copy just automation data from the current selection (without associated audio or MIDI notes) and place a copy of it in memory to paste elsewhere, as follows:
All Automation
Copies all automation or MIDI controller data whether it is shown or not.
Pan Automation
Copies only pan automation or MIDI pan data whether it is shown or not.
Plug-In Automation
Copies only the plug-in automation that is shown.
Paste Special
The Paste Special commands let you paste automation data into another clip (without affecting associated audio or MIDI notes) in the following ways:
Merge
Lets you add the pasted data to any existing automation data of the same type in the destination selection. This can be useful for consolidating MIDI data from several tracks into a single MIDI track. For example, you like the pitch bend on the synth trombones and want to apply it to the synth guitar.
Repeat to Fill Selection
Pastes multiple iterations of the automation data to the entire selection range. If you select an area that is not an exact multiple of the copied clip size, the remaining selection area is filled with a trimmed version of the original selection. This lets you easily create drum loops and other repetitive effects. Before the data is pasted, Pro Tools prompts you to specify a crossfade to smooth transitions between clips.
To Current Automation Type
Pastes the automation data or MIDI controller data from the clipboard to the selection as current automation type or MIDI controller. This lets you copy automation from any type to any other type. For example, you can copy a Left Pan automation to Plug-In automation. You can also copy MIDI volume data and paste it to MIDI pan.
Clear Special
The Clear Special commands let you clear just automation data from the current clip, as follows:
All Automation
Clears all automation or MIDI controller data whether it is shown or not.
Pan Automation
Clears only pan automation or MIDI pan whether it is shown or not.
Plug-In Automation
Clears only the plug-in automation that is shown.