Coalescing Trim Automation

You can set Pro Tools to commit, or coalesce, Trim automation to the main automation playlist by the following methods:

After Every Pass

Trim moves are automatically applied when the transport is stopped at the end of an automation pass. Trim automation playlists are cleared, and Trim faders are returned to zero.

On Exiting Trim Mode

Trim moves are stored separately in the Trim automation playlist until they are coalesced. Trim automation is automatically coalesced on a track only when you take the track out of Trim mode. You can repeat an automation pass, edit Trim automation manually on any of the Trim playlists, or clear Trim automation before coalescing with this method.

Even when automation is set to coalesce on exiting Trim mode, you can use the Coalesce Trim Automation command to commit Trim moves at any time.

Manually

Trim moves are stored separately in the Trim automation playlist until they are coalesced. With this setting, the only way to coalesce Trim moves is with the Coalesce Trim Automation command. You can repeat an automation pass, edit Trim automation manually on any of the Trim playlists, or clear Trim automation before coalescing with this method.

To set the method by which Trim Automation is coalesced:

1 Choose Setup > Preferences and click Mixing.

2 Under Coalesce Trim Automation, select one of the following:

After Every Pass

On Exiting Trim Mode

Manually

To coalesce Trim automation on a track when exiting Trim mode:

1 Choose Setup > Preferences and click Mixing.

2 Under Coalesce Trim Automation, select On Exiting Trim Mode.

3 Click OK to close the Preferences window.

4 Make sure the Pro Tools transport is stopped.

5 On the track where you want to coalesce Trim automation, click the Automation Mode selector and deselect Trim.

The Trim automation is applied to the main automation playlist, Trim automation playlists are cleared, and Trim faders are returned to zero.

If transport is playing and you are writing automation, you cannot directly enter or exit Trim mode. You must AutoMatch before exiting Trim mode. This prevents any abrupt jumps in automation values.

To manually coalesce Trim automation on a track:

1 Select the track where you want to coalesce the Trim automation.

2 Do one of the following:

Choose Track > Coalesce Trim Automation.

– or – 

Right-click the track name and choose Coalesce Trim Automation.

The Trim automation is applied to the main automation playlist, Trim automation playlists are cleared, and Trim faders are returned to zero.