Writing Automation to the Next Breakpoint or to the Punch Point

For more information, see the following topics:

Write To Next Breakpoint or Punch Point and Trim Mode

Writing Automation to the Next Breakpoint or to the Punch Point on Stop

(Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools with Complete Production Toolkit Only)

While performing an automation pass, Pro Tools lets you write current automation values from the current insertion point forward to the next automation breakpoint, or back to the punch point (the location in the track where automation writing started).

Write Automation to Next Breakpoint lets you update automation within a track without overwriting automation located earlier or later in the Timeline, and without having to define a selection before editing automation.

Write Automation to Punch Point lets you fill back an automation value within a track after finding the right level or setting during an automation pass, without having to go back and repeat the pass.

Like the standard Write Automation to Start, End, and All commands, the Write Automation to Next Breakpoint and Write Automation to Punch Point commands do not operate when the Pro Tools transport is stopped. They only affect automation for those parameters that are currently write-enabled and currently writing automation data.

For MIDI automation, the Write To commands only apply to MIDI Volume, MIDI Pan, and MIDI Mute. Other MIDI parameters cannot use the Write To commands.

Optionally, the Write Automation to Next Breakpoint and Write Automation to Punch Point commands can be configured to be applied automatically after a valid automation pass has been performed. SeeWriting Automation to the Next Breakpoint or to the Punch Point on Stop.

Write Automation to Next Breakpoint and Write Automation to Punch Point have the same requirements as Write Automation to Start, End and All commands. See Writing Automation to the Start, End, or All of a Track or Selection.

To write current automation values to the next breakpoint:

1 Choose Window > Automation.

2 Make sure that the automation type is write-enabled.

3 Click in a track to define an insertion point.

4 Start playback.

5 Make sure you are actively writing on the appropriate track if you are in Touch, Latch, or Touch/Latch mode.

6 When you reach a point in the track where you want to apply the current settings, click the Write Automation to Next Breakpoint button.

7 Stop Playback.

The current values of all controls being written at that point are written up to the next breakpoint.

Write Automation to Next Breakpoint remains enabled after a valid automation pass. Unlike standard Write Automation commands, it cannot be configured to disable after an automation pass.

To write current automation values back to the automation punch point:

1 Choose Window > Automation.

2 Make sure the automation type is write enabled.

3 Click in a track to define an insertion point.

4 Start playback.

5 Make sure you are actively writing on the appropriate track if you are in Touch, Latch, or Touch/Latch mode.

6 When you reach a point in the track where you want to apply the current settings, click the Write Automation to Punch Point button.

The current values of all write-enabled parameters are written back to the point where the first control began writing automation.