Creating Snapshot Automation

For more information, see the following topics:

Adding Snapshot Automation to Empty Automation Playlists

Writing Snapshot Automation over Existing Automation Data

Capturing Automation and Applying it Elsewhere

Snapshot Automation and Trimming of Automation Data

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

Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools with Complete Production Toolkit let you write automation data values for multiple parameters in a single step. You can write snapshot automation in two ways:

To a Selection

Automation data is written to the Timeline selection (as well as the Edit selection if linked). Anchor breakpoints are placed just before and after the selection so that data outside the selection is not affected.

To a Cursor Location

Automation data is written at the insertion point. After the insertion point, the automation ramps to the next breakpoint value, or if no breakpoints exist, remains at the newly written value for the remainder of the session.

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

For more information on cutting, copying, and pasting automation data within a session, see Writing Automation to the Start, End, or All of a Track or Selection.

To write snapshot automation:

1 In the Automation window, make sure that the parameters you want to edit are write-enabled. Deselect any parameters whose automation you want to preserve.

2 In the Edit window, click the Track View selector to show the automation you want to edit.

3 Write a breakpoint in the playlist if none currently exists, as follows:

Place the cursor in the playlist (or make an Edit selection), then choose Control+Forward Slash (/) (Windows) or Command+Forward Slash (/) (Mac).

– or – 

Select the Grabber tool and click anywhere in the playlist.

4 Do one of the following:

Select an area in the track’s playlist (or within multiple tracks) where you want to apply the automation.

– or – 

Place the cursor at an Edit insertion point.

5 Adjust the controls you want to automate. You can also change a plug-in preset.

6 Choose Edit > Automation and do one of the following:

To write the current value to only the currently displayed automation parameter, choose Write to Current.

– or – 

To write the current settings for all automation parameters enabled in the Automation window, choose Write to All Enabled.