Subject:Envelope Question

Posted by: lofreequency

Date:6/22/2009 8:03:03 AM

Can a volume envelope be moved up or down in db's as a whole rather than having to go to each individual point and doing so? I'd like to select the entire volume envelope and move the whole thing down one db. thx

Subject:RE: Envelope Question

Reply by: pwppch

Date:6/22/2009 8:39:37 AM

Two ways to do this:

You can use the envelope tool to select a range of envelope points and they will move in sync.

This is the point of the trim function on tracks and busses.

The trim value + the automation value = overal gain.

So you can easily adjust the overall envelope using the trim value.

Peter

Subject:RE: Envelope Question

Reply by: lofreequency

Date:6/22/2009 9:07:55 AM

Thanks!

"Trim" is controlled by the track's main volume slider?

If so, I'd turn automation control off, adjust volume on track volume slider, turn automation back on and the envelope points will adjust accordingly from the trim setting?

(I'm not in front of AP7 at the moment so I can't try this until later)

Subject:RE: Envelope Question

Reply by: pwppch

Date:6/22/2009 1:14:33 PM

If so, I'd turn automation control off, adjust volume on track volume slider, turn automation back on and the envelope points will adjust accordingly from the trim setting?

Not sure what you are saying here, so I can't answer.

The trim and automation are independent settings. For volume and pan they combine to make the final overall value.

If an envelope point is at 1 dB it will always display 1 dB. If the Trim value is 3 db, the net gain at that point will be 4 db.

My Point: The envelope will not show the trim value cooked in.

Peter

Subject:RE: Envelope Question

Reply by: lofreequency

Date:6/22/2009 4:47:49 PM

Guess what I was trying to unsuccessfully over explain is one can't adjust the trim if automation is turn onto read or whatever, the slider knob goes transparent, so you have to disable automation to adjust the trim knob.

Anyway, thanks, I knew one could adjust the entire envelope somehow and that tip worked (of course). And for clarification regarding the trim method.

Thank you. :)

Subject:RE: Envelope Question

Reply by: pwppch

Date:6/22/2009 6:55:45 PM

Guess what I was trying to unsuccessfully over explain is one can't adjust the trim if automation is turn onto read or whatever, the slider knob goes transparent, so you have to disable automation to adjust the trim knob.

No, this is not true.

Trim and automation control are indepent. You can adjust the trim when automation mode is set to read - or any automation mode. When you change a track's fader from automation to trim mode, the automation is not disabled. You are only changing what the fader control does.

Automation envelopes are always active (unless turned off) even when the GUI control is set to trim. You can edit envelopes, draw envelopes, and move points all you want. What you cannot do is use the track fader (or mix console faders) to "record' automation when the automation mode is in read only mode.

Peter

Subject:RE: Envelope Question

Reply by: lofreequency

Date:6/22/2009 8:17:43 PM

"Trim and automation control are indepent. You can adjust the trim when automation mode is set to read - or any automation mode. When you change a track's fader from automation to trim mode, the automation is not disabled. You are only changing what the fader control does."

OK, I am misunderstanding something then. (not a big surprise ;-) ) I have automation set to "read" and that button pressed (the one with the green gear wheel). The trim knob is transparent and I can't move it. If I hit the automation button again the slider knob is solid and available to move again. What's the difference when the automation button is pressing and not pressed then?

Help section says "When the track has a volume or pan envelope and the track automation mode is set to READ, the control will follow the envelope during playback but cannot be adjusted."

So this tells me you have to unpress the automation button to adjust the slider....I think that what I've been trying to explain? Does depressing the button simply lock in the settings? But even if the button isn't pressed the track is still following the envelope? It's late here and I think I'm too tired to be clear. Sorry. lol

Subject:RE: Envelope Question

Reply by: pwppch

Date:6/22/2009 8:46:03 PM

have automation set to "read" and that button pressed (the one with the green gear wheel). The trim knob is transparent and I can't move it. If I hit the automation button again the slider knob is solid and available to move again.

Exactly and designed behavior. When automation is in Read mode, then the automation 'fader' is disabled as you told ACID to disable automation recording. A fader when the track is showing Automation controls controls the envelope automation.


What's the difference when the automation button is pressing and not pressed then?

The Automation control (the button with the little gear) toggles what the Volume Fader, Pan Fader, Mute Button, and Send Faders control on a Track/Bus. When the button is depressed and Automation is in Write Touch or Latch, any fader moves will result in envelope changes being recorded. If the automation mode is Off or Read, then the fader is disabled when the button is active.

Note also that when Automation mode is enable for a track/bus the faders and mute button change to a different picture. They have a little gear superimposed. This is to give feedback that the faders are controlling automation vs simple trim.

When the button is unpressed, then the Volume, Pan, and Send Faders are in "trim" mode.

To be clear, the Automation button controls the context of the faders.

The menu item popup associated to the button controls the automation state: Off, Read, Write Touch, Write Latch.

The sum of the trim setting and the automation curve is the actual gain (or pan) that ACID uses for its track/bus level mixing.

There are slight differences for MIDI tracks, but essentially they are the same concept. There are many more things that can be automated and "trimmed", though trimming and automation are not in dB but MIDI Continous Controller values.

You should review the Using ACID -> Using Automation topic in the ACID Help. Page 137 of the ACID Users Manual pdf which you can download on this site.

Peter