Automation: An Overview

I've found that there are generally 2 main ways I use automation in a mix.

The first way, which is probably what most producers envision when you mention automation, is to adjust parameters throughout a song, particularly between sections, like the verse and the chorus, for instance.

An example of this is when I raise the volume of a vocal track during a louder part of the song so that it can continue to cut through the mix, particularly when compression isn't enough to get it there.

The second way I generally use automation in a mix is to bring certain elements into and take them back out of the mix.

An example of this is when I want a vocal track to go through a delay plug-in just for a particular section of the song, like the bridge, for instance.

The difference between these two uses might not be obvious at first, but the first way typically manifests as a more subtle adjustment that carries throughout the entire song, while the second is more abrupt and often applies only to short sections of the song.

In this week's video blog, I'll show you a Little Cricket song in the works, how my Logic Pro sessions often look between recording and mixing, and more examples of how I use automation in these 2 main ways.

Enjoy!

---