🎚️Music Production and Recording Unit 14 – Automation and Mix Finalization

Key Concepts in Automation

• Automation involves recording or programming changes to various parameters over time
• Enables dynamic control of volume, panning, effects, and other settings throughout a track
• Adds movement, interest, and polish to mixes by creating evolving soundscapes
• Can be applied to individual tracks, groups, or the master bus for different purposes
• Automation data is typically represented as points or lines on a graph in the DAW
  • Each point represents a specific value at a given time
  • Lines connecting points indicate how the value changes between those points
• Different automation modes (read, write, latch, touch) determine how the DAW handles automation data
• Automation can be written in real-time by adjusting parameters while the track plays or drawn in manually using the mouse

Essential Tools and Plugins

• DAWs (Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live) provide built-in automation features for native plugins and parameters
• Third-party plugins often include their own automatable parameters for effects and processing
• Automation can be applied to hardware devices using MIDI controller messages
  • Requires a MIDI interface and compatible hardware
  • Allows for hands-on control and automation of external gear
• Automation clips or lanes are used to organize and view automation data for different parameters
• Some plugins (FabFilter Pro-Q 3) offer advanced automation features like mid-side or stereo linking
• Automation can be copied, pasted, and edited like MIDI data in most DAWs
• Automation curves can be adjusted for smoother or more abrupt transitions between values

Setting Up for Automation

• Organize your mix and identify parameters that could benefit from automation
  • Common targets include volume, panning, effects sends, and plugin parameters
  • Consider automating to emphasize certain elements, create space, or add interest
• Create automation lanes or clips for the desired parameters in your DAW
• Set the automation mode to "write" or "touch" to record automation data
• Use a MIDI controller or the mouse to adjust parameters in real-time or draw in automation manually
• Aim for subtle, purposeful automation that enhances the mix without being distracting
• Test different automation points and curves to find the most musical and effective settings
• Use automation sparingly and strategically to maintain clarity and impact

Volume and Pan Automation Techniques

• Volume automation can be used to balance levels, create fade-ins/fade-outs, and shape dynamics
  • Ride the fader to emphasize certain words or phrases in a vocal performance
  • Dip the volume of conflicting elements to create space and separation
• Panning automation can create movement and widen the stereo field
  • Automate panning to move elements across the stereo field for interest
  • Use subtle pan automation to create a sense of depth and space
• Automate volume and panning together to create complex, evolving soundscapes
• Use automation to create "ducking" effects, where one element's volume is lowered when another element is present
• Automate volume and panning on group tracks or the master bus for overall mix shaping
• Experiment with different automation curves for volume and panning to achieve the desired effect
  • Linear curves for gradual changes
  • Exponential curves for more dramatic or abrupt transitions

Effects and Parameter Automation

• Automate effect parameters to create evolving, dynamic textures
  • Automate reverb decay time to create a sense of depth and space
  • Modulate delay feedback or time to create rhythmic or spatial effects
• Automate EQ parameters to shape the frequency balance over time
  • Boost or cut certain frequencies to emphasize or de-emphasize elements
  • Automate a low-pass filter to create build-ups or breakdowns
• Automate compression settings to control dynamics and punch
  • Increase or decrease the threshold to let certain elements breathe or sit back in the mix
  • Adjust the attack and release times to shape the envelope of a sound
• Automate saturation or distortion parameters to add grit and character
• Experiment with automating multiple effect parameters simultaneously for complex, layered sounds
• Use automation to create "send throws" by rapidly increasing the send level to an effect for a short burst

Creative Automation Tricks

• Use automation to create unique, ear-catching moments in your mixes
  • Automate a filter sweep or resonance boost to add excitement and movement
  • Create a "stutter" effect by rapidly automating the volume or a gate plugin
• Automate pan position in sync with the rhythm to create groovy, danceable effects
• Use sidechain compression and automate the sidechain input to create pumping or breathing effects
• Automate a pitch shifter or formant filter to create vocal effects or alien-sounding textures
• Experiment with automating unconventional parameters like phase or stereo width
• Use automation to create "frozen" or "suspended" moments by abruptly cutting or reducing elements
• Automate effects on a return track to process multiple elements simultaneously

Preparing for Mix Finalization

• Review your automation and make sure it serves the song and enhances the emotional impact
• Check for any unintended artifacts or abrupt transitions caused by automation
• Use automation to fine-tune the overall balance and dynamics of the mix
  • Automate the master fader to create a cohesive, polished sound
  • Use subtle volume and pan automation to create space and separation between elements
• Render or print any complex automation to audio for easier processing and recall
• Create a "mix print" with all automation in place to use as a reference for further tweaks
• Bounce individual tracks or stems with automation for flexibility in the mastering stage
• Take breaks and listen to your automated mix on different systems to check for translation

Mastering Basics and Final Touches

• Mastering involves preparing a finished mix for distribution and ensuring it sounds good on various playback systems
• Use EQ, compression, and limiting to shape the overall tonal balance and dynamics of the mix
  • Gentle EQ moves to enhance clarity, warmth, or presence
  • Light compression to glue the mix together and control peaks
  • Limiting to increase overall loudness and prevent clipping
• Apply stereo widening or mid-side processing to enhance the stereo field
• Use a high-pass filter to remove any unwanted low-frequency rumble
• Add dither when reducing the bit depth for the final master file
• Compare your master to reference tracks in a similar genre or style
• Make sure the master is at an appropriate level for the intended delivery format (CD, streaming, vinyl)
• Listen to the master on multiple systems (car stereo, earbuds, laptop speakers) to check for translation