Do you usually use volume automation?
- Thread starter LBTM
- Start date
XxSicRokerxX
Gabriel R.
heshian46
Member
Yes, its essential.
You'll never hear a pro mix with consistent levels throughout the whole song. Parts rise and fall, its helps create the feel of dynamics, especially in metal.
You'll never hear a pro mix with consistent levels throughout the whole song. Parts rise and fall, its helps create the feel of dynamics, especially in metal.
botus99
Microphone Assassin
Pedro Teixeira
Member
Nimvi
Member
Jup, probably my most used automation next to panning. It makes the mix come to life. If you want to know how to use it, just imagine a musical. In a musical, the main singing character of the strophe often sets a step forward to the audience, so they become the center of attention. But you don't have a single character dominate the entire musical. Same goes for mixing. Every instrument should get their 15 seconds of fame every now and then 
Trevoire520
Member
Clockwork
Bass playing guy.
Lol kind of surprised two people don't automate things.
Here is a list of things I automate: Everything.
Here is a list of things I automate: Everything.
bryan_kilco
Member
Automation hasn't been one of my stronger points so far. I usually just put different sections of vocals on their own tracks and process them a bit differently for louder/quieter parts.
- Feb 19, 2012
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haha, that's what i do sometimes with vocals and also guitars if they're not DIs. i find that much easier.
yea im with charles. i set all my volumes and automate anything that sticks out that shouldnt and make anything that should stick out louder but if it doesnt need it i dont try to do it
Protools 10 Clip Gain Is A Godsend. Obviously clip gain is pre inserts though so "riding the fader" or volume automation is still crucial.
ArthurD
Member
viralz
Member
Can someone suggest me a good tutorial on automation? I have no clue where to start or how it even works lol
I dont know any off the top of my head, but to add, I automate as much as possible. ESPECIALLY in metal where alot of the dynamics and feel dont always come through how you want, between triggers, DI's, reamps, synths, and all the digital stuff we use to make the mix as tight as possible.
First things I do are automate volume for vocals and guitars(bring them up when theres a big scream/pinch harmonic/heavy riffing and down when another instrument needs to take the front.)
Then I automate pans and everything that encompasses the image on the band.
Then I automate effects, reverb, delays, tid bits on tracks(chorus flange and the like when applicable).
Then Ill go back and redo volumes for everything once the effects are on(sometimes an effect with make a track sit to low of to forward in the mix), and THEN Ill do my master fader or group busses, to bring out emotions in big chorus, breaks, etc.
with the master fader and busses, I generally boost and cut levels by .5db give or take .2ish, and go from there. when you messing with bussed track, less it more.
YOU DONT WANT THE LISTENER TO HEAR THE VOLUME CHANGE/AUTOMATION!!!
it is aimed to bring in more natural dynamics.
That said, You can get into some real crazy post prod automation.
drew_drummer
Dancefap
No never. I put a clipper on every track and crank the volume. That's the only way to get my metal street cred.
