One of the most powerful features when mixing in Pro Tools is the ability to Preview different automation settings without changing the original mix. In this Video Tutorial, Avid Master Instructor Frank D. Cook shows you how to use Automation Preview Mode to try out different settings for your mix, or plugin parameters without having to worry that your original mix will be altered.

 The ability to Automate your mix in Pro Tools is one of the most powerful features in production. It allows you to make changes over time to parameters such as Volume, Pan, Plugins, and much more. One of the challenges you encounter when dealing with automation is the ability to reference different settings to fine-tune your mix. If you try to make changes while your tracks have active automation, the parameters snap back to their automation setting making it difficult for you to try out a different parameters. In the past, one way engineers would get around this would be to turn off the track automation. This poses it's own challenges as it's very difficult to apply the changes you make once you make automation active again. This is where Preview Automation comes into play. You can make changes without have to worry about affecting your previous automation settings, as well as punch-in changes if you want.

Automation Preview

To access Automation Preview mode you will need to turn it on from the Automation Window: Go to Window Menu > Automation

In the Automation window you will see the Preview at the bottom.

With your track in an active automation mode such as Touch, or Latch, turn on Preview.

When you start playback you'll notice that automation acts normally, until you touch a parameter. Any parameter you touch will become "isolated" from automation. Isolated parameters do not play, or write automation while in Preview. As you Preview changes the Automation button on the track turn Green, letting you know you're in Preview mode. Also, you'll notice that the arrow next to the Preview button turns blue as you auditioning changes. This is the Punch Preview button that allows you to start writing automation if you like the preview changes you've made.

During Preview you can apply the changes by clicking on the Punch Preview arrow. You can use this method with a selection in your timeline. This is helpful if you want to use an exact setting during a portion of your session, such as a chorus, verse, or scene. This action applies to all parameters you've currently changed, any parameter untouched will retain the original automation values. *Note: Tracks set to Automation Touch will change to Latch mode*

 Watch the video below to see how easy it use to use Automation Preview Mode:

Mihai Boloni

Author: Mihai Boloni
Avid Expert Certified Pro Tools Instructor
ProMedia Training, LLC
www.protoolstraining.com

888-277-0457

Mihai BoloniCreative Director & Avid Expert Pro Tools instructor

Mihai has made it his life's work to help others in the audio industry. Mihai gained experience as an audio engineering Full Sail Instructor in early 2000's and joined ProMedia in 2002. Since then, he has become one of Avid's Top Leading and most experienced, in-demand Instructor and Pro Tools technical consultant. Corporate clients include MTV, PBS, NBC, Telemundo, The Voice's Chief Engineer Mike Bernard, Atlanta Public School System, countless professors from leading Universities, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and the top producers, artists, and engineers in leading studios and record labels. For over 20 years, Mihai has continued to work as an Audio Engineer, Record Producer, Songwriter (ASCAP), Dog Lover, and Expert Level AVID Certified Pro Tools Instructor.