Hi.
I've just started to seriously evaluate AudioMulch making pieces using recorded automation. For example I am automating the "Inskip" range of a set of BubbleBlower contraptions over a piece.
What I notice though is that, as I drag the range slider the smooth movement is converted into many, dozens or hundreds of, separate change points. Trying to edit these isn't fun.
There does seem to be a curve facility in the automation even if I've not worked out quite how to use it (I can't find any reference to it in help even though the example screenshot at the top of the Automation Overview section shows one). In particular although I was able to create a curve I couldn't figure out how to make it bend differently.
So what I am looking for is some way of converting the many points created by recording control movement into a curve, and then a way of manipulating that curve. Here I am thinking of Logic's automation curves.
If I've missed something I'd be grateful for pointers. If not is this kind of functionality in the works? I notice it has been some time since v2.1 was released.
Thanks.
Matt
When working in the automation pane itself, you'll find that some parameters automatically create smooth curves. Try it, you'll see. What I am referring to (I am speaking Mac, here) is first control-clicking on the slider or knob or setting you wish to automate in a particular contraption's properties panel. A contextual menu will pop up offering you a few choices, the bottom one of which is Automate. Select that and a new automation lane will appear in the Automation pane. (Obviously, you'll have to have that pane open to see this.) This lane will be labeled, as usual, with the name of the parameter you've chosen. Now, you can essentially draw changes in that parameter by clicking on and dragging any points you choose along the lane's control line (or whatever it's called.). As I say, some parameters seem to create curves when a parameter moves up or down between two points, others don't. Also, you can zoom in on any section of this line and edit its trajectory, or shape, as you wish, down to sub-beat increments.
This may not solve your problem, but what you might do - I've not tried this, but it just occurred to me - is record your movement of a particular knob or slider and then, using the method above, redraw its essential shape with a fewer number of line segments. Then, you could replace the original with the smoother sequence. (One of the very cool things in Automation, in case you're not aware, is that it's possible to graphically select, copy, and paste sections of automation.)
Hi Winslow.
I'm working in the automation pane in case that wasn't clear.
With respect to parameters that do curve what I'd like to understand is the rationale. Why do some curve and some not? And why are the curves all the same (curve shape is important). And - most important - how to control this. The help does not seem to allude to this at all.
If you try recording a smooth change in a parameter value you can end up with dozens or hundreds of automation points. Sure I can zoom in and edit them down but it would be incredibly labour intensive to do so. That's what I am looking to avoid.
Matt
Anyone interested in this topic might want to see my (now rather poorly named there) [url=http://www.audiomulch.com/content/amh-format-documented-anywhere]here[/url].
Matt
These variations in curvature, so to speak, may reflect the fact (?) that changes in some parameters may have a non-linear effect on the ear. I know that in AnalogLand, volume controls, for instance, often use potentiometers, aka variable resistors, that have logarithmically tapered resistance curves. At the low end, or around 7 to 11 on the clock face, the volume changes more gradually than further along.
Ross knows better, no doubt.
Winslow is more or less correct... My understanding of why some automation curves are, well... curved, as opposed to linear segments is that these normally control a frequency parameter (or frequency range(s)) in a contraption - usually where the range of the parameter spans a significant part of the audible spectrum. These curves essentially work to "linearize" the logarithmic frequency range they span, so that frequency will change "evenly" across the segment. If the frequency range were linear you could have straight curves, but it would then be arguably more cumbersome to set specific frequencies/pitches which is something that happens generally in the lower frequency ranges of the spectrum rather than the upper
To illustrate this frequency "distribution" you could try to approximate a linear curve on a contraption parameter that has this particular curved curve over 20 seconds or so using a number of automation points and then cover the same time again using just a start and end automation point. (One band of the 5Combs may be useful as it will display both frequency and pitch) Listen and watch the frequency values on the contraption.... The first will take a lot longer to traverse the lower frequency range and a lot less to traverse the upper range), while the second one will cover the frequency range in a more "linear" manner.