3 easy ways to use automation.
How to Use Automation in Studio One
In this video, Eric walks through the key ways to use automation inside Studio One. He shows how to automate parameters like volume, pan, and effects — helping you add movement and precision to your mixes instead of making everything static. Automation is a core mixing skill that lets you control changes over time, and Eric breaks down three easy methods for applying it.
What Automation Is
What It Is:
Eric defines automation as the process of automatically changing settings (like volume, pan, plugin parameters, or effects levels) over time during playback.
Why It Matters:
Automation allows you to tailor the dynamics and impact of your mix without having to manually adjust faders or knobs during playback — giving you precise control over changes throughout your song.
1. Basic Track Automation
How It Works:
Eric shows how to enable automation for a track — such as volume or pan — by selecting the parameter you want to automate and drawing automation curves directly on the track timeline.
Key Steps:
- Choose the automation lane for the desired parameter
- Draw points and curves where you want changes to occur
- Playback to hear how the track changes over time
Why It Helps You:
Basic automation makes your mixes feel more dynamic and polished — for example, fading out a guitar solo or lowering a synth during vocals.
2. Automation for Plug-In Parameters
How It Works:
Eric explains how to automate specific plugin parameters, like filter cutoff, reverb mix, or compressor threshold, by selecting them inside the plugin and linking them to automation lanes in the track.
Key Steps:
- Open the plugin you want to automate
- Click the parameter you want to automate
- Choose it on the track’s automation lane
Why It Helps You:
Automating plugin parameters adds creative movement and dynamics that can make a mix more expressive — like gradually brightening a pad or ducking a reverb during a verse.
3. Using Automation Tools and Shortcuts
How It Works:
Eric highlights tools and shortcuts in Studio One that make drawing automation easier — such as pencil tools, breakpoints, and smoother curves.
Key Tips:
- Use breakpoints to create precise changes
- Use curve tools for smoother transitions
- Remember shortcuts to speed up your workflow
Why It Helps You:
Using these tools lets you apply automation quickly and cleanly, especially in larger sessions where manual editing would be slow and error-prone.
Conclusion
Automation is one of the most powerful tools in Studio One because it lets you shape changes over time in your mix. Eric’s walkthrough shows how to automate track levels, plugin parameters, and how to use built-in tools — giving you practical techniques to make your mixes more dynamic and professional.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/ldXfw1zYOiQ
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