Automation allows you to record changes to parameters over time in Ableton Live. This allows you to create dynamic and evolving sounds by automating things like filter cutoffs, volume, panning, and more. Recording automation is easy once you understand the basic workflow.
Table of Contents
Enabling Automation
Before you can record any automation, you first need to enable automation recording:
- Click on the “Automation Arm” button at the top of Ableton Live’s Arrangement View. This button looks like a little robot arm icon.
- Make sure the tracks you want to record automation for are also record armed by clicking on their respective “Record Arm” buttons.
Recording Automation
Once automation is enabled, there are two main ways to record automation:
1. Draw Automation Manually
You can draw in automation curves manually using your mouse.
To do this:
- Hover your mouse over the parameter you want to automate in the plugin or mixer.
- Click and drag up and down to draw an automation curve.
This allows you to precisely shape automation curves.
Pro Tip: Hold shift while drawing to constrain the automation to horizontal, vertical, or 45 degree angles for cleaner curves.
2. Record Automation in Real-Time
You can also record automation in real-time by manipulating parameters as your project plays:
- Start playback of your project in Ableton.
- Tweak parameters like filter knobs, volume faders, etc.
- Stop playback when you’re done.
This captures any parameter changes you make in real-time. It’s great for getting more natural, imperfect automation.
Tips for Recording Good Automation
Here are some tips for recording better automation in Ableton:
- Use a MIDI controller – Assign parameters to knobs and faders for easier real-time recording.
- Overdub passes – Record multiple automation passes to comp together the best parts.
- Draw initial points – Roughly draw automation first, then overdub to refine.
- Focus on dynamics – Automate filter cutoffs, volume, sends, etc. rather than static parameters.
- Mind the extremes – Be careful automating parameters to extremes like 0-100%.
- Clean up curves – Use the pencil tool to smooth out uneven curves after recording.
Automating Specific Parameters
Certain parameters are especially good candidates for automation:
- Volume – Create swells, drops, risers and other dynamics.
- Panning – Make sounds bounce from left to right in the stereo field.
- Filter Cutoff – Open and close filter over time for movement.
- Reverb/Delay Sends – Increase size and width of effects.
- Pitch/Modulation – Create interesting pitch fluctuations.
Get creative with automating these and other parameters! The key is to avoid static, unchanging settings, and introduce movement and variation instead.
Common Questions
How is automation different from modulation?
Automation records changes to parameters over time during playback. Modulation uses an internal source like an LFO to modulate parameters in real-time.
Can you automate grouped tracks?
Yes! Enable automation arm, then arm the Group Track to record automation to devices and parameters within the Group.
Can I record automation from Session View clips to Arrangement View?
Yes, any automation recorded to Session View clips will be transferred to the Arrangement during recording. Just make sure automation arm is enabled first.
Conclusion
Learning to record automation effectively is an essential Ableton skill. Automation takes your tracks to the next level by introducing movement and interest. By understanding the different workflows and tips for recording clean automation, you’ll give your tracks more life and dynamics.
So try automating filters, volumes, sends, and more on your next Ableton project. Have fun and get creative with it! Let me know if you have any other questions.
