Old 07-01-2007, 02:52 PM   #1
jimmyjazz
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Default Automate mutes?

Is it possible to automate mutes, or do I have to automate the volume envelope? If the latter, how do I change the nominal volume on a track -- go in and edit each point? Ugh.
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Old 07-01-2007, 05:41 PM   #2
Alistair S
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You can do that, or use automation ( http://www.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/Automation )

If you want to mute a VSTi, you could just automate the bypass.
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Old 07-01-2007, 05:49 PM   #3
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I'm confused -- are you saying I can automate mutes? If so, how? I don't understand the manual or the wiki in that regard. All I want to do is turn a track on and off automatically (for now).
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Old 07-01-2007, 06:25 PM   #4
Alistair S
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Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse (it's late here and I wasn't clear).

You can't automate mutes. You can automate the levels.

You can also automate bypass .. doesn't help with audio, mind you. I just cut out the bits I don't want.

Maybe I'm missing the point, mind you. This thread, however, may be more helpful .. http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9325

Last edited by Alistair S; 07-01-2007 at 07:01 PM.
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Old 07-01-2007, 07:06 PM   #5
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No, you understood me correctly. Damn. I've never used a DAW, but jeez, it seems like mute automation should be part of the equation.

Here's the problem: let's say I'm mixing a tune, and I want the random crap in between vocal lines muted. I go through and create an envelope, and get everything dialed in "just so".

Now let's say I need to print another mix with the vocals up +2 dB.

Holy crap! What a pain.

If I split the vocal track before and after every line, and set all the "in between" stuff to - inf dB, will I be able to raise the track level of everything else with one simple fader move? (I'm not in the studio now, or I'd answer my own question.)
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Old 07-01-2007, 07:36 PM   #6
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umm... why so complicated?

i guess the vocal track is one big item, right from the beginning to the end, or at least something like that?

so why don't you just zoom right in, left-click and then right-click the silent parts of the items and select "split item here" (or whatever it's called)?
the vocal track is then split in two at the position you clicked, and by dragging the end of the first or the beginning of the second part to the left or right, you can simply specify when "sound comes thru" and when not.

doing that also has 2 advantages: a) you can use fade-in/out for every object created like that, and b) when there's nothing there to be played or processed, that gives you some additional performance.

need screenshots?
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Old 07-01-2007, 07:38 PM   #7
Art Evans
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You could split the items and mute the bits you don't want (mute the items, see the F2 item menu), or delete them. Or use a VST mute - see Sonalksis FreeG for instance. Or use the trim fader to raise the level overall, leaving the automation as is. Lots of ways!
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Old 07-01-2007, 08:14 PM   #8
caleb82
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here are some screen shots, this is the way i do it, as posted earlier:

1st, this is an example of a track with silent parts i wish to cut out:


2nd, move the edit cursor to the position containing the silence or whatever part you dont want and right-click on the item. select "split items at cursor" from the popup menu:


3rd, the item is cut in two at the desired position, enabling you to move the beginning and ending of each object left and right, cutting unwanted parts out:


4th and last, if the sudden cuts sound to harsh, you can simply add custom fades to "soften it up". right-click on the vertical red lines to chose from several fading variations:


hope this gets you out your misery?
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Old 07-01-2007, 08:19 PM   #9
Art Evans
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Good point about making the transition a bit less sudden than a plain mute. Muting is a bit of a blunt instrument, at least in theory, though I guess you might not be able to hear the difference in some mixes.
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Old 07-01-2007, 08:39 PM   #10
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My misery is muted!

I had already figured out the trick of splitting the track, and I went through and muted the unwanted sections. I haven't tried to soften the mutes -- maybe it's not possible on a hard mute. I'll figure that out.

Here's another question: let's say I've made a split that I subsequently don't want. How do I "glue" two adjacent items back together?

Thanks, everyone! Fantastic program, fantastic forum.
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Old 07-01-2007, 09:56 PM   #11
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To "glue" items that were accidentally split:

Method 1:
Hit ctrl+z to "undo" the split

Method 2:
Select the two items, right click, choose "glue selected items"

Good luck!
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Old 07-01-2007, 11:52 PM   #12
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Thanks, bvesco!

OK, I'm plowing my way through a mix. (It sounds good, by the way.)

I want to correct an early piano hit. The piano was recorded in stereo, to complicate matters a bit. I'm having a helluva time figuring out how to take the impulse of the piano chord which is early and sliding it (both tracks) to the right -- "later in time" -- and yet keeping everything else fixed.

Any hints?
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Old 07-02-2007, 04:47 AM   #13
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Automate mute: http://www.cockos.com/forum/showpost...08&postcount=4

For time-nudging one part out of a continuous piece of music, you could try selecting the off-time region (plus a short time leading in to it), making it its own item, copying the item to a new track, nudging the new item, then moving the nudged item back over the original audio with a very short crossfade leading in & out.
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Old 07-02-2007, 05:01 AM   #14
caleb82
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@jimmyjazz

you can always delete one of the items and pull the other one in length...

and concerning the early-hit-problem: ever thought of quantization?
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Old 07-02-2007, 06:41 AM   #15
jimmyjazz
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It seems like I "should" be able to

1. split the tracks at the point where the piano comes in early
2. "anchor" the leading edge of the 1st item and the trailing edge of the 2nd item
3. slide the split point in time


Not possible?

Thanks again for all the help, everyone.
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Old 07-02-2007, 02:04 PM   #16
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Shift alt drag will slide the item contents within the item boundaries. Alt drag slides the boundaries while leaving the contents where they are.
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