18.40 Automation Items
REAPER allows you to define an entire automation envelope or a section of an envelope (including video processor envelopes) as an automation item, and then later apply that automation item to any media item or items in the same or….
Kind: concept (user-guide-section) Chapter: 18 Automation – Envelopes and More Source: REAPER User Guide v7.70
REAPER allows you to define an entire automation envelope or a section of an envelope (including video processor envelopes) as an automation item, and then later apply that automation item to any media item or items in the same or any other project. The concept itself is not complicated, but there are many options and variations in the ways in which you can apply it. Before exploring these, let's start by looking at a practical example, using a low frequency oscillator to shape an envelope.
Example
This example is designed to introduce you to the basic concept of automation items.
- First, we import a sample into a new track. We then extend the looped sample to repeat the pattern (as shown, top right). 2. To add a low frequency oscillator to this item we first select the item and add a volume envelope. 3. We then make a time selection to cover the period of the original sample. Next, we right-click over the envelope and choose Automation items then Insert new automation item from the menu. This creates an automation item (with a title bar at the bottom). We right-click over the title bar and choose Properties to open the Properties dialog box. We adjust the parameters as we wish. An example is shown here. This creates points and defines the envelope shape. We close this box when finished. 4. We can position the mouse just inside the item name area's right boundary (at the bottom of the item), then click and drag all the way to the end of the item, as shown below.
Our automation item now contains (in this case) four identical segments. Making a change to any one of the segments will automatically make the same changes to the other three segments. These changes could include, for example, edits made manually, or adjustments to the Automation Item Properties, including LFO parameters. The next couple of pages explain automation items and how to use them in more detail. Keep in mind that when working with automation items normal windows techniques apply – e.g. Click to select, Ctrl Click to build a selection, and Shift Click to select a range of contiguous items. Note: Automation items cannot be used with tempo envelopes.