Recording automation data from an external controller

You can record automation data from an external controller or a MIDI keyboard.

To record automation data from an external controller

1.	In either the Track view or Console view, right-click the control or knob that you want to control externally, and choose Remote Control from the pop-up menu.

The Remote Control dialog box appears.

2.

If your controller sends standard MIDI messages, RPNs, or NRPNs, choose a controller (such as Wheel) with which to control your knob or control (see Remote Control dialog for more information). Also choose the MIDI channel your controller will be sending the automation data on (it doesn’t have to be the same channel that the knob or control’s track plays back on), and click OK.

3.	If your controller works by sending Sysx information instead, choose options in the Sysx fields (see Remote Control dialog for more information), and click OK.

4.	In either the Track or Console view, write enable the knob or control for automation that you just configured for remote control.

5.	Start playback or recording, and move the slider or wheel that you selected on your external controller.

6.	When you finish recording the automation, click the Stop button or press the SPACEBAR.

Listen to your project and either re-record the automation, or disable each armed control by clicking the Allow Automation Writing button in the Control Bar’s Mix module. You can disable remote control by right-clicking the relevant knob or fader and choosing Disable Remote Control from the pop-up menu.

Tip: When recording automation from a non touch-sensitive control surface, it is recommended that you use Latch or Overwrite mode.

Note: When writing automation from a control surface, SONAR uses whichever automation write mode is set on the track.

 

See also:

Automation

Quick automation guide

Automation methods

Automation write modes (Producer and Studio only)

Automation time base

Automation Read and Automation Write buttons

Recording individual fader or knob movements

Automation lanes

Creating and editing automation envelopes

Automating track and bus mute

Envelope mode and Offset mode

Converting MIDI controllers to envelopes

Snapshots

Automating effects