Things You'll Need:
- Apple Logic 8
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Step 1
Open Logic 8 ( lets start with a new project for now ) and create a MIDI track. See my tutorial on creating tracks if you don't know how to do this yet :) I have chosen to use a Bosendorfer Piano sound.
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Step 2
At the top of the interface, there are a series of tabs. Starting from the left, they are "inspector", "preferences", "settings", "auto zoom", and then of course, "automation". Click on this to open the automation lanes. Or, the keyboard shortcut is "a".
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Step 3
Now you are able to automate. On the left hand side of the screen, in the "inspector" window, there is a graphic displaying the type of instrument and below that, the type of automation that Logic is currently dealing with. In this case, the default is "volume". Below that, there is another tab which reads "off". This means that nothing is being automated and nothing has been programmed. Click anywhere within the automation lane (to the right of the inspector window) in order to turn the automation on. The line in the middle of the lane will turn yellow, a "node" will appear, and the tab that previously said "off" will now turn green and say "read", meaning Logic will read it when it is played back.
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Step 4
Now, using your mouse you can grab the yellow line and any given point to make changes (in volume) which will be played back as part of your recording. Try recording a little bit of something, and then automate it so the volume fades up and down. To lower the volume, simple place a node and drag is downward. To raise the volume, create another node and drag it upward. It's that easy. But, this is just one type of automation for one specific variable. There are literally thousands more!
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Step 5
This is just the tip of the iceberg. See my other tutorials to begin automating EQ, phasers, distortion, reverb, etc... and even how to automate on the fly as the music is playing!
