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3. Automating a virtual amp’s gain settings

1 Here’s an example of automating an effects parameter. Here, it’s virtualamp gain, but could be any parameter on any plugin. In most DAWs, you can start by setting the track to touch or latch mode, hitting play, and briefly moving the gain control. Now that parameter should be available for editing. 2 Put the track’s automation mode back to Read. Click the bottom edge of your track, then drag it down to to enlarge the channel’s height as much as you can. The more screen real-estate available, the more precisely you’ll be able to draw in your automation. 3 Use your straight-line or freehand drawing tool to draw in gain increases where you want the more heavily distorted sounds. Typically, if you click on one of the automation nodes (the dots on the breakpoint line), you’ll see a readout of its value somewhere on the DAW’s GUI, which is helpful for making changes.