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6. Creating precise auto-pan effects with automation

1 You can easily use automation to create auto-panning effects. These can be intense, understated, or anywhere in between. First, set the track in question to show pan automation (shown here in Studio One). 2 An efficient way to create left-to-right movement is to use your DAW’s linedrawing tool to draw in data. If you want the pan to go fully side-to-side, draw the lines to the top and bottom of the track lane. In many DAWs, if you turn on snap to grid, it will help you draw a more even line. 3 For a more extreme effect, your DAW likely has some other shaped drawing tools, which can draw data in shapes like triangle, saw and square shapes. Used with snap-to-grid, these can yield interesting results. Use the same method for other effects such as filter sweeps.