> Step by step

11. Final stages - automation, mastering and rendering

1

The final tweaks we’ll make use automation. For simplicity we’ll make automation visible on all tracks, and the option for that can be found in the Automation tab of the Menu. You’ll see a small A at the right-hand end of each track to view the automatable parameters and add further automation tracks.

2

The first thing we’re adjusting is the level of the shaker in the Drop. The visible automation is for track volume so all we have to do is create nodes by double clicking the line, and then edit them. Also, make sure that the Automation Read mode is switched on – this is the green A play icon in the transport.

3

Sticking with the Shaker track, we need to bring this lower for the last four bars. There’s also a small click as the shaker loop finishes. If you position your cursor near the end of the clip the small crossfade icon appears. Drag this to add a small fade out on the end of the clip.

4

Next up, the electric guitar needs some level changes. We’re increasing the level in the Drop section and then reducing it afterwards. Notice the little level push before the drop so that the beginning of the lick is audible.

5

Our final automation task is a creative ride for the effects on the Ethereal track. We’ve increased the send level to the Large Rev and then added a second automation lane to increase the level to the LR Delay.

6

We’ll finish our track with some master effects. You’ll see in the Controls Panel at the bottom next to the transport there’s a box that says Drop Master Plugins Here. This is exactly what we’re going to do for our output processing.

7

First plugin is from the Suite and is Overtone DSP PTH-2A. Use this for a gentle boost (3dB) at 10kHz and a small boost (2dB) at 100Hz. After this we’ve added another Suite classic, the Satson Channel, setting the Gain to roughly -8dB

8

Finally, we need an output limiter to keep overall levels in check and a perfect candidate from the Suite is Barricade CM from ToneBoosters. Check the output ceiling is set accordingly (-0.1dB is good) and then simply increase the input to taste. We’ve set it to +5.5dB.

9

It’s time to render the output. This option is on the File menu, Export: Render To File. Whilst checking settings you may need to uncheck the Render Automatically option. There are some great options here, like RMS-level adjustment. You can also render all tracks individually to share an edit as audio.