User Manual
A
UTOMATION
February
16,
2010
Xynergi Media Production Centre
Page 145
Automation
Introduction
The Xynergi automation system provides simple, flexible and comprehensive facilities for recording and
editing mix automation data. All feed and bus mix parameters can be automated and played back in
perfect synchronisation with the project audio. In addition to the channel parameters, bus assignments,
inserts and direct outs may also be recorded.
The Constellation automation system is designed to allow the operator to record all the static and
dynamic parameter changes involved in balancing the mix of tracks played back from the disk recorder
and live feeds from external sources. Mix moves may be recorded on one or more parameters or
channels at a time. More moves may be added with each pass, resulting in complex and detailed mixes
that can be played back identically every time the project and mix are loaded.
This chapter does not cover basic operation of the mixer. Refer to the chapters on “Patching and
Routing”, “Faders” and “The Channel Panel” for a complete overview of mixer operation. “Automation
Basics” below provides an in depth discussion on the fundamentals of the automation system. Example
procedures are detailed later in the chapter.
Automation Basics
Write, Trim and Read
In Automation, we use the terms Write, Trim and Read.
Write means to record absolute values of parameters.
Trim means to record changes to stored values of parameters.
Read means to play back the parameter values that have been written.
The word “record” is used in this chapter to mean “Write or Trim”.
The Mix Item
A mix item is one parameter for one signal path. Examples are:
Track 47
–
Main Bus Fader Level
Live 11
–
EQ Band 1 Q-factor
Sub Bus 2
–
Mute
There are literally thousands of mix items in the Xynergi system. The automation system can write the
changing values or states of every mix item over the duration of your project, and read it starting at any
position. These written values and states are called mix automation data.
Mix ON
When the
Mix ON
key is OFF, all mixing and routing functions are manually operated and the mixer will
not write or read automation.
When the
Mix ON
key is ON, all mix items for which automation data is written will read that data, and
the user has no manual control of them. Mix items with no written automation data can be manually
controlled by the user.
Mix Duration
The automation data for a project starts at a timecode location one frame after timecode midnight and
finishes one frame before midnight. However, the system requires a minimum preroll of at least one
