| Our
example SSL 4000 console is equipped with fader-only automation.
This does not mean that you will be unable to achieve more advanced
automation features such as automated pans, automated equalization changes
and automated echo sends. It does mean, however, that you will have
to patch to get these things automated. The key is to patch the
output of the multitrack recorder to two main channels of the SSL
console. |
| Multiple Channel
Patching |
| The
multitrack return jacks on the patch bay are multi-jacks and inserting a
patch cord in one of these jacks does not interrupt the signal flow to the
line-input jack below it. Inserting the other end of the patch
cord into an unused main channel's line-input jack will put the track's
signal into two SSL main channels. This is shown in figure 1. |
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| Figure 1 - Patching a Multitrack
Output To Two Channel Inputs |
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| Automated Pans
|
| To achieve
a pan move, you would pan one channel completely left and the other
channel completely right. The image will be left if the left
channel's fader is at the desired level and the right channel's fader is
completely down. Top create a center image at the same volume, both
faders must be 3 dB lower than the desired level. The fader
moves necessary to achieve an image going from full-left to center is
shown in figure 2.
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Figure 2 - Fader Movement For Automated Pans |
|
| Automated Equalization
Changes
|
| In a
similar manner changes in equalization can be accomplished by sending the
multitrack output to two channels, one without equalization and one with
equalization added. At the appropriate place in the tune, mute the
un-equalized channel and turn on the equalized channel at the same
time. A smooth transition between the two sounds can be obtained by
performing a cross-fade.
|
| Automated Echo Sends
|
| In a
similar manner changes in the amount of signal sent to a reverberation
chamber can be accomplished by having one channel provide the dry signal
and the second channel provide the aux send. An example
of this is shown in figure 3.
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Figure 3 - Automated Send Patching &
Routing |
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| In the
example illustration (figure 3) channel 16's Insert Send jack is patched
to Line In 18. Since the Insert Pre button is not pushed on
channel 16, the signal after the fader is sent to channel 18.
The Insert Send jack works without the Insert In button being activated on
channel 16. The Float button on channel 18 is pushed meaning thsat
channel 18 is diconnected from the mix buss, but the aux send controls
will still be active.
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| Automation Tip
|
| When
programming your static mix, set the VCA Master Faders to their zero
point, even if you are not using fader grouping at first. On later
passes, you may assign any channel to a VCA master without changing the
level of the channel.
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