How to Record Automation in Logic

In this article, we will explain how to automate the parameter changes of your Native Instruments plug-ins in Logic. 

Click to expand the sections below, to follow this guide.

Manually Drawing Automation Curves
  1. Create a Logic Instrument Track and load a plug-in. In this example, we choose Massive.

    Note: Please see this article for more information about inserting NI plug-ins in Logic.

  2. Create a MIDI Region in your Logic Instrument Track by recording some notes.
  3. Display the Piano Roll for your Logic Instrument Track by selecting View > Show Editor and selecting the Piano Roll tab or pressing the P key on your keyboard.
    1_Logic_OpenEditor.png
  4. In the Piano Roll Editor that appears:
    - Enable the Automation icon.
    - Set Automation/MIDI to Track by clicking on the Region button.
    - Use the Automation/MIDI drop menu to select a plug-in parameter.
    In this example, we will choose from the most commonly used parameters in Massive. These are displayed in the Logic Smart Controls list. Here we choose the Wavetable Position (WT-Pos) to automate.
    2_Logic_PianoRollAutomation.png

    Note: You can browse all plug-in parameters under the list bearing the plug-in's name (e.g. the 1 Massive list seen in the above screenshot).

  5. Now click on the automation lane to start adding points, or hold down the Command Key (⌘) and click into the automation area of the Piano Roll Editor (underneath the MIDI note events). This allows you to manually draw in the automation curves.
    3_Logic_ManualAutomation.png
  6. Set the Logic Automation Mode to Read to prevent the writing of any further automation.
    4_Logic_ReadTrackAutomation.png

Now when you play the Logic project, the plug-in parameters will follow the automation curves written on the track.

Note: it is also possible to access the automation lanes on a per-track basis in the Arrangement window by clicking the Automation icon at the top of the Arrangement window, by navigating to Mix > Show Automation, or pressing the A key on your keyboard.
5_Logic_ArrangeAutomationLane.png

Recording Automation with a Mouse-Cursor
  1. Create a Logic Instrument Track and load a plug-in. In this example, we choose Massive.

    Note: Please see this article for more information about inserting NI plug-ins in Logic.

  2. Activate the Track Automation lane in the arrangement view, and set the Automation Mode to Latch. This can be done by navigating to Mix > Show Automation, by clicking the Automation icon at the top of the Arrangement window, or by pressing the A key on your keyboard.
    6_Logic_ShowAutomationLanes.png
  3. Use the Automation Parameter drop menu to select a plug-in parameter you wish to automate. In this example, we will choose from the most commonly used parameters in Massive. These are displayed in the Logic Smart Controls list. Here we choose the Wavetable Position (Wt-Pos) to automate.
    7_Logic_AutomateParameter.png

    Note: You can also browse all plug-in parameters under the list bearing the plug-in's name (e.g. the 1 Massive list seen in the above screenshot).

  4. Start the Logic playback and use the mouse cursor to move the chosen parameter knob on the plug-in window (e.g. Massive Wt-Pos knob). Since the Logic Automation Mode is set to Latch, the parameter movements will be recorded while Logic is playing. Stop Logic playback, once you are finished recording automation.
    8_Logic_ParameterKnob.png
  5. Set the Logic Automation Mode to Read, to prevent the writing of any further automation.
    9_Logic_ReadAutomation.png

    Note: The recorded automation curves will appear directly on the instrument track.

Now when you play the Logic project, the plug-in parameter will follow the automation curves written on the track.

Recording Automation with a MIDI Controller
  1. Create a Logic Instrument Track and load a plug-in. In this example, we choose Massive.

    Note: Please see this article for more information about inserting NI plug-ins in Logic.

  2. Activate the Track Automation lane in the arrangement view, and set the Automation Mode to Latch.
    10_Logic_AutomationLane.png
  3. Open the Logic Controller Assignments page from the Control Surfaces menu.
    11_Logic_ControlSurfaces.png
  4. Open the plug-in window:
    - Click and move a plug-in parameter you wish to control externally.
    - Click the Learn tab in the Logic Controller Assignments window.
    12_Logic_LearnControllerAssignment.png
  5. Move a knob or slider on your MIDI controller. The Input message field in the Controller Assignments window will display the MIDI message sent from your controller.
    The plug-in parameter knob you've chosen should start to move as well.
    13_Logic_InputMessage.png

    Note: Click the Learn tab again to disengage the learn mode. Close the Controller Assignments window once you are finished.

  6. Start the Logic playback and move the assigned controller knob or slider on your MIDI controller. Since the Logic Automation Mode is set to Latch, the parameter movements will be recorded while Logic is playing. Stop Logic playback once you are finished recording automation.
  7. Set the Logic Automation Mode to Read, to prevent the writing of any further automation.
    14_Logic_ReadAutomation.png

    Note: The recorded automation curves will appear directly on the instrument track.

Now, when you play the Logic project, the assigned plug-in parameter will follow the automation curves written on the track.