Automation of volume but still able to use volume fader

I am sure this has been talked about before, so I hope I am not really way out in left field. So often I am swimming upstream only to find that Sonar has a solution I missed. But anyway here is my approach to volume automation.
 
I (like many others) like to use the volume envelope to fine tune each phrase of a track when I am getting the final mix ready. I bring up the quiet parts and lower the loud parts. Especially on vocals.
 
But the problem is that later on, I need to adjust the track's volume overall, and leave the fine tuning in place on a relative basis.
 
In the past, I would route the track to a bus and use the bus volume. This works OK but adds a seemingly extra bus.
 
Also, I am aware that if you know what you are doing, you can click on the whole track and make the volume envelope go up or down for the whole track. But this does not seem intuitive. I prefer a fader or knob.
 
And automating  the gain control is an option but it does not work in a linear fashion if you have any kind of compression.
 
Today I started experimenting with using another approach. I figured I could automate the output of a plug that has no other function except volume. This would add an automated "volume" control before the volume fader for the track.
 
First I tried automating the output of an EQ filter set to flat, so that only the output level was processed.  This worked, but left me thinking that the plug was churning CPU cycles.
 
Then I discovered a seemingly useless DirectX plug left over from my Sony Movie Studio 13 that only has a volume slider. It is called "Volume". The only function it has is volume control. And Sonar can easily automate it.
 
So now I can insert this plug at the end of the effects chain for a track, and automate the volume.  Then I can use the normal Sonar volume fader as an overall control.
 
And if I move the volume plug from the end of the effects chain to other places, I can keep the envelopes I have created. So for instance, if I have a compressor in an effects bin, and I add the volume plug after the compressor, it will be an automated volume control. If on the other hand I move it before the compressor, it will be an automated compression level control (when combined with the gain control).
 
It is not necessary to use the so called "volume" plug from Sony.  Any plug that can be disabled except for output level will work.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I usually try Gain first and if that's not enough I'll edit the Node values.
 
I've tried Offset, I think every fader moved the last time I tried it, or every fader on tracks with automation did.  I need to double check that though.  I know that deleting an Automation Lane does not remove the automation.  I have to disable the Read, and even then the Automation icon remains on the track just above the fader.
 
I have a few problem reports I should submit I guess.

Dual post, sorry.

Sanderxpander


Finally, like you said, a separate plug with its own volume can be helpful. I use Vocal Rider for this often.

I bought Vocal Rider ( and Bass Rider) when they were on sale and was very excited. But after trying them on several projects I find they really don't help so much. I still need to do my compensations by hand.
 
 

So.... I have this same issue much of the time.   And...there is NO way to "select all" for the entire envelope and nudge it up or down with the Qwerty?  Seems I have accidentally "highlighted" an entire envelope, but that was by mistake and I moved on.... maybe it was an illusion or faulty memory???

mixmkr
So.... I have this same issue much of the time.   And...there is NO way to "select all" for the entire envelope and nudge it up or down with the Qwerty?  Seems I have accidentally "highlighted" an entire envelope, but that was by mistake and I moved on.... maybe it was an illusion or faulty memory???

There is actually a way to select an entire envelope, and adjust its volume, I use this feature all the time.
 
With Automation Lanes open, left mouse click in the blank space just to the left of the "R" automation read button.
This selects the entire automation envelope including all the nodes. Then you can hover the Smart Tool above the automation envelope . . . an icon with up + down arrows appears, and lets you drag the entire automation envelope of that track up or down.
 
It's tricky, but you can also select multiple tracks automation envelopes, and adjust them all at once. using this method.

I wanted to make an update to this.
 
I have been using the Sony Volume plug now for about six months.
 
I have found this to work out very well. Many times I needed to change the overall volume of a track that had automation, and what a relief to find that I had automated a plug's volume instead of the track volume. The volume and gain sliders on the track remain available, and the relative volume/gain automation stays in place.
 
No bad side effects so far.
 
FYI.