Hi guys, a little annoyance of mine is when I'm automating I can never remember where the fader was before I started automating. I always try to remember the number but I forget as soon as I start moving the fader as I'm concentrating on the automation. I do my automation with my mouse and I was wondering if I can set something up before I start automating so when I release the button of my mouse the fader returns to where it was before I started the automation. Thanks Guys,
Andrew

Not sure about that, but the first node on the automation envelope will tell you where you started.

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm mocking, because I'm not. But this kind of thing comes up a lot, and the answer is the two indispensable pieces of studio gear that are absent in a shocking number of home studios: a notepad and a pen, on the desk in front of you, at all times.

IIRC there is a way to set up a new paramater "snap" value. It's been a while since I read about it but I think it's in the Right Click options. It sets the current value as the default point where the control snaps to on double clicking (instead of, say with a fader, 0db you could set it to -6db or whatever).
 
I may have that totally wrong but there is a way similar to what I described that retains non default values.
 
And no... I'm not talking about "Offset" mode.
 
However James' idea of looking at the first node at the start of an automation write action seems the simplest way.
 
Cheers.

James is on to the answer and no pen and paper necessary.  In track view choose Automation (Gain) on the track.  Before you start automating insert a node at the very beginning.   

Per the documentation (and Beepster):
 
Snap-to positions
Faders and knobs have snap-to positions. To set the snap-to position, move a control to the desired snap-to position, right-click the control, and choose Value > Set Snap To = Current.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

Thanks, Dan. I've been meaning to use that for when my mixes started getting close to done so I can experiment more confidently without ruining stuff or having to revert to previous versions. I just keep forgetting that option.
 
Now the question is... does it work when there is an envelope on the control? Gonna check it out later.
 
Cheers.

No I don't think it will.
 
Envelopes always assume priority over fader positions, at least that's how I'm seeing it.

Bristol_Jonesey
No I don't think it will.
 
Envelopes always assume priority over fader positions, at least that's how I'm seeing it.

Well, that's kind of a bummer then...
 
Dan

sausy1981
Hi guys, a little annoyance of mine is when I'm automating I can never remember where the fader was before I started automating. I always try to remember the number but I forget as soon as I start moving the fader as I'm concentrating on the automation. I do my automation with my mouse and I was wondering if I can set something up before I start automating so when I release the button of my mouse the fader returns to where it was before I started the automation. Thanks Guys,
Andrew

 
am I misreading or isn't this what "touch" mode in automation is about???
 
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=Automation.04.html
 
Touch
 Touch mode overwrites any existing automation data for the currently armed parameter only when the parameter is moved with the mouse or a MIDI controller. Automation writing stops when the parameter is released, and the parameter returns to any previously automated position. This mode is useful if you want to update a previous write pass, appending new automation data only where desired. When using a touch-sensitive MIDI controller, new automation data will only overwrite existing automation data when you physically touch a control.