Thanks guys.
Lynn - I tested the Offset mode, and I will definitely use that again on individual tracks where I have automation. If I'm understanding right, if the track with automation has volume fader set at 0, and I use offset mode to raise it +2, then back in normal mode if the fader says 0, it will actually play +2? But, when it come down to zero (actually INF) then it still will play zero, not zero + 2db ?
In this case, as I need to raise EVERY track by the same amount of volume, I think the pre-master bus is a good solution. I route every track there (and the Pre-Master routed to the Master), and use the volume fader to raise the volume --- that means I can raise it my max 6db. The gain also has up to 6db. Does that mean I can then raise every track by maximum 12db? Is there any difference between pushing the volume fader +6db over 0, than leaving volume fader at 0, and using the gain - is the effect the same whichever I use?