Anyone who can can explain when/why to use offset automation?
I've  been reading the manual, but I just don't get it.......(I'm a slow learner)

After you apply an envelope to a track, it means you can no longer adjust the control for the track because the envelope will change it during playback. Basically, Offset mode allows you to adjust the entire envelope (by adjust the control) without having to go through and edit every node.

For example, if you add a volume envelope to a track and then you later want to adjust the volume control for that track, you would switch to Offset mode, to adjust the volume control. This would adjust the overall value of the envelope and keep the node changes intact.

Scott

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Ok, thank you Scott. I think I understand now

So, let me make sure I am clear, please:

Let's say I have been riding the fader on a vocal track with WRITE on.  I really like the fader changes but I think the whole thing needs to be slightly louder.  I switch to offset mode and then what?  If I want to increase by  2db, do I just move the fader up 2db any time the track is playing to make all the nodes 2 db higher?

Sorry, not quite 100% on the concept yet.

Exactly! This is very handy. Now on a side note... it's a bit a shame there is no third mode, namely "overwrite". Sure - it is possible to force-overwrite nodes, but as soon if you let loose the fader knob it jumps to the original curve, making smooth partial corrections almost impossible.

konradh


So, let me make sure I am clear, please:

Let's say I have been riding the fader on a vocal track with WRITE on.  I really like the fader changes but I think the whole thing needs to be slightly louder.  I switch to offset mode and then what?  If I want to increase by  2db, do I just move the fader up 2db any time the track is playing to make all the nodes 2 db higher?

Sorry, not quite 100% on the concept yet.

The nodes don't move higher, the level does. Just imagine it (offset) as another volume knob.  

That´s the best thing ever.

JClosed


Exactly! This is very handy. Now on a side note... it's a bit a shame there is no third mode, namely "overwrite". Sure - it is possible to force-overwrite nodes, but as soon if you let loose the fader knob it jumps to the original curve, making smooth partial corrections almost impossible.

You can overwrite. This is with a CS simply turn off read and have write on. Adjust the CS faders they will rewrite the automation. This can be applied to a section without redoing the entire thing. Though I have had cause to delete automation and start over. 

If you switch back to "normal" or "non-offset" mode, do the changes in volume reflect in the envelope? Or does it stay in the same position?

I am really being thick header here maybe, but is 0 db on the fader the ref point in offset mode?  In other words, let's say the fader is moving up and down while the track is running.  If I go to offset mode, does that mean the fader will jump to zero (nominal) and I will affect the overall volume by moving it up or down from zero?  And does it matter if the track is playing or not, or where in the track the Now time happens to be?