<p>
An <dfn>automation curve</dfn> is a series of lines connected by <dfn>control
- points</dfn> that defines a continuous line. As the curve is traversed from
- left to right, the line defines the level of the parameter controlled by the
- automation lane.
+ points</dfn> that typically defines a continuous line. As the curve is
+ traversed from left to right, the line defines the level of the parameter
+ controlled by the automation lane.
</p>
<p>
+ There are two types of automation curves: <kbd class=menu>Linear</kbd> and
+ <kbd class=menu>Discrete</kbd>. The most common type is <kbd
+ class=menu>Linear</kbd>, in which the space between any two contiguous
+ control points is continuously interpolated; in other words, the values
+ between any two contiguous control points at any given time is given by the
+ straight line connecting them. The second type of automation curve is <kbd
+ class=menu>Discrete</kbd>, in which no interpolation between control points
+ is done; whatever value the control point is set at is the value it will
+ yield until it reaches the next control point, at which point it will give
+ that value until the next control point, and so on until there are no more
+ control points.
+</p>
+
+<p class=note>
The curve by itself does nothing; it will <em>only</em> control playback if
- the lane it is in is in <kbd class=menu>Play</kbd> mode.
+ the lane it resides in is in <kbd class=menu>Play</kbd> mode.
</p>