Added chapter on track automation.

[ardour-manual] / include / automation-modes.html

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+
+<p>
+  In order to understand how automation in Ardour works, it is necessary to
+  understand the four modes of automation. They are: <kbd
+  class=menu>Manual</kbd>, <kbd class=menu>Play</kbd>, <kbd
+  class=menu>Write</kbd>, and <kbd class=menu>Touch</kbd>.
+</p>
+
+<figure class=right>
+<img src="/images/automation-modes1.png">
+<figcaption class=center>The automation mode menu.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<p>
+  <kbd class=menu>Manual</kbd> mode is basically analogous to a processor's
+  bypass switch. Whenever an automation lane is in this mode, it is inactive
+  and any level that is manually set for controlling the lane's parameter will
+  persist during playback like normal.
+</p>
+
+<p class=note>
+  In Ardour, every track and processor parameter is initially set to <kbd
+  class=menu>Manual</kbd> mode.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+  <kbd class=menu>Play</kbd> mode tells Ardour to use the automation curve in
+  the automation lane to control the level of the parameter controlled by the
+  lane <em>during playback</em>. The control that normally sets the parameter
+  will be <em>unresponsive to manual input</em> and will move automatically in
+  accord with the lane's automation curve during playback.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+  <kbd class=menu>Write</kbd> mode allows continuous, dynamic setting of a
+  control during playback; all such settings are written to the lane the
+  control is in. This defines the lane's automation curve in the interval being
+  played, and overwrites any existing automation curve in the lane being
+  manipulated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+  <kbd class=menu>Touch</kbd> mode is similar to <kbd class=menu>Write</kbd>
+  mode, except it only overwrites sections of a lane's automation curve when
+  the control is changed in some way. This allows for changing only the parts
+  of an automation curve that are desired to be changed, while leaving the rest
+  unchanged.
+</p>
+