4.Select the Bypass check box and click OK. An envelope for the Bypass parameter of the effect appears on the track.

5.Add multiple points to the envelope. For more information, see Adding envelope points on page 142.

6.Adjust the envelope points to alternate between bypassing the effect (Bypass=True) and processing the effect (Bypass=False). For more information, see Adjusting individual envelope points on page 143.

Preview the effect. The track alternates cleanly between processing the effect and bypassing the effect. You can repeat the pattern by copying and pasting the envelope points repeatedly. For more information, see Cutting, copying, and pasting envelope points on page 144.

Making automated frequency changes more natural

When you automate an effect’s frequency parameters, such as the frequency parameters in the track EQ effect, you may notice that the frequency changes are more apparent moving through the lower frequencies than the higher frequencies. Without getting too technical, frequency scales in track EQ and other plug-ins use a logarithmic scale instead of a linear scale. Since effect automation uses linear interpolation, an effect’s automated frequency parameter will sound as if it sweeps through the lower frequencies faster than the high frequencies. You can visualize this if you watch the plug-in settings in the Audio Plug-In window during automated effect playback.

To make automated frequency changes sound more natural, use envelope fade curves to change the rate at which interpolation happens between two envelope points. For a high-to-low frequency sweep, use a fast fade curve between points, and for a low-to-high frequency sweep, use a slow curve. Although the fast and slow curves are not logarithmic curves, they are similar enough to make the frequency transitions sound more even. For more information, see Changing envelope fade curves on page 144.

Overriding compress/expand

One of the most powerful features of the software is its ability to compress or expand a loop while maintaining the loop’s original pitch. However, you can override this feature in order to produce specific effects in your projects.

1.Right-click an event and choose Clip Properties from the shortcut menu.

2.Click the Stretch tab.

3.From the Stretching method drop-down list, choose Pitch shift segments. The clip’s pitch will change in relation to the tempo of the project.

While this may seem like just a way of producing old-school effects, it actually has practical applications as well. For example, specifying Pitch shift segments can actually improve the fidelity of drum loops recorded at a tempo near the project tempo. In addition, overriding the compress/expand feature allows you to create great bass grooves by slowing drum loops.

APPENDIX C 301