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I'm disappointed with Cubase's implementation of curved automation - it's a series of breakpoints and isn't really the same. Also Ableton 9's curved automation is pretty weak as you can't edit the shape. This image pretty much shows how it should be:



I think it may be from Logic - it's from this thread. The workflow benefits are clear - you can just drag and drastically alter the curve, instead of adding or deleting breakpoints which takes way longer.

So my question is - which DAWs support this sort of automation? I know Reaper does curves but I'm not sure if they are as configurable as this?

FL Studio's automation curves have always served me pretty well. Dunno what the difference between FL's curves and the ones you show above are. I've never needed more than what FL offers in that regard.

Logic definitely does this.

Exactly the same as Logic's automation

pro tools has some nice parabolic curves.

I might have to give Logic a try then! I find curves like this much more intuitive to program and automation is very important to the way I like to work. Cableguys Filtershaper and Midishaper have curves like this, but they run out of points too quickly to be useful for automation.

TBH after seeing how awful Windows 8 is, and that they're keeping that interface for Windows Blue, I think I might actually switch to Apple.

+1, logic handles curves like this.

It's fine for a quick filter automation when you want something to get more intense near the end of the automation, but beyond that i almost never use the curves-- especially for automating levels, you really need the control of your basic points...

It still has corners. If it were a Bezier curve with splines, that might be better.

FL's automation clips > all other forms of automation. Not only is it fully customisable, you can move it anywhere in the track and chop and change it just like an audio or pattern clip. Plus, they have an LFO feature which is great for parametres you can't link to an LFO.

you're gonna laugh but I am absolutely positive that sony acid pro has fantastic automation curves. you can't adjust them the way shown in that gif, but you have the option to choose between a few different shapes. for instance, it has "slow start" or "slow end", but you can't move it yourself. it is in a fixed position.

acid was the first DAW i ever used. i remember the first thing i noticed that ableton was missing is the automation curves

Sure_Fire wrote:FL's automation clips > all other forms of automation. Not only is it fully customisable, you can move it anywhere in the track and chop and change it just like an audio or pattern clip. Plus, they have an LFO feature which is great for parametres you can't link to an LFO.

Pro Tools and it actually sounds good too.

logic's automation is easy to use.You have a curve tool obviously for creating curves and an automation select tool which you can rubber band automation to drag around arrange and copy/paste.
Also you can embed automation into clips and drag these around arrangement which makes automation data a hell of a lot easier to work with.
You can create basic lfo shapes life sine,sawtooth or even square(using the crosshair tool)very very simply.
I can't comment on other daws but will say logics automation function is easily one of the best functions in the daw and very easy to learn/use.

Sure_Fire wrote:You can move it anywhere in the track and chop and change it just like an audio or pattern clip.

I'm pretty certain you can do that in Ableton, too. Ableton just fails at the curved automation stuff, though.

I mean you can do curved automation in ableton using the draw tool but.........

its not exact and requires a LOT of editing

Another reason i will never ever swap from logic,unless apple really fuck up Logic 10 although i would be happy to be on 9 forever and ever and ever!
Apparently i have read that they may be coding for windows too to attract more users,easy automation curves on its way for everyone people

Why does anyone actually use curves? For me there has never been a situation where I've been automating a parameter and thought that the straight line isn't doing it for me. Just seems like a gimmick, I do understand you can get a different effects by using a curve but MEH.

Promise One wrote:Why does anyone actually use curves? For me there has never been a situation where I've been automating a parameter and thought that the straight line isn't doing it for me. Just seems like a gimmick, I do understand you can get a different effects by using a curve but MEH.

I feel the same way (about the yin-yang curve) but that probably means I haven't experimented with it enough.

I use curves all the time. If in a build/breakdown I want a filter for example to open quicker in the last 4 beats of a phrase than in the rest of if I can't do that with a straight line. Same with volume, effects, etc

Promise One wrote:Why does anyone actually use curves? For me there has never been a situation where I've been automating a parameter and thought that the straight line isn't doing it for me. Just seems like a gimmick, I do understand you can get a different effects by using a curve but MEH.

Why does anyone actually use PHASERS? Just seems like a gimmick, I do understand you can get a different effects by using a PHASER but MEH.

Why does anyone actually use REVERB? Just seems like a gimmick, I do understand you can get a different effects by using a REVERB but MEH.

Etc etc, you get the point. My suggestion would be to try it before criticising it.

Filtershaper is a good example of curves - try the slow start/slow end, slow start/fast end etc and you'll hear a different sweeping effect, much like the performer LFO in Massive. Try editing the curves and you'll see how easy it is. Although that was why I posted the big image at the top of the screen - I was hoping to avoid any of the "why bother" type of posts as it clearly shows the workflow enhancements.