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Parameter Automation

Parameter automation in Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) refers to the process of automatically controlling and varying the parameters of audio effects or synthesizers over time within a project, allowing for dynamic changes in sound without manual intervention.

The current version of GeoShred supports parameter automation, but previous versions did not.

On iOS, by default, parameter automation is disabled so old DAW projects can be read.

In order to enable parameter automation in old projects, open the project, then go to Menu -> Global Settings and select "Enable Automation".

After doing that, save the DAW project, re-open it, and then automation parameters will be available.

We strongly suggest you open any old DAW projects with automation disabled, then enable automation and reopen them as described above, especially if you intend on moving them back and forth to macOS.

IMPORTANT: Be consistent about the way you turn on and off automation - if you make an error DAW projects might not open. If this happens, just toggle the automation setting in the standalone app, restart your AUv3 host and the problem should go away.

Why do I have to worry about this?

The AUv3 plugin format (and perhaps others) demand a static collection of automation parameters that can never change over time. This is the way the the format was defined, so GeoShred cannot do much about except try to future proof, which we did do in the current version of GeoShred, but did not in the previous version.

Unfortunately there is no easy solution to this problem. Please contact support if you have any questions.

How to define automatable parameters

When you in the GeoShred plugin, a parameter automation button becomes available in the upper right above the help (?) button.

Hit this button then an inspector comes up where you map can any GeoShred instrument or effect parameter (but not the performance settings) to an automation parameter, which are named userParam001 through userParam128.

Note these mappings are saved with the GeoShred preset.

Because of the AUv3 format, we can not give rename these parameters for convenience, so unfortunately you just have to remember what the mappings are.

However, you can turn on parameter trace in the GeoShred Trace Options to see what happens when you have the automation parameters around.

How to use automatable parameters

You can use automatable parameters in two ways, in an automation lane or to set initial values.

For example, in Logic Pro X 11.0.01:

IMPORTANT NOTE

These parameters will have no effect when you change them:

GeoShred Version is for GeoShred internal use.

Program Number is set from the GeoShred preset switcher, and perhaps MIDI program change if the DAW allows it.

Setlist Number is set from the GeoShred setlist switcher, and perhaps BankSelect, BankLSB/BankMSB if the DAW allows it.

Connect Mode should not be there, it has no effect, ignore it, but because of the static nature of parameter trees in the AUv3 format we cannot remove or rename it.

reserved1 - reserved8 may have some meaning in the future.

And of course if you do not define any user parameter there will be no effect if you change one of them.