Is there a way to automate a channel's gain/volume in studio one without messing with the faders in the mixer?

 

hmm I can't find a way to automate the gain knob inside mixtool plugin

 

What about something third-party, but free; https://kilohearts.com/products/gain

these look sort of cool anyway.

 

maybe ..... use the input gain of a Studio 1 unused EQ

 

the reason why this is not extremely easy is probably because no-one does this, in the way you are trying to. why can't you just automate the volume with a pencil tool in a cc lane, the normal way?

 

Yes, like the moderator said, the stock Mixtool plugin in studio one can be automated so that you don't have to touch the fader to automate volume. It isn't difficult, and you can do it with any plugin's gain output. In the case of the mixtool plugin, literally just load the plugin on whatever channel or the master channel, right click on the big "gain" knob, and click on "edit automation gain." It will immediately show you an automation lane. I use this all the time for fading out or whatever.

Edit: Just tried this to confirm. Maybe I'm experiencing a bug. Maybe something has changed in version 6. Whatever the case, this really simple thing is not working as described. I'll investigate and report back. This is weird, I've done this before many times.

 

Last edited: Dec 25, 2022

Hard to explain, will try my best: Because automating the volume with the pencil tool also moves the fader in the mixer, and I don't want that. It's harder to mix properly when the mixer fader moves with the automation all the time. Better to have it on a fixed position with a separate gain automation that adjusts the level throughout the song as needed.

 

I understand you want the faders fixed to unity, or some other static value. In Logic, we have both Region Gain (clip), and then a Gain Plugin which is used as an insert. Ableton has Utility and probably the same options as well. Automating them is YMMV.

If I was REALLY stuck for this, I would find a Compressor to use which has an automatable parameter for input/output Gain. Then you could insert the compressor with almost 0 work actually happening. 1:1 ratio compression or whatever value gets you close. Especially if you are considering using Compression on that individual channel anyway. Maybe in S1 you need to figure out some kind of workaround like that, but it shouldn't be all that difficult.

 

Any of the myriad of channel strip or bus emu plugins out in the wild and most EQs, free or paid can be gain controlled through automation. Just create a lane for them and go for it.

You might also consider using your channel faders and then using a VCA single or group afterwards. Digital unity gain isn't going to screw the pooch sonically anymore than an other processor will and depending on the quality of the processor your DAW's math might be more solid.

 

VCA channels exist exactly for this purpose. From what I can see, Studio One has them as well:
https://s1manual.presonus.com/Content/Mixing_Topics/VCA_Channels.htm