Modern digital audio consoles or mixers

Mixing console

In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...

 use automation

Automation

Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...

. Automation allows the console to remember the audio engineer's adjustment of faders during the post-production

Post-production

Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...

 editing process. A timecode is necessary for synchronization of automation.

Types of Automation

• Voltage Controlled Automation – fader
  Fade (audio engineering)
  In audio engineering, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease in the level of an audio signal. The term can also be used for film cinematography or theater lighting, in much the same way ....
  
   levels are regulated by voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCA). VCAs control the audio level and not the actual fader.
• Moving Fader Automation – A motor is attached to the fader
  Fade (audio engineering)
  In audio engineering, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease in the level of an audio signal. The term can also be used for film cinematography or theater lighting, in much the same way ....
  
  , which then can be controlled by the console, digital audio workstation
  Digital audio workstation
  A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
  
   (DAW), or user.
• Software Controlled Automation – The software can be internal to the console
  Mixing console
  In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
  
  , or external as part of a DAW
  Digital audio workstation
  A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
  
  . The virtual fader
  Fade (audio engineering)
  In audio engineering, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease in the level of an audio signal. The term can also be used for film cinematography or theater lighting, in much the same way ....
  
   can be adjusted in the software by the user.
• MIDI Automation – The communications protocol MIDI can be used to send messages to the console to control automation.

Modes of Automation

• Auto Write – Used the first time automation is created or when writing over existing automation
• Auto Touch – Writes automation data only while a fader is touched / faders return to any previously automated position after release
• Auto Latch – Starts writing automation data when a fader is touched / stays in position after release
• Auto Read – Digital Audio Workstation performs the written automation
• Auto Off – Automation is temporarily disabled

All of these include the mute button. If mute is pressed during writing of automation, the audio track will be muted during playback of that automation.
Depending on software, other parameters such as panning

Panning (audio)

Panning is the spread of a sound signal into a new stereo or multi-channel sound field. A typical physical recording console pan control is a knob with a pointer which can be placed from the 8 o'clock dial position fully left to the 4 o'clock position fully right...

, sends

Aux-send

An aux-send is an electronic signal-routing output used on multi-channel sound mixing consoles used in recording and broadcasting settings and on PA system amplifier-mixers used in music concerts...

, and plug-in controls can be automated as well. In some cases, automation can be written using a digital potentiometer

Digital potentiometer

A digital potentiometer is a digitally controlled electronic component that mimics the analog functions of a potentiometer. It is often used for trimming and scaling analog signals by microcontrollers. It is either built using an R-2R integrated circuit or a Digital-to-analog converter...

 (d-pot) instead of a fader.

See also

• Digital Audio Workstation
  Digital audio workstation
  A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
  
   (DAW)
• Digital potentiometer
  Digital potentiometer
  A digital potentiometer is a digitally controlled electronic component that mimics the analog functions of a potentiometer. It is often used for trimming and scaling analog signals by microcontrollers. It is either built using an R-2R integrated circuit or a Digital-to-analog converter...
  
  
• Fader
  Fade (audio engineering)
  In audio engineering, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease in the level of an audio signal. The term can also be used for film cinematography or theater lighting, in much the same way ....
  
  
• MIDI
• Mixing console
  Mixing console
  In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
  
  
• Online editing
  Online editing
  Online editing is an older post-production linear video editing process that is performed in the final stage of a video production. It occurs after offline editing...
  
  
• Potentiometer
  Potentiometer
  A potentiometer , informally, a pot, is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. If only two terminals are used , it acts as a variable resistor or rheostat. Potentiometers are commonly used to control electrical devices such as volume controls on...