AAX SDK  2.4.1
Avid Audio Extensions Development Kit
Parameter automation

Information about parameter automation.

On this page

Overview

The term "automation" can mean two things in AAX:
  1. A host feature allowing users to record and play back plug-in parameter changes. In this documentation, this data is referred to as automation data, and it is stored in automation lanes in the host.
  2. A system for arbitrating between changes from different parameter editors such as the plug-in GUI, control surfaces, and pre-recorded automation values. In this documentation, this is referred to as the event system for parameters.
Here are some examples of how these two different meanings are used in AAX: For more information about the parameter event system, see the Parameter updates pages, and particularly the information on the Token protocol

Plug-in elements used for automation

Plug-in elements used for events and automation

Defining automatable parameters

In order for a parameter to be available for automation recording, editing, and playback, the plug-in must meet the following criteria: In order for a parameter to be exposed to the event system, the plug-in must meet the following criteria: All plug-in parameters must be registered with the host's event system in order for editors, including the plug-in's GUI, to work properly. Therefore a plug-in should always define a complete 'PgTL' (default) page table including all of its parameters, even the parameters that are not "automatable".

Advanced automation topics

Collaboration diagram for Parameter automation: