Select, copy, and move automation in Logic Pro for Mac

With Logic Pro in automation mode, do one of the following:

• Drag across any selection of automation points and curves.

• Click the automation curve with the pointer or Automation Select tool.

With Logic Pro in automation mode, do one of the following:

• Hold down Shift and drag across multiple non-contiguous automation points and curves.

• Hold down Shift and click multiple non-contiguous automation points and curves with the pointer or Automation Select tool.

Sometimes you may want to only select a specific range of automation points and curves in a time range, rather than every automation point and curve. You can do this by holding down the Option key.

• With Logic Pro in automation mode, hold down Option and drag across a range of automation curves both vertically to select a value range, and horizontally to select a time range.

  Note: Automation curves connected to points that have been selected also appear selected, even if those curves continue outside the selected range.

With Logic Pro in automation mode, do one of the following:

• To select all automation following an automation curve that is part of a selection: Option-Click on an automation curve.

• To select the automation data before, and all automation after, a selected automation point: Option-Click on an automation point.

• With Logic Pro in automation mode, select the points or curves you want to copy, then Option-drag the selection to a different location on the track.

Any existing points in the target location are deleted.

1. With Logic Pro in automation mode, hold down Shift while dragging a selection within the automation area.

2. Choose Edit > Copy (or use the corresponding key command).

3. Select the track you want to copy the automation to.

4. Choose Edit > Paste (or use the corresponding key command).

• With Logic Pro in automation mode, select the points or curves you want to move, then drag them horizontally or vertically.

Any existing points in the target location are deleted.

When two automation points have the same value but occur at different times, the automation curve between them is a horizontal line. You can adjust the two points so that both points are moved together or apart equally.

1. With Logic Pro in automation mode, click the automation curve between the two points.

2. Option-Shift-Drag the automation curve horizontally to increase or decrease the automation curve between the two points.

   

When the display shows two automation points with different values connected by a vertical automation curve—in other words, they occur at the same moment—it creates the effect of an instant parameter change. This can be useful if you wish to create an “instant on” or “instant off” type of effect, rather than a gradual parameter change.

• With Logic Pro in automation mode, drag an automation point or curve to the left, toward an automation point with a higher or lower value.

  The automation point you are dragging snaps to a position directly above or below the stationary automation point.

You can also drag an automation point to the right toward an automation point with a higher or lower value, but the automation point you are dragging does not snap into a vertical automation line.

• In Logic Pro, choose one of the following Move Automation with Regions options in Logic Pro > Settings > Automation:

  • Never: Does not move automation when you move regions.

  • Always: Always moves automation when you move regions. The automation area encompassed by the region boundaries is moved.

  • Ask: A dialog prompts you to move the automation—or leave it where it is—whenever you move a region.

You can also access these options using the shortcut menu that appears when you Control-click the track lane.

1. In Logic Pro, drag across the region with the Marquee tool.

2. Choose Edit > Copy from the Tracks area menu bar.

3. Select the track you want to copy the automation data to, then move the playhead to the insertion point.

4. Choose Edit > Paste from the Tracks area menu bar.

The region selection, along with its automation, is copied to the target track at the playhead position.

With Logic Pro in automation mode, do one of the following:

• Drag an automation curve with the Automation Curve tool.

  

• Hold down Control-Shift while dragging an automation curve with the Pointer tool.

Normally, an automation curve between two automation points represents continuously changing parameter values. Using the Automation Curve tool, you can change any automation curve into stepped automation.

With Logic Pro in automation mode, do one of the following:

• Option-click an automation curve with the Automation Curve tool. Option-click the automation curve with the Automation Curve tool again to return the automation curve to its previous state.

  

• Control-Shift-Option-click an automation curve with the Pointer tool. Control-Shift-Option-click the automation curve again to return the automation curve to its previous state.