Volume Automation:
------------------

	All tracks (except the master output) must have a volume entry at the 
start of the song.  For several tracks, a volume of "-6" (-6 dBFS) might be a 
good starting point just to hear what you're working with.  For a dozen or more
tracks a volume of "-18" (-18 dBFS) might be a good start.

	To enter volume data (a fader level) for a track, start a line with a 
"v".  Tab to the next position and enter in a channel number.  Tab to the next 
position and enter a value between -48 and +12.  You do not need to enter "dB."   
For example, 

v	2	-14

means set the volume of track 2 to the value of -14 dB.  A value of 0 is the 
volume the source file is read at.  In other words, no change happens to the 
level of the file from source to output when set to 0.   

	When you are ready to enter a new volume entry, for example at the 
first chorus, you must first enter a line that gives the time at which the 
volume change should happen.  Again the order is "t" to indicate time 
information will follow, then minutes, seconds, and milliseconds all tab 
separated.   For example, 

t	1	30	500 
v	1	-8.4 
v	2	-10.1

means at the time of 1 min, 30 sec, and 500 milliseconds transition the volume 
of channel 1 to -8.4 dB and channel 2 to -10.1 dB. 

	The program automatically calculates a quick transition to the new 
volume, taking longer to make a big transition.  To manually set the length
of the fade and shape see the "Volume Automation Advanced" section. 

	You only need to enter volume information for channels that are 
changing in level.  All other channels keep the same value until "notified."   
If several volume changes are happening at the same time point then only one 
time entry needs to be entered for all the volume entries that follow (as shown
above). 


Entering Volumes as Percents:
-----------------------------

Instead of entering volumes in decibels you can use percents.  100 percent is
the same as 0 dB or no change.  50 percent is -6.02 dB or half as loud.  To
use percent add "v=percent" without the quotes to a new line in the prefs.txt
file.  Setting channel 2 volume to 75 percent would look like the following:

v	2	75

Note that using this mode also affects compressor thresholds, and reverb send 
and returns which will now all expect percent values.  EQ's are not affected.


Changing the Time Fields:
-------------------------

	Beginning in version 1.0991 you may change the number of time fields
from the default of 3 to either 2 or 1.  With 3 fields, you are required to 
enter a value for minutes, seconds, and milliseconds even if the value is 0.  
To speed up workflow you can use 2 time fields which would be minutes and 
seconds.  Keep in mind that seconds can be a decimal number which naturally 
incorporates milliseconds in the decimal.  And when using just 1 time field,
the value would be in seconds.  Here's how to express a time value in the three 
ways for an entry at 0 minutes, 5 seconds, and 300 milliseconds:

With 3 fields:

t	0	5	300

With 2 fields:

t	0	5.300      
or simply,   
t	0	5.3

With 1 field:

t	5.300

To set the number of time fields, in the prefs.txt file begin a line with
"tfields", then tab, and then a value of 1 or 2.  Otherwise, 3 will be used.

Although not as practical, the fields also apply when working in bars, beats 
and ticks.  Two fields would be for bars and beats.  One field would be for
beats only.  
 

Master Fader Volume Automation:
-------------------------------
	
	Beginning with version 1.06 you may automate the master fader just like
any other channel.  Instead of using a channel number, use "M".  You will need 
to set an initially volume as you do for all other channels:

t	0	0	0
v	M	0

The intent of this fader is not for setting a single volume for the whole song. 
It is meant for when you need to make multiple changes to the volume of the mix
as a whole throughout the song.  Or, for making fade ins or fade outs, anywhere
where you need automation of the whole mix.  The master fader automation occurs 
before the master effects in order to make possible less compression and 
limiting of the output track.  If you do not need to automate the master volume
and just need one overall adjustment use the trimming function instead (below).


Trimming the Volume:
--------------------

	If you are not using a master fader, a master fader type of 
manipulation of the volume can be achieved with either the scale or master trim
(mtrim) function.  These may be used to compensate for having set all your 
channel volumes too low or too high, but you wish to preserve all their 
relative levels.  When using scale, all the volumes in your fader file will get
scaled by this amount.  Start a line with "scale" then tab and then enter a 
number.  If the number is 2, for example, then all volumes settings on all 
channels will be doubled by 6.02 dB.   If you would rather use decibels 
directly then use mtrim and enter your value in +/- dB.

	If you wish to trim only certain channel volumes then the trim function
 is used.  Enter "trim", then tab, then channel number, then tab, then the 
amount as mentioned above.  Scale, trim, and mtrim functions may all appear
together in the fader file.  However, for your own clarity choose either mtrim 
or scale since they perform the same task.  Suppose you wish to bring up the 
vocal track on channel 4 by 1 dB relative to all its current levels.  But, 
overall you would like all the channel volumes increased by 6.02 dB.  
(The vocals would be increased by 7 dB overall.)  You would enter the 
following:

trim	4	1
mtrim	6.02

Or you could enter

trim	4	1
scale	2    

	Please note that master trim (mtrim) and scale do not affect subgroups 
or the master fader volumes, only the channels feeding them.  To change master 
fader levels or subgroup levels use the trim function (trim).
To increase all you master fader settings by 3 dB you would enter the 
following:

trim	M	3

To increase all submix 1 volume settings by 3 dB you would enter this:

trim	G	1	3

See also the section on effects makeup gain to compensate for volume changes 
from effects.

Please note, when trimming the fader volumes it is possible to end up with
a fader setting above +12 dB after the the timming has been applied.  In such a
case, the track will be muted as a precaution.  While this will be printed to 
the console, it is recommed that you check all track output levels for muting
after a trimming.  Also, you should always check for signals over 0 dBFS and 
reduce the trim.  In fact, this is the other use of the trim and mtrim, to make
a mix that is too close to 0 dBFS at a safer level.