Write Automation To All - Bug?

[BobbyDazzler]

I'm getting some strange Write Auto to Selected behaviour lately and I'm wondering if anyone else is seeing similar.
I'm using EQuick (DMG EQ Plug) in Preview on a clip in playback loop, I do my tweaks and then hit Write Automation to Selected.
As soon as I stop playback I get the warning Automation has been written to the entire timeline...blah blah.
I don't have Insertion Follows Playback enabled either, so the selection is still active on stopping playback.
It happens on about 5% of my Auto Writes

[BobbyDazzler]

Well shortly after writing this I answered my own question.
If I make the selection after playback has started then hit write before it stops, Pro Tools hasn't had a chance to register a selection and writes to the entire timeline.
Rookie error?

[Sonopolis]

Originally Posted by BobbyDazzler

Rookie error?

No, happens all the time. One of the oldest and most annoying problems with PT automation. Why don't they just make a second set of commands for this?

[originalscottyg]

Somebody made a donation-ware utility app that would dismiss all automation warning popups, EXCEPT for the one that tells you that you've overwritten the entire timeline. It's called Pro Tools guardian Angel.

Many people have had excellent results with it, but I had mixed results with it either not working or causing some graphics issues that would disable type to search in the plugin and I/O dropdown menus. I worked with the developer a bit but we couldn't figure it out, so I ended up just not using the app. I just use the "OK" key on my Dock to dismiss the warnings, but since that has become almost automatic, I have accidentally dismissed and not noticed the important warning a few times.

The fact that that little app exists should tell Avid that this is something that they need too FIX!

https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=390394

[Cheesehead]

Yes it's just standard behavior for write to selection while in playback sadly.
I used the Guardian Angel for along time and it was great.
That same functionality is now built into Soundflow PT automation macros.
So if you're a Soundflow user, you're covered.
Avid really should fix it, it's a constant disaster waiting to happen.
Who ever writes automation to the whole session anyway???

[BobbyDazzler]

Originally Posted by Cheesehead

...
Who ever writes automation to the whole session anyway???

Yes, if nothing is selected, Write Nothing. It seems obvious.

[corym]

To piggyback onto this conversation a little bit.



I've been using "Write ALL to selection on stop" mode for years to write multiple automation parameters at once. Typical workflow was: Preview mode>>ballpark my automation moves>>Write automation to selection on stop. That's been the way I use that function for YEARS (over a decade here).



Upgraded to 2020.12 last night, and use of that function appears to have changed. Now, when I "stop" the automation writes to the selection just fine EXCEPT...the "Write to selection..." mode stays ON in the automation window. Therefore, the very next move writes to the entire timeline.



Previous behavior turned off that mode after writing the pass.



Perhaps its a new setting in 2020.12 that I'm unaware of. Does anyone know?

[corym]

Ma' boy Major just enlightened me on the solution.



Evidently the "Write all to selected blah blah" was LOCKED on! That mode can be toggled by "Option" clicking that mode on the automation window. Not sure how I did that or if it's related to the recent Eucon Control updates but all is well in the world again.

Thanks Maj!

[Rich Breen]

Originally Posted by Cheesehead

...Who ever writes automation to the whole session anyway???

Um, I do, about 30 times a day - for post mixers it's less likely, but I'm a music mixer; Trim mode write to all and write to end/start are among the most used functions here, and yes, I'm always cognizant of whether I've made a selection in the timeline on the preview pass or not.