The A/B Buffers: Manual Vs. Auto Rotation - Sony DMX-R100 Quick Reference

The A/B Buffers: Manual vs. Auto Rotation

When the A/B Buffer Rotation is set to MANUAL in the Automation window, each buffer operates indepen-
dently, although you can easily copy automation data from one buffer to the other by holding down the source
buffer button until it begins blinking, keeping it held down and then pressing the destination buffer button.
(For example, to copy data from the "A" buffer to the "B" buffer, press and hold down the A button for a cou-
ple of seconds until it begins blinking, then press the B button, then answer YES to the resulting dialog.)
When set to AUTO rotation, however, the data recorded in one buffer is automatically copied into the other
buffer when the STOP button is pressed, or when incoming timecode is no longer received. This allows you to
continually have two copies of each automation pass. By carefully using the SAFE button (which does not allow
data in either buffer to be written or overwritten), this feature provides a single level of undo. Here's an exam-
ple that shows how it works:
1
Set A/B BUFFER ROTATION to AUTO in the Automation window.
2
Select buffer A and make sure the SAFE button is off (unlit).
3
Arm all faders using the READY SETUP / OPTION menu and do a pass in ABS / BUTT mode. Bring
the faders for channels 1 - 4 all the way to zero and hold them that way for several seconds.
4
If you are controlling an external multitrack recorder from the DMX-R100, press the STOP button in the
DMX-R100 transport section; if the DMX-R100 is slaving to incoming timecode, stop the master
machine. Note that the buffer light changes to "B" when you do so.
5
Do another pass and this time raise the faders for channels 1 - 4 to maximum and hold them that way for
several seconds. Again stop the timecode and note that the buffer light changes to "A" when you do so.
6
Press the SAFE button so that it is lit. Now play back the automated mix stored in the A buffer. It con-
tains the data of faders 1 - 4 held to maximum (that is, the data stored in the last pass, which was auto-
matically rotated from buffer B to buffer A).
7
With the SAFE button still lit, press the B button and play back the automated mix stored in the B buffer.
It still contains the data recorded in the first pass — faders 1 - 4 at their minimum position. As long as the
SAFE button is lit, you can go back and forth between your last pass and the pass before that one in order
to decide which one you prefer. You can then continue mixing from that point by turning off the SAFE
switch.
The SAFE button serves another important function, allowing you to rehearse moves and/or manual punching
in and out while automation data plays back, but without actually writing new data.
Tutorial 3 Automated Mixing Session
T3-17