Lesson 12: Creative effects and automation

Objective: Students will learn how to use effects in creative ways and how to automate various parameters in Soundation. Materials: Computers with internet access, Soundation accounts, speakers, and headphones.

Activities:

1. 1
   Creative effects (15 mins):

   • Explain how effects can be used for creative purposes.
   • Demonstrate how to use effects like Distortion, Degrader, Fakie (fake side-chain), Phaser, Tremolo, and Wubfilter.
2. 2
   Automation basics (15 mins):

   • Explain automation and its importance in music production.
   • Demonstrate automating volume, panning, and effects in Soundation.
3. 3
   Hands-on practice (20 mins):

   • Students create a MIDI-based project and apply automation to at least two parameters.
4. 4
   Discussion (10 mins):

   • Share projects and discuss how automation changes the dynamics of a track.

Assignment:

Develop a project that uses MIDI instruments and includes automation for creative effect.

Tips:

• Creative effects: Click through the presets of the effects to quickly demonstrate the different tones you can achieve.
• Automation: To automate an effect parameter, right-click directly on the parameter and add the automation.