The cursor changes to the pointy finger with a '+' icon, and you click the mouse to create the anchor. You can create anchors with the Smart tool by holding down the Command key (Windows: Ctrl). The cursor stays in Trim mode until you get close to an existing anchor, whereupon it changes to the 'pointy finger', allowing you to click and move that anchor. The Smart tool on automation lanes works in a similar way to when on a Waveform lane, in that its position on the track determines which mode it is in. You can edit automation data graphically using either the Smart tool (selected by pressing F5, F6 and F7 simultaneously) or the Pencil tool (F10). This EQ setting on band four can notch out sibilance, but I only want it active at moments where sibilance is a problem. You can then add further automation lanes by clicking on the '+' icon, and change what automation parameter is displayed in each lane by clicking on the title icon for that lane and selecting from the drop‑down menu. The first new lane will default to displaying Volume. Clicking on the arrow icon at the bottom left‑hand corner of each channel strip will open another lane, slightly indented to show it is part of the main track above.
With Pro Tools 8, it is possible to view multiple automation lanes for each track simultaneously. You could thus no longer access the Waveform view, so you'd have to switch back to Waveform view for editing. A menu in the track title section underneath the Record, Solo and Mute buttons allowed you to switch from the default Waveform view to any active automation option.
Versions of Pro Tools prior to v8 could only display one automation lane per track. In Pro Tools 8, multiple automation lanes can be added by hitting the '+' symbol. We look at what else you can automate, and what's changed in Pro Tools 8. Automation in Pro Tools goes way beyond the usual volume, pan and mute controls.