Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield

[keep_left]

10. What you have is indeed a type of automation--my guess is...

...that it's based on VCA technology. That's what my fader/mute automation system is as well. You set the faders on the desk at 0 dB, and then you use a DAW or MIDI controller to set actual levels using VCAs. So the faders and mute buttons are temporarily replaced by VCA automation controlled through MIDI. "Flying fader" automation (using faders controlled with servo-motors) used to cost a fortune, and it was seen only in world-class studios. In recent years, the price has come down a lot, but it's still an expensive way to go. Most older analog desks have been retrofitted with VCA automation, especially since VCA sound quality is so much better than it was in the '70s and '80s.