An example of a fader automation lane (below) with its associated track (above).
An example of a fader automation lane (below) with its associated track (above).

Track automation occurs in one or more lanes. Each lane has a control that allows setting the amount or position of a certain parameter associated with the lane. Parameters are things that can be controlled on a track's automation lane, such as volume, panning, muting, trim, etc. Automation curves typically consist of lines connected by control points, that live within the confines of a lane; these tell Ardour how to change a given parameter over time. Automation modes define how Ardour creates the values in between the control points of a given automation curve, either by connecting them with continuous lines or not. Automation states govern how a given automation lane will behave during playback.