Automation Parameters

Plugdata allows you to expose patch parameters to your DAW for automation using the [param] object. This guide covers everything you need to know about creating, managing, and using automation parameters.

Automation parameters are primarily used when running plugdata as a plugin in a DAW. In standalone mode, parameters can still be created and controlled via MIDI or OSC.

Understanding Parameters

What are Parameters?

Parameters are values in your patch that can be:

Automated in your DAW timeline
Controlled by MIDI CC or other controllers
Saved with your DAW project
Displayed in your DAW’s plugin interface
Modulated by DAW envelopes and LFOs

The [param] Object

The [param] object bridges your Pd patch and DAW automation:

[param filter_cutoff]
  |
[lop~ 1000]        # Control filter cutoff from DAW

Creating Parameters

Using the Automation Panel

The easiest way to create parameters:

Open Automation Panel

Click the Parameters tab in the sidebar (or press Cmd/Ctrl+B and select it)

Click + Button

Click the + button at the bottom of the panel to create a new parameter

Configure Parameter

Set the parameter properties:

Name - Descriptive name (e.g., “Filter Cutoff”)
Range - Minimum and maximum values
Mode - Float, Integer, Logarithmic, or Exponential

Add to Patch

Drag the parameter from the panel onto your canvas to create a [param] object

Creating [param] Objects Directly

You can also create parameters directly in your patch:

# Basic parameter
[param volume]

# Parameter with auto-handling
[param volume 1]

# The parameter will appear in the Automation Panel

Arguments:

Symbol - Parameter name (required)
Float - Enable auto-handling (0 or 1, default: 0)

Use descriptive, unique names for parameters. Spaces are allowed: [param Filter Cutoff]

Parameter Configuration

Setting Parameter Range

Configure the minimum and maximum values:

Via Automation Panel
Via Messages

Click the expand arrow (▸) on the parameter
Adjust Range with the min/max fields
Values update immediately in the DAW

Send a range message to the parameter:

[range 20 20000(     # Set range 20Hz to 20kHz
  |
[param filter_freq]

Common Ranges:

Volume: 0 to 1 (or 0 to 127 for MIDI-style)
Frequency: 20 to 20000 Hz
Percentage: 0 to 100
Pan: -1 to 1 or 0 to 127

Parameter Modes

Choose the scaling mode that fits your parameter:

Float (Mode 1)

Linear floating-point values

Default mode
Continuous values with decimals
Even spacing across range

Best for:

Volume controls
Pan positions
Mix amounts

[mode 1(
  |
[param mix]

Integer (Mode 2)

Whole number values only

Steps in integer increments
No decimal values

Best for:

Selection indices
Step sequencer steps
Waveform selection

[mode 2(
  |
[param waveform]  # 0=sine, 1=saw, 2=square

Logarithmic (Mode 3)

Logarithmic scaling

More resolution at low values
Less resolution at high values
Matches human perception

Best for:

Frequency controls
Filter cutoffs
Decay times

[mode 3(
  |
[param filter_freq]  # Range: 20-20000 Hz

Exponential (Mode 4)

Exponential scaling

More resolution at high values
Less resolution at low values

Best for:

Envelope times (when you need precision at longer times)
Some specialized controls

[mode 4(
  |
[param release_time]

Auto-Handling Mode

The second argument enables automatic DAW communication:

[param volume 1]   # Auto-handling enabled

With auto-handling (1):

Automatically reports changes to DAW
Handles gesture begin/end for automation recording
Best for most use cases

Without auto-handling (0):

Manual control over change reporting
Use second inlet to control change state
For advanced automation scenarios

Using Parameters in Patches

Basic Parameter Control

# Simple volume control
[param master_volume]
  |
[/ 100]              # Scale 0-100 to 0-1
  |
[*~]                 # Apply to audio signal

Mapping to GUI Objects

Connect parameters to number boxes and sliders:

# Two-way parameter/GUI connection
[nbx]                # Number box
  |  |
  |  [param cutoff]  # Parameter follows number box
  |    |
  +----+             # And number box follows parameter

Multiple Parameters

Create complex control structures:

# Synthesizer voice parameters
[param pitch]        [param volume]      [param filter]
     |                    |                    |
  [mtof]              [/ 127]              [/ 127]
     |                    |                    |
  [osc~]                [*~]               [lop~]
     |                    |                    |
     +--------------------+--------------------+
                          |
                       [dac~]

Advanced Parameter Techniques

Parameter Smoothing

Avoid zipper noise with smoothing:

[param filter_cutoff]
  |
[line~]              # Smooth parameter changes
  |
[lop~]               # Smoother filter response

Parameter Scaling

Transform parameter ranges:

# Map 0-1 parameter to 20-20000 Hz logarithmically
[param freq_control]  # Range: 0 to 1
  |
[expr pow(20000/20, $f1) * 20]  
  |
[lop~ $1]            # Frequency in Hz

Conditional Parameters

Use parameters to switch behavior:

[param filter_type]  # Range: 0 to 2 (integer mode)
  |
[select 0 1 2]
  |   |   |
  |   |   [send~ highpass]
  |   [send~ bandpass]  
  [send~ lowpass]

[receive~ lowpass]
  |
[lop~ 1000]
  |
[outlet~]

Parameter Groups

Organize related parameters:

# Oscillator group
[param osc_freq]     [param osc_shape]   [param osc_width]

# Filter group  
[param filt_cutoff]  [param filt_res]    [param filt_type]

# Envelope group
[param env_attack]   [param env_decay]   [param env_release]

Use consistent naming conventions like section_parameter (e.g., filter_cutoff, filter_resonance) to keep parameters organized.

DAW Integration

Accessing Parameters in Your DAW

Once parameters are created:

Load Plugin

Open plugdata as a plugin in your DAW

Find Parameters

Parameters appear in:

DAW’s automation lane list
Plugin parameter list
Generic plugin UI (if supported)

Automate

Record or draw automation as with any plugin parameter

Control

Map to MIDI controllers, DAW faders, or modulation sources

Parameter Persistence

Parameters are saved with:

DAW Project - Current parameter values
Automation Data - All automation lanes
Plugin State - When recalling presets

MIDI Mapping

Connect MIDI CC to parameters:

[ctlin 1]            # MIDI CC 1 (mod wheel)
  |
[/ 127]              # Normalize to 0-1
  |
[param mod_amount]   # Control parameter via MIDI

Parameter Best Practices

Naming Conventions

✅ Good names:

filter_cutoff
osc_1_pitch
reverb_mix
envelope_attack

❌ Avoid:

param1, param2 (not descriptive)
x, y, z (too generic)
Very long names (truncated in some DAWs)

Range Selection

Consider:

Musical range (e.g., 20-20000 Hz for frequency)
User expectations (0-100 for percentage)
Control precision needed
Scaling mode (linear vs logarithmic)

Organization

For large patches:

Group related parameters by function
Use consistent prefixes (osc_, filt_, env_)
Order parameters logically in the automation panel
Document parameter purposes in comments

[comment Oscillator Parameters]
[param osc_frequency]  # 20-20000 Hz, logarithmic
[param osc_detune]     # -100 to 100 cents, linear
[param osc_wave]       # 0-3, integer (sine/saw/square/tri)

Troubleshooting

Parameter Not Appearing in DAW

Solutions:

Ensure parameter is created before loading in DAW
Try reloading the plugin
Check parameter name doesn’t have special characters
Verify the parameter exists in the Automation Panel

Automation Not Working

Check:

Parameter is connected to something in the patch
Patch is in run mode (not edit mode)
DSP is enabled
Automation is actually written in the DAW

Jumpy or Stepped Values

Solutions:

Add smoothing with [line~] for audio-rate control
Check parameter mode (use float for smooth values)
Increase update rate if using [snapshot~]

Range Issues

Fixes:

Verify range is set correctly in Automation Panel
Check for scaling math errors in patch
Use correct mode (logarithmic for frequency, etc.)

Example: Complete Synth Voice

Here’s a complete example using parameters:

# Oscillator section
[param pitch]           # MIDI note number
[param detune]          # -100 to 100 cents
  |       |
  |     [/ 100]          
  |       |
[mtof]  [+ 1]           # Convert to Hz and detune
  |       |
  +-------+
      |
   [osc~]
      |
# Filter section  
   [*~]                 # VCA
      |
  [lop~]                # Filter
      |
   [*~]                 # Master volume
      |
   [dac~]

# Parameter connections
[param filter_cutoff]   # 20-20000 Hz, logarithmic
  |
[lop~ $1]

[param amp_level]       # 0-1, linear
  |
[*~ $1]

[param master_volume]   # 0-1, linear  
  |
[*~ $1]

Next Steps

Presets and Settings - Save parameter states
Audio Routing - Set up complex audio flows and MIDI routing

Getting Started

Core Concepts

User Guide

Objects Reference

Advanced

Resources

Automation Parameters

Automation Parameters

Understanding Parameters

What are Parameters?

The [param] Object

Creating Parameters

Using the Automation Panel

Creating [param] Objects Directly

Parameter Configuration

Setting Parameter Range

Parameter Modes

Auto-Handling Mode

Using Parameters in Patches

Basic Parameter Control

Mapping to GUI Objects

Multiple Parameters

Advanced Parameter Techniques

Parameter Smoothing

Parameter Scaling

Conditional Parameters

Parameter Groups

DAW Integration

Accessing Parameters in Your DAW

Parameter Persistence

MIDI Mapping

Parameter Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Range Selection

Organization

Troubleshooting

Example: Complete Synth Voice

Next Steps

​Automation Parameters

​Understanding Parameters

​What are Parameters?

​The [param] Object

​Creating Parameters

​Using the Automation Panel

​Creating [param] Objects Directly

​Parameter Configuration

​Setting Parameter Range

​Parameter Modes

​Auto-Handling Mode

​Using Parameters in Patches

​Basic Parameter Control

​Mapping to GUI Objects

​Multiple Parameters

​Advanced Parameter Techniques

​Parameter Smoothing

​Parameter Scaling

​Conditional Parameters

​Parameter Groups

​DAW Integration

​Accessing Parameters in Your DAW

​Parameter Persistence

​MIDI Mapping

​Parameter Best Practices

​Naming Conventions

​Range Selection

​Organization

​Troubleshooting

​Example: Complete Synth Voice

​Next Steps

Automation Parameters

Understanding Parameters

What are Parameters?

The [param] Object

Creating Parameters

Using the Automation Panel

Creating [param] Objects Directly

Parameter Configuration

Setting Parameter Range

Parameter Modes

Auto-Handling Mode

Using Parameters in Patches

Basic Parameter Control

Mapping to GUI Objects

Multiple Parameters

Advanced Parameter Techniques

Parameter Smoothing

Parameter Scaling

Conditional Parameters

Parameter Groups

DAW Integration

Accessing Parameters in Your DAW

Parameter Persistence

MIDI Mapping

Parameter Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Range Selection

Organization

Troubleshooting

Example: Complete Synth Voice

Next Steps