Why Automation?
Designers of high-end mixing consoles began working on ways to automate mixes in the early 1970s, when it became clear that the ever-growing number of tracks made it more and more complicated to mix large projects. In some studios, several engineers shared the mix work on big and important projects — but this was no viable long-term solution.
Three distinct approaches emerged, each solving the problem in a different way. Together they transformed professional recording.
VCA Automation
A first, simple way to automate mixes is called VCA automation — short for Voltage Controlled Amplifier. In a VCA-automated console, the fader does not pass audio directly through its resistive track. Instead, the fader sends a control voltage to a VCA chip, which handles the actual audio level.
This means the fader position can be stored and recalled electronically, without any mechanical movement. During playback, the VCA reproduces the stored level changes while the physical fader stays still. It's a purely electronic solution — reliable and relatively straightforward to implement — but the engineer loses the visual feedback of watching faders move.
Moving Faders — NECAM / Ultimation
The next evolution was moving fader automation. Here, motorized faders physically move during playback, giving the engineer instant visual feedback. Neve developed NECAM in the mid-1970s — the world's first computer-controlled moving fader automation system.
Solid State Logic followed with their own implementation, which they called Ultimation. The SSL G series computer supported Ultimation alongside VCA automation, giving engineers the choice. Moving faders quickly became the preferred approach for many professionals because seeing the faders glide into position made complex mixes far more intuitive to manage.
Total Recall
SSL introduced a third breakthrough: Total Recall. Unlike fader automation, Total Recall memorizes the positions and settings of every knob and switch on the entire console — EQ settings, compressor thresholds, FX send levels, routing assignments, everything.
First offered as an option on the SSL SL4000E series, Total Recall meant an engineer could reset the entire desk to a previous session's exact configuration in minutes. Combined with VCA or moving fader automation, it gave studios an unprecedented ability to revisit and refine mixes across days or weeks — a capability that had been nearly impossible on large-format analog consoles before.
Great Consoles
Explore the landmark SSL SL4000 E/G series and other legendary desks that defined automation.
Great Consoles →SSL G Computer
Deep dive into the Z80-powered brain behind VCA, Ultimation, and Total Recall on the G series.
SSL G Computer →