Yes, I know Pro Tools isn't your prime DAW to create songs, its possible, but Pro Tools should mainly be used in a recording studio or post production facility. But I do know that some people on here are Pro Tools users and at first its quite a daunting program to grasp even if you do have experience with another or even many DAW's. I guess what I'm suggesting is if you have Pro Tools, I would say create your song in your DAW then bounce it to audio files and mix it in Pro Tools.
Again the above is my opinion, but I would say if your experienced with Pro Tools I would think you would agree that its quite a superior mixing DAW. So in this guide I am going to compile some basics that I would think are essential to know if your looking into a Pro Tools system.
I really hope this can help at least some people out. This is by no means a full guide that if you read it you will understand Pro Tools, its merely a quick, basic information guide. If there's anything to add to what I put down, please add it, or let me know and I will. Also any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask.
Thanks.
Now for any Pro Tools system you are REQUIRED to use a Digidesign...Well now Avid approved audio interface. You will also need an iLok.
If your just looking into getting Pro Tools be aware that you will have 3 different versions to choose from. M-Powered, LE, and Pro Tools HD. Now the differences between the 3 versions are not very extreme differences, but the cost in the differences is quite large.
Pro Tools HD
-Uses TDM(time division multiplexing) which is a protocol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-division_multiplexing Definition of TDM.
-Also requires a HD Core Card, the HD Core Card uses TDM protocol to provide resources that Pro Tools needs for HD operation. You must have at least 1 core card, you can have a maximum of up to 13 cards, and each card has 9DSP chips on it as well.
-The majority of processes on Pro Tools HD systems is handled on the outboard interface.
Pro Tools LE & M-Powered
-Both these versions rely on your computers processing and RAM.
-The software level is the same for these two.
Now that is just some very VERY basic information about the differences.
Now I will get into what I believe you should know right off the bat, and will progress to deeper things towards the bottom.
File Storage
There are three file extensions that could be attached to the Session Document.
They are .pt5 (Pro Tools Version 5), .pts (Pro Tools 5.1 to 6.9), and .ptf (Pro Tools 7x and 8x ).
-The Root Media folder is the folder that contains a Pro Tools session and all related files.
-Whats stored in the Root Media folder: Audio files, fade files, region groups, session file backups, actual .ptf file, video files, wave cache.
-You can enable automatic backups in Pro Tools sessions by going to: Setup > Preferences > Operation. You can choose up to 99 most recent backups, saved every 1 minute to every 60 minutes. AWESOME FEATURE
Mix & Edit Windows
-Handy quick key to switch between each window. Command + = (equals) Can also use Command + ~ (tilde)
-At the very top you have your main time display. HD systems offer more variations than LE/M-Powered.
-Along the top bar you also have zoom controls, with zoom presets.
-You can record up to 13hrs in Pro Tools.
Edit Modes
-These are your 4 edit modes and quick keys: Shuffle (F1) Slip (F2) Spot(F3) Grid(F4)
-Shuffle Mode: the keyword for Shuffle mode is “magnets”. Editing in Shuffle mode
results in region displacement. Regions will snap together or push apart, but never
overlap.
-Slip Mode: the keyword for Slip mode is “freedom”. When editing, there are no
restrictions in Slip mode.
-Spot Mode: the keyword for Spot mode is “numbers”. Numbers (Original Time
Stamp, User Time Stamp, as well as user-defined numbers) are used to place the
regions in the session.
-Grid Mode: - the keyword for Grid mode is “grid”. Editing in Grid mode snaps to the
selected grid resolution.
-There are two Grid modes: Absolute and Relative.
-In both Grid modes, the Trim, Selector, and Grabber tool all snap to the grid when
they are used.
-The color of the button will switch from blue (Absolute) to purple (Relative).
-In Pro Tools there are also combination modes such as Slip + Grid (Slip and Grid
mode together) and Shuffle + Grid (Shuffle and Grid together). To achieve those modes press the corresponding quick keys at the same time.
-You also have 6 main editing tools: Zoom, trim, selector, grabber, scrub, & pencil tool.
-The Zoom, Trim, Grabber, and Pencil tools include drop down menus indicated by the small arrows underneath the tool icon. These arrows
indicate alternative tool options.
-Zoom has normal zoom and single zoom. To toggle between Normal and Single Zoom press Command + 1 repeatedly (alphanumeric keyboard).
-The Trim tool has 3 alternative modes:
1. TCE Trim - TCE stands for Time Compression/Expansion. Time Compression/Expansion is the ability to compress or expand the audio in time (speed up or
slow down). TCE uses a plug-in algorithm via the Trim tool to process audio changes.
2. Scrub Trim - the combination of the Trim tool and Scrub tool. The Trim tool will non-destructively edit/cut audio, and the Scrub tool will “scrub“ the audio to find edit points/pops and clicks. Using Scrub Trim allows audio to be auditioned in real time while trimming the beginning or end of the region.
3. Loop Trim - gives the ability to loop a selected region over and over again, without using the Duplicate, Repeat, or Region Looping commands. The Loop Trim tool must be above the center line of the region when being used.
-Grabber tool has 2 alternative modes:
1. Separation Grabber - the combination of the Separate command and the Grabber tool. To make this work, a selection must be made using any one of
the methods previously discussed. With a selection made, click and drag the selected area to a new location on the track. The selected area will be
separated and moved to the new location.
2. Object Grabber - gives the ability to select multiple non-contiguous objects (regions) across multiple tracks.
-The Pencil tool has six alternative tools. Uses for the Pencil tool include sample-level editing, automation, and tempo mapping.
Now I'm going to skip over the status bar, region list, track list, and a few others. If you have any specific questions about them just ask.
Basic Modifier/Keyboard Shortcuts
-Open a Session = Command + O
-Save = Command + S
-Quit = Command + Q
-Close session, not application = Shift + Command + W
-Return the insertion cursor to beginning of the session = Return
-Move cursor from region boundary to region boundary = Tab
-Half-speed playback = Shift + Spacebar
-Option = all/opposite/default
-Zoom out = Command + [ (Left Bracket)
-Zoom in = Command + ] (Right Bracket)
-Play/Stop = Spacebar
Mix Window
-Each I/O in the mix window will have: Inserts, sends, input/output selector, automation selector, group ID, panner, fader, track name, delay compensation(HD ONLY), comments field.
-Inserts A-E & F-J are used for real time processing.
-Sends A-E & F-J are used for sending a split of the signal to time-based
processors, subgroups, and headphone mixes.
Voices
Pro Tools HD rigs voice count is hardware dependent.
Pro Tools LE/M-Powered has 32 or 48 voices, depending on the package.
Voices are not needed to hear Aux, MIDI, Instrument, or Master Fader tracks.
-The resources needed for an audio track to be able to play back. Mono tracks require 1 voice, stereo tracks require 2.
-Go to Window > System Usage to see how many TDM voices are allocated and how many are currently in use in the session.
-To manage/change the number of voices allocated for a session, go to Setup > Playback Engine.
-The number of voices is based on the amount of cards installed in the system, and the current session’s sample rate. Each combination of voices uses a set of DSP(digital signal processing) chips. The higher the sample rate, the lower the voice count.
If you are in need of more voices:
1. Make the track inactive: To make a track inactive, select the track’s nameplate in the Mix or Edit window, then go to Track > Make Inactive. Ctrl+Cmnd+Click on track type indicator. Bottom of I/O symbol that looks like sideways christmas tree.
Each voice in Pro Tools allows playback of one mono track of audio. However, multiple tracks can share a voice permitting that they do not play audio at
the same time.
Dynamic Voice Allocation:
By default, Pro Tools sets each track’s voice to “dyn”, or Dynamic Voice Allocation. This means that the DAE will share voices between tracks, whenever available, to ensure that the maximum amount of tracks can play back.
Disk Allocation
Disk allocation determines which hard drive each track will record too.
Saving Pro Tools files. Save and save as are like they always have been.
There's a feature called Save Copy In which you would use to archive, back up or transfer your session.
-Creates a duplicate Root Media folder.
-Allows session parameters to be changed. (sample rate, bit depth)
-Creates new session document, and you can make it backwards compatible with older/newer Pro Tools rigs.
In Pro Tools, different software versions use different session document file types. Newer file types can open older file types, but this does not work the other way around.
Session Migration
There are 3 features that may become inactive when you take your session to another persons/studios rig.
-Plug ins
-Inputs/Outputs
-Voices
Working with Digi Browsers
You have 3 different browsers:
1. Project
2. Workspace
3. Volume
The browsers each have 3 main functions:
1. Search
2. Audition
3. Import
-Project Browser: access the current session’s Root Media folder. To access, go to Window > Project.
-Workspace Browser: allows access to all drives attached to the system, including networked, shared drives, or even jump drives and iPods (in data mode). To search using the Workspace Browser, choose which drives will be searched by selecting
them.
Volume Browser: narrows the amount of available data to one specific volume (harddrive). To open the Volume Browser, Double + Click on a volume in the Workspace.
Mixing Options
AudioSuite Plug ins:
-Not a real time process
-Processing power is derived from CPU
-New audio file will be created as a result of AudioSuite processing
AudioSuite Parameters:
Use In Playlist - allows the user to define whether or not the new processed Audio file will occur on the playlist, or only in the Region list.
Selection Reference - this option will choose which selection to refer to before processing a new file.
2 options under selection reference.
1. Playlist – refers to a selected area in the playlist. This can be a partial region, whole region, multiple regions, or even across multiple tracks. If a
selection is made across more than one track, new Audio files will be made for each track after processing. Use for a one-time occurrence of the selection.
2. Region List – refers to a selected region or group of regions in the Regions list. Use for multiple occurrences of the selection, such as a loop or sample. When Region list is used, every occurrence of the region will be affected.
Process Mode - Determines how to treat selections that occur over more than one region.
Inserts
2 types of inserts in Pro Tools
1. Software
2. Hardware
-100% of signal is affected
-Used for dynamic processing (compressors, limiters etc)
-Pre fader/post-record
-Serial connection
TDM & RTAS Plug ins
-ALWAYS put RTAS before TDM plug ins.
-RTAS plug ins on aux tracks in HD will use a voice.
-If TDM or Hardware inserts appear before an RTAS plug-in, the signal flow changes inside the computer, causing undesirable latency and voice usage.
TDM plug-ins derive processing power from the Pro Tools card
Only available on HD/TDM systems
RTAS plug-ins derive power from CPU
Available on all Pro Tools systems
Multi-Channel .VS. Multi-Mono
Multi-Mono plug ins can do more. Can effect channels of track independently.
Multi-Channel plug-ins effects all channels on that track equally.
Plug-in Colors
1. Gray plug-in with black letters: Active plug-in/Window closed
2. White plug-in with blue letters: Active plug-in/Window open
3. Dark blue plug-in: Bypassed plug-in/Window closed
4. Light blue plug-in: Bypassed plug-in/Window open
5. Dark purple plug-in: Partially bypassed plug-in/Window closed (multi-mono
plug-ins only)
6. Light purple plug-in: Partially bypassed plug-in/Window open
7. Italicized plug-in: Inactive plug-in
Automation
Command + 4 (on 10key) brings up automation window
Two methods of automation in Pro Tools:
1. Real time
2. Non real time
There are six main automation modes:
Auto off - automation doesn't play back or record
Auto read - Existing automation plays, but doesn't record
Touch - automation is only recorded when parameter is touched
Auto latch - automation is recorded when parameter is touched, continues until playback stops
Touch latch - tracks fader in auto touch, all other parameters in auto latch
Auto write - automation is always recording
Plug-in automation
Bring up automation window, select correct automation mode, and the automation enable button on a plug in looks like 2 small boxes one in front of the other but not perfectly aligned.
Or Ctrl+Cmnd+Opt+Click on parameter.
Parameter colors indicate: Red will record, green will playback.
Managing DSP Induced Delay
Command+click on volume indicator
-Delay appears, displayed in samples
Ctrl+Cmnd+click on volume indicator - deactivate delay comp
Auto-delay compensation:
-Each track will add latency to equal the longest delayed track
-View > Mix Window > Delay Compensation
-Turns on delay comp
Two options for delay compensation:
-Short: allows each track to add up to 1023 samples of latency as needed
-Long: Allows each track to add up to 4095 samples of compensation
Bounce To Disk
Pro Tools bounces all tracks in real time
What you hear is what you get
Doesn't require additional voices to bounce
ALWAYS make a selection before you bounce.
Multiple numbers of file types to bounce too:
SDII(Sound Designer II) - Mac file format. Not compatible with PC. Doesn't support audio above 24bit 48kHz.
.WAV - nuff said
AIFF - Mac version of .wav
MP3 - Lossy compressed file format
Quick time
Sound Resource - Used to create alert sounds for Mac OS
MP3 option is not included with standard Pro Tools systems can be added for a fee of course. Just use .wav though.
3 file formats:
1. Mono (summed) - Creates single mono file
2. Multiple Mono - Separate file for each channel
3. Stereo Interleaved - Stereo file (redbook CD format)
3 bit resolutions:
8
16
24
Sample rates from 8kHz to 192kHz. Also with sample rate conversions for videos.
Convert during/after bounce:
Determines when certain file conversions take place (such as sample rate or bit depth conversion, MP3 creation, etc). It is recommended that you always use
Convert After Bounce.
Import after bounce: Will import bounce into your region list as soon as its finished.
Now that would be it for now. I'm sure I missed some stuff, and I'm sick of digging through some of my notes to make sure I got what I think is essential to know. I really hope at least some people find this helpful, cause it took me a long ass time to type all that out.
Also here is a quick key guide:
MAC http://akmedia.digidesign.com/support/d ... _32964.pdf
PChttp://akmedia.digidesign.com/support/d ... _32965.pdf
