User guide

Chapter 4: Pro Tools IO Control Software 13
Output Tab
• Device Icon & ID Button - See the description in “Input Tab” on page 12.
• Analog Output Meter - This meter displays the level of the analog output before D/A conversion, in the range -48 to 0 dBFS.
• Analog Out Format - This menu sets the format of the analog outputs:
Line: All four analog outputs are configured as line outputs; monitor functions such as level control,
Mute, Dim, and Sum to
Mono
are disengaged.
Stereo: Outputs 1-2 are configured as speaker outputs (with all monitor functions available).
• Speaker Out Level - When Analog Out Format is set to Stereo, 2 or 3 Speaker Sets or 5.1, this knob controls the speaker output
level.
• Headphone Level - This knob controls the output level of the right side headphone output.
• Mute - Click
M to mute the speaker (or headphone) output. Pro Tools | Duet’s top panel Touchpads may be set to engage Mute
on the Speaker outputs, the headphone outputs or both at the same time. See “Device Settings” on page 15.
• Dim - Click
D to lower the speaker (or headphone) output level by 15 dB. The Dim function is a convenient way to briefly lower
the playback volume in the speakers or headphones in order to hold a conversation without completely muting the output. Pro
Tools | Duet’s top panel Touchpads may be set to engage Dim on the Speaker outputs, the headphone outputs, or both at the same
time. See “Device Settings” on page 15.
• Sum to Mono - Click
Σ to sum the left and right channels of the speaker (or headphone) outputs to mono. At many points of the
production process, this function is useful to check mono compatibility. For example, when recording with a stereo pair of mics,
it’s always a good idea to sum both channels to mono and check for unevenness in the frequency range caused by phase cancel-
lation and reinforcement of particular frequencies. If the sound changes significantly or sounds hollow when summed to mono,
this may indicate phase issues caused by a less than optimal mic placement.
When mixing, it’s also a good idea to check mono compatibility. Beyond questions of phase, any masking caused by overlapping
frequencies is most easily heard when listening in mono. Try starting a mix with Sum to Mono engaged - once you have some-
thing that sounds good, then disengage Sum to Mono and revel at the beautiful stereo mix you’ve created!
Pro Tools | Duet’s top panel Touchpads may be set to engage Sum to Mono on the Speaker outputs, the headphone outputs or both
at the same time. See “Device Settings” on page 15.
Output Tab