Specifications
Chapter 2: Pro Tools Concepts 13
synthesizer or sampler), another external MIDI in-
strument, or an instrument plug-in within
Pro Tools. In order to play and hear a MIDI record-
ing, you must have a MIDI instrument. Audio from
an external MIDI instrument can be sent to an ex-
ternal mixer or monitored through your Pro Tools
audio interface (using either an Instrument track or
Auxiliary track).
If you are using an external MIDI instrument, it
must be connected to MIDI ports that are recog-
nized by your computer. These ports can be on a
Pro Tools interface that has MIDI ports (such as an
Mbox Pro) or some other MIDI interface.
Just as each Pro Tools system has unique hardware
features, each MIDI device has its own features
(and limitations) as to the number of voices and in-
struments it can play at one time. See the device’s
documentation for information on its capabilities.
MIDI in Pro Tools
Pro Tools provides powerful MIDI sequencing ca-
pabilities. You can record, enter, edit, and play
back MIDI data on Pro Tools Instrument and
MIDI tracks. These actions can be done in the Edit
window, the MIDI Editor window, the Score Edi-
tor window, and the MIDI Event List.
MIDI data in Pro Tools can be anything from
MIDI note data (note number, on/off, velocity) to
System Exclusive (Sysex) messages. MIDI data
can be recorded or played back from both external
MIDI devices with a MIDI interface and other
MIDI software (such as instrument plug-ins and
ReWire client applications).
Synchronization
When you are working with multiple time-based
systems, such as Pro Tools and an external deck,
you want the systems to be synchronized. Syn-
chronization is where one system outputs clock
source (such as timecode or MIDI Beat Clock) and
another device synchronizes to or follows that
clock source so that they work together. Pro Tools
can be synchronized to other devices (or other de-
vices can be synchronized to Pro Tools) using
SMPTE/EBU timecode or MIDI Timecode.
Signal paths for external MIDI instruments
For more information on different
SMPTE/EBU formats, and other concepts re-
lated to timecode, see the Pro Tools Sync &
Surround Concepts Guide.