User Manual
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- System Configuration
- Chapter 5: Pro Tools Systems
- Pro Tools|HD Systems
- Pro Tools|HD Native Systems
- Playback, Recording, and Voice Limits with Pro Tools HD
- Pro Tools|HD Audio Interfaces
- Additional Pro Tools|HD Hardware Options
- Pro Tools Systems
- Additional Pro Tools Hardware Options
- Pro Tools System Options
- Complete Production Toolkit 2 Capabilities
- Checking For Software Updates
- Chapter 6: System Setup
- Chapter 7: I/O Setup
- Pro Tools Signal Paths
- I/O Setup Pages
- I/O Setup Signal Path Controls
- I/O Setup Buttons
- I/O Setup Options
- Customizing I/O Settings
- Configuring Hardware in I/O Setup
- Signal Path Routing for Audio Input
- Signal Path Routing for Audio Output
- Creating New Paths
- Creating New Sub-Paths
- Editing Paths
- Assigning Paths to Hardware I/O
- Valid Paths and Requirements
- Configuring Busses
- Factory I/O Settings
- I/O Settings Files
- Session Interchange
- Chapter 8: Preferences
- Chapter 9: Peripherals
- Chapter 10: Configuring MIDI
- Chapter 5: Pro Tools Systems
- Sessions & Tracks
- Chapter 11: Sessions
- Chapter 12: Pro Tools Main Windows
- Chapter 13: Tracks
- Track Types
- Track Channel Strips
- Track Controls and Indicators
- Edit Window Views
- Track Level Meter
- Adjusting Track Width
- Creating Tracks
- Track Views
- Setting Track Views
- Track Height
- The Track List
- Track Name Right-Click Menu
- Assigning Audio Inputs and Outputs to Tracks
- Track Priority and Voice Assignment
- Assigning MIDI Inputs and Outputs to Tracks
- Soloing and Muting Tracks
- Making Tracks Inactive
- Color Coding for Tracks, Regions, Markers, and Groups
- Chapter 14: Grouping Tracks
- Chapter 15: The Region List
- Chapter 16: DigiBase
- DigiBase Data Flow
- Performance and Transfer Volumes
- Digidesign Databases
- Browser Windows and Tools
- Working wIth Items in Browsers
- Indexing DigiBase Databases
- The Browser Menu
- Browser Panes and Display
- Column Data
- Selecting Items
- Moving, Copying, Duplicating, and Deleting Items
- Searching Items
- Entering Data for Searches
- Waveforms
- Elastic Audio Analysis
- Previewing Audio in DigiBase
- Preview Controls and Indicators
- Preview Modes
- Linking and Relinking Files
- Transfer Files
- Missing Files
- Relink Window
- Workspace Browser
- Project Browser
- Catalogs
- Task Window
- Chapter 17: Importing and Exporting Session Data
- Importing and Exporting Data to and from a Session
- Audio Conversion on Import
- Import Options and Preferences
- Importing Files with Drag and Drop
- Importing Audio Files and Regions Using the Import Audio Command
- Importing Audio from Audio CDs
- Importing ACID and REX Files
- Importing Multichannel Audio Files from a Field Recorder
- Exporting Audio
- Importing Session Data
- Import Session Data Dialog
- Importing AAF and OMF Sequences
- Import Options when Importing AAF or OMF Sequences
- Media Composer Export Options for Audio and Video Mixdowns
- Audio File Format Compatibility Issues
- Exporting Pro Tools Tracks as AAF or OMFI Sequences
- Exporting Pro Tools Tracks as MXF Audio Files
- Export Options when Exporting to AAF or OMF Sequences
- Exporting Sessions as Text
- Export Session Info as Text Options
- Send via DigiDelivery
- Importing MIDI Files
- Exporting MIDI Files
- Exporting Sibelius Files
- Importing and Exporting Region Group Files
- Chapter 18: File and Session Management and Compatibility
- Audio File Management
- WAV File Compatibility
- Sharing Sessions Created on Different Computer Platforms
- Sharing Sessions Created on Different Pro Tools Systems
- Sharing Sessions Created on Different Pro Tools Software Versions
- Sharing Pro Tools HD 9.0 Sessions with Lower Versions of Pro Tools
- Sharing Pro Tools 9.0 Sessions with Pro Tools LE
- Language Compatibility
- Chapter 19: Mac HFS+ Disk Support Option (Windows Only)
- Installing the Mac HFS+ Disk Support Option
- Removing the Mac HFS+ Disk Support Option
- Media Compatibility
- Session Compatibility
- Viewing Mac Drive and File Properties
- Viewing Multisession and Dual-Format Discs
- Setting the File Naming Mode
- Partitioning Mac Drives
- Initializing Mac Drives
- Mac HFS+ Disk Support Warnings
- Playback and Recording
- Chapter 20: Playing Back Track Material
- Chapter 21: Record Setup
- Record Setup Overview
- Configuring Pro Tools Hardware I/O for Recording
- Connecting a Sound Source
- Recording with a Click
- Setting the Session Meter and Tempo
- Record Modes
- Configuring Default Names for Audio Files and Regions
- Assigning Hardware I/O on a Track
- Record Enabling Tracks
- Working with Hard Drives for Recording
- Selecting a Record Input Monitoring Mode
- Setting Monitor Levels for Record and Playback
- Reducing Monitoring Latency
- Chapter 22: Audio Recording
- Chapter 23: MIDI Recording
- Recording from MIDI Devices
- Enabling Input Devices
- MIDI Thru
- MIDI Input Filter
- Input Quantize
- Wait for Note
- MIDI Merge/Replace
- Configuring MIDI or Instrument Tracks for Recording
- Recording MIDI and Instrument Tracks
- MIDI Punch Recording Over a Specified Range
- Loop Recording MIDI
- MIDI Step Input
- Recording System Exclusive Data
- Recording Audio from a MIDI Instrument
- Chapter 24: Punch Recording Modes
- Introduction to Punch Recording Modes
- System, Session, and Track Guidelines for Punch Recording
- QuickPunch Audio Recording
- TrackPunch Audio Recording
- TrackPunch Setup
- Using TrackPunch
- DestructivePunch Audio Recording
- DestructivePunch Setup
- Using DestructivePunch
- Example TrackPunch and DestructivePunch Workflows
- Editing
- Chapter 25: Editing Basics
- Chapter 26: Edit Modes and Tools
- Edit Modes
- Shuffle Mode
- Slip Mode
- Spot Mode
- Grid Mode
- Edit Tools
- Zooming Options
- Zoom Buttons
- Zoomer Tool
- Zoom Preset Buttons
- Zoom Toggle
- Zooming with a Scroll Wheel
- Using the Trimmer Tools
- Trimmer Tool
- Time Compression/Expansion Trimmer Tool
- Scrub Trimmer Tool
- Loop Trimmer Tool
- Using the Selector Tool
- Using the Grabber Tools
- Using the Smart Tool
- Using the Scrubber Tool
- Numeric Keypad Set to Shuttle
- Using the Pencil Tool
- Edit/Tool Mode Keyboard Lock
- Chapter 27: Making Selections
- Chapter 28: Editing Regions and Selections
- Creating New Regions
- Healing Separated Regions
- Trimming Regions
- Nudging Regions
- Quantizing Regions to Grid
- Editing Stereo and Multichannel Tracks
- Consolidating Regions
- Compacting an Audio File
- Processing Audio with AudioSuite Plug-Ins
- TCE (Time Compression and Expansion) Edit To Timeline Selection
- Rating Regions
- Chapter 29: Fades and Crossfades
- About Crossfades and Curves
- Fades Dialog
- Creating Fades at the Beginnings and Ends of Regions
- Creating a Crossfade
- Using AutoFades
- Creating Fades and Crossfades in Batches
- Moving and Nudging Fades and Crossfades
- Separating Regions that Include Fades or Crossfades
- Trimming Regions that Include Fades or Crossfades
- Fade Boundaries and Shapes Displayed in Automation View
- Chapter 30: Playlists
- Working with Playlists
- Track Compositing
- Playlists View
- Matching Alternate Regions
- Matching Criteria Options
- Selecting Alternate Takes on Tracks
- Automatically Create New Playlists when Loop Recording
- Expanding Alternate Takes to New Playlists or Tracks
- Expanding Alternate Channels to New Playlists or Tracks
- Chapter 31: Beat Detective
- Beat Detective and Source Material
- Uses for Beat Detective
- Beat Detective Requirements
- The Beat Detective Window
- Beat Detective Modes
- Defining a Beat Detective Selection
- Beat Detective Analysis
- Calculating Tempo with Beat Detective
- Generating Beat Triggers
- Editing Beat Triggers
- Generating Bar|Beat Markers with Beat Detective
- DigiGroove Templates
- Separating Regions with Beat Detective
- Conforming Regions with Beat Detective
- Edit Smoothing
- Detection (Normal) and Collection Mode
- MIDI
- Chapter 32: MIDI Editing
- MIDI Editing Options
- Setting the Grid Value
- Using the Pencil Tool
- Inserting MIDI Notes
- Inserting a Series of Notes
- Manually Editing MIDI Notes
- Using the Grabber Tools
- Time Compression/Expansion Trimmer Tool Functionality on MIDI Regions
- Continuous Controller Events
- Patch Select (Program and Bank Changes)
- System Exclusive Events
- Note and Controller Chasing
- Offsetting MIDI Tracks
- Stuck Notes
- Remove Duplicate Notes
- MIDI Real-Time Properties
- Real-Time Properties Settings
- Real-Time Properties on Tracks and Regions
- Writing Real-Time Properties to Tracks or Regions
- Real-Time Properties In the MIDI Event List
- Display of Real-Time Properties Effects
- Chapter 33: MIDI Editors
- Chapter 34: Score Editor
- Opening the Score Editor Window
- Edit Tools
- Default Note Duration
- Default Note On Velocity
- Play MIDI Notes When Editing
- Link Timeline and Edit Selection
- Mirrored MIDI Editing
- Double Bar
- Cursor Location
- Grid
- Score Editor Window Target
- Score Editor Window Menu
- Customizable Toolbar
- Track List
- Page Controls
- Score Editor Zoom Controls
- Notation Display Track Settings
- Score Setup
- Editing Notes
- Score Editor Right-Click Menu
- Key Changes
- Meter Changes
- Chord Symbols and Diagrams
- Exporting Scores
- Printing Scores
- Chapter 35: MIDI Event List
- Chapter 32: MIDI Editing
- Arranging
- Chapter 36: Time, Tempo, Meter, Key, and Chords
- Timebase Rulers and Conductor Rulers
- Main Time Scale
- The Sub Counter
- Tick-Based Timing
- Tick- and Sample-Based Timebases
- Song Start Marker
- Tempo
- Graphic Tempo Editor
- Editing Tempo Events in the Tempo Editor
- Changing the Linearity Display Mode
- Tempo Operations Window
- Identify Beat Command
- Meter Events
- Time Operations
- Change Meter
- Insert Time
- Cut Time
- Move Song Start
- Renumbering Bars
- Key Signatures
- Chord Symbols
- Chapter 37: Memory Locations
- Chapter 38: Arranging Regions
- Placing Regions in Tracks
- Working with Multiple Items from the Region List
- Placing Regions at the Edit Insertion Point
- Aligning Region Start Points
- Sliding Regions
- Shuffling Regions
- Moving Regions with the Grabber Tools
- Snapping to the Preceding or Next Region on a Track
- Slipping Regions
- Spotting Regions
- Sliding Regions in Grid Mode
- Replacing Audio Regions
- Sync Points
- Shift Command
- Locking Regions
- Muting/Unmuting Regions
- Stripping Silence from Regions
- Inserting Silence
- Duplicating Regions
- Repeating Regions
- Chapter 39: Region Loops and Groups
- Region Looping
- Creating Looped Regions
- Unlooping Regions
- Editing Looped Regions
- Region Groups
- Creating Region Groups
- Ungrouping Regions
- Regrouping Regions
- Multitrack Region Groups
- Region Groups on Tick-Based Tracks
- Editing Region Groups
- Fades and Crossfades on Region Groups
- Importing and Exporting Region Group Files
- Chapter 36: Time, Tempo, Meter, Key, and Chords
- Processing
- Chapter 40: AudioSuite Processing
- Chapter 41: Elastic Audio
- Example Elastic Audio Workflow
- Elastic Audio Tracks
- Enabling Elastic Audio Tracks
- Disabling Elastic Audio Tracks
- Elastic Audio Track Controls
- Elastic Audio Track Views
- Elastic Audio Analysis
- Real-Time and Rendered Elastic Audio Processing
- Elastic Audio Plug-Ins
- Editing in Warp View
- Warping Audio
- Editing in Analysis View
- Elastic Properties
- Elastic Properties Window
- Elastic Audio Region-Based Pitch Shifting
- AudioSuite Processing and Elastic Audio Regions
- Moving Elastic Audio Between Tracks
- Fades and MicroFades
- Elastic Audio Preferences
- Chapter 42: Event Operations
- Event Operations Window
- Quantize Command
- Grid Quantize
- Grid Quantize Examples
- Groove Quantize
- Quantizing Elastic Audio
- Quantizing Audio Regions
- Quantizing Mixed Selections
- Restore Performance Command
- Flatten Performance
- Change Velocity
- Change Duration
- Transpose
- Select/Split Notes Command
- Input Quantize Command
- Step Input Command
- Mixing
- Chapter 43: Basic Mixing
- Mixing Concepts
- Metering and Calibration
- Signal Flow by Track Type
- Audio Tracks and Signal Flow
- Auxiliary Input Tracks and Signal Flow
- Master Fader Tracks and Signal Flow
- Instrument Tracks and Signal Flow
- VCA Master Tracks
- Inserts
- Configuring Inserts View in the Mix and Edit Windows
- HEAT
- Stereo Pan Depth
- Views in the Mix and Edit Windows
- Audio Input and Output Paths
- Sends
- Configuring Sends View in the Mix and Edit Windows
- Sends View Options
- Editing Sends in the Mix and Edit Windows (Individual Send Views)
- Output Windows for Tracks and Sends
- Using Output Windows
- Signal Routing for Monitoring and Submixing
- Delay Compensation
- Dither
- Using an Ethernet Control Surface with Pro Tools
- Using a MIDI Control Surface with Pro Tools
- Chapter 44: Plug-In and Hardware Inserts
- Viewing Inserts
- Making Inserts Inactive
- Inserting Plug-Ins on Tracks
- Plug-In Menu Organization
- Moving and Duplicating Plug-In and Hardware Inserts
- The Plug-In Window
- Opening Plug-In Windows
- Using Plug-In Window Controls
- Editing Plug-In Controls
- Plug-In Automation and Safe Modes
- Side-Chain Input
- Plug-In Presets
- Plug-In Settings Dialog
- Plug-In Mapping
- Bypassing Plug-Ins
- Linking and Unlinking Controls on Multi-Mono Plug-Ins
- Using Hardware Inserts
- Chapter 45: Automation
- Automation QuickStart
- Automation Playlists
- Automation Modes
- Automation Preferences
- Viewing Automation
- Writing Automation
- Automating Sends
- Automating Plug-Ins
- AutoMatching Controls
- Priming Controls for Writing Automation in Latch Mode
- Enabling and Suspending Automation
- Deleting Automation
- Thinning Automation
- Drawing Automation
- Editing Automation
- Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Automation
- Glide Automation
- Trimming Automation
- Writing Automation to the Start, End, or All of a Track or Selection
- Writing Automation to the Next Breakpoint or to the Punch Point
- Guidelines for “Write To” Commands
- Overwriting or Extending Mute Automation
- Creating Snapshot Automation
- Previewing Automation
- Capturing Automation
- VCA Master Track Automation
- Coalescing VCA Automation
- Chapter 46: Mixdown
- Chapter 43: Basic Mixing
- Surround
- Sync and Video
- Chapter 50: Working with Synchronization
- Pro Tools Synchronization Options
- Session Setup Window
- Preparing to Work with SMPTE
- Configuring Pro Tools for SMPTE
- Pull Up and Pull Down
- Effect of Using Pull Up or Pull Down
- Putting Pro Tools Online
- Generating Time Code
- Using MIDI Machine Control
- Enabling MIDI Machine Control in Pro Tools
- MMC Transport Settings
- Setting Minimum Sync Delay
- Remote Track Arming
- Spotting Regions to SMPTE Frame Locations
- The Spot Dialog
- Capturing Time Code
- Auto-Spotting Regions
- Using the Trimmer Tools in Spot Mode
- Time Stamping
- Identifying a Synchronization Point
- Troubleshooting SMPTE Synchronization
- Speed Correction for Film, NTSC Video, and PAL Video
- Chapter 51: Working with Video in Pro Tools
- Introduction to Pro Tools and Video
- QuickTime Movies Support in Pro Tools
- Windows Media Video (VC-1 AP Codec) Support in Pro Tools
- Before Starting Your Project
- Video Tracks
- Main Video Track
- Video Track Controls and Indicators
- Locking Video Tracks
- Video Engine Rate
- Importing Video into Pro Tools
- Configuring Video Import Options
- Extracting Audio from QuickTime and Windows Media Video
- Video Regions
- General Video Editing
- Renaming Video Disk Files
- Video Region Groups
- Using the Video Window
- Browsing Video in the Video Universe Window
- Playback of High-Definition QuickTime and Windows Media Video
- Playing QuickTime DV Video to an External Monitor Over FireWire
- Playing Video to an External Monitor Using a Video Card
- Bouncing the Video Track to a QuickTime Movie
- Bouncing a Video Track with Windows Media Video to a WIndows Media Movie
- Using Pro Tools to Import Video from Other Versions of Pro Tools
- Chapter 52: Working with Field Recorders in Pro Tools
- Field Recorder and Production Workflow Terminology
- Supported Field Recorder Audio Files and Metadata
- Displaying Field Recorder Metadata in Pro Tools
- DigiBase Support for Field Recorder Metadata
- Field Recorder Workflows
- Ensuring Metadata of Source Files Have Been Preserved
- Receiving Source Files
- Importing Source Files into Pro Tools
- Displaying Multichannel Files from a Field Recorder in the Region List
- Selecting an Alternate Channel to Replace a Region
- Expanding Alternate Channels to New Tracks
- Determining the Method of Expanding Alternate Channels to New Tracks
- Overview of Production Workflows
- Film Workflow
- Video and Fully Non-Linear Workflows
- Chapter 50: Working with Synchronization
- Index
Pro Tools Reference Guide54
Mono tracks of simultaneous playback refers to the
number of unique simultaneous playback and
record tracks on your system. Total voiceable
tracks refers to the maximum number of audio
tracks that can share the available voices on
your system. (Mono tracks take up a single audio
track, while stereo tracks take up two tracks.)
Pro Tools systems can open sessions with up to
128 audio tracks, but any audio tracks beyond
that system’s voiceable track limit will be auto-
matically set to Voice Off.
Pro Tools systems provide up to 32 channels of
I/O (depending on your audio interface), 128
Auxiliary Input tracks, a total of 256 internal
mix busses, and up to 10 inserts and 10 sends
per track (depending on your computer’s pro-
cessing capacity). In addition, Pro Tools systems
support up to 64 Instrument tracks and 512
MIDI tracks. Pro Tools also supports a single
QuickTime video track.
If you open a Pro Tools session created on a
Pro Tools|HD system that contains more than
the number of tracks supported on the your
Pro Tools system, audio tracks beyond the sys-
tem’s voiceable track limit will be automatically
set to inactive.
For details on transferring session material be-
tween Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools systems, see
“Sharing Sessions Created on Different
Pro Tools Systems” on page 384.
Processing Capacity
The total processing capacity of a Pro Tools sys-
tem depends on the processing power of your
computer. Contact your dealer or visit
www.avid.com for the latest system require-
ments and compatibility information.
Additional Pro Tools Hardware
Options
Pro Tools also supports the following Pro Tools
hardware options.
• PRE (Eight-channel microphone preamp)
• MIDI I/O (10 x 10 USB MIDI interface)
•Worksurfaces and MIDI control surfaces:
•C|24
• Command|8
• Avid controllers with EUCON
•M-Audio Keyboards (such as Axiom Pro)
•Third-party MIDI controllers (such as
Mackie HUI, Peavey PC-1600, or CM Labs
Motor Mix)
For more information about the I/O
capabilities of your audio interface with
Pro Tools, see the documentation that
came with your audio interface.