Students attending this class will learn covers basic pro tools principles, giving you everything you need to complete a pro tools project, from initial set up to final mix down.
Students learn to build sessions that include multi-track recordings of live audio, MIDI sequences and virtual instruments. Hands-on exercises and projects introduce essential techniques for creating sessions, recording and importing audio and MIDI, editing session media, navigating sessions and arranging media on tracks, and using basic processing and mixing techniques to finalize a production. Included with the course material is a download of media files and Pro Tools sessions to accompany the exercises and projects in the text.
Who is this class for?
This course is designed for both new and experienced Pro Tools users seeking to build a solid foundational understanding of the software.
Prerequisites:
SYLLABUS:
Getting to Know Pro Tools
What Is Pro Tools?
Target Systems
Pro Tools File Structure
The Dashboard
Creating and Configuring a Pro Tools Session
Before Recording
Organizing after Recording
Considerations Prior to Import
MIDI Basics
MIDI in Pro Tools
Using the Universe View
Selecting Playback Options
Basic Mixer Terminology
Backing Up Your Session
Students learn to build sessions that include multi-track recordings of live audio, MIDI sequences and virtual instruments. Hands-on exercises and projects introduce essential techniques for creating sessions, recording and importing audio and MIDI, editing session media, navigating sessions and arranging media on tracks, and using basic processing and mixing techniques to finalize a production. Included with the course material is a download of media files and Pro Tools sessions to accompany the exercises and projects in the text.
Who is this class for?
This course is designed for both new and experienced Pro Tools users seeking to build a solid foundational understanding of the software.
Prerequisites:
- No experience with Avid Pro Tools software is required
- A working knowledge of Windows or Macintosh or operating systems
- Basic audio recording and DAW knowledge, such as a familiarity with microphones, understanding of basic audio and MIDI recording techniques, knowledge of basic multi-track mixing concepts (such as setting levels and panning), and familiarity with digital audio equipment such as MIDI controllers and audio interfaces.
- Create a Pro Tools session with appropriate parameter settings
- Accomplish common audio production tasks
- Employ navigation and editing skills in a multi-track Pro Tools session
- Incorporate proper recording and mixing techniques for audio and MIDI files
- Analyze and interpret session file structures
- Recognize and navigate the user interface and tool set Pro Tools environment
SYLLABUS:
Getting to Know Pro Tools
What Is Pro Tools?
- Audio
- MIDI
- Notation
- Mixing
- Post Production
- In the Beginning
- Evolving into Digidesign
- The Birth of Pro Tools
- Pro Tools Matures
- Expansion of Avid Audio
- ICON Integrated Console Environment
- VENUE Live Sound Environment
- Pro Tools in This Decade
- Where We Are Today
- Basic Parameters of Sound: Waveform, Frequency, and Amplitude
- Recording and Playing Back Analog Audio
- Analog to Digital Conversion
- Recording in Digital Format
- Software Options
- Host Based Systems Versus DSP Accelerated Systems
- Audio Interface Options (Non HD)
- Pro Tools |HD Series Audio Interfaces
- Pro Tools Software Features
- Included Plug Ins and Extras
- Keyboard Commands
- File Naming Conventions
Target Systems
Pro Tools File Structure
- File Organization
- Session Components
- Powering Up Your Hardware
- Using the PACE iLok System
- Launching Pro Tools
- Accessing Connected Audio Devices
- Optimizing Host Based Pro Tools Performance
- The Menu Structure
- Main Pro Tools Windows
- Tool Tips
- Zoomer Tool
- Trim Tool
- Selector Tool
- Grabber Tool
- Scrubber Tool
- Pencil Tool
- Smart Tool
- Shuffle Mode
- Slip Mode
- Spot Mode
- Grid Mode
- Main Time Scale
- Sub Time Scale
- Ruler Display Options
- Wait for Note
- Metronome
- Countoff Controls
- MIDI Merge Mode
- Ruler Enable
- Meter Display
- Tempo Field
The Dashboard
Creating and Configuring a Pro Tools Session
- Choosing Session Parameter Settings
- File Size Considerations
- Creating the Session
- Adding Tracks
- Naming Tracks
- Deleting Tracks
- Adding Audio to Tracks
- Playback Cursor
- Edit Cursor
- Setting the Playback Point
- Locating the Playback Cursor
- Scrolling Options
- Saving a Session
- Locating and Opening a Session
Before Recording
- Audio Storage Requirements
- Disk Usage Window
- Creating a Click Track (Optional)
- Checking Hardware Connections
- Record Enabling Tracks
- Setting Input Path, Level, and Pan
Organizing after Recording
- Return to Playback Mode
- Organize Audio Files and Clips
- Removing Audio Clips and Deleting Audio Files
Considerations Prior to Import
- Bit Depth, Sample Rate, and File Format
- Configuration of Stereo Files
- Import Audio Dialog Box
- Importing Audio with the Import Command
- Importing Audio with Workspace Browsers
- Batch Importing Audio
- Importing Audio from an Audio CD
- Video Track Display
- Working with Video Tracks
MIDI Basics
MIDI in Pro Tools
- Creating MIDI Compatible Tracks
- Sample Based Operation versus Tick Based Operation
- Time Scale and Rulers for Working with MIDI
- Setting the Session Meter
- Setting the Session Tempo
- Setting the Session Key Signature
- Connecting a MIDI Device
- Checking MIDI Inputs/Outputs
- Record Enabling MIDI Compatible Tracks
- Setting Record Options
- Placing a Virtual Instrument on an Instrument Track
- Using Xpand!2
- Using Boom
- Using Structure Free
- Recording MIDI
- MIDI Clips View
- MIDI Notes View
- Velocity View
- MIDI Editor Window Views
Using the Universe View
- Resizing the Universe
- The Current View Indicator
- Moving and Scrolling from the Universe View
- Types of Selection
- Timeline Selections
- Edit Selections
- Creating Separate Timeline Selections and Edit Selections
- Making Selections on Multiple Tracks
- Using the Tab Key
- Tabbing to Transient Points
- Adjusting Track Size
- Changing the Track Order
- Using the Zoomer Tool
- Using Zoom Toggle
- Changing the Horizontal and Vertical Zoom
- Storing and Recalling Zoom Presets
- About Memory Locations
- Creating a Marker
- The Memory Locations Window
- Recalling a Marker Location
- Deleting a Marker Location
- Creating a Selection Using Markers
Selecting Playback Options
- Scrolling
- Loop Playback
- Shuffle Mode
- Slip Mode
- Spot Mode
- Grid Mode
- Snap To Grid
- Configuring the Grid
- Editing Clips
- Common Editing Commands
- Pro Tools Specific Editing Commands
- Using the Grabber Tool
- Using the Trim Functions
- Using the Nudge Function
- Creating Fade Effects
- Fade Ins and Fade Outs
- Crossfades
- Fade Settings
- Using Multi Level Undo
- Using Restore Last Selection
- Using Revert to Saved
- Restoring from Session Backups
Basic Mixer Terminology
- Inputs
- Outputs
- Inserts
- Sends and Returns
- Configuring the Mix Window
- Recording Automation (Write Mode
- Playing Back Automation (Read Mode)
- Turning Automation Off
- Viewing Automation Playlists
- Editing Breakpoint Automation
- Real Time Plug In Features
- Real Time Plug In Formats
- Plug Ins Provided with Pro Tools
Backing Up Your Session
- Saving a Session Copy
- Sharing a Session between Systems
- Considerations for Bouncing Audio
- Bouncing to Tracks
- Bouncing to Disk
- Adding a Bounce File to Your iTunes Library