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PT 101: Pro Tools Fundamentals I (Live Online)

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Overview

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: 
  • 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.
At the end of this course you will be able to:
  • 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
The Story of Pro Tools
  • 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
Basics of Digital Audio
  • Basic Parameters of Sound: Waveform, Frequency, and Amplitude
  • Recording and Playing Back Analog Audio
  • Analog to Digital Conversion
  • Recording in Digital Format
Pro Tools System Configurations
  • 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
Cross Platform Issues
  • Keyboard Commands
  • File Naming Conventions
Getting Inside Pro Tools

Target Systems
Pro Tools File Structure
  • File Organization
  • Session Components
Starting Pro Tools
  • Powering Up Your Hardware
  • Using the PACE iLok System
  • Launching Pro Tools
  • Accessing Connected Audio Devices
  • Optimizing Host Based Pro Tools Performance
The Pro Tools Software Interface
  • The Menu Structure
  • Main Pro Tools Windows
  • Tool Tips
Edit Tool Functions
  • Zoomer Tool
  • Trim Tool
  • Selector Tool
  • Grabber Tool
  • Scrubber Tool
  • Pencil Tool
  • Smart Tool
Edit Modes
  • Shuffle Mode
  • Slip Mode
  • Spot Mode
  • Grid Mode
Time Scales and Rulers
  • Main Time Scale
  • Sub Time Scale
  • Ruler Display Options
MIDI Control Features
  • Wait for Note
  • Metronome
  • Countoff Controls
  • MIDI Merge Mode
  • Ruler Enable
  • Meter Display
  • Tempo Field
Creating Your First Session

The Dashboard
Creating and Configuring a Pro Tools Session
  • Choosing Session Parameter Settings
  • File Size Considerations
  • Creating the Session
Working with Tracks
  • Adding Tracks
  • Naming Tracks
  • Deleting Tracks
  • Adding Audio to Tracks
The Playback Cursor and the Edit Cursor
  • Playback Cursor
  • Edit Cursor
  • Setting the Playback Point
  • Locating the Playback Cursor
  • Scrolling Options
Saving, Locating, and Opening Existing Sessions
  • Saving a Session
  • Locating and Opening a Session
Making Your First Audio Recording

Before Recording
  • Audio Storage Requirements
  • Disk Usage Window
Preparing to Record
  • Creating a Click Track (Optional)
  • Checking Hardware Connections
  • Record Enabling Tracks
  • Setting Input Path, Level, and Pan
Recording and Managing Audio

Organizing after Recording
  • Return to Playback Mode
  • Organize Audio Files and Clips
  • Removing Audio Clips and Deleting Audio Files
Importing and Working with Media in a Session

Considerations Prior to Import
  • Bit Depth, Sample Rate, and File Format
  • Configuration of Stereo Files
Importing Audio
  • Import Audio Dialog Box
  • Importing Audio with the Import Command
  • Importing Audio with Workspace Browsers
  • Batch Importing Audio
  • Importing Audio from an Audio CD
Importing Video
  • Video Track Display
  • Working with Video Tracks
Making Your First MIDI Recording

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, Tempo, and Key Signature
  • Setting the Session Meter
  • Setting the Session Tempo
  • Setting the Session Key Signature
Preparing to Record MIDI
  • Connecting a MIDI Device
  • Checking MIDI Inputs/Outputs
  • Record Enabling MIDI Compatible Tracks
  • Setting Record Options
Using Virtual Instruments
  • Placing a Virtual Instrument on an Instrument Track
  • Using Xpand!2
  • Using Boom
  • Using Structure Free
  • Recording MIDI
Viewing MIDI Data on MIDI Compatible Tracks
  • MIDI Clips View
  • MIDI Notes View
  • Velocity View
  • MIDI Editor Window Views
Selecting and Navigating

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
Working with Selections
  • Creating Separate Timeline Selections and Edit Selections
  • Making Selections on Multiple Tracks
  • Using the Tab Key
  • Tabbing to Transient Points
Adjusting the Session View
  • 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
Adding Markers to Your Session
  • About Memory Locations
  • Creating a Marker
  • The Memory Locations Window
  • Recalling a Marker Location
  • Deleting a Marker Location
  • Creating a Selection Using Markers
Basic Editing Techniques

Selecting Playback Options
  • Scrolling
  • Loop Playback
Using the Edit Modes
  • Shuffle Mode
  • Slip Mode
  • Spot Mode
  • Grid Mode
  • Snap To Grid
  • Configuring the Grid
  • Editing Clips
  • Common Editing Commands
  • Pro Tools Specific Editing Commands
Moving and Trimming Clips
  • Using the Grabber Tool
  • Using the Trim Functions
  • Using the Nudge Function
  • Creating Fade Effects
  • Fade Ins and Fade Outs
  • Crossfades
  • Fade Settings
Undoing Your Work
  • Using Multi Level Undo
  • Using Restore Last Selection
  • Using Revert to Saved
  • Restoring from Session Backups
Basic Mixing Techniques

Basic Mixer Terminology 
  • Inputs
  • Outputs
  • Inserts
  • Sends and Returns
The Pro Tools Mix Window
  • Configuring the Mix Window
Basic Automation
  • Recording Automation (Write Mode
  • Playing Back Automation (Read Mode)
  • Turning Automation Off
  • Viewing Automation Playlists
  • Editing Breakpoint Automation
Real Time Plug Ins
  • Real Time Plug In Features
  • Real Time Plug In Formats
  • Plug Ins Provided with Pro Tools
Finishing Your Work
Backing Up Your Session
  • Saving a Session Copy
  • Sharing a Session between Systems
Creating a Stereo Mixdown
  • Considerations for Bouncing Audio
  • Bouncing to Tracks
  • Bouncing to Disk
  • Adding a Bounce File to Your iTunes Library
Burning Songs to CD from iTunes

Taught by

Manhattan Edit Workshop

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