Pro Tools 101: Official Courseware

by Cook, Frank D.

• ISBN13: 9781598631548
• ISBN10: 1598631543
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-31
• Publisher: Cengage Learning Ptr

Summary

Recording enthusiasts - from hobbyists to aspiring professionals hoping to work in the recording, live sound, or post-production industries - should buy this book if they want to learn Pro Tools in the way that the manufacturer, Digidesign, recommends. Pro Tools 101 is the best first step - the official first step - for anyone embarking on the Pro Tools learning curve. Pro Tools 101 is used in Digidesign's own training and certification programs. The book's many exercises, enhanced by its sample sessions and source files, allow readers who may have never used the software before to get up and running on all the fundamental operations, including creating a session, recording audio and MIDI, basic editing and mixing techniques, and burning songs to CD.

Table of Contents

Preface. Welcome to Pro Tools 101	xvii
About This Book	xvii
Third Edition	xviii
The DVD at the Back of the Book	xviii
Course Prerequisites	xviii
Course Organization and Sequence	xix
Part I: Background Information	xix
Part II: Working with Sessions	xix
Part III: Hands-On Projects	xix
Part IV: Course Completion	xix
Conventions and Symbols Used in This Book	xx
Menu and Key Commands	xx
Icons	xx
Introduction to Pro Tools	xxi
Creation	xxi
Recording	xxi
Editing	xxi
Mixing	xxi
Mastering	xxii
The Digidesign Training & Education Program	xxii
Certification Levels	xxii
Courses Offered in the Training Program	xxiii
Third Edition Course Configuration	xxiii
How Can I Learn More?	xxiii
Part I: Background Information	1	(74)
Getting to Know Pro Tools	3	(38)
Objectives	3	(2)
What Is Pro Tools?	5	(1)
Audio	5	(1)
MIDI	5	(1)
Mixing	6	(1)
Post-Production	6	(1)
The Evolution of Digidesign	6	(12)
The Beginnings of Digidrums	6	(2)
Evolving into Digidesign	8	(1)
Pioneering Digital Audio	9	(1)
The Birth of Pro Tools	9	(3)
Pro Tools Matures	12	(2)
ICON Integrated Console Environment	14	(2)
Venue Live Sound Environment	16	(2)
Digital Audio Theory	18	(4)
Basic Parameters of Sound: Waveform, Frequency, and Amplitude	18	(1)
Recording and Playing Back Analog Audio	19	(1)
Analog-to-Digital Conversion	20	(1)
Recording in Digital Format	21	(1)
Pro Tools System Configurations	22	(14)
Pro Tools M-Powered	22	(5)
Pro Tools LE	27	(3)
Pro Tool/HD	30	(6)
Music Production Toolkit	36	(1)
Extensive Plug-In Collection	36	(1)
Multi-Track Beat Detective	36	(1)
More Audio Tracks	37	(1)
Pro Tools MP3 Option	37	(1)
DV Toolkit 2	37	(2)
Essential Post-Production Plug-Ins	37	(1)
DigiBase Pro	38	(1)
DigiTranslator 2.0	38	(1)
Extended Pro Tools Functionality	38	(1)
More Audio Tracks	38	(1)
Pro Tools MP3 Option	38	(1)
Cross-Platform Issues	39	(2)
Keyboard Commands	39	(1)
File-Naming Conventions	39	(2)
Getting Inside Pro Tools	41	(34)
Objectives	41	(2)
Introduction	43	(1)
Pro Tools File Structure	43	(2)
File Organization	43	(1)
File Types	44	(1)
Starting Pro Tools	45	(4)
Powering Up Your Hardware	46	(1)
Using the Pace iLok System	46	(1)
Launching Pro Tools	47	(1)
Optimizing Host-Based Pro Tools Performance	47	(2)
The Pro Tools Software Interface	49	(10)
The Menu Structure	49	(2)
Main Pro Tools Windows	51	(8)
ToolTips and Additional Help	59	(1)
Edit Tool Functions	59	(5)
Zoomer Tool	60	(1)
Trim Tool	61	(1)
Selector Tool	61	(1)
Grabber Tool	62	(1)
Scrubber Tool	62	(1)
Pencil Tool	63	(1)
Smart Tool	64	(1)
Edit Mode Features	64	(2)
Shuffle Mode	65	(1)
Slip Mode	65	(1)
Spot Mode	65	(1)
Grid Mode	66	(1)
Time Scales and Ruler Views	66	(4)
Main Time Scale	67	(1)
Sub Time Scale	68	(1)
Ruler View Display Options	68	(2)
Transport Window MIDI Controls	70	(5)
Wait for Note	71	(1)
Metronome Click	71	(1)
Countoff	71	(1)
MIDI Merge Mode	72	(1)
Tempo Ruler Enable	72	(1)
Tempo Resolution Selector	73	(1)
Meter Display	73	(1)
Tempo Field	73	(2)
Part II: Working with Sessions	75	(172)
Creating Your First Session	77	(16)
Objectives	77	(2)
Introduction	79	(1)
Configuring a Pro Tools Session	79	(7)
Choosing Session Parameter Settings	79	(2)
Creating the Session	81	(1)
Adding Tracks	82	(3)
Naming Tracks	85	(1)
Deleting Tracks	85	(1)
Adding Audio to Your Session	86	(1)
The Playback Cursor and the Edit Cursor	86	(3)
Playback Cursor	86	(1)
Edit Cursor	86	(1)
Setting the Playback Point	87	(1)
Scrolling Options	87	(1)
Locating the Playback Cursor	88	(1)
Saving, Locating, and Opening Existing Sessions	89	(4)
Saving a Session	89	(1)
Locating and Opening a Session	90	(3)
Making Your First Audio Recording	93	(18)
Objectives	93	(2)
Introduction	95	(1)
Before Recording	95	(1)
Audio Storage Requirements	95	(1)
Disk Space Window	95	(1)
Preparing to Record	96	(6)
Checking Hardware Connections	96	(1)
Record-Enabling Tracks	97	(1)
Setting Input Path, Level, and Pan	98	(2)
Creating a Click Track (Optional)	100	(2)
Recording and Managing Audio	102	(1)
Organizing after Recording	103	(8)
Return to Playback Mode	103	(1)
Organize Audio Files and Regions	103	(3)
Removing Audio Regions and Deleting Audio Files	106	(5)
Importing Media into Your Session	111	(12)
Objectives	111	(2)
Introduction	113	(1)
Considerations Prior to Import	113	(3)
Bit Resolution, Sample Rate, and File Format	113	(2)
Configuration of Stereo Files	115	(1)
Importing Audio	116	(6)
Import Audio Dialog Box	116	(1)
Importing Audio to the Regions List	117	(1)
Importing Audio to Tracks	118	(1)
Importing Audio with DigiBase Browsers	118	(3)
Batch Importing Audio	121	(1)
Importing Audio from an Audio CD	121	(1)
Importing a QuickTime Movie	122	(1)
Making Your First MIDI Recording	123	(24)
Objectives	123	(2)
Introduction	125	(1)
MIDI Basics	125	(1)
MIDI in Pro Tools	125	(4)
Creating MIDI-Compatible Tracks	126	(1)
Sample-Based Operation versus Tick-Based Operation	126	(2)
Time Scale and Rulers for Working with MIDI	128	(1)
Preparing to Record MIDI	129	(6)
Connecting a MIDI Device	129	(1)
Enabling Input from the MIDI Device	130	(1)
Checking MIDI Inputs/Outputs	131	(2)
Record-Enabling MIDI-Compatible Tracks	133	(1)
Setting Record Options	133	(2)
Using Virtual Instruments	135	(5)
Placing a Virtual Instrument on an Instrument Track	136	(1)
Using the Xpand! Plug-In	137	(3)
Setting the Default Meter and Tempo	140	(2)
Setting the Default Meter	140	(1)
Setting the Default Tempo	141	(1)
Recording MIDI	142	(1)
Viewing MIDI Data on MIDI-Compatible Tracks	143	(4)
Selecting and Navigating	147	(26)
Objectives	147	(2)
Introduction	149	(1)
Types of Selection	149	(5)
Timeline Selections	149	(3)
Edit Selections	152	(2)
Working with Selections	154	(6)
Creating Separate Timeline Selections and Edit Selections	154	(1)
Making Selections on Multiple Tracks	155	(2)
Marking Selection In and Out Points during Playback	157	(1)
Using the Tab Key	158	(1)
Tabbing to Transient Points	158	(2)
Adjusting the Session View	160	(6)
Adjusting Track Size	160	(1)
Changing the Track Order	161	(2)
Zoomer Tool	163	(1)
Horizontal and Vertical Zoom Buttons	164	(1)
Zoom Presets	165	(1)
Adding Markers to Your Session	166	(7)
About Memory Locations	166	(1)
Creating a Marker	167	(2)
The Memory Locations Window	169	(1)
Recalling a Marker Location	170	(1)
Automatically Naming Marker Locations	170	(1)
Deleting Marker Locations	171	(1)
Creating a Selection Using Markers	172	(1)
Basic Editing Techniques	173	(32)
Objectives	173	(2)
Introduction	175	(1)
Selecting Playback Options	175	(6)
Scrolling	175	(1)
Loop Playback	176	(1)
Using the Edit Modes	177	(4)
Editing Regions	181	(7)
Standard Editing Commands	181	(4)
Pro Tools-Specific Editing Commands	185	(3)
Moving and Trimming Regions	188	(8)
Using the Grabber Tool	189	(2)
Using the Trim Functions	191	(3)
Using the Nudge Function	194	(2)
Creating Fade Effects	196	(5)
Fade-Ins and Fade-Outs	196	(2)
Cross-Fades	198	(2)
Fade Settings	200	(1)
Undoing Your Work	201	(4)
Using Multi-Level Undo	201	(3)
Revert to Saved	204	(1)
Basic Mixing Techniques	205	(20)
Objectives	205	(2)
Introduction	207	(1)
Basic Mixer Terminology	207	(1)
Inputs	207	(1)
Outputs	207	(1)
Inserts	207	(1)
Sends and Returns	208	(1)
The Pro Tools Mix Window	208	(9)
Configuring the Mix Window	208	(9)
Basic Automation	217	(3)
Recording Automation (Write Mode)	217	(1)
Viewing and Editing Automation	218	(1)
Playing Back Automation (Read Mode)	219	(1)
Turning Automation Off	220	(1)
Real-Time Plug-Ins	220	(5)
Real-Time Plug-In Features	220	(2)
Real-Time Plug-In Formats	222	(1)
Plug-Ins Provided with Pro Tools	222	(3)
Finishing Your Work	225	(22)
Objectives	225	(2)
Introduction	227	(1)
Backing Up Your Session	227	(3)
Saving a Session Copy	227	(3)
Sharing a Session between Systems	230	(1)
Creating a Stereo Mixdown	230	(11)
Considerations for Bouncing Audio	231	(1)
Bouncing to Tracks	232	(2)
Bouncing to Disk	234	(7)
Burning Songs to CD	241	(6)
Creating a CD Using Windows Media Player	241	(3)
Creating a CD on Mac OS X	244	(3)
Part III: Hands-On Projects	247	(2)
Prelude. Project Introduction and Setup	249	(8)
Getting to Know the Projects	251	(1)
Completing the Projects	251	(1)
Project Credits	251	(1)
Pro Tools Setup Instructions	252	(1)
System Requirements for Demo Software	252	(1)
Installation Instructions for Pro Tools M-Powered 7 Demo	252	(1)
Installing Project Session Files	253	(1)
System Requirements for Project Sessions	253	(1)
Installation Instructions for Session Files	254	(1)
Installing Free Plug-Ins	254	(3)
System Requirements for Plug-Ins	255	(1)
Plug-In Installation Instructions	255	(2)
Project 1. Music Hands-On Project	257	(48)
Powering Up	259	(1)
Opening the Music Project	259	(5)
Locate the Session Using the Workspace Browser	259	(3)
Orient the Session Windows	262	(1)
Set the Preferences	263	(1)
Connect Input and Monitoring Devices	264	(1)
Creating New Tracks	264	(3)
Create and Name Tracks	264	(2)
Save Your Session	266	(1)
Recording MIDI	267	(8)
Add a Virtual Instrument	268	(1)
Verify the Routing	269	(2)
Set Up a Click	271	(1)
Make a Recording	272	(2)
Drag in a MIDI Region	274	(1)
Save Work in Progress	275	(1)
Recording Audio	275	(6)
Check Disk Space	276	(1)
Route the Signal	277	(1)
Enable an Audio Track for Recording	277	(1)
Set Recording Level	278	(1)
Record a Track	279	(1)
Rename Audio Files and Regions	280	(1)
Save Work in Progress	281	(1)
Importing Media	281	(3)
Import REX Files to the Regions List	281	(2)
Import a Region Group to a Track	283	(1)
Save Work in Progress	284	(1)
Editing in Pro Tools	284	(9)
Add Guitar Effects	284	(1)
Add REX Loops	285	(3)
Loop a Region	288	(1)
Edit MIDI Performance	289	(2)
Remove a Section	291	(2)
Save Work in Progress	293	(1)
Mixing in Pro Tools	293	(7)
Add EQ	293	(1)
Add Delay	294	(1)
Enhance the Guitar Effect	295	(2)
Mix the Project	297	(2)
Save Work in Progress	299	(1)
Finishing Your Work	300	(5)
Add Dither	300	(1)
Bounce the Song	300	(1)
Archive Your Work	301	(4)
Project 2. Post Hands-On Project	305	(2)
Powering Up	307	(1)
Opening the Post Project	307	(1)
Locate the Session Using the Workspace Browser	307	(2)
Orient the Session Windows	309	(1)
Set the Preferences	310	(1)
Connect Input and Monitoring Devices	311	(1)
Creating New Tracks	312	(1)
Create and Name a Track	312	(1)
Save Your Session	313