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ProTools'201
Pro Tools Production I

Avid Learning Series

Frank D. Cook Operator Certification
ffiryh

PRO TOOLS 2O1

Pro Tools Production I

For Pro Tools HD 12.3 Software

Frank D. Cook

Avid Learning Partner Program

PRO TOOLS 12
Copyright and Disclaimer
Copyright @ 2O15 Avid Technology, lnc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, photographing, and recording, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Avid Technology, lnc.
The media provided with this book, and any accompanying course material, is to be used only to complete the exercises and
projects contained herein. Rights are not granted to use the footage/sound materials in any commercial or non-commercial
production or video.

Trademarks
Avid, the Avid Logo, Avid Everywhere, lnterplay, lSlS, Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius, and all related product names
and logos, are registered or unregistered trademarks of Avid Technology, lnc. in the United States and/or other countries. The
lnterplay name is used with the permission of the lnterplay Entertainment Corp. which bears no responsibility for Avid products.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For a full list of Avid trademarks, see: http://www.avid.com/US/about-avid/legal-notices/trademarks.

Acknowledgements
Avid Worldwide Education would like to thank all Avid Certified lnstructors for their ongoing suggestions and comments, based
on their experience in the classroom and their professional expertise, which have resulted in the continued improvement of
Avid's curriculum.

The sale or distribution of this book without its cover is unauthorized. lf you purchase this book without a cover, you should be
aware that it was reported to the publisher as "unsold and destroyed." Neither the author nor the publisher has received
payment for the sale of this "stripped" book.

All product features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

PT2OI, Version 12

PN: 932O-653OO-OO

ISBN-13: 97 a-l-g 43 446-14-a

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Acknowledgements
Special thanks go out to the many individuals who have contributed to the Avid Learning Series course books
over the years and those who have provided key content for earlier editions of this book. The excellent work of
these individuals is the foundation upon which the current edition of the Pro Tools curriculum has been built.

Significant contributors to this curriculum have included Rob Campbell, Simon Sherbourne, Eric Kuehnl,
Justin Fraser, Joel Krantz, and others.

Additional thanlcs go out to the team at Avid who support this program-Andy Cook, Andy Hagerman, Tim
Mynett, Jon Connolly, and others-for their ongoing assistance and input.

Lastly,I'd like to acknowledge the vast pool of active instructors and schools who participate in the Avid
Learning Partner program. Thank you for your enthusiasm and valuable feedback. Your participation helps
keep the curriculum fresh and constantly improving.

About the Author

This course book and associated courseware was developed by Frank D. Cook, in collaboration with the Avid
Learning Partner program. The book is published through an ongoing partnership between Insource V'riting
Solutions and Avid Technology, Inc.

Frank is a musician, teacher, and longtime Pro Tools user. The ownet of Insource \7.riting Solutions and
NextPoint Training, Inc., Frank has worked in the technical publications and education industries for more
than 20 years. As a writer, editor, technical publications manager, and business owner, Frank has authored and
contributed to hundreds of guides, manuals, reports, textbooks, and other publications for clients in a wide
variety of fields. His writing and consuldng company, Insource
'Writing Solutions, specializes in
documentation for the digital audio industry. His training venture, NextPoint Training, focuses on advanced
training and learning tools for Pro Tools, VENUE, digital media, and related products and technologies.

Frank has been a consultant for Digidesign/Avid for over ten years, helping to develop the strategy and
curriculum for Avid's official training and certification programs. Frank also teaches Pro Tools courses as an
adjunct professor at American River College in Sacramento, California, and is an Avid Master Instructor.
Gontents
Preface... ...........xi
Lesson 1. Working with Pro Tools HD Hardware Systems............ .................'.1
Pro Tools System Basics 2
Components of Pro Tools HD Hardware Systems .............................3
Pro Tools HD Audio lnterfaces ......................5

Understanding the Pro Tools Mixer........... 6

HD Native Technology 6
Floating Point Processing........ 7

Optimizing Pro Tools HD,.............. I

Hardware Setup Configurations.. I
Setting Pro Tools Playback Engine Options..... ............1 4
Viewing System Usage 18

Review/Discussion Questions .21

Exercise 1. Usage......
Optimizing System .....22
Lesson 2. Customizing Pro Tools ..................29
The l/O Setup Dialog Box 30
Controls in l/O Setup.. .31

l/O Setup Options..... .31

Active and lnactive Paths ,32

Creating and Editing Paths 32
lmporting and Exporting l/O Settings..... 35
Pro ToolslHD Native Hardware Low Latency Monitoring ,37
Configuring Low Latency Monitoring in the l,/O Setup.......... ........37
Enabling Low Latency Monitoring in the Pro Tools Session 3B
Low Latency Monitoring and Bounce To Disk...... ......38
Working with Window Configurations 38
Using the Window Configuration List... .........................39
Settings lncluded in Window Configurations............. ......................4O
View Filter lcons 41

Updating Window Configurations .41

Storing Window Configurations in Memory Locations 42
Making Track Assi9nments................. 43
ldentical Assignments (Recap) 43
Cascading Assignments 43
Pro Tools Metering Options 43
44
Additional Meter Display Options 45
vi Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production ll

Customizing Pro Tools through Preferences......................... ...,,47

The Display Page....... .....47
The Operation Page 48
The Metering Page..... 49
Review/Discussion Questions ....51

Exercise 2. Configuring Pro Tools HD........... .................52

Lesson 3. Session Configuration and Track Management.......... ...................51
Voice Allocation 62
Track Priority....... 62
Explicit Voice Assignment ...,,..,,,62
Changing the Priority of Tracks... ,,,,,,,,,,62
Deactivating Tracks.... 63
Disk Allocation.......... 64
Changing Disk A11ocation.................. ,,,,.,,..,,.,...'.. 64
Selecting Disk Allocation Options for New Tracks... ........66
Reallocating Tracks 66
Scrolling, Navigation, and Display Options ,..,,...67
Edit Window Scrolling Options 67
Navigation and Playback Techniques 68
Auto Scrolling to Track in the Mix and Edit Windows................ 69
Applying Custom Colors to Tracks and Clips 69
Applying Marker Colors 70
Applying Opacity Levels to Track Colors .71
Status lndicators .71
Data Online 1ndicators........................ .71
Delay Compensation lndicator........ ,,,,.','..,,...72
Solo and Mute 1ndicators.................. 72
Sync Status lndicators........ 72
Duplicating Tracks... 73
Using the Duplicate Tracks Function 73
Using the Commit Tracks Function.... 74
Sharing Tracks for Collaboration.......... 77
Exporting Tracks for Editing 77
Exporting Reference Tracks for Additional Recording............ 77
Exporting Selected Tracks as a New Session 7B
Using Track Bounce to Export Tracks as Audio Fi|es............... 79
Review/Discussion Questions .. .81

Exercise 3. Navigating and Color Coding the Session 82

Lesson 4. Session Management.......... ...........87
Workspace Browsers Overview 88
Volume Focus 88
Session Focus 89
Catalog Focus 90
User Focus .91
 Contents vii

Using Workspace Browsers ....... ,..,',...92

Searching ltems ,..,,,..,92
Locating Databases and 1ndexes................... ',.,'',.,94
lndexing Volumes 95
Workspace Browser Menu 96
Workspace Right-Click Menu.. ,,97
Customizing the Workspace Browser Display... ...........97
Column Data .........100
Task Manager Overview ...,,..,,,1o2
Task Manager Columns and Displays ..........103
Pausing and Canceling Tasks....... 103
Failed Tasks ...,,.,,,,.104
Pausing Tasks During Playback.......... ...........104
Sessions with Missing Files ...........104
Opening Sessions with Missing Files ,,.,104
Relinking Missing Files in an Open Session............... .....105
Find All Candidates vs. Find Links... ....106
Review/Discussion Questions ......110

Media
Exercise 4. Managing Session ............111
Lesson 5. Selection Techniques........... .........119
Creating Selections... .......120
Timeline Selections .......120
Edit Selections............ ........121
Working with Timeline and Edit Se|ections................... ..,,,..122
Additional Selection Techniques ................... 124
Selecting Left or Right of the Cursor.... ',,.,.,,..,,'',,,,.'126
Linking Track and Edit Selections 128
Nudging and Shifting...... 128
Nudging Audio Clips 129
Nudging Edit Selections............. 130
130
Nudging a Clip's Contents .131
Using the Shift Command.... .131

Auditioning Selections 132

Shuttle Mode with the Scrubber .,.,..,....,,132
Changing How the Scrubber Tool Affects Se|ections,......,........ ........................133
Making Selections with the Scrubber Tool ..... 133
Auditioning the Start and End of a Selection........ .........,...,,134
Pre-Roll Audition and Post-Roll Audition ...............134
Auditioning with Commands Keyboard Focus Mode Shortcuts ........,......135
Storing Selections in Memory Locations.. 136
Memory Location Properties.......... 136
Creating Selection Memory Locations ,,.,.,,..,,,,.,,,,,137
Review/Discussion Questions ...... ',,,,.,.,,,141

Exercise 5. Working with Selections.............. ..............142

viii Pro Tools 20I: Pro Tools Production ll

Lesson 6. Editing Techniques............. 149

Alternate Tools and Tool Functions .150
Alternate Zoomer Tool Functions...... .150
Alternate Trim Tool Functions ...151
Alternate Selector Tool Functions............. ..154
Alternate Grabber Tool Functions...... ..154
Smart Tool Functions (Recap).... ...........156
Clip Editing Techniques ................... ...........157
Using Strip Silence 157
Configuring Auto Fades (Pro Tools HD Software Only) 159
Applying Batch Fades 160
Using Fade Presets ...161
Adjusting Fade Boundaries ..162
Clip Alignment Techniques............ ..163
Creating Sync Points ..'r63
Spotting to Sync Points .164
Aligning a Clip's Start (Snap to Head)............ .164
Aligning a Clip's End (Snap to Tail)........ ..r65
Aligning a Clip's Sync Point (Snap to Sync Point)......... ..165
Snapping Clips to Previous and Next C|ips............ 166
Commands Keyboard Focus Mode '167

Enabling Commands Keyboard Focus......... 167

Commands Keyboard Focus Shortcuts.. ..'t67
Nudging with Commands Keyboard Focus 168
Review/Discussion Questions 170

Exercise 6. Editing Session Media 171

Lesson 7. Clip Gain Functions 179
Clip Gain Basics 180
Static Versus Dynamic Clip Gain 180
Clip Gain versus Automation 180
Clip Gain Display Options..... 180
Clip Gain lnfo View 180
Clip Gain Line View.. .181

Editing Clip Gain .181

Using the Clip Gain Fader..... .....18',t

Using Edit Tools and Functions.............. ....182
Advanced Clip Gain Functions ....187
Converting Between Clip Gain and Volume Automation... ....187
Coalescing Between Clip Gain and Automation ....188
Bypassing Clip Gain ...190
Rendering Clip Gain........ ...190
Review/Discussion Questions .....192

Exercise 7. Working with CIip Gain .............I93

 Contents ix

Lesson 8. Automation Functions........ ......... 199

Pro Tools HD Automation Modes 200
Automation Mode Functions. ..........200
Touch/Latch Mode Scenario ..........200
Working with Automation ..,.,..,,,,,2o1
Enabling Automation ................201
Viewing Automation while Writing.......... ....202
Viewing Multiple Automation Playlist Graphs......... ....202
Resizing Automation Lanes 204
Automating Plug-lns.. 204
Automation Preferences 206
Using AutoMatch Functions ,207
AutoMatch Time........... ......208
Global AutoMatch ....... ......208
Channel AutoMatch.... ......208
I ndividual Parameter AutoMatch 209
Writing Automation over Long Sections 209
Manual Write Automation Commands............... 210
Write Automation on Stop Commands .211
Editing Automation ....... 212
Toggling Automation Follows Edit 212
Special Cut, Copy, Paste, and Clear Commands ..213
Trimming Automation with the Trim Too1...... ......................21 4
Extending Automation Values Later or Earlier ...................... 215

Suspending Automation............ 217

Globally Suspending Automation..................... 217

Suspending Automation on Tracks 217
Suspending lndividual Automation Parameters .. ...............217
Review/Discussion Guestions ,..,,,,,,,',.,,219

Exercise 8. Automating a Mix.......... ,.,..........221

Lesson 9. Mixing and Plug-ln Processing........... .........229
Common Mixing Settings ,..,,,.23o
Solo Modes: SIP versus AFL/PFL......... .......230
Solo Button Behaviors ,231
Mixing Preferences 232
Basic Submixing............ .........233
Bus RoutinS .............. 233
Bus lnterrogation '.,,'...,234
Plug-ln Linking....... 235
Working with Plug-ln Settings 237
Recalling Settings with the Plug-ln Librarian Menu....,... ,,,,,',,''.237
Using the Plug-ln Settings Menu................ 238
Plug-ln Settings Storage Locations.......... 238
lmporting, Copying, and Pasting Plug-ln Settings..... ...240
x Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production ll

Deleting Plug-ln Settings 241

Working with Plug-ln Presets... ..................241

Using Key lnput Filters ..........244

Using Side-Chain Processing 244
Processing-lnduced Delays .........245
Showing Sample Delay ..........245
Automatic Delay Compensation ............. ......................246
Review/Discussion Questions 249
Exercise 9. Submixing and Processing Tracks.. ..........251
Lesson 1O. Advanced Mixing and Finishing Techniques.............. .........--....257

Modifying Attributes ...............259

Group Attribute Presets 260

Enabling and Disabling Groups... 261

Selecting Members of a Group (Recap)..... 261
Showing/Hiding Members of a Group 262
Suspending and lsolating Group Functions 263
VCA Master Tracks..... ,.263
Creating a VCA Group......... ,264
VCA Track Controls.... ,.266
VCA Level Meter.......... ,.267
Creating a Final Mix.............. .267
Mixdown Options .267
Routing Tracks to Multiple Outputs..... ,.267
Mixdown Techniques. 268
Bounce to Disk..... 264
Recording Using an lnternal Mix Bus (lnternal Layback) ...........268
Recording to an External Stereo Device (External Layback) 274
Mixdown through an External Console... ......................271
Outputting Stems as Stereo Mixes (Stem Layback) 272
Converting High Sample Rate Sessions to CD-Compatible Versions 275
Sample Rate Reduction Workf1ow.............. ..................276
Bit-Depth Reduction Workflow ................276
Review/DiscussionQuestions ....277
Exercise 1O. Final Mixdown. .........278
lndex....... .......285
 PREFAGE

Pro Toob 201: Pro Toob Production Iis designed to be taught as an intensive two-day course or as a traditional
course covering several weeks or months. The coursework covers the core concepts and skills students need to
operate an Avid Pro Tools HD 12 system in a professional studio environment. Each lesson in this course is
followed by an exercises that takes you step-by-step through the Pro Tools funcdons that you need to know.

Students should have access to a Pro Tools 12.3 or later system running Pro Tools HD software to comPlete
the exercises.

The material presented in this course provides the foundation for later 200-series Pro Tools courses, including:

I Pro Tools 210M: Pro Tools Production II (Music Production Techniques)

r Pro Tools 210P: Pro Tools Production II (Post Producdon Techniques)

Upon successful completion of the 20O-series coursework, students will be eligible to take Avid's Pro Tools
Operator Certif.cation exam. For more information on Pro Tools certification, visit the training area on Avid's
website at http://www.auid. com/support/training.

Prerequisites for This Gourse

Prerequisites for this class include successful completion of Pro Tools 101 and t t0 courses with passing scores
on the associated exams. This course requires that you have a solid understanding of computer operations,
digital audio, and MIDI recording concepts, and such Pro Tools fundamentals as the following:

I The components of a Pro Tools system and their functions in relation to audio

r Locating, moving, and renaming files and folders on a Mac or'Windows computer

I The Pro Tools session file structure

I Locating sessions and audio files using'Workspace browsers

r Opening, navigating, saving, closing, and moving session files and associated media

I Restarting the computer and its components, including external drives, audio interfaces, and other
system comPonents

I Digital audio concepts, including sample rate, bit depth, and track timebases
r Fundamentals of disk-based, random access audio recording and playback

r Creating new tracks in Pro Tools sessions

I Using Pro Tools primary Edit tools and Edit modes

r Using Transport window controls to play back and record audio and MIDI
I Fundamentals of Elastic Audio processing

r Basic multi-track recording processes and loop recording techniques

I Basic mixing and signal routing

 r MIDI controller connections, data types, and signal flow

r Pro Tools' MIDI editing techniques

r Principals of MIDI Real-Time Properties

I Assigning Inputs and Outputs in the Mix and Edit windows

I Using controls in the Mix window such as Volume, Mute, Solo, Pan, Inserrs, and Sends

r Using AudioSuite Plug-ins to process audio

For beginning students, Avid offers the Pro Tools 101 course, Pro Tools Fundamentals I, and the Pro Tools
110 course, Pro Tools Funda.mentals II. These courses cover the basic concepts and skills you need in order to
take the Pro Tools 200-series courses.

If you are a beginner in the field of audio production, you may want to refer to some independently available
literature on audio recording tools and techniques.

Avid Audio Training Paths

Avid's audio coursework includes programs supporting certification in dedicated focus areas, including
Pro Tools, Sibelius, Control Surface operation, and Live Sound. Course componenrs are designed to be
completed individually and in sequence. However, individual training partners may offer the same course
content through somewhat different class configurations.

Descriptions of each of the courses offered through the Avid Learning Partner program are available on the
Avid website. (Go to http://www.avid.com/support/training/curriculum.)

Pro Tools 201 is the first course in the Avid Certified Operator training curriculum. The 200level coursework
prepares students to operate Pro Tools HD system in a professional environment. Following completion of the
Avid Certified Operator coursework and exams, students can proceed to the 300Jevel courses to pursue Avid
Certified Expert status.

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CERTIFIED
Operator
ProTools" I Music

Pro Tools
Production I

Tools /smh Operator

ProTools. I Post
ll (Post) CERTIFIED

Certification paths for Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools

Gonventions and Symbols Used in this Guide

This section describes the conventions and symbols used in this course book.

Procedures and Lists

Procedures and lists appear in one of the following forms.
 Prelace xiii

Numbered procedures and lists:

.
1 These are used when the order of steps or items is critical.
'S7hen
2, used, steps are listed in sequence.

Bulleted procedures and lists:

r These are used when the order of steps or items is not critical

- Or-
r '\U7hen
more than one option is available

-Or-
r 'When
only one step or item is required

Menu and Key Gommands

The following are examples of the conventions used in this guide to indicate menu choices and keyboard
commands:

Convention Action

Frrr > Slvr Srssrol Choose Snvr SEssroN from the Frrc menu

CoNrRor+N Hold down the CoNrROt key and press the N key

Corr.tuetqo-crrcx Hold down the Corvrrvreruo key and click the mouse button

Right-click Click with the right mouse bufton

Press [1] Press 1 on the numeric keypad

lcons
The following icons are used to call attention to tips, important notices, shortcuts, and cross-references.

s Tips provide helpful hints, antroduce rclated operations 0r concepts, or describe alternatlye
methods of working.

A\ry
lmportant n0ticas warn $f cCIndft[sn$ that may affect audio, system perf0rmance,
Pro Tools session data, or conri*cted hardware.

Shortcuts provide useful keyboard, !fiouse, or control surface shoficuts that can help
@ users work more efficiently.

Cross-references alert the reader t0 another section, book, or Avid Suide that provides
@ additional inlormation on the curreilt topic.

Sidebars
The format shown below is used for sidebar text to present supplemental information related ro the current
topic. Sidebars often provide information on Pro Tools processing that takes place "under the hood" to help
you understand what to expect when applying a particular operation. Sidebars are also used to provide
suggested techniques for working with a particular function and often contain mnemonic dps, visualization
techniques, and associations designed to help you remember keyboard commands and shortcuts.
xiv Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production l!

Sidebars for Pro Tools Course Books

Sidebars are used to provide additional, supplemental information about a topic. Sidebars often
contain FYltype information that will help you work faster or achieve better results. Sidebars can be a
few sentences to a few paragraphs in length.

Cross-Platform lssues
This course book applies to both Mac and'Windows Pro Tools systems. Most Pro Tools controls, tools,
procedures, and menus are similar on all systems. There are, however, some differences in keyboard commands
and file naming conventions that you should be aware of when moving between different platforms.

Keyboard Gommands
Many keyboard commands in Pro Tools use modifier heys, which are keys pressed in combination with other
keys or with a mouse action. The following table summarizes equivalent keys on Mac and \Wlndows:

Mac 0S Window$

Command key (*) Ctrl (Control) key

Option key (\) Alt key

Control key (^) Start (Win) key (ff)

Return key Enter key on main (not numeric) keypad

Delete key Backspace key

File Naming Conventions and File Extensions

'Wlndows
Some general differences exist in the way files are named and recognized by Mac and operating
systems. Pro Tools can help you avoid conflicts by enforcing conventions that are compatible with both
systems whenever possible.

For cross-platform compatibility, all files in a session must have a 3-letter file extension added to the file name.
Session files for Pro Tools 10 and later have the extension .p*.Pro Tools 7 through 9.x session files have the
extension .ptf.Pro Tools 5.1 through 6.9 session files have the extension .?ts, and Pro Tools 5 sessions have the
extension .pt5.WAY files have the .utau file extension, and AIFF files have rhe .aiffile extension.

System Gompatibi I ity lnformation

This course book was designed for classes that include hands-on experience with Pro Tools. All Pro Tools 201
examples and exercises were written to work with Pro ToolslHDX and Pro ToolslHD Native systems available
at press time.

Book Gontents
The text and screenshots in this book generally represent the user experience on a Mac-based Pro ToolslHD
Native sysrem with an HD OMNI audio interface. Most of the operations described in the text are the same
or similar with other system configurations, aldrough certain setup operations may vary. Concepts or
illustrations that are applicable to a specific hardware configuration are identified as such.
 Preface xv

Exercise Requirements
The exercises in this book have generally been designed such that they can be completed using Pro Tools HD
sofrware with any compatible hardware. However, certain exercises may illustrate processes or concepts that
apply to specific Pro ToolslHD-series hardware. Applicable hardware requirements for each exercise are stated
in the exercise overviews.

Pro Tools System Gonfigurations

This course book provides some basic information about Pro Tools system configurations. For specific
requirements and details on working with your Pro Tools system, consult your system documentation.

The installation and connection of Pro Tools software and hardware are beyond the scope of this course and
should be performed by a qualified technician. Complete installation and configuration instructions are
included with each Avid product.

Gompatible Hardware and Software

For complete, up-to-date information on compatible computers, computer peripherals, operating systems, and
software, refer to the compatibility section of Avid's website for the latest system requirements: go to
wwut.auid.com and, click on the Support & Seruiceslink.

Laptop Computers and Numeric Keypad Gommands

Many commands in Pro Tools sofrware are accessible from the numeric keypad of a full-size computer
keyboard. If you are using a laptop computer, numeric keypad operations may not be available. In those cases,
you can add a USB or Bluetooth numeric keypad to the computer.