Avid's Pro Tools is the industry standard for music and audio post production software. This three day course covers everything you need to know to successfully complete a Pro Tools project - from initial setup to final mixdown. The participant will be introduced to all of Pro Tools' new functions and feature enhancements. Whether the project involves recording live instruments, MIDI sequencing of synthesizers, audio editing, and looping - upon completion of learning this program the attendee will leave with the confidence to handle any audio project.

3 days - $1,895.00

Course taught by an expert Certified Avid Pro Tools Instructor.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of a Mac or PC is computer.  Sound and editing terminology is also helpful.

Course Outline

Pro Tools Digital Audio Workstation

Audio Processing
MIDI Production
Notation and Scores
Mixing and Automation
Audio for Video Post-Production

Pro Tools History and Evolution

Roots in Digidrums
Digidrums becomes Digidesign
Digidesign Merges with Avid Technology
Pro Tools in This Decade
Updates to Pro Tools

Audio Basics: Waveform, Frequency, and Amplitude

Waveform
Frequency
Amplitude
Recording and Playing Back Analog Audio

Converting Audio to Digital Format

Importance of Sample Rate
Importance of Bit Depth
Sample Rate, Bit Depth, and File Size
Recording in Digital Format

Pro Tools System Configurations

Software Options
Host-Based Systems Versus DSP-Accelerated Systems
Audio Interface Options

Cross-Platform Issues

Keyboard Commands
File-Naming Conventions

Software Installation and Operation

Included Plug-Ins and Extras
Pro Tools Software Features

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 Menu Structure

File Menu
Edit Menu
View Menu
Track Menu
Clip Menu
Event Menu
AudioSuite Menu
Options Menu
Setup Menu
Window Menu
Marketplace Menu
Help Menu

Main Pro Tools Windows

Edit Window
Mix Window
Transport Window
Additional Editor Windows

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
Count off Controls
MIDI Merge Mode
Tempo Ruler Enable
Meter Display
Tempo Field
Tool Tips

Creating a New Session

Dashboard
Creating and Using Session Documents
Creating and Using Project Documents
Using Templates
Choosing Parameter Settings
File Size Considerations

Working with Tracks

Adding Tracks
Naming Tracks
Deleting Tracks
Adding Audio to Tracks

Controlling Playback

Timeline Selections
Edit Selections
Working with Linked Timeline and Edit Selections
Starting and Stopping Playback
Locating the Playback Cursor
Selecting the Scrolling Behavior

Saving, Locating and Opening Pro Tools Files

Saving a Session or Project
Locating and Opening a Session File

Options Before Recording

Audio Storage Requirements
Disk Usage Window

Preparing to Record

Creating a Click Track
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

File Characteristics
Split Stereo versus Interleaved Files

Importing Audio

Import Audio Dialog Box
Importing Audio with the Import Command
Importing Audio with Workspace Browsers
Batch Importing Audio

Importing Video

Video Track Display
Working with Video Tracks

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 Base Meter
Setting the Base Tempo
Preparing to Record MIDl
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
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
Creating Timeline Selections
Creating Edit Selections
Working with Selections
Creating Separate Timeline Selections and Edit Selections
Making Selections on Multiple Tracks
Selecting Material Based on Selected Tracks
Using the Tab Key
Tabbing to Transient Points

Adjusting the Session View

Adjusting Track Height
Changing the Track Order
Using the Tool
Using Zoom Toggle
Changing the Horizontal and Vertical Zoom
Storing and Recalling Zoom Presets

Adding Markers to Your Session

Memory Locations
Creating a Marker
Memory Locations Window
Recalling a Marker Location
Deleting a Marker Location
Creating a Selection Using Markers

Editing Your Media

Selecting Playback Options
Scrolling Modes
Loop Playback

Using the Edit Modes

Editing in Shuffle Mode
Editing in Slip Mode
Editing in Spot Mode
Editing in Grid Mode
Using the Snap To Grid Function
Configuring the Grid

Editing Clips

Basic Editing Commands
Special-Purpose Editing Commands

Moving and Trimming Clips

Using the Grabber Tool
Using the Trim Functions
Using the Nudge Function

Creating Fade Effects

Applying Fade-Ins and Fade-Outs
Applying Crossfades
Fade Settings

Undoing Your Work

Using Multi-Level Undo
Using Restore Last Selection
Using Revert to Saved
Restoring from Session Backups

Mixing and Creating a Bounce

Basic Mixer Terminology
Inputs
Outputs
Inserts
Sends and Returns

Working in the Mix Window

Configuring the Mix Window
Using Basic Automation
Recording Automation (Write Mode)
Playing Back Automation (Read Mode)
Turning Automation Off (Off Mode)
Viewing Automation Playlists
Editing Breakpoint Automation

Using Plug-In Processors

Real-Time Plug-In Formats
Plug-Ins Provided with Pro Tools

Backing Up Your Session

Considerations for Backup and Archive Copies
Saving a Session Copy

Creating a Stereo Mixdown

Mixdown Options
Considerations for Bouncing Audio
Bouncing to Disk
Adding a Bounce File to Your iTunes Library
Automating Shared Effects and Creating a Stereo Bounce