Pro Tools Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts || Pro Tools Dudes

Pro Tools 8.0.4 update!

Major — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:52:05 +0000

Check it out! Pro Tools 8.0.4 update now available!

Lots of (supposed) bug fixes including:

-Canopus Support Restored

-Lots of quirky automation bug fixes.

Check this link for more info and the download.

Sorry non-Intel users… you’re still suck with 8.0.1cs2

Shameless Plug!

Major — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:33:33 +0000

Hey! Emmy voters!
For your consideration:

Sound Editing in Non-Fiction
HBO Documentary “Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags”

Custom Trackball Buttons

Major — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:52:36 +0000

Hey everyone! I’m assuming that most of you use the Kensington Expert Trackball (and if you don’t you should be!) If you don’t know already, there is (free) software called Mouseworks that lets you customize the buttons on the unit. Below is my favorite setup (buttons listed clockwise from bottom left).

My Favorite setup:

Click, Option+Minus(show all volume automation), Control+up-arrow (track size up), Control+down-arrow (track size down)

I don’t regularly use the 2-button combination shortcuts… maybe I should…

What shortcuts do YOU have mapped to your trackball???

Now Your See it…

Major — Wed, 26 May 2010 02:34:31 +0000

Perform vanishing acts with “control-option-command + w” This will hide all floating windows. Press it again to “magically” bring them all back! ALAKAZAM!

(thanks to Aaron for thinking of pressing it twice!)

Hmmmm…

Major — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:19:51 +0000

A few readers have asked for it, so I’m going to see if there is any other interest out there? Should PTDudes have a forum? I know there is already Gearslutz and the DUC, but I think we could bring our own brand of fun to the forum world. It would be a place to discuss and share work-flow and techniques specific to Pro Tools. So, if you feel like it, vote in the poll below and we’ll see what happens! Thanks!

Update: Voting is now closed… stay tuned for the PTDudes Forum!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Voices in HD

Major — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:58:18 +0000

If you work on an HD system, you’ve most likely come to a point where you run out of voices. When you are trying to reduce the number of voices you are using, knowing exactly what burns a voice will help you to slim down your sessions.

What uses a voice?

- 1 voice is used per channel of an audio track.

- Aux tracks DO NOT use voices, unless you are using an RTAS insert across them. Here are some examples:

5.1 Aux Track – 0 voices
5.1 Aux Track -with RTAS plugin – 12 Voices (6 to the pluigin, 6 back from the plugin)
5.1 aux track – with RTAS, TDM, then another RTAS Plugin – 24 voices (6 out, 6 back, 6 out again, 6 back again

- Audio Tracks with RTAS plugins mixed with TDM plugins. For example:

Mono Audio Track with no plugins – 1 voice
Mono Audio track with an RTAS plugin – 1 voice
Mono Audio Track with a TDM, then an RTAS plugin – 3 voices (1 to the track, 1 out, 1 back)
Mono Audio Track With RTAS, RTAS, TDM, RTAS – 3 voices (Same as above, doesn’t matter how many RTAS plugins you have before your first TDM plugin.)

Questions… Comments… Glaring omissions?

Mailbag: Cutting Regions

Major — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:57:12 +0000

Hey everyone!

Let’s check out the mail bag.

“Is there a way of quickly cutting up a region by grid lines – for instance to create a stutter effect? In Logic, there is a simple command that lets you divide an audio region into 16ths or whatever your grid is set to with one click – the only way I know in Pro Tools is to manually go in and make every edit one step at a time. Know a way around this?”

As far as I know there is no way to do this automatically… however… I would suggest this quick workflow.

1. Set your grid and nudge to the value you want to chop at (in your example 16th notes)

2. Put your edit cursor where you want to start cutting and repeatedly hammer “>” followed by “b” (nudge and separate)

Let’s hear from the community… how would you tackle this problem?

UPDATE:

Well… after hearing from the community… apparently you CAN do this! Whooooops…

Edit|Separate Region|Grid

Thanks for the corrections everyone! That was a test!

Multi-speed playback (Shuttle Lock Mode) with the number pad

Evan — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:40:41 +0000

This is a well documented shortcut, but I find it handy pretty often (especially in post-production), so I figured I’d give it a mention.

To enter Shuttle Mode, hold down Control, and hit any number on the number pad. After you are in shuttle mode, the control modifier is not necessary for changing the speed.

The 5 key is normal playback speed

4-1 are progressively slower

6-9 are progessively faster

Hitting the +/- keys will toggle between Forward and Reverse playback, respectively.

When you are done shuttling, hit stop and you will return to normal functionality.

I find this pretty handy for checking sync on sound effects or dialog.

Advanced Nudging

Major — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:35:56 +0000

Here are some advanced nudging shortcuts that can you help move you quicker in repetitive editing situations. Make a selection and get your nudge on!

Shortcuts used in the video are:
(Note: + and – keys on Keypad)

Command +/- Change end of region.

Option +/- Change beginning of region.

Shift +/- Move selection independent of region.

Shift Command +/- Change end of selection independent of region.

Shift Option +/- Change beginning of selection independent of region.

From the archives…

Major — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:05:47 +0000

Just to catch up some new readers… here are 3 of the coolest features that we’ve already talked about!

- Print tone fast!

- EQ fast!

- Slip fast!