Pro Tools 8 Essentials

Introduction
Welcome
Exploring the different versions of Pro Tools
Optimizing your computer before installing Pro Tools
Troubleshooting
Using the exercise files

1. Getting Started
Connecting your Pro Tools system
Powering up and powering down
Optimizing Pro Tools performance
Setting essential preferences
Creating a Pro Tools session
Identifying elements in a session folder

2. Learning the Interface
Exploring the Edit window
Exploring the Mix window
Exploring the Transport and Big Counter windows
Using the Color palette and window arrangements
Investigating Pro Tools menus
Creating new tracks
Understanding samples and ticks
Viewing and manipulating tracks
Adjusting the I/O setup
Understanding signal paths and gain stages
Utilizing keyboard shortcuts and keyboard focus

3. Importing
Using DigiBase and the Workspace browser
Importing audio
Importing MIDI
Importing session data
Importing tracks from a CD
Importing video
Unmounting a hard drive

4. Recording Audio
Recording audio
Playing back audio
Creating a Click track
Overdubbing and using the record modes
Recording with playlists and the Loop Record mode
Punch recording and using the monitoring modes
Dealing with latency
Creating a group
Adding effects while recording
Creating a headphone (cue) mix
Assigning disk allocation

5. Editing Audio
Understanding nondestructive editing and region types
Using the Selector and Grabber tools
Using the Trimmer and Scrubber tools
Using the Zoomer tool and Zoom presets
Using the Pencil tool
Using the Smart tool
Understanding the edit modes
Arranging regions
Undoing an edit
Utilizing fades and crossfades
Building a comp track using playlists
Locking and muting regions
Special buttons in the Editing window
Creating an audio loop
Editing a voiceover

6. Arranging a Session
Working with region groups
Setting time, tempo, meter, key, and chord
Creating memory locations

7. Recording MIDI Data
Setting up MIDI on a Mac
Setting up MIDI on a PC
Setting up MIDI in Pro Tools
Recording MIDI data
Recording multiple MIDI tracks with one virtual instrument
Recording options for MIDI
Using step input
Making a drum loop with MIDI Merge
Composing with virtual instruments

8. Editing MIDI
Using the edit tools for editing MIDI data
Editing MIDI data with the MIDI Editor
Working with the MIDI event list
Editing MIDI data with event operations
Quantizing MIDI tracks
Creating and using groove templates
Utilizing real-time properties

9. Scoring
Exploring the Score Editor
Using the Score Editor
Setting up a score
Printing and exporting a score

10. Advanced Editing
Utilizing the Time Shift plug-in
Editing with Elastic Time
Editing with Elastic Pitch

11. Building with Virtual Instruments
Working with Boom
Working with Xpand2
Working with DB-33
Working with Vacuum
Working with Structure Free
Working with Mini Grand
Using Midi Learn

12. Automation
Writing and editing automation
Drawing automation with the Pencil tool
Editing automation with the Trimmer and Grabber tools
Cutting, copying, pasting, and clearing automation
Turning automation on and off
Automating plug-ins and virtual instruments

13. Mixing
Setting up a session for mixing
Setting up an effects loop
Working with plug-ins
Dealing with delay compensation
Applying EQ
Adding compression
Applying limiters
Using Gates and Expanders
Working with Side Chains
Working with De-Essers
Adding delay
Utilizing modulation effects
Adding reverb
Adding harmonic effects
Renting and purchasing plug-ins
Applying AudioSuite plug-ins
Bouncing down a mix

14. Mastering
Setting up a session for mastering
Using plug-ins for mastering
Applying Dither and Noise shaping
Bouncing down master recordings

15. Working with Video
Importing and displaying video files
Adding music, foley, ADR, and FX
Bouncing down video and audio together

16. Archiving
Archiving an entire session

Conclusion
Goodbye