PRO TOOLS GUIDE

How to Create Sessions

QUICKSTART
Quick Start box lets you quickly and easily create a new session or open an existing one.
When you first launch Pro Tools, you are prompted by the Quick Start dialog to do one of
the following:
Create a new session from a template.
Create a new blank session.
Open any of the last ten most recent sessions.
Open any other session on your system.
TO CREATE A NEW SESISON FROM A TEMPLATE:
1 Select Create Session from Template.
2 From the Session Template pop-up menu, select the category for the session templates
you want.

3 Select the session template you want to use from the list (on the right).

4 If you want to change any of the session parameters, click the Session Parameters
reveal button (to show the parameters) and do any of the following:
Select the Audio File Type for the session.
Select the Bit Depth (16 bit, 24 bit, or 32 bit float).
If desired, select (or deselect) Interleaved to create interleaved multichannel audio files
in the session.
Select the Sample Rate.
IT IS BEST TO KEEP THESE THE SAME FOR A STANDARD TEMPLATE
5 Click OK
6 In the Save dialog, name the session, choose where you want to save the session, and
click Save.
TO CREATE A NEW BLANK SESSION:
1 Select Create Blank Session.

2 If you want to change any of the session parameters, click the Session Parameters
reveal button and do any of the following
:
Select the Audio File Type for the session.
Select the Bit Depth (16 bit or 24 bit).
Select the Bit Depth (16 bit, 24 bit, or 32 bit float).
If desired, select (or deselect) Interleaved to create interleaved multichannel audio files
in the session.
Select the Sample Rate.
Select the I/O Settings to use for the session.
Several pre-configured I/O Settings are included and it is best to keep these the same.
IT IS BEST TO KEEP THESE THE SAME FOR A STANDARD TEMPLATE
3 Click OK.
4 In the Save dialog, name the session, choose where you want to save the session, and
click Save.

TO OPEN A RECENT SESSION:

1 Select Open Recent Session.

2 Select any of the last ten recent sessions from the list (on the right).
3 Click OK.
TO OPEN ANY SESSION:
1 Select Open Session.
2 Click OK.
3 In the Choose a Session dialog, navigate to the location of the session file and select it.
4 Click Open.
Creating a New Session
The New Session box lets you create a new session from a template or create a new
blank session (with no tracks or media).
TO CREATE A NEW SESSION FROM A TEMPLATE:
1 Choose File > New.

2 In the New Session box, select Create Session from Template.

3 From the Session Template pop-up menu, select the category for the session templates
you want.
4 Select the session template you want to use from the list (on the right).
5 Select the Audio File Type for the session.
6 Select the Bit Depth (16 bit, 24 bit, or 32 bit float).
7 If desired, select (or deselect) Interleaved to create interleaved multichannel audio files
in the session.
8 Select the Sample Rate.
IT IS BEST TO KEEP THESE THE SAME FOR A STANDARD TEMPLATE (STEPS 5-8)
9 Click OK.
10 In the Save dialog, name the session, navigate to the location where you want to save
the new session and click Save.
TO CREATE A NEW BLANK SESSION:
1 Choose File > New.

2 In the New Session dialog, select Create Blank Session.

3 Select the Audio File Type for the session.
4 Select the Bit Depth (16 bit, 24 bit, or 32 bit float).
5 If desired, select (or deselect) Interleaved to create interleaved multichannel audio files
in the session.
6 Select the Sample Rate.
7 Select the I/O Settings to use for the session.
IT IS BEST TO KEEP THESE THE SAME FOR A STANDARD TEMPLATE (STEPS 3-7)
8 Click OK.

9 In the Save dialog, name the session, navigate to the location where you want to save
the new session and click Save.
Session Files and Folders
When you create a new session, Pro Tools automatically creates a new folder named for
your session. Within this folder is the session file, a WaveCache.wfm file, and several
subfolders (including, an Audio Files folder and a Clip Group folder).

Session File
The session file is the document that Pro Tools creates when you start a new project. Pro
Tools can open only one session file at a time. The session file is appended with the
extension .ptx.
Audio Files Folder
The Audio Files folder contains all audio recorded or converted during the session.
When you record a new audio track, the track is saved as a new audio file to the Audio
Files folder. You can also import other audio files into the session, and work with them as
well.
Wave-Cache File
The Wave-Cache.wfm file stores all of the waveform display data for the session. If you
delete the Wave-Cache.wfm file, Pro Tools creates a new one the next time you open the
session.
By storing waveform data in the Wave-Cache file, sessions open more quickly. The
session Wave-Cache file can be included whenever a session is transferred to another Pro
Tools system.
Deleting a Wave-Cache file does not harm the session or your system. However, the
session will take longer to open because it has to recalculate waveform data for any
associated audio files and store that data in a new Wave-Cache file.
Session File Backups Folder
The Session File Backups folder contains automatically- generated backups of your Pro
Tools sessions. These files are created when working on a session and the Operations
preference for Enable Session File Auto Backup is enabled.
Renamed Audio Files Folder
This folder includes file names that have been renamed when you open a session that
contains audio file names with incompatible characters, or, in certain situations, save a
copy of a session to a Pro Tools version that does not support long file names.

Opening a Session
When you open a session, Pro Tools looks in the session folder for audio files linked to the
session.
TO OPEN AN EXISTING SESSION:
1 Choose File > Open Session.
2 Locate the session you want to open and click Open.
Saving the Session File
The Save command saves the changes you have made to your session and writes them
over the previously saved version of the session file. The Save command cannot be
undone.
To save a session:
1 Choose File > Save.
Reverting to a Previously Saved Session File
If you have made changes to a session since you last saved it, you can discard those
changes and revert to its previously saved state.
To revert to the last saved version of a session:
1 Choose File > Revert to Saved.
Saving the Session File with a New Name
To save a copy of the current session with a new name or to a different hard drive
location, use Save As. Save As closes the current session and lets you keep working on
the renamed copy. This is useful if you are experimenting and want to save different
versions of the session.
Save As saves a new version of the session file only, and does not duplicate versions of
the audio/ MIDI files.
TO SAVE A SESSION WITH A NEW NAME:
1 Choose File > Save As.
2 Type a new name for your session.
3 Click Save.

Pro Tools Main Windows

Pro Tools provides two ways of viewing tracks in a session:
Mix Window Shows tracks as channel strips, like a mixing board
Edit Window Shows tracks and track material against the Timeline

Pro Tools also has several other types of windows:

Transport Window Lets you control the transport and transport-related functions
Plug-In Windows Let you control plug-in parameters, such as Frequency and EQ
MIDI Editor Windows Lets you edit MIDI data
Score Editor Window lets you edit MIDI data as music notation
DigiBase Browsers Let you manage, audition, and import media for Pro Tools sessions.
In-App Web Browsers Let you access the Avid Marketplace and Pro Tools Online

Mix Window
In the Mix window, tracks appear as channel strips just like a mixing console, with
controls for:
Inserts
Sends
Input and output assignments
Volume
Panning
Record enable
Track Input monitoring
Automation mode
Solo and Mute
Instrument controls
HEAT controls (Pro Tools HD only)
Mic preamps
To display the Mix window:
1 Choose Window > Mix.
To display all Mix window view options:
1 Select View > Mix Window > All.

Edit Window
The Edit window provides a Timeline display of audio, video, MIDI notes, as well as other
MIDI data and mixer automation for recording, editing, and arranging on tracks. As in the
Mix window, each track has controls for record enable, solo, mute, and automation mode.

To display the Edit window:

1 Choose Window > Edit.
To display all Edit window view options:
2 Select View > Edit Window > All.
Edit Window Toolbar
At the top of the Edit window is the Edit Window Toolbar and menu. This Toolbar provides
access to the editing modes, tools, options, indicators, and displays for Pro Tools. You can
customise the Toolbar in the Edit, MIDI Editor, or Score Editor windows by re-arranging,
showing, and hiding the available controls and displays.
Edit Toolbar Controls and Displays
The following controls and displays in the Edit Window Toolbar are always shown.

Edit Modes

The Edit mode affects the movement and placement of audio and MIDI clips (and MIDI
notes), how commands like Copy and Paste function, and also how the various Edit tools
(Trim, Selector, Grabber, and Pencil tools) work.

Edit Tools
Edit tools are used for editing audio, MIDI, and automation data in Pro Tools.

Counters and Edit Selection Indicators

The Counters and Edit selection indicators provide information where selections are in
the Timeline.

Main Counter
Displays the current Edit insertion location in the Main Timebase ruler.
Sub Counter
Displays the current Edit insertion location in the Sub Timebase ruler.
Cursor Location
Displays the current cursor location in the Main Timebase ruler.
Cursor Value
Displays the value of the current cursor value in peak amplitude (audio), pitch (MIDI), or
according to the current automation or controller data type.
Edit Selection Indicators
Display the Start, End, and Length of the current Edit selection.
MIDI Selection Indicators and Controls
Display the current MIDI Edit selection (MIDI note number, and Note On and Note Off
velocities) and provide controls for MIDI editing.
Timeline Data Online Status Indicator

Is green when all files in use in track playlists are available for playback. If files are
offline, being processed, or otherwise unavailable for playback, this indicator is red.
Session Data Online Status Indicator
Is green when all audio and MIDI files referenced by the session are available for
playback. If files are offline, being processed, or otherwise unavailable for playback, this
indicator is red.
Delay Compensation Status Indicator
Is displayed when Delay Compensation is enabled (Options > Delay Compensation).
When Delay Compensation is disabled, this indicator is not displayed.
Track Solo Indicator
Lights yellow when any track in the session is solod. When no tracks in the session are
solod, the Track Solo indicator appears dim green.
Track Mute Indicator
Lights orange when any track in the session is muted. When no tracks in the session are
muted, the Track Mute indicator appears dim green. (Note that because Mute is an
automatable mixing function, the Track Mute indicator does not function to clear all
mutes when clicked.)
Grid and Nudge

The Grid and Nudge selectors let you set the Grid and Nudge values for editing in Pro Tools.

TO SHOW OR HIDE CONTROLS IN THE EDIT WINDOW TOOLBAR:

1 Do one of the following:
Click the Edit Window Toolbar menu (in the upper-right corner of the window).
or
Right-click in the Toolbar.

2 From the menu, select or deselect any of the following depending on which window you
are configuring:
Zoom Controls
When selected, the Zoom controls are displayed in the Edit window toolbar.

Transport
When selected, the Transport controls are displayed in the Edit window toolbar

MIDI Controls
When selected, the MIDI controls are displayed in the window toolbar

Synchronisation
When selected, the Synchronisation controls and indicators are displayed in the Edit
window toolbar

Minimal
When selected, the Zoom, Transport, MIDI, and Synchronization controls are not
displayed in the Edit window toolbar.
All
When selected, the Zoom, Transport, MIDI, and Synchronization controls are all displayed
in the Edit window toolbar.
Expanded Transport
When selected, the Expanded Transport controls are displayed in the Edit window toolbar
if Transport is also selected.

Track List
When selected, the Track List is shown on the left of the Edit window.
Clip List
When selected, the Clip List is shown on the right of the Edit window.
Universe
When selected, the Universe view is shown near the top of the Edit window.
MIDI Editor
When selected, the MIDI Editor view is shown at the bottom of the Edit window

Edit Window Zoom Buttons

The Edit window also provides Zoom buttons in the lower right and upper right corners of
the tracks pane.
Vertical and Horizontal Zoom In and Out Buttons
In addition to the Zoom controls in the Toolbar, Pro Tools provides horizontal and vertical
zoom buttons in the lower-right corner of the Edit window.

Vertical Zoom Buttons Zoom the track heights proportionally in the Edit window.
Horizontal Zoom Buttons
Zoom the Timeline just like the Horizontal Zoom controls in the Edit window toolbar.
Audio and MIDI Zoom In and Out Buttons
Pro Tools also provides Audio and MIDI Zoom In and Out buttons in the upper-right corner
of the Edit window. These controls function exactly the same as the Audio and MIDI Zoom
controls in the Toolbar, and let you zoom in and out vertically on audio waveforms and
MIDI notes respectively.

Transport Window
The Transport window can be set to show basic transport controls, counters, MIDI
controls, and expanded features. The counters in the Transport window mirror the
controls and counters at the top of the Edit window.
To display the Transport window:
1 Choose Window > Transport.

Online
Puts Pro Tools online so that playback and recording is triggered by an external timecode
source.
Return to Zero
Locates to the beginning of the session

Rewind
Rewinds from the current play location. You can also click repeatedly to rewind
incrementally, by an amount based on the Main Time Scale
Fast Forward
Fast forwards from the Timeline insertion point. You can also click repeatedly to fast
forward incrementally (by an amount based on the Main Time Scale).
Go to End
Locates to the end of the session.
Stop
Stops playback or recording.
Play
Starts playback or (if the Record button was clicked first) recording from the Timeline
insertion point or the Play Start Marker location if Dynamic Transport mode is enabled.
Right-clicking the Play button lets you select the playback mode from a pop-up menu:
Half-Speed
Prime for Playback
Loop
Dynamic Transport
With the Transport stopped, Start-click Play (Windows) or Control-click Play (Mac) to
toggle Loop Playback mode. When enabled, a loop symbol appears in the Play button and
Pro Tools plays continuously from the beginning of the selection to the end.
Record
Arms Pro Tools for recording (the button flashes). Clicking Play then starts recording on
record-enabled tracks only.
Right-clicking the Record button lets you select the record mode from a pop-up menu:
Normal
Loop
Destructive
QuickPunch
You can also cycle through the Pro Tools record modes with the Transport stopped, by
Startclicking the Record button.
The Record button changes to indicate the currently selected mode: blank for
Nondestructive, D for Destructive, a loop symbol for Loop Record, P for QuickPunch,
T for TrackPunch, and DP for DestructivePunch.
Track Record Enable Indicator
When lit (red), indicates that at least one audio track is currently record-enabled. When
off (gray), no tracks are currently record-enabled.
TrackInput Monitor Indicator
When lit (green), indicates that at least one audio track is currently set to Input Only
monitoring (regardless of record enable status). When off (gray), all tracks are in Auto
Input monitoring.
Transport Window Menu
Lets you select what options to show in the Transport window: Counters, MIDI Controls,
Synchronization, Minimal, All, and Expanded Transport.
Pre-Roll

During playback or record, specifies the amount of audio that plays before the Play
(Timeline) Cursor or Play Start Marker location, or beginning of the Timeline selection.
Pre-roll is particularly useful with punch recording since it gives you time to catch the
beat before reaching the punch-in point. To set the pre-roll amount, type a new value in
this field, or drag the Pre-Roll flag in the Main Timebase ruler.
Post-Roll
During playback or record, specifies the amount that plays after the end of a Timeline
selection. Post-roll is useful in punch recording since playback continues after the punchout point so you can check for a smooth transition to previously recorded material. To set
the postroll amount, type a new value in this field, or drag the Post-Roll flag in the Main
Timebase ruler.
Start
Specifies the beginning of the play or record range. You can set the start point by
entering a location in this field, or by dragging the corresponding Timeline Selection or
Play Start Marker in the Main Timebase ruler.
End
Specifies the end of the play or record range. You can set the end point by entering a
location in this field, or by dragging the corresponding Timeline Selection Marker in the
Main Timebase ruler.
Length
Specifies the length for the play or record range. You can set the length by entering a
location in this field, or by selecting a range in any Timebase ruler.
MIDI Editor Windows
MIDI Editor windows let you view and edit MIDI notes and controller data. You can open
multiple MIDI Editor windows to work on different parts of your MIDI arrangements
separately.
MIDI Editor windows show Instrument and MIDI track data superimposed in Notes view,
or on separate tracks in Notation view, and lets you view and edit MIDI controller data
(such as velocity, pitch bend, and mod wheel) in controller lanes under the Notes pane.
Displaying the MIDI Editor in the Edit Window
You can choose to show (or hide) a MIDI Editor pane at the bottom of the Edit window
(below the Tracks pane).
To show (or hide) the MIDI Editor view in the Edit window, do one of the
following:
1 Select (or deselect) View > Other Displays > MIDI Editor.
2 Click the MIDI Editor Show/Hide icon in the lower left corner of the Tracks pane in the
Edit window.
3 Double-click the divider below the Tracks pane in the Edit window.
4 From the Edit Window menu, select (or deselect) MIDI Editor.
Score Editor Window
The Score Editor window lets you view and edit Instrument and MIDI tracks as music
notation. It automatically transcribes MIDI performances in real-time. You can print a
score of your session or just parts from individual tracks.

Pro Tools provides different types of tracks for working with audio, MIDI and video in Pro
Tools sessions.
Track Types
In a Pro Tools session, you can have several different types of tracks. These can include
audio, Auxiliary Input, MIDI, Instrument, and video tracks.
Audio Tracks Audio tracks let you record to disk and play back from disk recorded or
imported audio files.
Auxiliary Input Tracks Auxiliary Input tracks can be used as effects sends, destinations
for submixes, as a bounce destination, as inputs to monitor or process audio (such as
audio from external MIDI instruments), and for many other audio routing tasks.
MIDI Tracks
MIDI tracks record, store, and playback MIDI data. You cannot select a track format when
you create a MIDI track, because audio does not pass through it.
Instrument Tracks
Instrument tracks are a special type of track that provide both MIDI and audio capabilities
in a single channel strip. Instrument tracks simplify using software and hardware
instruments to record and monitor MIDI instruments.
Video Tracks
Video tracks let you add or import QuickTime and Windows Media Files
With Pro Tools, you can add or import video to the Pro Tools Timeline. Video tracks only
appear in the Edit window, and video can be viewed in the Video window.
Track Formats
Mono Tracks
A mono audio, Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, or Instrument track controls volume, and, in
some cases, panning, for a single channel of audio. A mono audio track uses a single
voice. A mono track can also be routed to a multichannel output.
Stereo Tracks
A stereo audio, Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, or Instrument track is a single channel strip
for two channels of audio as a stereo pair. Stereo audio tracks use two voices.

Track Controls and Indicators (Edit Window)

Audio Track Controls
Each audio track has its own set of track controls, including Track Name, Playlist, Record
Enable, Solo, Mute, Track View, Track Height, Timebase, Elastic Audio, Voice Assignment,
and Automation mode.

Auxiliary Input Track Controls

Each Auxiliary Input track has its own set of track controls, including Track Name, Solo,
Mute, Track View, Track Height, Timebase, and Automation mode.

MIDI Track Controls

Each MIDI track has its own set of track controls, including Track Name, Playlist, Record
Enable, Solo, Mute, Track View, Track Height, Patch, Timebase, and Automation mode.

Instrument Track Controls

Each Instrument track has its own set of track controls, including Track Name, Playlist,
Record Enable, Solo, Mute, Track View, Track Height, Patch, Timebase, and Automation
mode.

Video Track Controls

Each video track has its own set of track controls, including Track Name, Playlist, Online,
Track View, and Track Height.