CH 2 - Getting Started With Pro Tools

Question 1

Name some of the folders and files that Pro Tools creates as part of the session hierarchy.

Where is the session file (.ptx) stored?

Answer 1

Pro Tools Session.ptx (session file)
WaveCache File
Audio Files
Bounced Files
Clip Groups
Session File Backups
Video Files

The session file (.ptx) is stored in the session folder.

Question 2

What is the WaveCache.wfm file used for?

What happens if the WaveCache file gets deleted or goes missing?

Answer 2

The WaveCache file stores all of the waveform display data for any audio in the session and enables the session to open more quickly.

Pro Tools will recalculate the session waveform data when the session is next opened.

Question 3

Where are audio files stored in the session hierarchy?

Answer 3

Audio Files Folder

Question 4

Where are Pro Tools’ MIDI files normally stored?

Answer 4

MIDI data is normally stored within the Pro Tools session

Question 5

Which components should you turn on first when powering up a Pro Tools system?

What components should you turn on last?

Answer 5

1: All equipment powered off

2: Turn on components that use external power
( External Storage Drive / External MIDI interfaces / MIDI controllers / Audio Interfaces)

3: Start your computer and launch Pro Tools
4: Turn on or unmute audio monitors

Question 6

What type of processing does the Hardware Buffer Size affect?

What type of processing does it not affect?

Answer 6

H/W Buffer Size controls the size of the buffer in the low latency domain.

(Lower settings reduce monitoring latency / Higher settings provide more processing power but experience more latency)

H/W Buffer Size does NOT affect DSP processing on hardware-accelerated systems.

Question 7

What kinds of commands can be found under the Pro Tools View menu?

How does the View menu differ from the Window menu?

Answer 7

View Menu affects part of a window or change how the elements within a window are displayed.

Window Menu will show or hide entire windows or arrange the windows on the screen.

Question 8

What kinds of commands can be found under the Pro Tools Options menu?

How does the Options menu differ from the Setup menu?

Answer 8

The Options Menu list independent functions that toggle on or off.

The Setup Menu allows you to configure functions or operation that involves multiple settings.
(ie: Core Functionality)

Question 9

Which main Pro Tools window displays audio waveforms and can be used to work directly with audio, MIDI, and video files tracks.

Answer 9

Edit Window

Question 10

Which Pro Tools window provides access to Pan control and Volume Faders for each track?

Answer 10

Mix Window