Pro Tools Discussion / Exercise Questions

Question 1

Name and describe five types of production tasks that Pro Tools can be used for. (See “The Pro Tools Digital Audio Workstation” beginning on page 4)

Answer 1

1. Audio Processing
2. MIDI Production
3. Notation and Scores
4. Mixing and Automation
5. Auto for Video Post-Production

Question 2

What is the frequency range of human hearing?

Answer 2

The range of human hearing is between 20 and 20,000 cycles per second, or stated another way, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Question 3

What does the frequency of a sound wave affect in terms of how we perceive the sound?

Answer 3

The frequency of the sound pressure variations that reaches our ears creates our perception of the pitch of the sound. As the frequency of vibration increases, the pitch of the sound goes up—numerically higher frequencies produce higher pitches, while numerically lower frequencies produce lower pitches. Each time the frequency doubles, the pitch raises by an octave.

Question 4

How is frequency measured?

Answer 4

cycles per second (CPS), also commonly denoted as Hertz (Hz)

Question 5

What does the amplitude of the sound wave affect?

Answer 5

The intensity or amplitude of the sound pressure variations that reaches our ears creates our perception of the loudness of the sound.

Question 6

How is amplitude measured?

Answer 6

decibels (dB)

Question 7

How does sample rate of a system relate to the frequency of audio it can capture?

Answer 7

The sample rate is the frequency with which digital measurements are collected.

Sample rate is the process of taking discrete measurements of an electrical signal at various moments in time. Each measurement, or sample, is a digital representation of the signal voltage at that instant. Played back in succession, these samples approximate the original signal, much like a series of photographs played back in succession approximates movement in a film or video.

Question 8

What is the name of the law that specifies the relationship between sample rate and audio frequency?

Answer 8

Nyquist Theorem

The sample rate required for digital audio is driven by a fundamental law of analog-to-digital conversion, referred to as the Sampling Theorem or the Nyquist Theorem

Question 9

How does the bit depth of a system relate to the dynamic range of audio it can capture?

Answer 9

The higher the bit depth, the more accurate the dynamic range of the original sound.

Question 10

How can you estimate the dynamic range of a system?

Answer 10

Multiply the word size by six

Question 11

What are some common digital connections available on Pro Tools audio interfaces?

Answer 11

S/PDIF Sony / Philips Digital Interface

AES/EBU Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcast Union

Question 12

What type of connector jack does each use?

Answer 12

S/PDIF (RCA)

AES/EBU (XLR-type)

Question 13

Name some audio interfaces that are compatible with standard Pro Tools software.

Answer 13

Pro Tools | Fast Track family

Pro Tools | Mbox family

Pro Tools | Eleven Rack

Pro Tools | Duet and Quartet

Question 14

Name some audio interfaces tat are compatible with Pro Tools HD software.

Answer 14

HD OMNI

HD I/O

HD MADI