Pro Tools MIDI Lesson 1 - Getting Started

Question 1

What is the general MIDI signal flow for Pro Tools?

Answer 1

MIDI controller -> PT track -> MIDI Instrument -> Audio

Question 2

What are the 4 steps for MIDI signal flow to Pro Tools?

Answer 2

1. ) turn MIDI controller local control off if synth has internal sound engine
2. ) arm MIDI/instrument track
3. ) switch on MIDI Thru in Options menu
4. ) select correct MIDI instrument and channel in track output

Question 3

What can you do in Setup -> MIDI -> Input Filter?

Answer 3

filter specific MIDI messages from being recorded by your MIDI controller

Question 4

How do you know whether to add a MIDI track or an Instrument track?

Answer 4

1. ) MIDI tracks are for hardware, Instrument tracks are for software
2. ) you can record, edit and playback MIDI with both types
3. ) an instrument track can be mono or stereo

Question 5

What is important to remember about track input and output for MIDI tracks?

Answer 5

• input: can be set to all or a specific controller

- output: select an instrument for playback

Question 6

What is different about MIDI and instrument tracks in terms of input and output?

Answer 6

• adjust input and output of MIDI tracks in the I/O column

- adjust input and output of Instrument tracks in the Instrument column

Question 7

How do you route multiple instruments?

Answer 7

hold control key before clicking on output selector

Question 8

What is the difference between volume and pan controls in MIDI and instrument tracks?

Answer 8

• MIDI tracks have volume and pan controls in I/O column

- Instrument tracks have same in instrument column, also has volume and pan controls for the track’s audio output

Question 9

What is the difference between mute controls in MIDI and instrument tracks?

Answer 9

• MIDI tracks have single mute switch in main column that stops transmitted data from being recorded
• instrument tracks have same mute switch in instrument column and mute switch in main column for audio output

Question 10

What is the difference between velocity meters in MIDI and instrument tracks?

Answer 10

• MIDI tracks have velocity meter in main column

- instrument track has same meter in instrument column and one in main column for audio output

Question 11

What is the difference between inserts and sends in MIDI and instrument tracks?

Answer 11

• MIDI track has none

- Instrument track does

Question 12

What are the two ways you can use a multitimbral instrument in Pro Tools?

Answer 12

1. ) set all presets to same channel for layering

2. ) set presets to different channels to be received by different tracks

Question 13

What are the 7 recommended Pro Tools settings for programming MIDI?

Answer 13

• mode: grid
• smart tool
• main counter: bars and beats, sub counter: mins and secs
• MIDI controls
• rulers: markers, tempo, meter, chords
• linear tick display
• MIDI thru in the options menu

Question 14

What are the preferences that should be chosen when programming MIDI?

Answer 14

Display tab
-MIDI note color shows velocity
-tracks and MIDI channels
-track color
MIDI tab
-Default Thru instrument is set to "none"