ProTools 210M Chapters 1-10 Flashcards
Why is it important to ensure that each MIDI device in a daisy-chained setup uses unique channels for its MIDI signals?
So that midi signals won’t combine; this could result in cross-talk between other devices
Under what conditions would you need to use MIDI Studio Setup (MSS) or Audio MIDI Setup (AMS)? What is the difference between MSS and AMS?
-One is for Windows only (MSS), and one is for Mac(AMS)
- You need to use it when configuring the computer so that all connected MIDI equipment is seen
What two signal flow systems are involved when working with MIDI instruments?
Control Signal and audio signal
Describe two ways to change a song’s start time.
By dragging the song Start marker and by using the move song start operation. ( Event > Time >operation > Move song start
Manually dragging the session Song Start Marker to a new location affects the timing of all data and clips on what type of tracks?
it will affect any existing memory locations that bar|beat based and tick based track content. It won’t affect any sample-based track and no absolute-based memory locations.
What modifier would you hold to add a Meter Change by clicking on the Meter ruler?
Control Click
When might you want to use the Time Operations window rather than the Meter Change window to insert a meter change?
This allows you to access advanced setting that aren’t in the meter change window.
What is the purpose of the Identify Beat command? What condition would cause the Identify Beat command to be grayed out in the Event menu?
- Identify beat command lets you specify how long the selection is in bars/beats . This also has protools realign the gird accordingly.
- Manual tempo mode will cause the identify beat function to be grayed out. Tempo ruler has to be enabled.
What is MIDI Beat Clock? How many pulses does it provide per quarter note?
24 Pulses per quarter note.
It is a clock that sends out a signal that keeps the midi devices synchronized.
What are some advantages of routing the audio from your hardware MIDI instruments through the Pro Tools mixer?
-You can record or render your MIDI performance as audio anytime
-All audio signals are managed in a single integrated environment
-You can use protools automation in mixer channels
-Your mixer will be stored and recalled as part of the session
-You can use plug ins to process audio from your midi instruments
What are some considerations you need to take into account when connecting the audio from an external MIDI instrument or synthesizer directly to an HD-series audio interface?
the level of the signal.
What dialog box allows you to import track elements from another session to use as track templates? How would you go about importing Mix and Edit Groups to use with track templates?
Choose file > import > Session data ( option shift I ). You would use the, track data to import, pop-up menu
What is the purpose of saving Track Presets? How would you go about specifying the attributes to save with a Track Preset?
Allows you to recall track data
Track data recall menu
How would you go about recalling the plug-ins from a Track Preset for use as an effects chain on an existing track in your session?
Right-click on a track name and select recall. inserts/sends > preset name
How can you assign MIDI controls to plug-in parameters? What kind of message is used for this purpose?
Fixed CC assignments or editable Learning assignments
Midi CC
How can you record the control data used to modify virtual instrument parameters? What must you do to record control data to a MIDI clip in a subsequent record pass?
-Right Click plug in control and select learn midi CCin the pop up menu
-Record enable the track containing virtual instrument
-On the Midi controller, move the knob, slider, or other control that you want to assign a plug-in to.
-The plug in will respond to the motion of the controller, letting you know the CC device is correctly assigned
Record
What are some differences between Pro Tools automatzsion and MIDI CC data?
CC data and Midi notes are recorded the same way.
CC data can only be recorded with midi controller
CC Data is written into midi clips and each edit playlist has its own CC event Graph. Automation only has one playlist for each automatable track
Cc data has slower resolution and timing accuracy than automation
How can you configure Pro Tools to write plug-in automation for virtual instrument parameters while completing a MIDI record pass? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this method?
-Set the plug in parameter to Midi CC Learn
-Enable automation for the parameters that are gonna be changed nd set track tio latch
-In setup > preferences > operation tab select enable Automation in record
What is the MIDI Input Filter used for? When would you want to filter MIDI aftertouch parameters? When would you not want to filter aftertouch?
-Can be used to prevent specified MIDI messages from being recorded.
-You want to have a large amount of midi information being sent to to midi clips
-You won’t want to filter when all messages that are coming have to be recorded
What are some ways to convert a MIDI virtual instrument recording to audio? What is the purpose of doing this conversion?
Committing track and Freezing track
You do this the help CPU processing
To commit the plug in processing
What are some differences between the Commit Tracks function and Track Freeze? What are some advantages and disadvantages of Track Freeze as compared to Commit Tracks?
-Track freeze is more temporary, and commit tracks are more permanent.
-In frozen tracks, most editing functions are disabled
-Commit tracks does let you apply audio based edit operations.
-Track freeze is fast and simple and doesn’t add a track. It is reversible.
When rendering a MIDI performance as audio, how can you render a pre-plug-in signal directly out of the virtual instrument?
You can use Freeze Up to this Insert or Commit Up to this Insert
When recording audio, which monitoring mode lets you monitor live input on tracks at all times? What are some ways of toggling between monitoring modes?
-Audio Input Monitoring
-To toggle between monitor modes, click on the track input button for each track or option-click the track input button.
-Option shift-click on the tracks track-input button to toggle all selected track
What are QuickPunch and TrackPunch record modes used for? How many running punches does QuickPunch mode allow per record take?
-They’re recording modes that let you punch in instantly on any audio track that’s record enabled
-Allows for 200 per record take
What is the primary difference between QuickPunch mode and TrackPunch mode?
Track Punch enables you to drop in and out on different tracks at different times within the same pass, whereas Quick Punch will only drop in and out on all the selected tracks at the same time.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of using QuickPunch or TrackPunch mode for recording?
Advantages
You can activate noncontagious clips without stopping playback, and record on the fly without stopping playback.
Disadvantages
Tracks enabled for quick/track punch use twice as many voices
Loop playback is not available when quick/track punch are enabled
What are Edit playlists used for? How can you display Playlists in lanes in the Edit window?
Edit playlists can be used to record/edit different takes on tracks,
You can display them using Activate Playlist View
How would you go about recording to multiple playlists, one take at a time? How can you record multiple takes to separate playlists automatically?
-One take at a time
Record arm track/s
Select playlist view on track
Record a take using any of the recording modes
-To record multiple takes
Enable loop record mode
In operation tab, enable - automatically create new playlists when loop recording.
Record arm track
Make a timeline selection across the range you want to record
Record
When recording to automatically created playlists, where does the last take reside?
In the main Playlist
How can you audition alternate takes in Playlist view? How can you solo-isolate a playlist lane to listen to it without playing back the other tracks in the session?
-Put tracks in the playlist view
-Enable loop playback
-Make a selection of alternate takes and begin playback
-Clock solo on alternate playlist
-Shift+S(solo quick key)
-Solo the track on the main playlist then Solo the alternate playlist one by one
How can you rate the clips on playlist lanes to easily keep track of the preferred sections of each take? How can you filter the playlist lanes to eliminate takes with clips rated below a certain threshold?
-View>clip> rating
-Hold Control + option + command and type in rating OR right club on clip and choose rating
-For a selection( create new clip ) B or COMMAND E then Hold Control + option + command and type in rating
How would you go about promoting a selection from an alternate playlist to the Main Playlist for the purposes of building a composite?
Make a selection
Click copy selection to target playlist button ( Up arrow next to solo button )
OR
Option Shift Up Arrow
What are some ways to activate Dynamic Transport mode? What effect does Dynamic Transport mode have on the display of the Main Timebase ruler?
-Options> Dynamic Transport
-Control + command + P
-Right click on Play button in transport/edit window and choose dynamic transport mode from pop up
-When active, the main timebase ruler expands to double the height a play start marker is also added( blue triangle) bottom half
How can you reposition the Dynamic Transport Play Start Marker? Can this be done during playback?
Yes it can be done during playback, click anywhere in play strip to move marker. Double click when stopped
To reposition:
-any edit tool selected, click and drag marker
-Any edit tool selected, click anywhere in the Marks strip. Play marker jumps to location
-click fast forward or rewind buttons in transport/edit window. Relocates marker by standard fast forward/rewind
-click and hold fast forward or rewind
What are some ways that crossfades can be modified? What is the difference between the Equal Power and Equal Gain linking options for crossfades?
Equal Power cross fades boost amplitude at the midpoint of cross fade, used if not phase aligned.
equal gain does not (used if phase aligned)
You can link the incoming and outgoing fade shapes, using either equal gain or equal power you can also make custom fade shapes
What modifier can you use to close the gap between two clips when trimming?
Hold control and use trim tool
How can you create custom fade shapes for problematic edits in the Fades dialog box?
To adjust the center point of a fade
-Double click with the grabber tool the fade, this opens fade dialogue box
-Click and drag left or right on the display, this will shape the fades center point
To adjust the in and out slopes independently
-Set the link option to none in fades dialogue box
-Move the Black Square at the end of the graph
How can the Pencil tool be used for waveform repair? What are some precautions you should take when using the Pencil tool to repair audio?
-Zoom in to Sample level, use freehand to edit waveform
-Back up audio file by duplicating in clip-list or playlist
What are some functions that Beat Detective can be used for? What are the five Beat Detective modes?
Create Groove Templates: It can extract the rhythm feel from n audio or midi clip.
Extract a tempo map from a freely recorded audio or midi clip
Conform Audio to Tempo Map
Smooth Edits
Loop Matching
Creating remixes
5 Beat detective modes
-Bar|Beat marker generation
-Groove Template Extraction
-Clip Separation(only audio)
-Clip Conform(Only Audio)
-Edit Smoothing(only Audio)
Why is it important to define a selection for Beat Detective? Should this selection be created in Grid mode? Why or why not?
It is important because in order for beat detective to correctly analyze a selection the length and meter have to be defined correctly.
No, because the selection wont match the current grid unless the performance already has a session tempo
What are beat triggers used for in Beat Detective? How can you add or delete beat triggers if needed?
Beat triggers are markers based on peak transients detected in the performance
Top add or delete beat triggers
Click in selection to add
To delete option click
What is the purpose of applying Smoothing to edits created in Beat Detective? Can edit smoothing be applied to edits created outside of Beat Detective?
-It is to fix gaps in the audio
-Yes you can edit smoothing on any edits even if it wasnt made using beat detective
When/why might you want to consolidate clips after using Beat Detective?
When you are satisfied with your work using beat detective you can consolidate. this will make it easier for the session to playback more easily because it will free up CPU
What is the difference between grid quantization and groove quantization?
Grid quantization: Aligns notes/events to a specific timing grid
Groove Quantization: aligns notes/events to a groove template, giving it a more natural feel.
What kinds of changes can you roll back with the Restore Performance command? What conditions would make the Restore Performance command unable to restore an earlier state?
-Quantize, change duration change velocity, or transpose commands , pitch changes can be undone .
-Does not undo cut, copied, pasted or any manually moved midi notes. Create a new playlist or save a copy before editing
-The flatten performance command defines a new baseline value.
What function can you use to create a smooth velocity ramp-up (crescendo) over a specified period of time on a MIDI or Instrument track? How is this function different from using the Pencil tool to draw a velocity ramp?
Change velocity operation.
Event operations > change velocity command.
Change smoothly by percentage.
What is the difference between Track‐based Real‐Time Properties and Clip‐based Real‐Time Properties? How is each indicated on the clips in a track playlist?
-Track based real time properties: affect an entire track/s
-Clip based real time properties: affects only selected clips.
-T is for track Based and R is for clip based. ( Used to mean region)
How can you write Real-Time Properties into a clip, a selection of clips, or a track?
Event < midi real time properties
Make sure the APPLY TO menu shows the selected clips and not a track.
What are some ways to select notes on a MIDI or Instrument track using the mini-keyboard? What are some uses for this technique?
Notes View: with or without tab to transients enabled:
Choosing a note on mini keyboard will select across entire track, hold command selects non adjacent notes, hold shift selects adjacent notes .
You can use this to transpose into a key, or split notes between tracks .
What are some options for transposing notes with the arrow keys? How can you duplicate notes as you transpose?
Chromatic and Diatonic
hold the option key
What are some uses of the Select/Split Notes function?
To identify a range of notes for selective processing by another MIDI operation, and
Split pitch ranges to different tracks to use different sound sources.
Example, you can split the left-hand and right had notes in a performance.
Split notes of different durations.
Split chords into seperate monophonic clips
Split polyphonic drum tracks out into separate tracks
What are some examples of multi-timbral plug-ins that are included with Pro Tools?
XPAND
UVI Falcon
1) How many drum parts can be triggered separately in the Xpand!2 plug-in? How can the drum sounds for each part be customized?
4 separate parts, can customize using the part selectors
How would you go about adding a Violin patch to the Structure Free plug-in? How can you route MIDI tracks to different patches in the Structure Free plug-in?
Change the Patch in structure free to a violin patch.
Assign each patch to a specific midi channel and assign the same number to the midi tracks
What are some ways to open a MIDI Editor window?
Control Equals
Window > Midi editor
Double click on midi clip with grabber tool
Right click on midi clip > open in midi editor