pro tools session booklet 08/11

PROTOOLS

Samuel Wr ightw r i g h t s t u f f m u s i c . c o m

Version 9

A c o l l e c t i o n o f i d e a s , l e s s o n s &

l i n k s t o s u p p o r t m u s i c

e d u c a t o r s .

Introduction ................................................................................ 3

Steps................................................................................ 4

Links for Learning............................................................................... 10

Project Resources ............................................................................... 11

Contents

Introduction

Welcome.

These notes are by no means an exhaustive method on operating Pro Tools but they may serve as a guide to help you get started.

Included in this booklet are links, tutorials, a step-by-step look at the Pro Tools anatomy as well as some project ideas to get you creating music.

Feel free to contact me at www.wrightstuffmusic.com and remember, you need to experiment and create your own projects in Pro Tools to really learn something worthwhile.

A music teacher will best serve their students by having encountered the same obstacles, and successes, that their students will most certainly experience.

The following steps will detail how to operate Pro Tools’ many functions and to get your students creating music.

Make sure each device you have connected to your Mac/PC has its dedicated driver installed and that you

have enabled each device in the Audio/MIDI preferences.

Quick Hint

1. Opening a Session (or Template)

2. Navigating the Edit Window

3. Navigating the Mixer & Inserts

4. Audio, Editing & Recording

5. MIDI, Editing & Recording

Steps for ‘Creating Music’

Templates can be very useful for setting up student projects or for simply getting started with your ideas.

Experiment with the different session types and then create your own as you become familiar with the Pro

Tools setup.

Quick Hint

1. Opening a Session

The ‘Edit Window’ is your main Pro Tools garden shed. You can organise all your tools as you wish.

It is a good idea to start arranging your own ‘Pro Tools’ setup using the ‘View Menu’ as well as making sure you

remain in either SLIP or GRID modes

Quick Hint

2. The Edit Window

Access the Mixer from the ‘Windows Menu’ or by the shortcut Command =

3. The Mixer & Inserts

Inserts provide a way to add effects, EQ, or to play in instruments with a MIDI keyboard

* Always check your outputs* Arm tracks to hear the instrument inserts

Quick Hint

Audio can be edited in various ways. The 7 main tools below are your editing toolbox. Their shortcuts are Command 1 through to 7 of the Qwerty keyboard.

4. Audio

Pro Tools does not handle MIDI the same way as Garageband or Logic. You can import MIDI, record MIDI and even edit MIDI. Bu you have to setup an instrument track to play the MIDI.

Set up and instrument track in the MIXER view (Command =) and add an insert of either XPand or Structure LE. Choose

the instrument patch you are after and using the Grabber tool drag the MIDI data into the instrument track to hear it.

Quick Hint

5. MIDI

Links for Learning

Show Me Protools

Including Free Tutorials e.g. MIDI to Audio in Pro Tools

Make sure you look at their impressive list of Resources

AIR Users Blog Audio Tuts Plus

MacProVideoUsing Protools

in Music Education!

Project Resources

Real World Remixed Indaba Opportunities

Standard Indaba Education Set-upTeachers sign up for the Pro Account, which gives them access to an unlimited number of STEM downloads (keys).

Students sign up for their own basic account, which allows them to access 3 keys. This will give students a wider audience for their works and allows them to submit entries in our regular opportunities and contests.

Many of the popular music STEMS on Indaba are available to use in the classroom under the

Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 license. Click on the above link to read the license from the Creative

Commons website, and for more information about CC licenses download our information booklet,

Creative Commons for Creative Music Teachers.