Audio Production Basics With Pro Tools First

Frank D. Cook (Sacramento, CA) is President of NextPoint Training, Inc., a Pro Tools Author, an Avid Master Instructor, and an Adjunct Professor at Sacramento City College and American River College in Sacramento, California. Cook writes Pro Tools books for the Avid Learning Series. He also teaches all levels of Pro Tools certification to students in the Sacramento region and to educators worldwide who aspire to become Avid Certified Instructors. Eric Kuehnl (Berkeley, CA) is a Director of Partner Programs at NextPoint Training, Inc., an Avid Master Instructor, and Co-Director of the Music Technology Program at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. Kuehnl is a composer, sound designer, and educator. Previously, he was an Audio Training Strategist in the Avid Education Department, and a Senior House Engineer for Sony Computer Entertainment America.

• Introduction. Welcome to the World of AudioGetting Started in Audio ProductionWho Should Read This BookWhat Is Pro Tools | First?About This BookRequirements and PrerequisitesMedia FilesCourse Organization and SequenceConventions and Symbols Used in This BookKeyboard Shortcuts and ModifiersIcons Chapter 1. Computer ConceptsSelecting a ComputerMac Versus Windows ConsiderationsThe Importance of RAM Processing PowerStorage SpaceStorage OptionsOnboard Sound Options (Audio In and Out) Other Options to ConsiderWorking with Your ComputerFile ManagementLaunching ApplicationsSaving FilesWorking with an ApplicationMenusKeyboard ShortcutsReview/Discussion QuestionsExercise 1. Exploring Audio on the ComputerChapter 2. DAW ConceptsFunctions of a DAW What Can a DAW Do? Common DAWs Plug-In Formats What Is a Plug-In? Common Plug-In Formats Pro Tools Pro Tools Software Options Pro Tools Hardware Options Pro Tools | HDX Versus Pro Tools | HD Native Downloading and Installing Pro Tools | First Accessing the Installer Installation Steps Launching Pro Tools | First for the First TimeImportant Concepts in Pro Tools | FirstProject Files Versus Audio FilesAudio Versus MIDIReview/Discussion QuestionsExercise 2. Setting Up a Multi-Track Project Chapter 3. Audio Recording ConceptsThe Basics of AudioFrequencyAmplitudeMicrophonesTraditional Microphones USB MicrophonesOther ConsiderationsBasic Miking TechniquesMulti-Tracking and Signal Flow What Is Multi-Track Recording?Recording Signal FlowMoving Audio from Analog to Digital Analog Versus Digital AudioThe Analog-to-Digital Conversion Process The Audio Interface Audio Interface Considerations Working Without an Audio Interface Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 3. Selecting Your Audio Production Gear Chapter 4. MIDI Recording Concepts A Brief History of MIDI Digital Control The Birth of MIDI The MIDI Protocol MIDI Notes Program Changes Controller Messages MIDI Controllers Digital Pianos and Synthesizers Keyboard Controllers Drumpad Controllers Grid Controllers Alternate Controllers What to Look for in a MIDI Controller Purchasing a Keyboard Controller Setup and Signal Flow Plug-and-Play Setup MIDI Cables and Jacks Using a MIDI interfaceConsiderations for Using Multiple MIDI DevicesMIDI Versus Audio What Is MIDI?Monitoring with Onboard Sound Versus Virtual InstrumentsTracking with Virtual InstrumentsCreating Tracks for Virtual InstrumentsSummaryReview/Discussion QuestionsExercise 4. Selecting Your MIDI Production Gear Chapter 5. Pro Tools Concepts, Part 1 Creating a Session or Project Main Windows Edit Window Mix Window Transport Window Working with TracksAdding Tracks Mono Versus Stereo Tracks MIDI Versus Instrument Tracks Click Tracks Clips Versus Files Basic Navigation Using the Transport Controls Zooming and Scrolling in the Edit Window Controlling Playback Behavior Monitoring Your Timeline Location Selections Timeline Selections Versus Edit Selections Selection Scenarios Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 5. Configuring and Working on a Project Chapter 6. Pro Tools Concepts, Part 2 Setting Up for Recording Recording Audio Making a Record Selection Record-Enabling Audio Tracks Monitoring Record-Enabled Audio Tracks Initiating a Record Take Stopping a Record Take Recording MIDI Monitoring a MIDI ControllerRecord-Enabling MIDI and Instrument TracksUsing Wait for NoteUsing MIDI Merge ModeImporting Audio and MIDI Supported Audio Files Importing from the Desktop Importing from Soundbase File Drag and Drop Locations Using the Import Command Edit Modes and the Grid The Edit Modes Setting the Grid Value Working with Clips and Selections Selecting an Edit Tool Basic Editing Techniques Advanced Editing Techniques Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 6. Importing and Editing Clips Chapter 7. Mixing Concepts Basic MixingSetting Levels Panning Processing Options and Techniques Gain-Based Processing Time-Based Processing and Effects Inserts Versus Sends Processing with External Gear Mixing in the Box Advantages of In-the-Box Mixing Getting the Most Out of an In-the-Box Mix Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 7. Creating a Basic Mix Chapter 8. Signal Processing Plug-In Basics Viewing Inserts on Tracks Inserting Plug-Ins on Tracks Moving and Duplicating Plug-Ins Displaying Plug-In Windows Common Plug-In Controls Adjusting Plug-In Parameters Adjusting Plug-In Parameters with the Mouse Adjusting Plug-In Parameters with the Computer Keyboard EQ Processing Types of EQ Basic EQ Parameters EQ Plug-Ins in Pro Tools | First Strategies for Using EQ Dynamics Processing Types of Dynamics Processors Basic Dynamics Parameters Dynamics Plug-Ins in Pro Tools | First Strategies for Using Compression Strategies for Using a De-Esser Reverb and Delay Effects What Is Reverb? Reverb in Pro Tools | First Applications for Reverb Processors What Is Delay? Delay in Pro Tools | First Applications for Delay Processors Wet Versus Dry Signals Using Time-Based Effects as Inserts on Tracks Using Send-and-Return Configurations Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 8. Optimizing Tracks with Signal Processing Chapter 9. Finishing a Project Recalling a Saved MixUsing AutomationSelecting an Automation Mode Writing Real-Time Automation Viewing Automation Graphs Editing Automation Breakpoints Creating a Mixdown Adding Processing on the Master Fader Considerations for Bouncing Audio Exporting an Audio Mix Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 9. Preparing the Final Mix Chapter 10. Beyond the Basics Elastic Audio Enabling Elastic Audio Warping Audio Automatically Warping Audio with Tempo Changes MIDI Editing Techniques MIDI Track Views Editing MIDI Data Working with Velocity Real-Time Properties Using the MIDI Editor Submixing Simplifying a Mix Creating Stems Keyboard Shortcuts .Function Keys Commands Keyboard Focus Keys Track Commands Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 10. Finalizing a Project Index About the Authors