Introduction

This ProTools Quick Reference will show you the easiest method to create a simple one-track composition. We will not be using any of ProTools’ advanced features, concentrating instead on helping you grasp the basics of recording with ProTools. For a more in-depth look at ProTools and its advanced features, please consult the ProTools Reference Guide.

DigiDesign’s ProTools is a powerful all-in-one virtual recording studio. The software is connected directly to the Digi001 module (located on the rack) which routes signals to the MotorMix and the mixer. The MotorMix will be covered in the ProTools Reference Guide.

RECORDING A TRACK

1. Run ProTools from the Start Menu.
2. After ProTools loads click File > New Session...

This will bring up the following dialog box:



1. Select the destination folder. If you wish to come back and work on the session some other time, please save it in the Audio Cache (D) drive.
2. Name the session.
3. Select type of session. It should be left at default.
4. Select the audio file type. This doesn’t affect the final recording, it only tells ProTools how to save the temporary files.
5. Select sample rate. Rate of 44.1kHz is more than sufficient, but the higher rate could be also selected.
6. Select the bit depth. 16-bit is CD quality and 24-bit is a professional recording quality.
7. Select I/O settings.
8. Click Save to start your session.

After you have created your new session you’d want to create a new track. This will enable you to start recording. Create a new track by clicking File > New Track...

This will bring up the following dialog box:

1. Select how many tracks you want to create. The Quick Step guide only deals with one track; for multi-track sessions please consult the ProTools Reference Guide.
2. Select mono or stereo track. Mono sound has only one, left, channel, while Stereo sound has both, left and right, channels.
• Note: In order to learn how to route external devices (i.e. 2-track tape recorder, guitar, mic, minidisc player, etc) through the mixer into ProTools, please refer to the Mackie Mixer Reference Guide.
3. Select Track Type. You have choice of multiple track types, but Audio Track should be sufficient for all most all of your needs.
4. Click Create to make a new track.

RECORDING A TRACK

After the creation of a track you will be presented with the following:

After the Recording of a track:

1. Record enable the track by clicking the "rec" button in the track dialog box.
2. Make ProTools ready to record, by clicking the "Record" button.
3. Start recording by clicking the "Play" button.
4. Click on the "Stop" button to stop the recording.

When you are done with the recording you should get a track that looks something like this.

SAVING THE RECORDING

Once you are done with the recording, you will probably want to save your work. There are two ways you can do this. The "standard" saving option lets you save your ProTools session so that you will be able to edit it later. The other way to save is to "bounce" your recording to the disk, which will allow you to save it in WAV, MP3, etc. Bouncing is the preferred way when recording your music to a CD.

"Standard" saving

• Click File > Save Session

"Bounce" the recording

• Click File > Bounce to Disk...
  You will be presented with the following dialog box:

1. Select bounce source. Please leave it as the default to ensure that your track gets properly recorded.
2. Select the file type. You can select WAV, MP3, or any of the other available file types.
3. Select the format type. Select if you would like to have mono or stereo format; leave it as the default to ensure everything gets recorded properly.
4. Select the bit rate. 16-bit is the CD-quality rate, while 24-bit is a professional recording quality.
5. Select the sample rate. 44100Khz rate is the CD sample rate; it’s more than sufficient for most of the cases.
6. Click Bounce.