chapter 5 201
Creating Selection Memory Locations To create a selection-based memory location:
1.Configure any session settings that you want to save with the selection memory location, such as zoom settings, pre- and post-roll times, etc. 2.Select a range of material on one or more tracks. 3.Do one of the following: •On the Markers Ruler, click the Add Marker/Memory Location button (plus sign). •Press Enter on the numeric keypad. •In the Memory Locations window (Window > Memory Locations), select New Memory Location from the pop-up menu.
To trim a clip's start or end point by the Nudge value:
1.Configure the Nudge value. 2.With the Grabber tool, select the clip you want to trim. 3.Do one of the following: •While pressing Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows), press [+] (plus) or [-] (minus) on the numeric keypad to trim the clip's start point by the Nudge value. •While pressing Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows), press [+] (plus) or [-] (minus) on the numeric keypad to trim the clip's end point by the Nudge value.
Auditioning the Start and End of a Selection
Often when you make a selection, you will need to focus on the exact starting and ending points, making numerous minor adjustments to ensure that you've selected the audio precisely. Using care while selecting can help you maintain a smooth transition between edits and/or ensure that the length of your selection is appropriate when working in musical phrases.
udging and Shifting
Often, using Grid mode is sufficient for making precise selections and edits. However, Pro Tools also allows you to move clips and selections in precise, user-selectable increments with the Nudge and Shift functions.
To nudge the end time of a selection:
Press Command+Shift (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift (Windows) followed by one of the following: •The [+] (plus) key on the numeric keypad to nudge the end later by the current nudge increment. •The [-] (minus) key on the numeric keypad to nudge the end earlier by the current nudge increment.
To set the values for pre- and post-roll auditioning, do one of the following:
Specify the pre- and post-roll values in the Transport window. ■Click and drag on the pre- and post-roll flags in the main timebase ruler to set the desired durations for each. ■Using the Selector tool, Option-click (Mac) or Alt-click (Windows) in the Edit playlist before and after the selection to set the desired pre- and post-roll durations.
Numeric Entry Shortcuts for Selection Indicators In addition to calculator functions, you can use the following shortcuts for entering values in the Timeline and Edit Selection fields:
■Press the / (forward slash) key to cycle through the three Selection indicators. ■Use . (period) or the Left/Right Arrow keys to move through the different time fields in each Selection indicator. ■Press the Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease the selected numerical value. ■Click and drag in a field to scroll to a new value.
To enable Link Track and Edit Selection, do one of the following:
■Select Options > Link Track and Edit Selection. ■Click the Link Track and Edit Selection toggle button in the Edit window.
To set the Edit selection by typing into the Edit Selection fields (Edit window):
1.Click with the Selector tool in the track or tracks that you want to affect. 2.Do one of the following: •Click in the Start field at the top of the Edit window. •Press [/] on the numeric keypad to select the Start field in the Edit window. 3.Type in the Start location values. If needed, use one of the following methods to move to subsequent fields: •Use the Left/Right Arrow keys on the keyboard to cycle through the fields. •Press the Period key in the numeric keypad to move one entry to the right.
To set the Timeline selection by typing into the Timeline Selection Indicators (Transport window):
1.If necessary, resize the Transport window by clicking the Maximize button so the start and end times are displayed. 2.Do one of the following: •In the Transport window, click in the Start field. •Press Option+[/] (Mac) or Alt+[/] (Windows) on the numeric keypad to select the Start field in the Transport window. 3.Type in the Start location values. If needed, use one of the following methods to move to subsequent fields: •Press the Left/Right Arrow keys on the keyboard to cycle through the fields. •Press the Period key in the numeric keypad to move one entry to the right. 4.Press the [/] key again to move to the End field. 5.Type in the End location values, again using the Left/Right Arrow keys or Period to cycle through the fields. 6.Press Enter on the numeric keypad when finished to accept the values.
To set the Edit selection by dragging the Edit Selection indicators:
1.If you want to constrain movement to the current Grid value, set the Edit mode to Grid. 2.With any Edit tool selected, hover over the Edit Selection In Point; the cursor will change to a pointing finger. 3.Click and drag on the marker to change the selection start point. 4.Using a similar technique, click and drag on the Edit Selection Out Point to set the selection end.
To set the Timeline selection by dragging the Timeline Selection Markers:
1.If you want to constrain movement to the current Grid value, set the Edit mode to Grid. 2.With any Edit tool selected, hover over the Timeline Selection In Point (start arrow); the cursor will change to a pointing finger (Time Grabber icon). 3.Click and drag on the marker to change the selection start point. 4.Using a similar technique, click and drag on the Timeline Selection Out Point (end arrow) to set the selection end point.
To make a Timeline selection with the Selector tool:
1.If you want to constrain the selection to the current Grid value, set the Edit mode to Grid. 2.Click and drag with the Selector tool in any Timebase Ruler. A Timeline selection will be created, indicated by darker shading in the Timebase Rulers.
because Pro Tools always zeros out all fields to the right, it is best to enter numbers from left to right.
4.Press the [/] key again to move to the End field. 5.Type in the End location values, again using the Left/Right Arrow keys or Period to cycle through fields. 6.Press Enter on the numeric keypad when finished to accept the values. image-75.png Modifying the length field will always change the End field, because the length (or duration) is calculated by subtracting the Start field from the End field.
Creating Selections
As you've learned in earlier courses, Pro Tools provides two basic types of selections: Timeline selections and Edit selections. Timeline selections are typically used to set a playback or record range, while Edit selections are typically used to select a range of audio, MIDI, or video content for an edit operation. You will often work with the Link Timeline and Edit Selection option enabled. In this mode, any Edit selections that you make are mirrored in the Timeline and vice versa. As you become more proficient with Pro Tools, you will start to make unlinked selections for certain situations, as discussed below.
Linking Track and Edit Selections
As you've learned in earlier courses, the Link Track and Edit Selection option in Pro Tools causes tracks that have an Edit selection on them to also have their track names selected. Selecting a track brings that track into focus for certain track-level operations, such as grouping, hiding, duplicating, deleting, and so forth. When a track is selected, its track name becomes highlighted.
Calculator Entry Mode for Selection Fields
Both the Timeline Selection fields and the Edit Selection fields (Start, End, and Length) support calculator-type entries for most timebases. The Plus [+] and Minus [-] keys on the numeric keypad allow you to add or subtract a number from any currently highlighted field.
Nudging Edit Selections
In addition to nudging clips, you can also nudge Edit selections on your tracks independent of their underlying media content. If needed, you can also nudge the start or end times of an Edit selection independently to adjust the selection boundaries.
To set the Nudge value:
1.Click directly on the Nudge Value pop-up selector (down-pointing arrow) located to the right of the current nudge value in the Grid/Nudge area of the Edit window toolbar. The Nudge value pop-up menu will appear.
To change the Scrubber tool preference setting:
1.Choose Setup > Preferences and then click the Operation tab. 2.In the Transport section of the Operation page, enable or disable the Edit Insertion Follows Scrub Shuttle option. Enabling this option will cause the screen cursor to update after scrubbing or shuttling, following the scrub movements you make with the mouse. 3.Click OK to close the Preferences dialog box.
to change the selection or properties stored with a memory location:
1.If needed, choose Window > Memory Locations or press Command+[5] (Mac) or Ctrl+[5] (Windows) on the numeric keypad to open the Memory Locations window. 2.Select a new range of material on one or more tracks, as desired. 3.In the Memory Locations window, Control-Click (Mac) or Right-Click (Mac and Windows) on the Memory Location that you want to redefine. The Edit Memory Location dialog box will appear. Modify the memory location properties, as desired, and click OK. image-76.png You can also edit a memory location without using the Memory Locations window. Using the numeric keypad, type a period [.] followed by the memory location number (1 through 999) and press [Enter].
To make a selection using the Scrubber tool:
1.Make sure Edit Insertion Follows Scrub Shuttle is enabled. 2.Select the Scrubber tool. 3.Scrub or shuttle to find an appropriate starting point for your selection. 4.Press and hold the Shift key to position the Edit Selection In Point and begin selecting audio. 5.Scrub or shuttle to find an appropriate ending point for your selection. 6.Release the Shift key to position the Edit Selection Out Point. If needed, you can continue scrubbing/shuttling, updating the selection In or Out points with the Shift key. 7.Release the mouse to stop scrubbing/shuttling when satisfied with the selection. image-76.png You can interchange steps 3 and 5 in the above procedure to scrub backwards.
To move an Edit selection in the Main Timebase ruler:
1.Move the cursor over either of the Edit Selection Points. The Time Grabber will appear. 2.While pressing Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows), click and drag on a marker to move the Edit selection back or forward in time, while preserving its length.
o move a Timeline selection in the Main Timebase ruler:
1.Move the cursor over either of the Timeline Selection Points. The Time Grabber will appear. 2.While pressing Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows), click and drag on a marker to move the Timeline selection back or forward in time, while preserving its length.
To select everything to the left of the cursor or selection:
1.Place the selection cursor at the desired selection end point (or make a selection) on any mono or stereo track or tracks.
To select everything to the right of the cursor:
1.Place the selection cursor at the desired selection start point (or make a selection) on any track or tracks.
To nudge a single clip or multiple clips:
1.With the Grabber tool, select the clip or clips you want to nudge. 2.On the numeric keypad, press the Plus key [+] to move the clip(s) later in the track by the Nudge increment, or press the Minus key [-] to move the clip(s) earlier in the track by the Nudge increment.
To scrub using Shuttle mode:
1.With the Scrubber tool selected, press Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows); then click and hold on any track. 2.While continuing to hold the mouse button, drag right or left to begin shuttling. 3.To increase the shuttle speed, drag further to the right or left; to decrease the speed, drag in the opposite direction. Playback will continue on that track as long as you keep the mouse button pressed. 4.Release the mouse to stop playback.
Making Selections with the Scrubber Tool
By combining selection techniques with scrubbing and shuttling, you can make selections with the Scrubber tool. This enables you to scrub your audio to identify the exact start and end points for your selection and instantly position the Edit Selection In and Out markers at those points.
Nudging Audio Clips
By selecting the desired Time Scale (Bars|Beats, Minutes:Seconds, Timecode, Feet.Frames, or Samples) and an appropriate nudge value from the Nudge pop-up menu, you can make very precise incremental movements by nudging a clip, multiple clips, or selections within a track. Nudging can be activated using the Plus and Minus keys on the numeric keypad with a selected clip or a selection. The Nudge function works in any Edit mode, although it's more commonly used in Slip, Shuffle, and Grid modes. Keep in mind that nudging audio will always move the selected audio without moving adjacent clips, regardless of Edit mode.
To copy an Edit selection to the Timeline:
Choose Edit > Selection > Change Timeline to Match Edit, or, if Commands Keyboard Focus mode is active, press the letter O. image-76.png Commands Keyboard Focus mode is enabled using the a-z button in the upper right corner of the Edit window. When not active, you can hold Control (Mac) or Start (Windows) to access the Commands Keyboard Focus mode shortcuts. image-92.png Commands Keyboard Focus mode is addressed in Lesson 6 of this book.
Working with Timeline and Edit Selection
Many operations are the same or similar for Timeline and Edit selections. For example, the selection Start, End, and Length fields all offer the same functionality in both the Transport and Edit windows (for Timeline and Edit selections, respectively). Similarly, Timeline and Edit selections can be moved, or slid along the timeline, in much the same way.
Markers
Markers are useful for identifying sections of songs or scenes and for quickly navigating to specific locations. For example, in music production it is often useful to create markers early in the recording process at the start of each verse, chorus, bridge, or other song section that you will commonly return to. This will substantially improve your workflow during subsequent recording, editing, and mixing work, enabling you to jump to each of these locations instantly as needed.
Memory Location Properties
Memory locations are traditionally thought of as having two main varieties: markers and selections. However, a third variety, non-time-based configurations, is equally useful. Markers are used to store locations in the timeline (playback locations), while selections are used to store Edit selections or locations on tracks so that you can easily return to them. Both markers and selection-based memory locations can include display and configuration properties. Non-time-based memory locations store display and configuration properties only, not associating them with a specific session location.
Nudging a Clip's Contents
Often a clip's start point will reside at the correct location, perhaps at a SMPTE frame or a specific beat, but the material within the clip will start too late or too early. You can, in effect, nudge a clip's audio waveform or MIDI notes without displacing the clip's start and end points.
Shuttle Mode with the Scrubber
One limitation of the default scrubbing mode is that the scrub speed forward and reverse can never exceed normal playback speed. Scrubbing also requires that you continually move the mouse in order to continuously scrub through a track.
Auditioning Selections
Pro Tools provides several ways to audition audio in order to precisely identify, define, and confirm your selection boundaries. The Pro Tools 101 course introduced the Scrubber tool. This course covers advanced ways to use the Scrubber tool to pinpoint a location in your audio for editing or selecting. It also covers key commands that you can use for auditioning the beginning and ending of a selection.
Selections
Selection-based memory locations are useful for storing selections and settings for consistency when auditioning, editing, and bouncing to disk. After creating a particularly tricky selection involving audio that you want to experiment with, for example, you may find it useful to store the selection in a memory location. This will allow you to recall the selection if you should accidentally lose it and will also enable you to experiment freely without concern for affecting your selection boundaries, since you will have the security of knowing you can recall the original selection at any time.
Selecting Left or Right of the Cursor
Sometimes you may want to select everything on a track before or after your current insertion point or Edit selection. For example, suppose you wish to clear out all automation breakpoints from the middle of the session until the end. Or, suppose you wish to clear out audio clips before the cursor on a track. You can make the appropriate selections for either of these actions quickly from the keyboard.
Storing Selections in Memory Locations
The 100-level Pro Tools courses introduced the concept of memory locations. As you have learned, memory locations can be used to bookmark locations in your session for quick recall. Memory locations can also store a variety of display and configuration properties, saving them either with an associated location/selection or independently as recallable settings that can be invoked anywhere in your session. Pro Tools provides up to 999 memory locations for storing locations, selections, zoom settings, and much more.
The Logic Behind the Keyboard Focus Keys
The Keyboard Focus keys for matching Timeline/Edit selections relate to the physical layout of the keyboard. Note that the letter O is below the number 0 on the keyboard; using it copies the lower Edit selection (making it the master) and applies it to the Timeline. Using the number 0 (the higher key) copies the Timeline selection (making it the master) and applies it to the Edit selection.
When using the Shift command with only a portion of a clip selected, new clips are created from the selection and from any material remaining outside of the selection.
The Shift command operates in the same manner regardless of the Edit mode in effect at the time. Adjacent clips are overlapped in Shuffle mode, the Spot dialog does not appear when in Spot mode, and shifted material does not snap to the Grid when in Grid mode.
Non-Time-Based Properties
The general property settings available for markers, selections, and non-time-based memory locations provide tools for operational efficiency and ease of use, enabling you to quickly invoke whole sets of display and configuration changes in one step. Non-time-based properties are particularly useful for storing preset workflow-based configurations.
The Timeline selection boundaries are indicated in the Main Timebase ruler by blue Timeline Selection In and Out Points. (The selectors will be red if a track is record-enabled.) The Start, End, and Length values for the Timeline selection are displayed in the corresponding fields in the Transport window.
To select all tracks, including Conductor Rulers, press Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) while dragging in a Timebase ruler with the Selector tool.
Additional Selection Techniques
This section describes additional Edit selection techniques. You can make selections on any combination of tracks, though you cannot select individual channels on stereo or multichannel tracks. (You would first need to split them into individual mono tracks.)
Sliding Selections
Timeline selections and Edit selections both can be slid in the Main Timebase ruler to move the selection along the timeline without affecting its length.
You cannot use minus operations with the Bars|Beats timebase. Pro Tools cannot distinguish between a negative bar number and a minus operation.
To add or subtract a number from a field: 1.Highlight the desired field. 2.Press Plus [+] or Minus [-] on the numeric keypad, followed by the desired offset, to add to or subtract from the highlighted field. By way of example, Figure 5.5 shows adding 29 seconds to the End field.
Changing How the Scrubber Tool Affects Selections
To change the Scrubber tool preference setting:
The Shift command can operate on selections, clips, MIDI notes, MIDI controller data, and automation breakpoints.
To shift a selection or clip: 1.Using either the Selector or Grabber, select the track material you want to shift. The selected material can reside on multiple tracks. 2.Choose Edit > Shift or press Option+H (Mac) or Alt+H (Windows). The Shift dialog box will open. 3.In the Shift dialog box, select whether the data will be moved Earlier or Later. 4.Click in one of the Timebase fields to specify the shift offset amount. Entering a value in one Timebase field automatically updates the others. To shift material with greater precision, select the Use Subframes option and specify an offset in the SMPTE or Feet+Frames timebase. Or for maximum precision, specify an offset in Samples. 5.Click OK. The selected material will be shifted back or forward by the specified amount.
2.Do one of the following:
To move the selection to a different track, click on the destination track nameplate to select it and deselect the original track or tracks. •To add the selection to other tracks, Command-click (Mac) or Ctrl-click (Windows) on the track nameplate of one or more destination tracks to select them in addition to the original track or tracks. •To remove the selection from tracks, Command-click (Mac) or Ctrl-click (Windows) on the track nameplate of any currently selected track. image-76.png Linking the Track and Edit selection can also be useful for switching from clip-based Real-Time Properties to track-based Real-Time Properties. When Link Track and Edit Selection is disabled, making an Edit selection does not automatically select all associated tracks
The Link Track and Edit Selection option can also be used for copying Edit selections between tracks. With this option enabled, an Edit selection can be moved to another track or added to (or removed from) any track by selecting (or deselecting) the desired track.
To move, add, or remove Edit selections on tracks: 1.With an existing Edit selection in place on a track or on multiple tracks, enable Link Track and Edit Selection.
This "sliding" of a clip's contents is only possible if there is material in the parent file beyond the clip's start and end boundaries (i.e., it must be a subset clip derived from a larger whole-file clip).
To nudge the contents of a clip without changing the clip start and end points: 1.Configure the Nudge value. 2.With the Grabber tool, select the clip whose contents you want to nudge. 3.While pressing the Control key (Mac) or Start key (Windows), press [+] (plus) or [-] (minus) on the numeric keypad to move the material by the Nudge value.
To pre-roll audition up to the selection start point:
To pre-roll audition up to the selection start point: ■Press the 6 key. The session will play up to the Edit Selection In Point for a duration equal to the pre-roll amount. To post-roll audition after the selection start point: ■Press the 7 key. The session will play after the Edit Selection In Point for a duration equal to the post-roll amount. To pre-roll audition up to the selection end point: ■Press the 8 key. The session will play up to the Edit Selection Out Point for a duration equal to the pre-roll amount. To post-roll audition after the selection end point: ■Press the 9 key. The session will play after the Edit Selection Out Point for a duration equal to the post-roll amount.
Edit Selections
When the Timeline and Edit selections are unlinked, Edit selections are displayed in the Main Timebase ruler with Edit Selection indicators, which appear as straight yellow brackets with round handles.
Copying Timeline Selections to/from Edit Selections (Pro Tools HD only)
When the Timeline and Edit selections are unlinked, you can copy selections between them.
Pre-Roll Audition and Post-Roll Audition
When you have made a particularly long selection, you will often want to audition just the start or end of the selection to verify that you have captured the audio accurately. Pro Tools allows you to audition before a Selection marker using values entered in the pre-roll field in the Transport window and audition after a Selection marker using values entered in the post-roll field. image-76.png Pre-roll and post-roll do not need to be active for the following audition functions to work; they just need to be set to non-zero amounts.
Timeline Selections
Whether the Timeline and Edit selections are linked or not, the range indicated by the Timeline Selection In and Out Points always determines the range for playback and recording in Standard Transport mode. image-75.png With Pro Tools HD software, when the Scrolling option is set to Center Playhead, the playhead determines where playback begins.
Selecting Across All Tracks Using the Rulers When you want to apply selections and edits globally to all tracks in your session, you can easily make any new selection occur across all tracks in your session. To make a new selection occur across all tracks in your session:
With Link Timeline and Edit Selection enabled, click and drag in any Timebase Ruler (dark gray ruler) to make a selection. When you release the mouse, the blue selection In and Out arrows will appear, and your selection will occur across all visible tracks in the session. Hold Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) to include all ruler data (markers and events) in the selection.
2.In the bottom of the Nudge value pop-up menu, select a preferred timescale (e.g., Min:Secs). The pop-up menu will close and the Nudge value will display using the selected Timescale. 3.Click on the Nudge value pop-up selector a second time to select a nudge increment from the top of the menu (e.g., 10 msec). (Check marks will display next to the currently selected options.) 4.The pop-up menu will close, and the Nudge value will update to display the currently selected increment.
You can also set a nonstandard nudge value by typing a number directly into the Nudge display. image-73.png You can change Nudge values from the keyboard by holding Command+Option (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt (Windows) and pressing +/- to increment/decrement nudge values. image-76.png The Follow Main Time Scale option at the bottom of the Nudge pop-up menu causes the nudge options to always correspond to the Main Time Scale. You can disable this option by deselecting it.
Trimming with Nudge
You can also use nudging to trim the start and end points of a clip.
Audition keys:
■6 = Pre-roll audition up to the selection In Point ■7 = Post-roll audition from the selection In Point ■8 = Pre-roll audition up to the selection Out Point 9 = Post-roll audition from the selection Out Point
Any of the following general properties can be stored in a memory location:
■A customized memory location name ■Zoom settings (horizontal and vertical screen magnification) ■Pre- and Post-roll times ■Track show/hide settings ■Track height settings ■Group enables ■Comments You can also invoke or save Window Configurations with memory locations.
To copy a Timeline selection to an Edit selection:
■Choose Edit > Selection > Change Edit To Match Timeline, or, if Commands Keyboard Focus mode is active, press the number 0 (alpha key zero).
Auditioning with Commands Keyboard Focus Mode Shortcuts
■Click the a-z button in the upper right corner of the Edit window, above the track playlist displays. ■Press Command+Option+1 (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt+1 (Windows). \With Commands Keyboard Focus mode enabled, keyboard keys 6, 7, 8, and 9 can be used to audition up to the selection start, from (after) the selection start, up to the selection end, and from (after) the selection end, respectively.
To recall a memory location, do one of the following:
■In the Memory Locations window, click on the desired memory location. ■In the Marker Ruler, click on the corresponding marker (marker memory locations only). ■On the numeric keypad, type a period, followed by the memory location number (1 through 999), followed by a second period. For example, for memory location 3, you would press: "[.] [3] [.]" The timeline location, Edit selection, and/or other memory location properties will instantly be recalled and displayed in the Edit window.
To nudge the start time of a selection:
■Press Option+Shift (Mac) or Alt+Shift (Windows) followed by one of the following: •The [+] (plus) key on the numeric keypad to nudge the start later by the current nudge increment. •The [-] (minus) key on the numeric keypad to nudge the start earlier by the current nudge increment.
To nudge an Edit selection:
■Press Shift followed by the [+] (plus) key on the numeric keypad to nudge the selection later by the current nudge increment. ■Press Shift followed by the [-] (minus) key on the numeric keypad to nudge the selection earlier by the current nudge increment. image-76.png Using the Shift modifier allows you to nudge the Edit selection independent from any selected clip or clips.
Using the Shift Command Like nudging, the Shift command is used to move track material forward or backward in time by a specified amount. The differences between Nudge and Shift are as follows:
■The Shift command allows you to specify a different offset each time you use it (using a dialog box), whereas nudging always uses the Nudge increment value. ■The Shift command will separate a clip at the selection boundaries if used on a partial clip, whereas nudging on a partial clip will simply move the selection, leaving the underlying media unchanged.
