Pro Tools 210M CH 9x
What are the main differences between the Manual Write commands in the Automation window and the Write commands found in the Edit > Automation menu?
- Automation Window Write Commands - Accessed in the Automation window - Dedicated button cluster in automation window - Generally used while writing automation during playback - Write automation to all parameters that are currently writing (or isolated in Preview mode) - not active if automation is suspended - will only write to tracks in a write, latch, touch, or touch/latch mode - Edit Menu Write Commands - Accessed from the Edit > Automation menu - Can be used in stop or during playback - Only write to parameters on tracks containing an Edit selection - Only write within the Edit selection - Are automation playlist edit commands; therefore unaffected by track automation modes - Can write while automation is suspended
Why is it a good idea to organize your sessions before starting to mix? What are some techniques you can use to organize a session?
- For quick and efficient access - Order tracks so that similar tracks are adjacent to each other and progress logically from left to right - Use clear, concise track names and track comments - Color-code tracks, clips, and markers using easy-to-understand rules - Create logical submixes for related groups of tracks - Create memory locations and window configurations for showing/hiding tracks, displaying plug-ins, recalling selections, etc. - Show track numbers in track nameplates (View > Track Numbers) to simplify navigation and help you stay oriented - Use the Scroll to Track functionality (Track > Scroll to Track) to easily to a desired track position by track number
How is using Preview with the Manual Write to All command different from using Preview with the Write to All Enabled command? What are some considerations that apply to each?
- Manual Write To All - Every parameter changed in Preview mode is written at its current level to the Timeline selection. - If you've changed parameters on more than one track, automation is written on each. - does not write breakpoints to all parameters; untouched parameters remain 'free- floating' - Some mixer changes you make later, on another part, could change the way the track sounds during the section you wrote - Write To All Enabled - anchors all parameters at the selection boundaries, including untouched parameters - Every enabled mixer/plug-in parameter (whether moved or not) is written at its current level to the Edit selection.- If you've changed parameters on more than one track, the Edit selection must include those tracks to write to them. - Guarantees that the section will always sound the same, regardless of subsequent changes elsewhere in the timeline - Risks overwriting dynamic automation within the selection
What are the two families of Write commands that Pro Tools provides for creating static automation?
- Manual Write and Write on Stop buttons in the Automation window - Write to Current and Write to All Enabled commands in the Edit menu
Is the effect of the Write commands in the Edit menu limited to automation playlists that are currently writing automation?
- No, they are unaffected by track automation modes
What are two ways to use Punch Preview for automating sections of a session?
- Punch-in During Playback - Cue Up and Punch
What are some reasons you might want to set up your mix for recording stems? How are recorded stems useful in a music production environment?
- Stems can be used to easily rebalance the mix at a later stage. - Time-based effects can be recorded separate from the "dry" stems, allowing for later balancing of the wet/dry signals without needing a complete remix. - Stems can be used to create a radio edit, making it easier to remove song sections or create "clean" vocal mixes. - When using outboard gear, the processing can be captured in the stems, saving setup time and eliminating recall issues for remixes.- Stems created from tracks with virtual instruments are future-proofed against plug-in incompatibility, expired authorizations, and manufacturing/technology changes. - Stems can be used to create remixes using any DAW. - Advantages of submixing to stems - Large mixes are simplified and broken down to manageable chunks. - Decisions about the balance between lead and background vocals; the relative levels of guitars, bass, and drums; and global effects processing can be left until the end of the project. - Processing can be applied to sections of the mix as groups. For example, compression can be applied to the entire drum kit. - Submixes can easily be recorded as separate stereo stems.
Give some examples of how submixing is useful for music production mixing?
- Submixes are useful in music production to adjust the overall mix from a small set of faders. - You can balance the relative levels of vocals, guitars, drums, etc. using just the submix Aux Inputs.
What are some situations where you might use Trim automation? What color is used to display Trim automation playlists?
- To adjust overall levels without losing existing automation - Useful for adjusting the balance of existing automation at certain points in the mix (or across the whole mix) - Trim graph is Yellow, main volume graph is Black, composite graph (audible result) is Blue
What is the Pan Depth setting used for in Pro Tools? Where can you select the desired Pan Depth setting?
- To prevent increase in amplitude, Pro Tools attenuates the center position of its pan controls - To set the pan depth, open the Session Setup window (Setup > Session) and select the desired option from the Pan Depth selector
What are the advantages of using Preview mode compared to using the Suspend function for automation?
- Use Preview Mode to configure mixer and plug-in settings without disturbing the existing mix - Isolated parameters do not play back or write automation; remain un-automated until exiting Preview mode or invoking a Write command - Allows you to experiment with mixer and plug-in settings - Previous mix can be recovered by exiting Preview, or you can write the previewed settings as automation
What automation playlists are affected by the Write To Current command? What automation playlists are affected by the Write To All Enabled command?
- Write To Current - Writes settings to the currently displayed automation playlists within the edit selection - Write To All Enabled - Writes settings to all automation parameters within the edit selection, unless disabled in the Automation window
What does coalescing Trim automation do? What are some different ways to coalesce Trim automation?
- Writes the Trim changes to the main automation playlist - Results in the main automation graph becoming identical to the blue composite graph - After coalescing, the Trim playlist resets to a flat 0dB graph - After Every Pass—Automatically coalesces when transport stops at the end of an automation pass. - On Exiting Trim Mode—Trim moves stay in the Trim playlist until taking the track out of Trim mode. - Manually—Trim moves stay in the Trim playlist until committed with the Track > Coalesce Trim Automation command.
What two methods can you use to assign source tracks to Aux Input tracks for submixing?
- You can manually configure by assigning outputs to busses, then creating and assigning the required aux tracks. - or you can use the route track functionality from the source track output selectors
The Pan Law states that any audio signal of equal amplitude and phase that is played in both channels of a stereo system will increase the loudness by up to_____________ dB (subject to the accuracy of the monitoring system and room acoustics).
6.02
The Preview automation feature is activated via the:
Automation Enable Window
Which of the following quick keys will write automation to the currently displayed graph?
Command + /
T/F The Write to Current command can write to multiple parameters per track.
False
Regarding the Edit Menu>Automation>Write to All Enabled command
It only writes parameters that are currently writing
Which of the following lets you set the pan depth in a Pro Tools session?
Session Set Up WIndow
How can you set up your Pro Tools session to automatically coalesce trim automation after every pass?
This feature may be activated in the mixing tab of the Preferences.
Which menu allows you to manually coalesce trim automation?
Track
T/F The Write to Current command writes automation even if a tracks' automation mode is set to off.
True
What is represented by the Black graph shown below?
Volume Automation
Under what conditions can you freely change a parameter setting and have the control stay where you leave it during playback?
When Preview mode is active When automation is suspended using the suspend button in the automation enable window
The Write to All command in the Automation Enable window can only be used:
When the transport is playing back
What does the Coalesce Trim Automation command do?
Writes the effects of trim automation to the volume playlist, and clears the trim automation playlist
What color is used to display the trim automation graph?
Yellow
How are recorded stems useful in a music production environment?
it allows for additional mixing and processing after the fact you can send out stems of the session and if the client needs to do things like radio edit or karaoke mix they can easily do that, also they can change the levels of the mix later if need be.
Give two examples of how submixing is useful for music production mixing.
it allows you to control groups of instruments with one fader also you can apply processing to a sub aux and it is applied to all the members of that sub mix, it also saves you from having to put a send on every track in the case of doing things like ny compression
Describe two methods you can use to assign source tracks to Aux Input tracks for submixing.
manually create and assign the busses and aux tracks to accomplish the submix. or you can use the new track function where you select the tracks you want to be included then option shift click the output and choose new track.