Audio Arts Production I

Tips for recording and troubleshooting Pro Tools (ongoing!)

General setup

• Follow the signal path! If sound is not coming through from your mic to DAW to monitors, go step-by-step:
  • Start with the mic, is it plugged into the expected port/input in the wall or interface?
  • Is the audio interface showing any signal input? Is the LED strip/bulb lighting up at all?
  • Is it a condenser mic? Is phantom power/48v on? Is the PAD button pressed or lit up? (PAD lowers the volume, useful for HOT signals, can dampen others)...
  • Check the patchbay! Are the main room/ISO room channels corresponding to what you expect with the channel #'s on the interface inputs?
  • If yes to all of the above...move on to Pro Tools...

General setup

• Move to Pro Tools and debug:
  • Cmd + = (Hold Command and then press the equal key) - toggles the MIXER on/off
  • Check your input channels on your mixer...Is Input 1 from the patchbay matching Input 1 in Pro Tools? Or Input 2 -> Input 2?
  • Is your Master Fader set up properly? Is it going to Output 1-2 to your monitors?
  • Is the I button lit up to hear INPUT MONITORING?
  • If you cannot hear your tracks being played back is the I button OFF?

Importing Audio

• File>Import gives more control over sample rates, consistency in audio file characteristics. Also consolidates location of your imported files. It is SAFEST!
• You CAN drag and drop files into Pro Tools but unknowns can occur when saving your session to move to work elsewhere. It is highly advised (see: required) to use File>Import

Saving and Exporting

• Make sure your session has ALL of your files grouped! Audio Files are saved to the respective folder in your project.
• Use the Save Session Copy In option to gather ALL files to move to a new machine:
  • Make sure you check the Audio Files tickbox under Items to Copy in the save options.
  • Also check the Main Playlist Only tickbox under Items to Copy in the save options.
  • This is a failsafe if someone dragged and dropped audio files at some point, or an asset got moved to a new folder, or any number of changes. This takes ALL of your information/files/audio and puts them in one place!
• File>Bounce Mix gives you the ability to export your whole project as a single file (WAV, mono/stereo, etc.)
• Be sure to assign the proper format, and sample rate and bit depth, as well as file location.