Very Basic Protools How To

 Protools How To

This handout is meant to give a very brief overview of how to use the basic features of Protools to build a new session, get audio into the session from Dat tape, import a QuickTime movie, and then output (Bounce) your session into a useable file format.

    1. Open Protools by clicking on the Protools icon located on the dock.
    2. Once in Protools go to File → NewSession.
    3. Copy the following settings into your NewSession window.
                              
It is very important to create a new folder with your name on it and to save the Protools session inside this folder. Protools has a certain file hierarchy that it needs to maintain so good file management on your part is key.
    4. Once your session is open the first thing you will want to do is add tracks to it. To do 
    this go to Tracks→ New. This will present you with a dialogue box asking what type 
    of tracks and how many of them you whish to add to your session. For the purpose of 
    this demo first add two Mono Audio tracks.
                         

    Then add one Master Fader track.
                         
 

    5. In the Mix window set the inputs on the mono audio tracks as follows. Change the 
    input on track one to “S/PDIF L (mono)” by selecting it from the drop menu. Then 
    change the input on track two to “S/PDIF R (mono)”.
                                     

    6. Also in the Mix window, in order to preserve the stereo image of your recording pan 
    track one 100% to the left and pan track 2 100% to the right. Then double click into 
    the Track Name field (pictured above as Audio 1 and Audio 2). Change the names of 
    these fields to reflect what audio will be recorded into the track. Doing this will apply 
    the same name to all audio clips recorded to this track and will help you out a ton in 
    the future. Then double click below this field and enter any and all comments relevant 
    to the track in the Comments Field. Adding Track Names and Comment can be a huge 
    help when you start working with larger sessions.

    7. To record from the Dat deck press the record button on tracks one and two to Arm the 
    record function. 
                                                    
    Then Arm the record button on the Transport.
                           
    Press play on the Transport and then set your Dat tape playing and the audio should 
    transfer.

    8. You can import a quick time movie into Protools by going to File→ Import→ Video.
    This will enable you to edit your audio to a visual reference and to re-sync 
    recorded audio to video.  

    9. To use the audio you have edited in Protools it needs to be exported or Bounced. You 
    will need to use different Bounce settings for different applications. I will include 
    the Bounce settings for importing your files into Final Cut Pro and for making an audio CD.

    10. To Bounce for Final Cut Pro got to File→ Bounce To→ Disk and copy the following 
    setting into the Bounce window.
                                           
    This will output two separate audio tracks one for the left channel and one for the 
    right channel that can be imported into Final Cut Pro.

    11. To Bounce for an audio CD got to File→ Bounce To→ Disk and copy the following 
    setting into the Bounce window.
                                         
This will create one audio file that can be burned to a CD-R to create a playable CD.