Pro Tools 101 Review Questions with 100% Correct
Answers Graded A+
Name and describe five types of production tasks that Pro Tools can be used for
Audio Processing: recording of audio performances and stores them as files. Works
with audio that is stored electronically in digital format
MIDI Production: record and edit MIDI data. Captures performance event data. Devices
are involved.
Notation and Scores: ways to display and work with MIDI compositions in music
notation and printing capabilities.
Mixing and Automation: Controls signal routing, effects processing, signal levels,
panning, etc...
Audio for Video Post-Production: Import QuickTime movies or Avid video files and add
audio sound effects, music, Foley, and dialog.
What is the frequency range of human hearing?
20Hz to 20kHz - 1kHz = 1000Hz
What does the frequency of a sound wave affect in terms of how we perceive the
sound? How is frequency measured?
Frequency of a sound wave affects the pitch that we hear. The higher the Frequency
number, the higher the pitch. Frequency is measured in either cycles per second (CPS),
or Hertz (Hz). - 15000CPS = 15000Hz = 15kHz
What does the amplitude of the sound wave affect? How is amplitude measured?
Amplitude of the sound wave affects how loud it is. The higher the Amplitude, the louder
the sound. Amplitude is measured in decibels (dB)
How does the sample rate of a system relate to the frequency of audio it can
capture? What is the name of the law that specifies the relationship between
sample rate and audio frequency?
The higher the sample rate the more accurate representation to the frequency of
audio(sound). More sample rates = less chance for misrepresentation of audio
clips/wrong tones. The law that specifies the relationship between sample rate and
audio frequency is Nyquist Theorem or Sampling Theorem.
How does the bit depth of a system relate to the dynamic range of audio it can
capture? How can you estimate the dynamic range of a system?
The bit depth is the binary word length of a "sample". In order to know the dynamic
range of a "system", you would need to know the bit depth. You can estimate the
dynamic range of a system by multiplying the bit depth by 6. An 8-bit binary word x 6 =
48dB.
What are some common digital connections available on Pro Tools audio
interfaces? What type of connector jack does each use?
, S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface = RCA jacks(coaxial jacks)
AES/EBU (Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcast Union) = XLR-type
connectors.
Name some audio interfaces that are compatible with standard Pro Tools
software.
Pro Tools | Fast Track family
Pro Tools | Mbox family
Pro Tools | Eleven Rack
Name some audio interfaces that are compatible with Pro Tools HD software.
HD OMNI
HD I/O
HD MADI
Name some of the folders and files that Pro Tools creates as part of the session
hierarchy. Where is the session file (.ptx) stored?
Pro Tools Session > Pro Tools Session.ptx - WaveCache.wfm - Audio Files - Bounced
Files - Clip Groups - Session File Backups - Video Files
The session file.ptx is stored inside the session folder of the same name
What is the WaveCache.wfm file used for? What happens if the WaveCache file
gets deleted or goes missing?
Stores all waveform display data for audio in the session
The session may open more slowly if the WaveCache file gets deleted or goes missing
Where are audio files stored in the session hierarchy?
Each recording is stored separate with their audio corresponding "audio files" folder
Where are Pro Tools' MIDI files normally stored?
Within the Pro Tools session
Which component should you turn on first when powering up a Pro Tools
system? Which component should you turn on last?
External hard drives that require external power should be turned on first
Audio monitoring systems should be turned on last
What type of processing does the Hardware Buffer Size affect? What type of
processing does it not affect?
Higher buffer size less load but more latency - low latency domain. Not - playback
tracks and plug ins. Max buffer size lessens the load on cpu
Affects monitor latency - does not affect dsp processing
What kinds of commands can be found under the Pro Tools view menu? How
does the View menu differ from the Window menu?
File, Edit, View, Track, Clip, Event, AudioSuite, Options, Setup, Window, marketplace,
Help
View = Affects the display within Pro Tools windows, tracks, and clips
Window = Displays various Pro Tools windows
What kinds of commands can be found under the Pro Tools Options menu? How
does the Options menu differ from the Setup menu?
Toggle on/off Editing, Recording, Monitoring, Playback, and Display, Loop, pre/post roll,
Dynamic Transport mode, scrolling options
Setup = configure of various Pro Tools hardware and software parameters
Answers Graded A+
Name and describe five types of production tasks that Pro Tools can be used for
Audio Processing: recording of audio performances and stores them as files. Works
with audio that is stored electronically in digital format
MIDI Production: record and edit MIDI data. Captures performance event data. Devices
are involved.
Notation and Scores: ways to display and work with MIDI compositions in music
notation and printing capabilities.
Mixing and Automation: Controls signal routing, effects processing, signal levels,
panning, etc...
Audio for Video Post-Production: Import QuickTime movies or Avid video files and add
audio sound effects, music, Foley, and dialog.
What is the frequency range of human hearing?
20Hz to 20kHz - 1kHz = 1000Hz
What does the frequency of a sound wave affect in terms of how we perceive the
sound? How is frequency measured?
Frequency of a sound wave affects the pitch that we hear. The higher the Frequency
number, the higher the pitch. Frequency is measured in either cycles per second (CPS),
or Hertz (Hz). - 15000CPS = 15000Hz = 15kHz
What does the amplitude of the sound wave affect? How is amplitude measured?
Amplitude of the sound wave affects how loud it is. The higher the Amplitude, the louder
the sound. Amplitude is measured in decibels (dB)
How does the sample rate of a system relate to the frequency of audio it can
capture? What is the name of the law that specifies the relationship between
sample rate and audio frequency?
The higher the sample rate the more accurate representation to the frequency of
audio(sound). More sample rates = less chance for misrepresentation of audio
clips/wrong tones. The law that specifies the relationship between sample rate and
audio frequency is Nyquist Theorem or Sampling Theorem.
How does the bit depth of a system relate to the dynamic range of audio it can
capture? How can you estimate the dynamic range of a system?
The bit depth is the binary word length of a "sample". In order to know the dynamic
range of a "system", you would need to know the bit depth. You can estimate the
dynamic range of a system by multiplying the bit depth by 6. An 8-bit binary word x 6 =
48dB.
What are some common digital connections available on Pro Tools audio
interfaces? What type of connector jack does each use?
, S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface = RCA jacks(coaxial jacks)
AES/EBU (Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcast Union) = XLR-type
connectors.
Name some audio interfaces that are compatible with standard Pro Tools
software.
Pro Tools | Fast Track family
Pro Tools | Mbox family
Pro Tools | Eleven Rack
Name some audio interfaces that are compatible with Pro Tools HD software.
HD OMNI
HD I/O
HD MADI
Name some of the folders and files that Pro Tools creates as part of the session
hierarchy. Where is the session file (.ptx) stored?
Pro Tools Session > Pro Tools Session.ptx - WaveCache.wfm - Audio Files - Bounced
Files - Clip Groups - Session File Backups - Video Files
The session file.ptx is stored inside the session folder of the same name
What is the WaveCache.wfm file used for? What happens if the WaveCache file
gets deleted or goes missing?
Stores all waveform display data for audio in the session
The session may open more slowly if the WaveCache file gets deleted or goes missing
Where are audio files stored in the session hierarchy?
Each recording is stored separate with their audio corresponding "audio files" folder
Where are Pro Tools' MIDI files normally stored?
Within the Pro Tools session
Which component should you turn on first when powering up a Pro Tools
system? Which component should you turn on last?
External hard drives that require external power should be turned on first
Audio monitoring systems should be turned on last
What type of processing does the Hardware Buffer Size affect? What type of
processing does it not affect?
Higher buffer size less load but more latency - low latency domain. Not - playback
tracks and plug ins. Max buffer size lessens the load on cpu
Affects monitor latency - does not affect dsp processing
What kinds of commands can be found under the Pro Tools view menu? How
does the View menu differ from the Window menu?
File, Edit, View, Track, Clip, Event, AudioSuite, Options, Setup, Window, marketplace,
Help
View = Affects the display within Pro Tools windows, tracks, and clips
Window = Displays various Pro Tools windows
What kinds of commands can be found under the Pro Tools Options menu? How
does the Options menu differ from the Setup menu?
Toggle on/off Editing, Recording, Monitoring, Playback, and Display, Loop, pre/post roll,
Dynamic Transport mode, scrolling options
Setup = configure of various Pro Tools hardware and software parameters
