Pro Tools 210 Book Questions
Under what conditions would you need to use MIDI Studio Setup (MSS) or Audio MIDI
Setup
(AMS)? What is the difference between MSS and AMS? **** MIDI Studio Setup
configures Windows computers to recognise connected MIDI coltrollers and sound
modules. Routing of MIDI data to and from PT.
Audio MIDI setup is Mac-Based that serves the same purpose as MSS on Windows.
Configure Mac computer to recognise MIDI equipment and your PT system.
Both: Custom name, for each MIDI device and identify the port(s) and channel(s) that
each device uses.
Why is it important to ensure that each MIDI device in a daisy-chained setup uses
unique channels for its MIDI signals? **** You can keep signals separate while
sharing the same port. Each device must be capable of sending and receiving MIDI
data on multiple MIDI channels (multi-timbral instruments).
What two signal flow systems are involved when working with MIDI instruments? ****
Control Signal (MIDI data), and Audio Signal
What is MIDI Beat Clock? How many pulses does it provide per quarter note? ****
MIDI Beat Clock is a synchronization signal that contains timing pulses based on a
tempo, 24 pulses per quarter note.
What feature can you use to synchronize Pro Tools playback with the playback from
other music apps running on your computer or on other devices? **** Ableton Link is
a sync tech developed by Ableton that keeps multiple applications in time with one
another. Syncs musical beat, tempo, and phrase connected over a local area network.
Start/Stop commands can also be shared across applications. PT 2020.9 or later. In
Edit window toolbar or transport window.
Where can you see the number of currently connected Ableton Link peers? What is
required for apps on other devices to be available as connected peers in Pro Tools?
**** Connected Peers Indicator - to the right of the start/stop sync button showing the
number of connected peers (linked-enabled applications running on any device on the
network or running on the same computer as pro tools).
What are some advantages of routing the audio from your hardware MIDI instruments
and external apps through the Pro Tools mixer? **** Record or render at any time,
audio signals are managed in a single integrated environment, use plugins, automation,
mixer settings will be stored and saved in the session file.
Describe two ways to change a song's start time. **** In the Bars|Beats tempo ruler
drag the song start marker (red diamond) to the right.
,Does not affect sample-based material,
Manually dragging the session Song Start Marker to a new location affects the timing of
all data and clips on what types of tracks? **** only tick-based content.
What modifier would you hold to add a Meter Change by clicking on the Meter ruler?
**** Control(Start)-click in the meter ruler.
Other options include: Add meter change button "+" symbol at the head of the meter
ruler
Double click Current Meter button in the Transport Window
When might you want to use the Time Operations window rather than the Meter Change
window to insert a meter change? **** Meter changes only give you the option to
enter a location and time signature for the event.
Event>Time Operations>Change Meter
Time Operations window gives you the option to change time signature, location,
repeated rhythm you would want the click track to play, a selected range (to selected
range, session end, or until the next bar).
Option to realign the Meter ruler only, or to the meter, tempo, key, and chord rulers, tick-
based markers & tracks.
Within that choose between changing the location of sample based markers and tracks.
The Time Operations window also has Insert Time and Cut Time pages (chapter 8)
What is the purpose of the Identify Beat command? What condition would cause the
Identify Beat command to be grayed out in the Event menu? **** Event>Identify
Beat
Lets you specify how long a performance is in bars and beats, allows PT to realign the
Bar|Beat grid accordingly. Tempo Ruler is updated accordingly.
The Tempo ruler must be enabled (edit or transport window) for the Identify Beat
function to be available. Identify beat function grayed out = when you are in manual
tempo mode
What dialog box allows you to import tracks from another session to reuse in the current
session? How would you go about specifying the attributes to import with the selected
tracks? **** Import Session Data. In the dialogue box there are options to import
specific tracks and other data.
What is the purpose of saving Track Presets? How would you go about specifying the
attributes to save with a Track Preset? **** Track Presets enable you to save
tracks/groups of tracks as preset configs.
Track Data To Recall button: Include Audio and MIDI Clips checkbox, Clips in Edit
Selection Only Checkbox, Auto-Populate Tags from Track Data checkbox, Tags Field,
Track Data to Recall button.
, How would you go about recalling the plug-ins from a Track Preset for use as an effects
chain on an existing track in your session? **** Right click on a track and select
Recall Inserts>[preset name]
Click on an Insert/send selector and do the same
How can you assign MIDI controls to plug-in parameters? What kind of message is
used for this process? **** *MIDI CC (Continuous Controllers) messages
Fixed CC Assignments: some parameters are programmed to respond to CC
messages. Configure controls on MIDI keyboard or surface to transmit using the correct
controller number.
Editable/Learnable CC assignments: Parameters can be assigned to any CC code,
removed the need to edit hardware controller or keyboard. Learn Mode can allow a
parameter to pick up and follow the next incoming MIDI controller message.
How can you record the control data used to modify virtual instrument parameters?
What must you do to record control data to a MIDI clip in a subsequent record pass?
**** To record MIDI CC data for a virtual instrument plug-in: Right click parameter,
choose Learn MIDI CC, Record-enable MIDI/Instrument track containing the target
virtual instrument. Then move the parameter you wish to assign to the plugin parameter
and the plugin will respond in accordance with the hardware control (this confirms the
CC device is correctly assigned). Then record.
Subsequent MIDI CC graphs can be recorded during the original performance pass or
they can be merged into the performance on a subsequent record pass.
What are some differences between Pro Tools automation and MIDI CC data? ****
Similarities: Instrument tracks are able to record both standard Pro Tools Automation
and MIDI CC Data. They both appear as graphs in playlist.
Differences:
- CC Data is recorded the same way as MIDI notes or audio rather than automation
writing modes.
- CC data can't be recorded by moving a virtual instrument parameter with the mouse
during a record pass (only recorded from MIDI controller device)
- CC data is written into MIDI clips, each Edit playlist has its own CC event graph for
each parameter (only one Pro Tools automation playlist exists for each automatable
parameter on a track)
- CC event graphs are static between breakpoints - stepped graph as values change
(PT automation is vector based).
- CC data has lower resolution and timing accuracy than Pro Tools automation
-Parameters on CC event graphs are not locked to the graph; the parameters only
update where CC events exist. As a result, you can move the parameter freely outside
of areas that have been recorded. This can cause inconsistencies with playback from
one pass to the next, especially when moving the playhead between areas with different
static CC levels.
How can you configure Pro Tools to write plug-in automation for virtual instrument
parameters while completing a MIDI record pass? What are the advantages and
Under what conditions would you need to use MIDI Studio Setup (MSS) or Audio MIDI
Setup
(AMS)? What is the difference between MSS and AMS? **** MIDI Studio Setup
configures Windows computers to recognise connected MIDI coltrollers and sound
modules. Routing of MIDI data to and from PT.
Audio MIDI setup is Mac-Based that serves the same purpose as MSS on Windows.
Configure Mac computer to recognise MIDI equipment and your PT system.
Both: Custom name, for each MIDI device and identify the port(s) and channel(s) that
each device uses.
Why is it important to ensure that each MIDI device in a daisy-chained setup uses
unique channels for its MIDI signals? **** You can keep signals separate while
sharing the same port. Each device must be capable of sending and receiving MIDI
data on multiple MIDI channels (multi-timbral instruments).
What two signal flow systems are involved when working with MIDI instruments? ****
Control Signal (MIDI data), and Audio Signal
What is MIDI Beat Clock? How many pulses does it provide per quarter note? ****
MIDI Beat Clock is a synchronization signal that contains timing pulses based on a
tempo, 24 pulses per quarter note.
What feature can you use to synchronize Pro Tools playback with the playback from
other music apps running on your computer or on other devices? **** Ableton Link is
a sync tech developed by Ableton that keeps multiple applications in time with one
another. Syncs musical beat, tempo, and phrase connected over a local area network.
Start/Stop commands can also be shared across applications. PT 2020.9 or later. In
Edit window toolbar or transport window.
Where can you see the number of currently connected Ableton Link peers? What is
required for apps on other devices to be available as connected peers in Pro Tools?
**** Connected Peers Indicator - to the right of the start/stop sync button showing the
number of connected peers (linked-enabled applications running on any device on the
network or running on the same computer as pro tools).
What are some advantages of routing the audio from your hardware MIDI instruments
and external apps through the Pro Tools mixer? **** Record or render at any time,
audio signals are managed in a single integrated environment, use plugins, automation,
mixer settings will be stored and saved in the session file.
Describe two ways to change a song's start time. **** In the Bars|Beats tempo ruler
drag the song start marker (red diamond) to the right.
,Does not affect sample-based material,
Manually dragging the session Song Start Marker to a new location affects the timing of
all data and clips on what types of tracks? **** only tick-based content.
What modifier would you hold to add a Meter Change by clicking on the Meter ruler?
**** Control(Start)-click in the meter ruler.
Other options include: Add meter change button "+" symbol at the head of the meter
ruler
Double click Current Meter button in the Transport Window
When might you want to use the Time Operations window rather than the Meter Change
window to insert a meter change? **** Meter changes only give you the option to
enter a location and time signature for the event.
Event>Time Operations>Change Meter
Time Operations window gives you the option to change time signature, location,
repeated rhythm you would want the click track to play, a selected range (to selected
range, session end, or until the next bar).
Option to realign the Meter ruler only, or to the meter, tempo, key, and chord rulers, tick-
based markers & tracks.
Within that choose between changing the location of sample based markers and tracks.
The Time Operations window also has Insert Time and Cut Time pages (chapter 8)
What is the purpose of the Identify Beat command? What condition would cause the
Identify Beat command to be grayed out in the Event menu? **** Event>Identify
Beat
Lets you specify how long a performance is in bars and beats, allows PT to realign the
Bar|Beat grid accordingly. Tempo Ruler is updated accordingly.
The Tempo ruler must be enabled (edit or transport window) for the Identify Beat
function to be available. Identify beat function grayed out = when you are in manual
tempo mode
What dialog box allows you to import tracks from another session to reuse in the current
session? How would you go about specifying the attributes to import with the selected
tracks? **** Import Session Data. In the dialogue box there are options to import
specific tracks and other data.
What is the purpose of saving Track Presets? How would you go about specifying the
attributes to save with a Track Preset? **** Track Presets enable you to save
tracks/groups of tracks as preset configs.
Track Data To Recall button: Include Audio and MIDI Clips checkbox, Clips in Edit
Selection Only Checkbox, Auto-Populate Tags from Track Data checkbox, Tags Field,
Track Data to Recall button.
, How would you go about recalling the plug-ins from a Track Preset for use as an effects
chain on an existing track in your session? **** Right click on a track and select
Recall Inserts>[preset name]
Click on an Insert/send selector and do the same
How can you assign MIDI controls to plug-in parameters? What kind of message is
used for this process? **** *MIDI CC (Continuous Controllers) messages
Fixed CC Assignments: some parameters are programmed to respond to CC
messages. Configure controls on MIDI keyboard or surface to transmit using the correct
controller number.
Editable/Learnable CC assignments: Parameters can be assigned to any CC code,
removed the need to edit hardware controller or keyboard. Learn Mode can allow a
parameter to pick up and follow the next incoming MIDI controller message.
How can you record the control data used to modify virtual instrument parameters?
What must you do to record control data to a MIDI clip in a subsequent record pass?
**** To record MIDI CC data for a virtual instrument plug-in: Right click parameter,
choose Learn MIDI CC, Record-enable MIDI/Instrument track containing the target
virtual instrument. Then move the parameter you wish to assign to the plugin parameter
and the plugin will respond in accordance with the hardware control (this confirms the
CC device is correctly assigned). Then record.
Subsequent MIDI CC graphs can be recorded during the original performance pass or
they can be merged into the performance on a subsequent record pass.
What are some differences between Pro Tools automation and MIDI CC data? ****
Similarities: Instrument tracks are able to record both standard Pro Tools Automation
and MIDI CC Data. They both appear as graphs in playlist.
Differences:
- CC Data is recorded the same way as MIDI notes or audio rather than automation
writing modes.
- CC data can't be recorded by moving a virtual instrument parameter with the mouse
during a record pass (only recorded from MIDI controller device)
- CC data is written into MIDI clips, each Edit playlist has its own CC event graph for
each parameter (only one Pro Tools automation playlist exists for each automatable
parameter on a track)
- CC event graphs are static between breakpoints - stepped graph as values change
(PT automation is vector based).
- CC data has lower resolution and timing accuracy than Pro Tools automation
-Parameters on CC event graphs are not locked to the graph; the parameters only
update where CC events exist. As a result, you can move the parameter freely outside
of areas that have been recorded. This can cause inconsistencies with playback from
one pass to the next, especially when moving the playhead between areas with different
static CC levels.
How can you configure Pro Tools to write plug-in automation for virtual instrument
parameters while completing a MIDI record pass? What are the advantages and
