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Pro Tools All-in-One For Dummies®
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Pro Tools All-in-One For Dummies®
by Jeff Strong
Pro Tools All-In-One For Dummies, 4th Edition
Cover
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Book 1: Getting Started with Pro Tools
Chapter 1: Discovering What You Need
Eyeing the Big Picture
Piping the Music into Pro Tools
Meeting the Mixer
Managing the MIDI Controller
Recognizing the Recorder
Signing On to Signal Processors
Making Sense of Monitors
Mastering Media
Chapter 2: Configuring Your Computer
Using Pro Tools on a Mac
Using Pro Tools on a PC
Keeping Bugs at Bay: Good Habits to Get Into
Chapter 3: Choosing and Setting Up Your Hardware
Examining Audio Interface Specifications
Exploring Some Popular Audio Interfaces
Exploring Avid’s Eleven Rack
Connecting Your Audio Interface
Chapter 4: Examining Software Basics
Keeping Software Straight
Getting Set Up
Dealing with Sessions
Getting to Know Audio and MIDI Files
Book 2: Understanding Recording Basics
Chapter 1: Getting Connected: Setting Up Your Studio
Understanding Analog Connections
Delving In to Digital Connections
Working Efficiently in Your Studio
Optimizing Your Studio
Chapter 2: Understanding Signal Flow
Meeting the Many Mixer Types
Understanding Mixer Basics
Routing/Busing Signals
Deciphering Output Jacks
Making Life Easier with a Patch Bay
Chapter 3: Understanding the Pro Tools Windows
Tackling the Transport Window
Examining the Edit Window
Managing the Mix Window
Working with Window Configurations
Chapter 4: Importing and Exporting Files
Importing into a Session
Exporting from a Session
Managing Files
Book 3: Recording Live Audio and Acoustic Instruments
Chapter 1: Taking Care of Tracks
Understanding Tracks in Pro Tools
Setting Up Tracks
Altering Your View of Tracks
Grouping Tracks
Soloing and Muting
Managing Track Voices
Chapter 2: Understanding Microphones
Meeting the Many Microphone Types
Assessing Your Microphone Needs
Deciding How Many Microphones and What Kind
Finding the Right Mic for the Situation
Partnering Mics with Preamps
Considering Compressors
Looking at Preamp, Compressor, and Equalizer Combos
Analyzing Some Microphone Accessories
Caring for Your Microphones
Chapter 3: Miking: Getting a Great Source Sound
Tracing Typical Microphone Techniques
Taming Transients
Setting Up Your Mics: Some Suggestions
Chapter 4: Preparing to Record
Recognizing Record Modes
Dealing with Disk Allocation
Enabling Recording
Setting Levels
Setting a Record Range
Monitoring Your Tracks
Creating a Click Track
Chapter 5: Recording Audio
Recording Tracks
Playing Back Your Tracks
Doing Additional Takes
Getting Rid of Unwanted Takes
Book 4: Recording Electronic Instruments with MIDI
Chapter 1: Understanding Electronic Instruments and MIDI
Meeting MIDI
Getting Started with MIDI
Chapter 2: Preparing to Record MIDI
Setting Up Your MIDI Devices
Getting Ready to Record
Chapter 3: Recording Electronic Instruments with MIDI
Recording MIDI Performances
Playing Back Your Tracks
Getting Rid of Unwanted Takes
Overdubbing MIDI Performances
Recording System-Exclusive Data
Book 5: Editing Your Performances (Audio and MIDI)
Chapter 1: Audio Editing Basics
Understanding Pro Tools Editing
Getting to Know Clip Types
Viewing Clips
Understanding Edit Modes
Working (Okay, Playing) with Playlists
Using the Audio Clips List
Managing Undos
Chapter 2: Selecting Material to Edit
Selecting Track Material
Making Changes to Your Selection
Managing Memory Locations
Playing Selected Material
Chapter 3: Getting into Editing
Editing Clips
Examining Edit Commands
Exploring Elastic Audio
Chapter 4: Adding to Your Audio Editing Palette
Signing On to the Smart Tool
Perusing the Pencil Tool
Silencing Selections
Performing Fades and Crossfades
Cleaning Up Your Session
Chapter 5: Editing MIDI Data
Working with MIDI and Instrument Tracks
Dealing with Note Chasing
Editing MIDI in the Edit Window
Exploring MIDI Events
Chapter 6: Performing MIDI Operations
Getting Used to the MIDI Operations Window
Performing MIDI Event Operations
Recognizing MIDI Real-Time Properties
Book 6: Mixing
Chapter 1: Mixing Basics
Understanding Mixing
Managing Levels as You Work
Getting Started Mixing Your Song
Mixing In Pro Tools
Using the Stereo Field
Adjusting Levels: Enhancing the Emotion of the Song
Tuning Your Ears
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Mix
Revisiting the Mix Window
Getting to Know Signal Flow
Rounding Out Your Routing
Accessing Output Windows
Playing with Plug-ins
Processing with External Effects
Chapter 3: Using Equalization
Exploring Equalization
Dialing In EQ
Equalizing Your Tracks
Chapter 4: Digging into Dynamics Processors
Connecting Dynamics Processors
Introducing Compressors
Looking into Limiters
Introducing Gates and Expanders
Detailing the De-Esser
Setting Up Side Chains
Chapter 5: Singling Out Signal Processors
Routing Your Effects
Rolling Out the Reverb
Detailing Delay
Creating Chorus Effects
Chapter 6: Automating Your Mix
Understanding Automation
Accessing Automation Modes
Setting Automation Preferences
Enabling Automation
Writing Automation
Viewing Automation
Drawing Automation
Thinning Automation
Editing Automation Data
Chapter 7: Making Your Mix
Submixing by Recording to Tracks
Mixing in-the-Box
Using an External Master Deck
Book 7: Mastering
Chapter 1: Mastering Basics
Demystifying Mastering
Getting Ready to Master
Paying a Pro, or Doing It Yourself
Hiring a Professional Mastering Engineer
Chapter 2: Mastering Your Music
Considering General Guidelines
Setting Up a Mastering Session
Optimizing Dynamics
Perfecting Tonal Balance
Balancing Levels
Mastering Your Mix
Sequencing Your Songs
Book 8: Getting Your Music to the Masses
Chapter 1: Putting Your Music on CD and Vinyl
Getting into CD Burning
Purchasing CD-Rs
Recording Your Music to CD-R
Making Multiple Copies
Pressing Vinyl
Promoting Your Music
Chapter 2: Getting Your Music on the Internet
Understanding Downloadable Music Files
Creating MP3 Files
Setting Up Your Own Music Website
Putting Your Music on a Music Host Site
Engaging in Social Media Networking
Offering Free Downloads
Selling Your Music Digitally
Licensing Your Music
Podcasting
Selling Your CDs
Promoting Your Music
Connecting with an Email Newsletter
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
Index
End User License Agreement
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Introduction
Pro Tools All-in-One For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to
www.dummies.com
and search for “Pro Tools All-in-One For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Book 1: Getting Started with Pro Tools
Chapter 1: Discovering What You Need
Eyeing the Big Picture
Piping the Music into Pro Tools
Meeting the Mixer
Managing the MIDI Controller
Recognizing the Recorder
Signing On to Signal Processors
Making Sense of Monitors
Mastering Media
Chapter 2: Configuring Your Computer
Using Pro Tools on a Mac
Using Pro Tools on a PC
Keeping Bugs at Bay: Good Habits to Get Into
Chapter 3: Choosing and Setting Up Your Hardware
Examining Audio Interface Specifications
Exploring Some Popular Audio Interfaces
Exploring Avid’s Eleven Rack
Connecting Your Audio Interface
Chapter 4: Examining Software Basics
Keeping Software Straight
Getting Set Up
Dealing with Sessions
Getting to Know Audio and MIDI Files
Book 2: Understanding Recording Basics
Chapter 1: Getting Connected: Setting Up Your Studio
Understanding Analog Connections
Delving In to Digital Connections
Working Efficiently in Your Studio
Optimizing Your Studio
Chapter 2: Understanding Signal Flow
Meeting the Many Mixer Types
Understanding Mixer Basics
Routing/Busing Signals
Deciphering Output Jacks
Making Life Easier with a Patch Bay
Chapter 3: Understanding the Pro Tools Windows
Tackling the Transport Window
Examining the Edit Window
Managing the Mix Window
Working with Window Configurations
Chapter 4: Importing and Exporting Files
Importing into a Session
Exporting from a Session
Managing Files
Book 3: Recording Live Audio and Acoustic Instruments
Chapter 1: Taking Care of Tracks
Understanding Tracks in Pro Tools
Setting Up Tracks
Altering Your View of Tracks
Grouping Tracks
Soloing and Muting
Managing Track Voices
Chapter 2: Understanding Microphones
Meeting the Many Microphone Types
Assessing Your Microphone Needs
Deciding How Many Microphones and What Kind
Finding the Right Mic for the Situation
Partnering Mics with Preamps
Considering Compressors
Looking at Preamp, Compressor, and Equalizer Combos
Analyzing Some Microphone Accessories
Caring for Your Microphones
Chapter 3: Miking: Getting a Great Source Sound
Tracing Typical Microphone Techniques
Taming Transients
Setting Up Your Mics: Some Suggestions
Chapter 4: Preparing to Record
Recognizing Record Modes
Dealing with Disk Allocation
Enabling Recording
Setting Levels
Setting a Record Range
Monitoring Your Tracks
Creating a Click Track
Chapter 5: Recording Audio
Recording Tracks
Playing Back Your Tracks
Doing Additional Takes
Getting Rid of Unwanted Takes
Book 4: Recording Electronic Instruments with MIDI
Chapter 1: Understanding Electronic Instruments and MIDI
Meeting MIDI
Getting Started with MIDI
Chapter 2: Preparing to Record MIDI
Setting Up Your MIDI Devices
Getting Ready to Record
Chapter 3: Recording Electronic Instruments with MIDI
Recording MIDI Performances
Playing Back Your Tracks
Getting Rid of Unwanted Takes
Overdubbing MIDI Performances
Recording System-Exclusive Data
Book 5: Editing Your Performances (Audio and MIDI)
Chapter 1: Audio Editing Basics
Understanding Pro Tools Editing
Getting to Know Clip Types
Viewing Clips
Understanding Edit Modes
Working (Okay, Playing) with Playlists
Using the Audio Clips List
Managing Undos
Chapter 2: Selecting Material to Edit
Selecting Track Material
Making Changes to Your Selection
Managing Memory Locations
Playing Selected Material
Chapter 3: Getting into Editing
Editing Clips
Examining Edit Commands
Exploring Elastic Audio
Chapter 4: Adding to Your Audio Editing Palette
Signing On to the Smart Tool
Perusing the Pencil Tool
Silencing Selections
Performing Fades and Crossfades
Cleaning Up Your Session
Chapter 5: Editing MIDI Data
Working with MIDI and Instrument Tracks
Dealing with Note Chasing
Editing MIDI in the Edit Window
Exploring MIDI Events
Chapter 6: Performing MIDI Operations
Getting Used to the MIDI Operations Window
Performing MIDI Event Operations
Recognizing MIDI Real-Time Properties
Book 6: Mixing
Chapter 1: Mixing Basics
Understanding Mixing
Managing Levels as You Work
Getting Started Mixing Your Song
Mixing In Pro Tools
Using the Stereo Field
Adjusting Levels: Enhancing the Emotion of the Song
Tuning Your Ears
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Mix
Revisiting the Mix Window
Getting to Know Signal Flow
Rounding Out Your Routing
Accessing Output Windows
Playing with Plug-ins
Processing with External Effects
Chapter 3: Using Equalization
Exploring Equalization
Dialing In EQ
Equalizing Your Tracks
Chapter 4: Digging into Dynamics Processors
Connecting Dynamics Processors
Introducing Compressors
Looking into Limiters
Introducing Gates and Expanders
Detailing the De-Esser
Setting Up Side Chains
Chapter 5: Singling Out Signal Processors
Routing Your Effects
Rolling Out the Reverb
Detailing Delay
Creating Chorus Effects
Chapter 6: Automating Your Mix
Understanding Automation
Accessing Automation Modes
Setting Automation Preferences
Enabling Automation
Writing Automation
Viewing Automation
Drawing Automation
Thinning Automation
Editing Automation Data
Chapter 7: Making Your Mix
Submixing by Recording to Tracks
Mixing in-the-Box
Using an External Master Deck
Book 7: Mastering
Chapter 1: Mastering Basics
Demystifying Mastering
Getting Ready to Master
Paying a Pro, or Doing It Yourself
Hiring a Professional Mastering Engineer
Chapter 2: Mastering Your Music
Considering General Guidelines
Setting Up a Mastering Session
Optimizing Dynamics
Perfecting Tonal Balance
Balancing Levels
Mastering Your Mix
Sequencing Your Songs
Book 8: Getting Your Music to the Masses
Chapter 1: Putting Your Music on CD and Vinyl
Getting into CD Burning
Purchasing CD-Rs
Recording Your Music to CD-R
Making Multiple Copies
Pressing Vinyl
Promoting Your Music
Chapter 2: Getting Your Music on the Internet
Understanding Downloadable Music Files
Creating MP3 Files
Setting Up Your Own Music Website
Putting Your Music on a Music Host Site
Engaging in Social Media Networking
Offering Free Downloads
Selling Your Music Digitally
Licensing Your Music
Podcasting
Selling Your CDs
Promoting Your Music
Connecting with an Email Newsletter
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
Index
End User License Agreement
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
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