70C ProTools 201

Class Description

Pro Tools production concepts and techniques with Avid Certification training material. Recording, editing, routing audio and MIDI data. Managing Pro Tools sessions, using virtual instruments, plug-ins, loop recording, Elastic Audio, Beat Detective and music notation. Conform loops and beats to any tempo. Introduction to control surfaces, automation modes and signal path workflows. Practical applications with examples from professional recording artists including pop, rock, jazz and hip hop. Create tempo maps, meter changes and transpose key signatures. Required for Avid Pro Tools Operator Level Certification.

Overview

The Pro Tools Production I (PT201) course covers the core concepts and skills needed to operate an Avid Pro Tools | Ultimate system with HD-series hardware in a professional studio environment. This course builds on the Pro Tools Fundamentals I and II series of courses, providing intermediate and advanced-level Pro Tools concepts and techniques.

Students learn to customize the configuration of Pro Tools | HD Native systems to maximize results and improve recording, editing, and mixing workflows. The hands-on exercises provide experience optimizing system resources, configuring I/O, navigating and color-coding sessions, managing session media, using advanced selection and auditioning techniques, working with clip gain, applying advanced automation techniques, creating submixes and applying parallel processing, advanced mixing and finishing techniques for a final mixdown.

This course provides the foundational training for the Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools | Music and Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools | Post certification exams.

Candidates wishing to sit either of these certification exams must have firstly passed the Avid Certified User: Pro Tools Certification Exam.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Configure settings to optimize a Pro Tools | Ultimate system with HD-series hardware
• Customize I/O settings
• Work with Window Configurations
• Manage voice allocation and disk allocation options
• Share tracks for collaboration using a variety of techniques
• Index volumes for quick searching with a Workspace browser
• Use advanced selection, nudging, and shifting techniques
• Use advanced auditioning techniques, including pre-and post-roll auditions
• Use alternate Edit tools and advanced editing techniques
• Use clip alignment techniques, such as snap-to-heads, snap-to-tails, and snap-to-sync point
• Use basic Commands Keyboard Focus mode shortcuts
• Work with clip gain
• Use advanced automation functions, including AutoMatch, Manual Write functions, and Write on Stop functions
• Setup and use AFL and PFL solo modes
• Use submixing techniques and bus interrogation techniques
• Work with VCA Master tracks
• Understand a variety of common mixdown techniques

Prerequisites

Successful completion of Pro Tools Fundamental IIis highly recommended.

Course Outline

1. HD Hardware
2. Customizing Pro Tools
3. Track Management
4. Session Management
5. Selection Techniques
6. Editing Techniques
7. Clip Gain
8. Automation
9. Mixing
10. Advanced Mixing

Foothill Legacy Course Outline

Ch01 Working with Pro Tools |HD Hardware Systems

• Pro Tools System Basics
• Understanding the Pro Tools Mixer
• Optimizing Pro Tools |HD Hardware Systems
• Ex1 Optimizing System Usage

Ch02 Customizing Pro Tools

• The I/O Setup Dialog Box
• Pro Tools |HD Native Hardware Low Latency Monitoring
• Working with Window Configurations
• Making Track Assignments
• Pro Tools Metering and Display Options
• Customizing Pro Tools through Preferences
• Ex2 Configuring Pro Tools |Ultimate

Ch03 Session Configuration and Track Management

• Voice Allocation
• Disk Allocation
• Scrolling, Navigation, and Display Options
• Status Indicators
• Duplicating Tracks
• Sharing Tracks for Collaboration
• Using Track Presets
• Ex3 Navigating and Color Coding the Session

Ch04 Session Management

• Managing Media with Workspace Browsers
• Using Workspace Browsers
• Task Manager Overview
• Sessions with Missing Files
• Managing Session Media

Ch05 Selection Techniques

• Creating Selections.
• Nudging and Shifting
• Auditioning Selections
• Auditioning the Start and End of a Selection
• Storing Selections in Memory Locations
• Ex5 Working with Selections

Ch06 Editing Techniques

• Alternate Tools and Tool Functions
• Clip Editing Techniques
• Clip Alignment Techniques
• Commands Keyboard Focus Mode
• Ex6 Editing Session Media

Ch07 Clip-Based Processing

• Clip Gain Basics
• Editing Clip Gain
• Advanced Clip Gain Functions.
• Using Clip Effects (Pro Tools |Ultimate Only)
• Removing and Rendering Clip Effects
• Ex7 Working with Clip Gain

Ch08 Automation Functions

• Pro Tools |Ultimate Automation Modes
• Working with Automation
• Using AutoMatch Functions
• Writing Automation over Long Sections
• Editing Automation
• Suspending Automation.
• Ex8 Automating a Mix

Ch09 Mixing and Plug-In Processing

• Common Mixing Settings
• Basic Submixing .
• Plug-In Linking.
• Working with Plug-In Settings
• Side Chain Processing
• Processing-Induced Delays
• Ex9 Submixing and Processing Tracks

Ch10 Advanced Mixing and Finishing Techniques

• Group Attributes
• Working with Groups
• VCA Master Tracks
• Creating a Final Mix
• Mixdown Techniques
• Converting High Sample Rate Sessions
• Ex10 Final Mixdown .

Required Textbook

• Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production I V 12
• Author: Avid
• Publisher: Avid
• Only available at the Foothill Bookstore.

This book is only available at the Foothill Bookstore. Versions on Amazon.com might NOT be up-to-date. Electronic versions of the first few chapters will be provided to give students adequate time to purchase the textbook. Purchase of textbook also entitles students to take the Avid Pro Tools 201 Certification Exam.

Additional Requirements

• Pro Tools software.
  • Available in Foothill College computer labs.
• No other equipment or software required.