Pinnacle Systems Pro Tools Free - 5.0.1 Quick Start Guide
Pro Tools FREE
Quick Start Guide
Version 5.0.1 for Macintosh and Windows 98/Me
Digidesign Inc.
3401-A Hillview Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304 USA
tel: 650·842·7900
fax: 650·842·7999
Fax on Demand (USA)
1-888-USE-DIGI (873-3444)
World Wide Web
www.digidesign.com
Digidesign FTP Site
ftp.digidesign.com
Copyright
This User’s Guide is copyrighted ©2000 by Digidesign, a
division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with
all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this manual may not
be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of
Digidesign.
DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology,
Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
All features and specifications subject to change without
notice.
PN 932908522-00 REV A 10/00
contents
Chapter 1. Pro Tools FREE Introduction
About Pro Tools FREE
System Requirements
About the Guides
Chapter 2. Macintosh Configuration
Apple System Software Settings
Installing Pro Tools FREE
Installing and Configuring OMS
Hard Drive Requirements
Chapter 3. Windows Configuration
Windows System Settings Modifications
Wave Drivers for Sound Cards
Installing Pro Tools FREE
Hard Drive Requirements
Chapter 4. Connecting Your Studio
Sound Inputs and Outputs
Making Studio Connections
MIDI Connections
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Chapter 5. Working with the Demo Session
System Performance and Pro Tools FREE
Playing the Demo Session
Mixing the Demo Session Tutorial
Plug-Ins
Cool Mix Tricks: The Big Mute
Using a MIDI Device with the Demo Session
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Contents
iii
Chapter 6. Recording
Routing Audio to a Track
Recording an Audio Track
Recording a MIDI Track
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Index
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Pro Tools FREE Quick Start Guide
iv
chapter 1
Pro Tools FREE Introduction
About Pro Tools FREE
Pro Tools FREE provides the following capabilities:
• Record and play up to 8 tracks of digital audio (depending on the capabilities of your
computer)
• Record and play up to 48 MIDI tracks
• Use non-linear, random-access editing and mix automation
• Process audio with up to 5 RTAS plug-ins per track, limited only by the capabilities of
your computer
• Use up to 5 inserts and 5 sends per track
• Route up to16 busses
• Work with 16-bit or 24-bit sessions (depending on the capabilities of your audio
hardware)
▲
Pro Tools FREE uses your computer’s CPU to mix and process audio tracks (host
processing). Computers with faster clock speeds therefore yield higher track, insert, and send counts, as well as more plug-in processing.
▲
Except for the Audiomedia III card on Windows 98, Digidesign audio hardware is
not supported with Pro Tools FREE.
Chapter 1: Pro Tools FREE Introduction
1
System Requirements
Pro Tools FREE can be used on a Power Macintosh or Intel computer.
To use Pro Tools FREE on a Macintosh, you need:
• A Digidesign-qualified Power Macintosh (G3 or G4 recommended)
• Mac OS 8.6 or 9.0
• At least 128 MB RAM (192 MB recommended)
• CD-ROM drive or Web access for software install
• QuickTime 4.0 or higher (included with Pro Tools FREE Installer CD)
• OMS 2.3.8 or higher (included with Pro Tools FREE Installer CD)
To use Pro Tools FREE on Windows 98, you need:
• A Digidesign-qualified Intel computer (PIII recommended)
• Windows 98, Second Edition or Windows Me
• At least 128 MB RAM (192 MB recommended)
• CD-ROM drive or Web access for software install
Compatibility Information
Digidesign makes no assurances with regard to compatibility, and provides no hardware or
software support for Pro Tools FREE.
For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers, SCSI accelerator cards, hard drives, diskette
drives, and serial port adapters, refer to the latest compatibility information on the
Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com).
Pro Tools FREE Quick Start Guide
2
About the Guides
This Quick Start Guide will get you started using Pro Tools FREE to record, edit, and mix
audio and MIDI tracks. For additional information, see the following online, PDF guides:
Pro Tools Reference Guide
•
covers the supported features in Pro Tools FREE
DigiRack Plug-Ins Guide,
•
included with Pro Tools FREE
MIDI Controllers Guide,
•
with Pro Tools FREE
Keyboard Shortcuts
•
These guides can be installed from the Pro Tools FREE Installer CD, or they can be
downloaded from the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com). Once installed, they are
easily accessed from the Help menu in Pro Tools FREE. To the read these guides online, or
print them, you must have Acrobat Reader from Adobe installed.
Conventions Used in This Guide
Digidesign guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key
commands:
Convention Action
File > Save Session Choose Save Session from the File menu
, documents in detail Pro Tools TDM and Pro Tools LE, which
documents how to use the RTAS and AudioSuite Plug-Ins
documents how to use MIDI control surfaces like the Mackie HUI
(Macintosh and Windows), lists keyboard shortcuts for Pro Tools FREE
Control+N While pressing the Control key, press the N key
Option-click While pressing the Option key, click the mouse button
Right-click (Windows) Click with the right mouse button
The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
✽
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
▲
Important Notices include information that could affect your data or the performance of your system.
☞
Cross References point to related sections in other Digidesign guides.
Chapter 1: Pro Tools FREE Introduction
3
Choose and Select
The words “choose” and “select” are often interchangeable in conversational english. In
this guide, however, there is a distinction between the two terms.
Select
When the guide instructs you to
with dialog box options and menu items that enable or disable an option.
select
something, it stays selected. This is the case
Choose
This is the case with most menu commands; they perform their chosen action only once.
When the guide instructs you to
choose
something, a one-time action is performed.
Pro Tools FREE Quick Start Guide
4
chapter 2
Macintosh Configuration
Apple System Software Settings
To ensure optimum performance with Pro Tools FREE, configure the Apple System software
with the following settings.
To configure the Apple System software:
1
In the Memory Control Panel do the following:
• Set Virtual Memory to Off.
• Set the Ram Disk to Off.
• Set the Disk Cache to a Custom Setting of 512K.
2
In the Energy Saver Control Panel, set the “inactive” time to Never.
3
In the Appearance Control Panel do the following:
• Click the Fonts tab and set the Large System Font to Chicago. In addition, deselect
“Smooth all fonts on screen.”
• Click the Sound tab and select None from the Sound Track pop-up menu.
4
If using a Power Macintosh 9600, set the number of colors to 256 in the
Monitors & Sound Control Panel.
5
In the Extensions Manager Control Panel, choose Mac OS 8.6 Base (or Mac OS 9.0 Base)
from the Selected Set pop-up menu. Click Restart to restart your computer.
Extensions Manager Control Panel
Chapter 2: Macintosh Configuration
5
Installing Pro Tools FREE
After the Apple System software settings are configured, you are ready to install
Pro Tools FREE. You can install from the Pro Tools FREE Installer CD or from a Web
download.
▲
If you have another version of Pro Tools (for Digidesign hardware) installed on
your computer, installing Pro Tools FREE will make the other Pro Tools version inoperable.
To install Pro Tools FREE on your Macintosh:
1
Insert the Pro Tools FREE Installer CD in your CD-ROM drive.
– or –
Download the Pro Tools FREE Installer from the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com).
2
Locate and double-click “Install Pro Tools FREE.”
3
At the Install Screen, set the Install Location to your Startup hard drive and click Install.
4
Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
5
When installation is complete, click Quit (not Restart), and install the demo session and
OMS. If installing from the Web download, you will need to download and install
(separately) the Pro Tools documentation.
Installing the Demo Session
Pro Tools FREE comes with a demo session called “Pro Tools SoundCheck 8-Trk,” which
you can use to familiarize yourself with Pro Tools FREE (see
Demo Session
). You can also use this demo session to test system playback.
You can install the demo session from the Pro Tools FREE Installer CD or from a Web
download.
▲
Before installing the demo session to your audio drive, make sure the drive is
configured as described in “Hard Drive Requirements” on page 11.
Pro Tools FREE Quick Start Guide
6
Chapter 5: Working with the
To install the demo session:
1
Insert the Pro Tools FREE Installer CD in your CD-ROM drive.
– or –
Download the Pro Tools FREE Demo Session Installer from the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com).
2
Locate and double-click “Install SoundCheck Demo.”
3
Set the Install Location to your audio drive and click Install.
4
When installation is complete, click Quit.
Installing and Configuring OMS
(Macintosh Only)
To use Pro Tools on the Macintosh you must first install and configure the Open Music
System (OMS). OMS has the following capabilities:
• Keeps track of which MIDI devices you are using, how they are connected, and which
patches they are using
• Enables MIDI hardware to communicate with your music applications
• Provides timing services and inter-application communication
OMS stores a description of your MIDI studio in
OMS Setup
in the
which MIDI devices you are using by referencing the current Studio Setup document.
The following sections provide basic instructions for installing and configuring OMS. For
more detailed information, refer to the online
documentation.
application. Once OMS is configured, your music applications know
Studio Setup
OMS Guide
documents, which are edited
installed with the Pro Tools
Installing OMS
OMS is included on the Pro Tools Installer CD, and can also be downloaded from the
Opcode Web site (www. opcode.com).
To install OMS:
1
Insert the Pro Tools FREE Installer CD in your CD-ROM drive.
– or –
Download the Pro Tools FREE Installer from the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com).
Chapter 2: Macintosh Configuration
7
2
Locate and double-click “Install OMS 2.3.8.” Follow the on-screen prompts and
instructions.
3
At the Install Screen, select the Easy Install option, and set the Install Location to your
Startup hard drive. Click Install.
4
Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
5
When the installation is complete, restart your Macintosh.
Configuring a New Studio Setup
(First-Time OMS Users Only)
Before configuring OMS, make sure your MIDI interface is connected according to the
manufacturer’s instructions and turned on.
To configure a New Studio Setup in OMS:
1
Launch the OMS Setup application. If OMS has not yet been configured, you’ll be
prompted to configure a New Studio Setup. Click OK.
2
Select whether your MIDI interface is connected to the Modem or Printer port. If using
a USB or PCI-based MIDI interface, leave both ports unchecked. Click Search.
Ports for OMS Driver Search
OMS searches for and displays any detected MIDI interfaces, MIDI cards, and OMS drivers.
If your interface is not detected, click Troubleshoot. Once your interface
is
detected, you
are prompted to search for MIDI instruments connected to your interface.
Pro Tools FREE Quick Start Guide
8
3
Click OK to search for MIDI devices connected to your MIDI interface. To be detected, the
device must be turned on with both of its MIDI ports connected to your MIDI interface.
OMS Driver Setup
OMS searches for and displays any detected MIDI devices. Some older instruments, as well
as some newer ones, may not be recognized by the OMS auto-detection routines.
Undefined OMS device
Devices not recognized by OMS appear with a red question mark and are named based on
the interface or port to which they are connected. These devices can be defined as
necessary within the OMS Setup application (see “Defining MIDI Devices in OMS” on
page 10).
4
Click OK to save your Studio Setup document.
Chapter 2: Macintosh Configuration
9
Defining MIDI Devices in OMS
To define a MIDI device in OMS Setup:
1
Double-click the device’s icon in the Studio Setup window.
2
In the MIDI Device Info dialog, select the Manufacturer and Model for the device from
the pop-up menus. If the device is not listed, leave the Model set to “other” and enter a
name for the device.
MIDI Device Info
3
Select the Receiving Channel for the device. If receiving multiple channels, select the
option for “Is Multitimbral.”
4
If you will record from the device in Pro Tools, select the option for “Is Controller.” If the
device will be a source or destination for MIDI Time Code, Beat Clock, or MMC, select
the appropriate option.
5
Click Ok.
Disabling Serial DMA in OMS
Pro Tools requires that you deselect the “Use Apple Serial DMA Driver When Available”
option in OMS Setup. If you do not disable this option, problems will occur with MIDI and
synchronization functions within Pro Tools.
To disable Serial DMA in OMS:
1
Double-click the OMS Setup application.
2
Choose Edit > Preferences.
3
Deselect “Use Apple Serial DMA Driver When Available” and click OK.
4
Quit OMS Setup.
Pro Tools FREE Quick Start Guide
10
Hard Drive Requirements
For audio recording and storage on the Macintosh, Pro Tools FREE requires one or more
qualified ATA/IDE or SCSI drives with the following properties:
• Formatted with HFS or HFS+ file system
• Data transfer rates of 3 MB per second or faster
• Drive spin speed of 7,200 RPM or faster
• Average seek time of 10.0 milliseconds or faster
✽
For the latest compatibility information on hard drives, visit the Digidesign
Web site (www.digidesign.com/compato).
Using System Drives for Audio
Although Pro Tools will let you record to your system drive, this is generally not
recommended. Performance for recording and playback on system hard drives is worse
than on non-system drives, resulting in lower track counts and fewer plug-ins.
You should record to system drives only when absolutely necessary—if your computer
system has just one hard drive, or if your other hard drives are completely out of space.
SCSI Hard Drives
SCSI hard drives offer several advantages over ATA/IDE drives. First, SCSI drives can be
external and therefore provide portable audio storage that is easily moved between
systems. Second, SCSI drives offer slightly better performance when recording to large
numbers of tracks; attempting to record to a large number of audio tracks with an ATA/IDE
drive will result in a short delay before recording begins.
Initialize and Defragmenting Drives
It’s recommended that you start with a newly initialized audio drive. You should also
periodically
If you are using a SCSI hard drive, you can use
initialize and defragment the drive.
If you are using an ATA/IDE hard drive, use the
System software.
defragment
your audio drive to ensure continued system performance.
Norton Utilities
Drive Setup
, or similar software, to
utility included with the Apple
Chapter 2: Macintosh Configuration
11
Hard Drive Storage Space
Mono audio tracks recorded with 16-bit resolution at 44.1 kHz (CD-quality) require
approximately 5 MB of hard disk space per minute. The same tracks recorded with 24-bit
resolution require about 7.5 MB per minute. The following table lists the required drive
space for certain track numbers and track lengths. In deciding the required hard drive space
for your needs, plan accordingly.
Required hard drive space for audio tracks
Number of tracks and length 16-bit at
44.1 kHz
1 track, 1 minute 5 MB 5.5 MB 7.5 MB 8.2 MB
2 tracks (stereo), 5 minutes 50 MB 55 MB 75 MB 83 MB
2 tracks (stereo), 60 minute 600 MB 662 MB 900 MB 991 MB
8 tracks, 5 minutes 200 MB 220 MB 300 MB 330 MB
8 tracks, 60 minutes 2.4 GB 2.6 GB 3.5 GB 3.9 GB
16-bit at
48 kHz
24-bit at
44.1 kHz
24-bit at
48 kHz
Pro Tools FREE Quick Start Guide
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