Pinnacle Systems Pro Tools M-Powered - 7.0 User Manual
Basics
Pro Tools M-Powered™
Version 7.0
Copyright
© 2005 Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. All rights
reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part
without the express written consent of Digidesign.
Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, and Pro Tools are either trademarks
or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the US and
other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the
property of their respective owners.
Product features, specifications, system requirements and
availability are subject to change without notice.
PN 9320-17751-00 REV A 10/05
Introduction
Welcome to the
guide is designed to give new users specific
methods for accomplishing common tasks with
Digidesign-qualified M-Audio interfaces and
Pro Tools M-Powered software.
Once you are familiar with basic M-Powered operation, we recommend that you read the
“Working With Pro Tools” tutorial in the
Pro Tools M-Powered Getting Started Guide
most complete information on using Pro Tools,
see the
Pro Tools Reference Guide
M-Powered Basics Guide
.
. This
. For the
Online Resources
Many resources for learning to use Pro Tools are
also available online at the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com), including the following:
DiSK (Digidesign Sound Knowledge)
tional material about how to use Pro Tools, including DiSK Flix movies that show how to do a
number of popular tasks using Pro Tools.
DigiZine
ers, providing all the latest product news, user
stories, and many tips and ideas.
A magazine for and about Pro Tools us-
Instruc-
M-Powered Basics Requirements
Before proceeding, make sure you have:
• Connected the Digidesign-qualified M-Audio
interface to your computer, as described in
your M-Audio documentation.
– and –
• Installed Pro Tools M-Powered software and
the pre-authorized iLok, as described in the
appropriate Windows or Macintosh installation chapter of the
Started Guide.
Pro Tools M-Powered Getting
Introduction
1
Getting Sound In and Out of your M-Audio Interface
To hear audio recorded into a Pro Tools session,
you will need to connect headphones or an external sound system (such as powered monitors
or a home stereo) to your M-Audio interface.
Sound from your M-Audio interface cannot be
played through your computer’s speakers or
your computer’s sound output.
Connecting Headphones
Depending on which M-Audio interface you
have, there will be one or more headphone jacks
on the front or back of your interface. These can
be either a 1/4-inch jack or a 1/8-inch mini plug
jack.
1/4-inch Headphone jack
Headphone jacks on the front of a FireWire 1814
To connect headphones:
• Connect headphones with a 1/4-inch stereo
connector (or an adapter) to interfaces that
have a 1/4-inch Headphone jack.
– or –
• Connect headphones with a 1/8-inch stereo
mini connector (or an adapter) to interfaces
that have a 1/8-inch Headphone jack.
Some M-Audio interfaces include a front
panel Headphone control to adjust the volume level of the Headphone jacks.
Connecting a Sound System
Depending on which M-Audio interface you
have, the outputs will be 1/4-inch or RCA plugs,
and the 1/4-inch connections can be balanced,
TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) style connectors, or unbalanced. To listen to your Pro Tools session,
these outputs can be connected to any amplification system: powered speakers, a home stereo
system, or an audio mixer.
1/4-inch Headphone jack
Headphone jack on the back of an Ozonic
2
M-Powered Basics Guide
When connecting to a stereo system, connect
the left channel (often the white plug) to the
first output, and right channel (often the red
plug) to the second output.
Home stereo systems often use RCA connectors. You can use an adaptor or a special cable to convert from the TRS or TS connectors
(used on some M-Audio interfaces) to the
RCA connectors on your home stereo.
Output 1
(left output)
Output 2
(right output)
1/4-inch stereo outputs on a FireWire 1814
Monitor Left
(left output)
Connecting Audio Inputs
Depending on which M-Audio interface you
have, the inputs will be 1/4-inch, RCA, or a 1/4inch and XLR combination plug for microphones
lower level (such as guitars).
For information about connecting specific audio sources, see “Connecting a Microphone to
Your M-Audio Interface” on page 4, and “Connecting Instruments to an M-Audio Interface”
on page 6.
For stereo inputs, use the first input for the left
input, and the second input for the right input.
For additional stereo inputs, use subsequent input pairs, if available.
and
for instruments that usually have a
Monitor Right
(right output)
1/4-inch stereo (monitor) outputs on an Audiophile 192
Analog Out 1
(left output)
RCA stereo outputs on an Audiophile 2496
Analog Out 2
(right output)
The first and second outputs play the audio that
is routed to analog outputs 1 and 2 within
Pro Tools.
Getting Sound In and Out of your M-Audio Interface
3
Connecting a Microphone
There can be several ways to use an M-Audio interface with a microphone, depending on the
type of microphone and cables that you use,
and the type of M-Audio interface.
Mic Cables and Connectors
Some microphone cables use an XLR connector
to attach a microphone to an input; other microphones use a 1/4-inch connector. If you have
a choice, use an XLR connector to connect the
microphone to your M-Audio interface to yield
better results.
XLR connector
1/4-inch connector
XLR and 1/4-inch connectors
Phantom Power
Some microphones require power to operate.
This power, called
ther by a battery in the microphone, or through
an audio interface (such as some M-Audio interfaces) that can supply power through the microphone cable.
phantom power
, is supplied ei-
Most
condenser
C3000) require phantom power to operate.
namic
microphones (such as a Shure SM57) do
not require phantom power to operate, but are
not harmed by it.
Although phantom power can be used
safely with most microphones, it is possible
to damage some ribbon microphones with
it. Always turn off phantom power and
wait at least ten seconds before connecting
a ribbon microphone.
M-Audio interfaces can only supply power
through a microphone cable with XLR connectors. If you are not sure about the phantom
power requirements for your microphone, refer
to your microphone’s documentation or contact the manufacturer.
microphones (such as an AKG
Dy-
Connecting a Microphone to Your M-Audio Interface
To use a microphone that has an XLR connector:
1
Plug your microphone cable into one of the
Mic (or Mic/Inst) inputs on your M-Audio interface.
M-Audio interfaces that support phantom
power can only provide phantom power
when their “wall wart” power supply is
used to power the interface. Check your
M-Audio interface guide for details
4
M-Powered Basics Guide
Mic/Inst 1
XLR connector plugged into Mic/Inst input on a
FireWire 1814
Mic input
XLR connector plugged into Mic input on an Ozonic
2
If your M-Audio interface has a Mic/Line
switch, press it to its out position.
Mic/Line
selector
Mic/Line selector on the front of a FireWire 1814
3
If your microphone requires phantom power,
make sure the microphone is connected, then
press the Phantom Power switch on your M-Audio interface. This switch sends 48V to
each
mic
input. The Phantom Power LED on your M-Audio interface will light when phantom power is
being supplied.
To use a microphone that has a 1/4-inch
connector:
1
Plug the 1/4-inch connector from your microphone into one of the Mic (or Mic/Inst) 1/4inch inputs on your M-Audio interface.
1/4-inch connector plugged into Mic/Inst input on a
FireWire 1814
2
If your M-Audio interface has a Mic/Line selector, press it to its out position.
Mic/Line
selector
Mic/Line selector on the front of a FireWire 1814
3
If your M-Audio interface has a Signal Gain
control, carefully turn the input control to the
right to increase the input level of your microphone signal.
Phantom Power
switch
Phantom Power switch on a FireWire 1814
4
If your M-Audio interface has a Signal Gain
control, carefully turn the input control to the
right to increase the input level of your microphone signal.
Signal Gain Control
Signal Gain control on a FireWire 1814
Connecting a Microphone
5
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