Instructor Guidelines Pro Tools 7 Session Secrets 8 Week Course

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Pro Tools 7 Session Secrets: Professional Recipes for High-Octane Results

Instructor Guidelines: 8 Week Course

The following are some guidelines on how to teach from the text Pro Tools 7 Session Secrets in eight, 3-hour segments. The class could also span three 8-hour days. Keep in mind that this class is not a “how to use Pro Tools” class, but rather a seminar of real world working recipes aimed at high beginner/intermediate Pro Tools users who have a grasp on the elementary workings of the program. The class works as a great counterpart to the Digidesign certified classes and would fit right in along after the 101 class and along side the 110 class. Note that the class skips around in the texta little bit. This is done strictly to make the linear flow of a class run more smoothly.

Class 1: Intro

Start here with a global “state of the union” of Pro Tools and how it fits into the professional audio world today. Introduce the different hardware platforms, specifying the differences between host-based systems and TDM systems. Introduce Pro Tools 7 and talk about how a lot of the features lean more towards a music creation tool. This is a great time to mention the topic of relative vs. absolute timescales - a concept you will constantly refer to in the course. Show I/O setup and customizing for recording, including headphone mix set up.

Class 2: Recording

Spend some time talking about microphone types, pre amps and A/D converters. Depending on your set-up you may talk about/demonstrate different mic techniques for common instruments. Chapter 1 has some ideas on this. Talk about phase and how you can compensate for it. Demonstrate selection-based recording, QuickPunch, Loop recording. To show this, you can record yourself counting to 5. You can punch in one of the numbers. If you have an interactive class, you may want to record a musician or voice-over talent in the class to demonstrate these things. Demonstrate editing options with loop recorded takes (Matching Start Time Takes List). Also show how Alternate playlists can be employed while recording. Show the wait for note trick. Talk about recording latency and how to compensate for it.

Class 3: Editing Techniques

Start off this class by showing all four edit modes and how they effect regions differently. Explain how making a selection is a crucial starting off point before any editing can occur. Show how to select a loop using tools like tab to transient and the selection audition tools. Show how to extract a loop from a selection once it is created. Demonstrate the new looping features in Pro Tools 7. Talk about tick based versus sample based audio tracks and how the tick based tracks can be used to make audio loops and regions follow a tempo changes. Illustrate new Pro Tools 7 region groups. Explain REX files and show how they are brought in to Pro Tools as a region group. Demonstrate the intricacies of using fades. Before mentioning batch fades, explain editing on the zero crossing. End the class with a beat detective demonstration.

Class 4: MIDI

Start out with a brief history of MIDI and how it works. Show how to use AMS (mac only) to set up a MIDI studio. Talk about MIDI latency and how to deal with it. Explain the nuances of using instrument tracks. Show some of Pro Tools new soft-synths like Expand! Show how to make a click track. Demonstrate MIDI recording, showing the differences between loop record and MIDI merge record. Once you have MIDI in your session, show all of the MIDI editing features. Talk about quantizing the old way and then show the Real Time Properties features of Pro Tools 7. Explain Rewire and talk about the three ways you can integrate Reason and Pro Tools.

Class 5: Inserts

Differentiate the plug-in formats (RTAS vs. AudioSuite vs. TDM). Show how to use plug-in presets and create your own libraries. Talk about plug-in latency and show how to deactivate plug-ins and tracks to free up system resources. Show how to automate plug-ins. Lecture about EQ techniques and Compression. (these two are chosen because they are the most widely used inserts in any given session). Show some other techniques like AM radio, removing hum. If available, demonstrate SoundReplacer. Explain nuances of Reverb. Demystify the side chain. If available demonstrate Auto-Tune. Explain how printing effects can be used to further conserve system resources.

Class 6: Mixing

I like to begin this class with an analogy where I compare mixing to directing traffic. All of the tracks of the mix can be thought of as lanes merging into two lanes, which represent the final stereo mix. I explain that

the Pro Tools mixer’s job is to direct the traffic using track volume, pan, processing like EQ and Compression, and time-based effects like reverb. Next, define all of the mixing vocabulary and how the terms relate to a Pro Tools mix session. Show common mix workflows such as: getting relative values before automating, using the master fader as a summing meter, and thinking about gain structure. Explain and demonstrate all of the automation write modes. Demonstrate editing automation once it is written. Show undo history. Talk about alternate mix techniques, and the importance of auditioning a mix in various listening environments.

Class 7: Post Production

Begin the class with a discussion of Pro Tools post hardware and software. For LE users, explain the limitations and show DV toolkit. Show how to transfer audio from a video editing program and talk about what deliverables to ask for. Explain OMFI. Show how to import and deal with video in a Pro Tools session including sending it out the DV port. Explain stems routing and how to break out audio onto tracks post-production style. Give example on how to properly record foley. Discuss the importance of monitor calibration for post production mixing. If available, demonstrate surround in HD, or talk about the LE surround work around

Class 8: Life Outside of Pro Tools

Wrap up the class with ideas on what to do after the Pro Tools session is complete. Explain how to make the mp3s and Podcasts out of final mixes. Discuss the idea of mastering and show how to prepare files for a mastering house. Show some methods of self mastering in Pro Tools. Final questions and review. Take final exam.