Table of Contents

Introduction. Welcome to the World of Audio

Getting Started in Audio Production
Who Should Read This Book
What Is Pro Tools | First?
About This Book
Requirements and Prerequisites
Media Files
Course Organization and Sequence
Conventions and Symbols Used in This Book
Keyboard Shortcuts and Modifiers
Icons

Chapter 1. Computer Concepts

Selecting a Computer
Mac Versus Windows Considerations
The Importance of RAM
Processing Power
Storage Space
Storage Options
Onboard Sound Options (Audio In and Out)
Other Options to Consider
Working with Your Computer
File Management
Launching Applications
Saving Files
Working with an Application
Menus
Keyboard Shortcuts
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 1. Exploring Audio on the Computer
Chapter 2. DAW Concepts

Functions of a DAW
What Can a DAW Do?
Common DAWs
Plug-In Formats
What Is a Plug-In?
Common Plug-In Formats
Pro Tools
Pro Tools Software Options
Pro Tools Hardware Options
Pro Tools | HDX Versus Pro Tools | HD Native
Downloading and Installing Pro Tools | First
Accessing the Installer
Installation Steps
Launching Pro Tools | First for the First Time
Important Concepts in Pro Tools | First
Project Files Versus Audio Files
Audio Versus MIDI
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 2. Setting Up a Multi-Track Project

Chapter 3. Audio Recording Concepts

The Basics of Audio
Frequency
Amplitude
Microphones
Traditional Microphones
USB Microphones
Other Considerations
Basic Miking Techniques
Multi-Tracking and Signal Flow
What Is Multi-Track Recording?
Recording Signal Flow
Moving Audio from Analog to Digital
Analog Versus Digital Audio
The Analog-to-Digital Conversion Process
The Audio Interface
Audio Interface Considerations
Working Without an Audio Interface
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 3. Selecting Your Audio Production Gear

Chapter 4. MIDI Recording Concepts

A Brief History of MIDI
Digital Control
The Birth of MIDI
The MIDI Protocol
MIDI Notes
Program Changes
Controller Messages
MIDI Controllers
Digital Pianos and Synthesizers
Keyboard Controllers
Drumpad Controllers
Grid Controllers
Alternate Controllers
What to Look for in a MIDI Controller
Purchasing a Keyboard Controller
Setup and Signal Flow
Plug-and-Play Setup
MIDI Cables and Jacks
Using a MIDI interface
Considerations for Using Multiple MIDI Devices
MIDI Versus Audio
What Is MIDI?
Monitoring with Onboard Sound Versus Virtual Instruments
Tracking with Virtual Instruments
Creating Tracks for Virtual Instruments
Summary
Review/Discussion Questions
Exercise 4. Selecting Your MIDI Production Gear

Chapter 5. Pro Tools Concepts, Part 1

Creating a Session or Project
Main Windows
Edit Window
Mix Window
Transport Window
Working with Tracks
Adding Tracks
Mono Versus Stereo Tracks
MIDI Versus Instrument Tracks
Click Tracks
Clips Versus Files
Basic Navigation
Using the Transport Controls
Zooming and Scrolling in the Edit Window
Controlling Playback Behavior
Monitoring Your Timeline Location
Selections
Timeline Selections Versus Edit Selections
Selection Scenarios
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 5. Configuring and Working on a Project

Chapter 6. Pro Tools Concepts, Part 2

Setting Up for Recording
Recording Audio
Making a Record Selection
Record-Enabling Audio Tracks
Monitoring Record-Enabled Audio Tracks
Initiating a Record Take
Stopping a Record Take
Recording MIDI
Monitoring a MIDI Controller
Record-Enabling MIDI and Instrument Tracks
Using Wait for Note
Using MIDI Merge Mode
Importing Audio and MIDI
Supported Audio Files
Importing from the Desktop
Importing from Soundbase
File Drag and Drop Locations
Using the Import Command
Edit Modes and the Grid
The Edit Modes
Setting the Grid Value
Working with Clips and Selections
Selecting an Edit Tool
Basic Editing Techniques
Advanced Editing Techniques
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 6. Importing and Editing Clips

Chapter 7. Mixing Concepts

Basic Mixing
Setting Levels
Panning
Processing Options and Techniques
Gain-Based Processing
Time-Based Processing and Effects
Inserts Versus Sends
Processing with External Gear
Mixing in the Box
Advantages of In-the-Box Mixing
Getting the Most Out of an In-the-Box Mix
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 7. Creating a Basic Mix

Chapter 8. Signal Processing

Plug-In Basics
Viewing Inserts on Tracks
Inserting Plug-Ins on Tracks
Moving and Duplicating Plug-Ins
Displaying Plug-In Windows
Common Plug-In Controls
Adjusting Plug-In Parameters
Adjusting Plug-In Parameters with the Mouse
Adjusting Plug-In Parameters with the Computer Keyboard
EQ Processing
Types of EQ
Basic EQ Parameters
EQ Plug-Ins in Pro Tools | First
Strategies for Using EQ
Dynamics Processing
Types of Dynamics Processors
Basic Dynamics Parameters
Dynamics Plug-Ins in Pro Tools | First
Strategies for Using Compression
Strategies for Using a De-Esser
Reverb and Delay Effects
What Is Reverb?
Reverb in Pro Tools | First
Applications for Reverb Processors
What Is Delay?
Delay in Pro Tools | First
Applications for Delay Processors
Wet Versus Dry Signals
Using Time-Based Effects as Inserts on Tracks
Using Send-and-Return Configurations
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 8. Optimizing Tracks with Signal Processing

Chapter 9. Finishing a Project

Recalling a Saved Mix
Using Automation
Selecting an Automation Mode
Writing Real-Time Automation
Viewing Automation Graphs
Editing Automation Breakpoints
Creating a Mixdown
Adding Processing on the Master Fader
Considerations for Bouncing Audio
Exporting an Audio Mix
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 9. Preparing the Final Mix

Chapter 10. Beyond the Basics

Elastic Audio
Enabling Elastic Audio
Warping Audio
Automatically Warping Audio with Tempo Changes
MIDI Editing Techniques
MIDI Track Views
Editing MIDI Data
Working with Velocity
Real-Time Properties
Using the MIDI Editor
Submixing
Simplifying a Mix
Creating Stems
Keyboard Shortcuts .
Function Keys
Commands Keyboard Focus Keys
Track Commands
Review/Discussion Questions

Exercise 10. Finalizing a Project

Index
About the Authors

About the Author

Frank D. Cook (Sacramento, CA) is President of NextPoint Training, Inc., a Pro Tools Author, an Avid Master Instructor, and an Adjunct Professor at Sacramento City College and American River College in Sacramento, California. Cook writes Pro Tools books for the Avid Learning Series. He also teaches all levels of Pro Tools certification to students in the Sacramento region and to educators worldwide who aspire to become Avid Certified Instructors.

Eric Kuehnl (Berkeley, CA) is a Director of Partner Programs at NextPoint Training, Inc., an Avid Master Instructor, and Co-Director of the Music Technology Program at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. Kuehnl is a composer, sound designer, and educator. Previously, he was an Audio Training Strategist in the Avid Education Department, and a Senior House Engineer for Sony Computer Entertainment America.