Learn how to start and stop playback, how to position the cursor for playback, the difference between the Playback cursor and the Edit cursor, and how to playback audio selections. Included are tips on what to do if Pro Tools' playback does not follow a s
- [Instructor] Experienced users know how to control Pro Tools playback to hear what they want, when they want, and how they want. This skill lets you work with confidence. Knowing exactly what you're listening to. Let's cover some options in Pro Tools that will help you stay in charge during playback. We learned in an earlier video how to position the cursor for playback by clicking at the location where we want playback to start. I can click on the track playlist here where the audio and midi clips are displayed, which positions the edit cursor.
Or I can click in the ruler area above my tracks, known as the timeline, which positions the timeline location. Clicking on a track playlist positions both the edit cursor and the timeline location by default. (peppy music) During playback you'll see the stationary edit cursor flashing along with the moving playback cursor scrolling across your screen. Stopping and restarting repeats from the same start point by default. (peppy music) You can optionally activate the insertion follows playback button up here at the top in the edit window for tape transport control.
(peppy music) This allows you to stop and restart, picking up from where you left off. We'll leave that off for now. When you're zoomed in as we are you'll notice that the playback cursor may disappear off screen during playback. (peppy music) When this happens you can click on the playback cursor locator up in the main time base ruler to scroll to your playback cursor or you can set your scrolling options so this doesn't happen.
We'll do this under the options menu and select edit windows scrolling. We're currently using the no scrolling option, but other popular choices include page scrolling and continuous scrolling. Let's take a look at each one. I'm going to scroll the screen to my edit cursor by pressing the left arrow key. Now during playback you'll notice (peppy music) as the playback cursor reaches the edge of the screen the screen scrolls one page at a time (peppy music) to keep the playback cursor in view.
(peppy music) I'm going to jump back to my start location with the left arrow key. Lets take a look at the continuous scrolling mode. In this mode the play head stays centered on the screen while the session scrolls past it. (peppy music) I recommend using page scrolling for general purpose use to avoid motion sickness while keeping the playback cursor visible.
When working with selections playback will occur in the selected range only. This is useful to audition the same section repeatedly. (peppy music) Be careful here if insertion follows playback is enabled as this will cause your selection to drop at the end of playback. Controlling playback is a simple matter as long as you keep some basic principles in mind. You can use the edit cursor or an edit selection to control where playback will start.
Keep an eye on the playback cursor to know what is currently playing. Set your scrolling mode to keep the playback cursor visible on screen and check your settings for insertion follows playback in the edit window if you encounter unexpected behavior.
Author
Updated
3/23/2017Released
1/19/2017- Getting started with Pro Tools menus, windows, and edit tools
- Creating a session
- Creating a click track
- Recording audio
- Importing audio and video
- Recording, viewing, and editing MIDI data
- Selecting and navigating within tracks
- Adding markers
- Editing clips
- Creating fade effects
- Mixing tracks and adding automation
- Backing up a session
- Bouncing a mix to disk
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
Q. This course was updated on 03/23/2017. What changed?
A. Challenges and solutions were added to chapters 3–10 and three videos were updated in the first couple chapters.
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Introduction
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Welcome50s
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1. Getting to Know Pro Tools
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2. Getting inside Pro Tools
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The Pro Tools file structure3m 26s
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The Pro Tools menu structure4m 20s
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The Pro Tools main window5m 47s
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Overview of the edit tools3m 34s
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Overview of the edit modes4m 30s
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3. Creating Your First Session
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Using the dashboard3m 17s
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Working with tracks5m 28s
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Playing back a session3m 39s
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Solution: Creating a session2m 34s
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4. Making Your First Audio Recording
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Creating a click track4m 13s
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Preparing to record4m 39s
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Organizing after recording5m 36s
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Challenge: Recording audio1m 32s
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Solution: Recording audio2m 41s
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5. Importing and Working with Media in a Session
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Importing video4m 29s
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Challenge: Importing media1m 31s
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Solution: Importing media3m 51s
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6. Making Your First MIDI Recording
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MIDI in Pro Tools4m 48s
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Using virtual instruments4m 44s
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7. Selecting and Navigating
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Working with markers3m 8s
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Challenge: Adding markers1m 29s
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Solution: Adding markers1m 53s
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8. Basic Editing Techniques
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Editing on the grid7m 34s
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Editing clips4m 38s
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Creating fade effects3m 11s
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Undoing a mistake2m 20s
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Challenge: Editing audio1m 25s
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Solution: Editing audio4m 44s
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Challenge: Arranging media3m 15s
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Solution: Arranging media6m 19s
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9. Basic Mixing Techniques
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Basic automation5m 20s
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Challenge: Using effects1m 50s
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Solution: Using effects5m 29s
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10. Finishing Your Work
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Backing up your session3m 36s
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Bouncing your mix to disk2m 43s
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Conclusion
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Next steps1m 12s
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Video: Playing back a session