If you are using an ATA/IDE or FireWire hard drive, initialize your drive with the Disk Utility application included with Apple System software (Mac) or the Windows Disk Management (Windows).
Always back up any important data on your drive before formatting it, as it will erase all data on the drive. For more information, see Appendix A, Hard Drive Configuration and Maintenance.

Session Compatibility

Pro Tools SE session files can be opened by Pro Tools HD, LE, and M-Powered. Pro Tools HD, LE, M-Powered, and M-Powered Essential session files cannot be opened by Pro Tools SE. Pro Tools SE session files cannot be opened by M-Powered Essential.
Refer to the compatibility information on the Avid website: (www.m-audio.com/ptsefaq).
Pro Tools Co-installation Information
Pro Tools SE cannot be co-installed with Pro Tools HD, LE, M-Powered, and M-Powered Essential. If you already have Pro Tool M-Powered Essential installed and you want to use Pro Tools SE instead, you must uninstall Pro Tools M-Powered Essential first.

MIDI Requirements

USB MIDI keyboards and interfaces work effectively with Pro Tools systems on Mac or Windows.

Hard Drive Requirements

Pro Tools SE can be used on your system drive. A 5400 RPM drive is the minimum system requirement. If your computer has a slower drive (but otherwise meets all the specifications) you can add a drive or use the application with some reduced track count.
Conventions Used in This Guide
All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:

About www.avid.com

The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best online source for information to help you get the most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features available. Product Registration Register your purchase online. Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer Success (technical support); download software updates and the latest online manuals; browse the Compatibility documents for system requirements; search the online Knowledge Base or join the worldwide Pro Tools community on the User Conference. Training and Education Study on your own using courses available online or find out how you can learn in a classroom setting at a certified Pro Tools training center. Products and Developers Learn about Avid products; download demo software or learn about our Development Partners and their plug-ins, applications, and hardware. News and Events Get the latest news from Avid or sign up for a Pro Tools demo. Compatibility Information www.m-audio.com/ptsefaq.

Convention

File > Save

Action

Choose Save from the File menu Hold down the Control key and press the N key Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button Click with the right mouse button

Control+N

Control-click

Right-click

The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font. 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. Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts. Cross References point to related sections in this guide and other Pro Tools guides.

chapter 2

Installing Pro Tools on Mac
This chapter contains information for Mac systems only. If you are installing Pro Tools on a Windows computer, see Chapter 3, Installing Pro Tools on Windows.

Installing Pro Tools SE

Before installing drivers and connecting your M-Audio interface to the computer, you need to install Pro Tools SE software.
Before installing this version of Pro Tools, refer to the Read Me information included on the Pro Tools SE Installer disc.
Do not start this procedure with your M-Audio interface connected to your computer.
To install Pro Tools SE on Mac OS X:
1 Make sure you are logged in as an Administra-

Installation Overview

Installation of Pro Tools SE on a Mac includes the following steps:
1 Installing Pro Tools SE on page 5. 2 Installing Device Drivers on page 6. 3 Connecting the Interface on page 7. 4 Getting Started with Pro Tools SE on page 7. 5 Configuring your system for improved perfor-
tor for the account where you want to install Pro Tools.
When the installation is complete, you will need to reboot your computer. For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, see your Apple OS X documentation.

Connecting the Interface

1 After the computer has restarted, connect your interface to your computer.
See the User Guide that came with your system for instructions on connecting your interface.
2 Launch Pro Tools SE by clicking its icon in the
double-click the application icon in the Pro Tools folder inside the Digidesign folder).
2 Use the Quick Start dialog to do one of
the following: Create a session from templates. Listen to demo songs (lets you verify sound). Open any other session on your system. Open and view tutorials.
Pro Tools SE application icon
3 Connect headphones, speakers or an instru-
ment to your interface so you can verify that you have sound once you launch Pro Tools.
Use the Demo Songs option in the Quick Start dialog to verify you have sound. See Listening to Demo Songs on page 8.

Loops and Demo Songs

Pro Tools SE installation includes Loops and Demo Songs. The loops are pro-quality loops that you can use to quickly sketch out musical ideas. The demo songs let you see and hear many of the things youll soon be doing in Pro Tools.
Creating a Session from a Template
To create a new session from a template:
1 Select the default New Session button.
To listen to a demo song:
1 Select the Demo Songs button.
2 From the list of music styles, select the cate-
gory you want (or select an item from a submenu).
2 Select any session template from the list. 3 Click Audio Preview to listen to the song, then 3 Click Choose to open the template. 4 In the Save As dialog, name the session,
click Choose to open the song in a Pro Tools session.
choose where you want to save the session, and click Save.
The Audio Preview button outputs audio from the sound card or audio interface set as default on your operating system.

4 Audio Preview

Listening to Demo Songs
You have to be able to hear your music. Listening to demo songs is an easy way to verify audio. To hear the audio from Pro Tools you will need your headphones or speakers connected to your M-Audio interface.

Opening a Recent Session

To open a recent session:
1 Select the Open Session button.
Make sure your volume is at a good listening level. See the User Guide that came with your system for instructions.
2 From the list of recent session templates, se-

lect the one you want. (Or, select Open Other. to select other recent sessions.)
3 Click to open the session.
To authorize the MP3 Export Option using an authorization code:
1 Launch Pro Tools. 2 Open a session. 3 Click on a region or make a Timeline selection and choose File > Export > Audio. 4 Select Compressed MP3 as the File Type. 5 Click Export. 6 In the Pro Tools MP3 Option dialog, click Au-

Viewing Tutorials

To view a tutorial:
1 Select the Tutorials button.

thorize.

7 In the Pro Tools MP3 Export Option dialog, select Manual Activation, then click Next. 8 In the Pro Tools MP3 Export Option dialog,
deselect the Use my iLok Smart Key option, then click Next.
9 When prompted, enter your Pro Tools MP3
Export Option serial code (authorization code).
2 From the list of tutorials, click to open the cat10 Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the authorization process.

egory you want.

MP3 Export Option
The MP3 Export Option lets you create MP3 files from Pro Tools sessions when exporting a region or a Timeline selection as a new audio file. With the MP3 Export Option, the MP3 file type is available when using File > Export > Audio. Pro Tools uses the Fraunhofer codec for encoding MP3 files.
Authorizing the MP3 Export Option
The MP3 Export Option is a paid option and can be purchased and authorized when you export an audio file as an MP3.

Uninstalling Pro Tools

If you need to uninstall Pro Tools software from your computer, use the Uninstaller application. To remove Pro Tools from your computer:
tor for the account where Pro Tools is installed.
For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, see your Apple OS X documentation.
2 Go to Applications/Digidesign/Pro Tools/
Pro Tools Utilities and double-click Uninstall Pro Tools
3 Click Continue to proceed with the uninstall. 4 Choose the type of uninstall you want to perform:
Safe Uninstall Leaves certain plug-ins and system files needed for compatibility with some Avid products. Use Safe Uninstall if you are using an Avid application or preparing to update to a CS (customer support) release. Clean Uninstall Removes all Pro Tools files, including system files, Avid plug-ins, and MIDI patch names. Use Clean Uninstall whenever you are preparing to upgrade, or to troubleshoot from a clean system.
5 Click Uninstall. 6 Enter your Administrator password and click
7 Click Finish to close the Installer window.

chapter 3

Installing Pro Tools on Windows
This chapter contains information for Windows systems only. If you are installing Pro Tools on a Mac computer, see Chapter 2, Installing Pro Tools on Mac.

See the User Guide that came with your system for instructions on connecting your interface. In Windows 7 and Windows XP, a series of Software Installation dialogs about the driver not passing Windows Logo testing may appear. Click Continue Anyway on each one until they go away. If any other dialogs appear (such as the Found New Hardware dialog), leave them open and do not click on them. These dialogs will close on their own.
2 Launch Pro Tools SE by double-clicking its
1 Double-click the Pro Tools SE shortcut on your

icon on your desktop.

desktop (or the application icon in the Pro Tools folder inside the Digidesign folder).
the following: Create a session from templates.
Listen to demo songs (lets you verify sound). Open any other session on your system. Open and view tutorials.
3 Click Audio Preview to listen to the song, then
2 Select any session template from the list. 3 Click Choose to open the template. 4 In the Save As dialog, name the session,

lect the one you want.

14 Pro Tools SE User Guide
2 Open a session. 3 Click on a region or make a Timeline selection and choose File > Export > Audio. 4 Select Compressed MP3 as the File Type. 5 Click Export. 6 In the Pro Tools MP3 Option dialog, click Au-
2 From the list of tutorials, click to open the cat-
Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the authorization process.
Use the Uninstall Pro Tools application to uninstall Pro Tools software from your computer. To uninstall Pro Tools from your computer:
1 Start Windows, logging in with Administrator privileges. For details on Administrator privileges, refer to your Windows documentation. 2 Go to C:\Program Files\Digidesign\
The MP3 Export Option is a paid option and can be purchased and authorized when you export an audio file as an MP3. To authorize the MP3 Export Option using an authorization code:

1 Launch Pro Tools.

Pro Tools\Pro Tools Utilities and double-click Uninstall Pro Tools.exe.

3 Click Next. 4 Click Uninstall to proceed with the uninstallation.

chapter 4

Configuring Your Pro Tools System
After you have connected your system and installed Pro Tools software, you are ready to start up and configure your Pro Tools system.
6 With the volume of all output devices low-
Starting Up or Shutting Down Your System
To ensure that the components of your Pro Tools system communicate properly with each other, you need to start them in a particular order. Start up your Pro Tools system in this order:
1 Make sure all your equipment (including your computer) is off. 2 Lower the volume of all output devices in your
ered, turn on your Pro Tools SE audio interfaces. (Only for interfaces that use hardware requiring external power). Wait at least fifteen seconds for the audio interface to initialize and the status LEDs to stop flashing
7 Turn on your computer. 8 Launch Pro Tools or any third-party audio or

MIDI applications.

9 Bring the output levels up to a comfortable lis-
tening level. Shut down your Pro Tools system in this order:
1 Quit Pro Tools and any other running applica-

tions.

system (especially the main outputs to your speakers!).
3 Turn on any external hard drives. Wait ap-
To quit Pro Tools, choose Pro Tools > Quit (Mac) or File > Exit (Windows).
2 Turn off or lower the volume of all output devices in your system. 3 Turn off your computer. 4 For Pro Tools SE systems that use hardware requiring external power, turn off the hardware. 5 Turn off any MIDI interfaces, MIDI devices, or synchronization peripherals. 6 Turn off any control surfaces. 7 Turn off any external hard drives.
proximately ten seconds for them to spin up to speed.
4 Turn on any control surfaces. 5 Turn on any MIDI interfaces, MIDI devices, or
synchronization peripherals.
Chapter 4: Configuring Your Pro Tools System

Configuring Pro Tools SE

Selecting Bit Depth and Sample Rate
When selecting a bit depth or sample rate for your session, consider fidelity, any compatibility issues with others systems, and storage space. Bit depth and sample rate also have an effect on the amount of mixing power available in a session. Fewer mixer channels are available with 24-bit sessions and with sessions at higher sample rates. It is not possible to combine different bit depths within a single Pro Tools session: files of different big depths must be converted and imported into the session.
Session tab Chapter 4: Configuring Your Pro Tools System 19
Optimizing a Mac System for Pro Tools
To ensure optimum performance with Pro Tools, configure your computer before using Pro Tools hardware and software.
Disable or Reassign Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Used by Pro Tools
To have the full complement of Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts, you need to disable or reassign any conflicting Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts in the Apple System Preferences, including the following: Show Help menu Under Keyboard Navigation Move focus to the window drawer Under Dock, Expos, and Dashboard Automatically hide and show the Dock All windows Application windows Desktop Dashboard Spaces Under Spotlight Show Spotlight search field Show Spotlight window
For Windows System Optimization, see Optimizing a Windows System for Pro Tools on page 22.
Before configuring your computer, make sure you are logged in as an Administrator for the account where you want to install Pro Tools. For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, see your Apple OS X documentation.
Turning Off Software Update
Do not use the Mac OS X automatic Software Update feature, as it may upgrade your system to a version of Mac OS that has not been qualified for Pro Tools. For details on qualified versions of Mac OS, visit www.avid.com/compatibility. To turn off the Software Update feature:
1 Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu and click Software Update. 2 Click the Scheduled Check tab. 3 Deselect Check for Updates.
For a complete list of Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts, see the Keyboard Shortcuts Guide (Help > Keyboard Shortcuts).
To disable or reassign Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts:

Disabling Spotlight Indexing
The Mac OS X Spotlight feature automatically indexes files and folders on local hard drives in the background. In most cases, this is not a concern for normal Pro Tools operation. However, if Spotlight starts indexing drives while recording in a Pro Tools session with high track counts for an extended period of time, it can adversely
Optimizing a Windows System for Pro Tools
To ensure optimum performance with Pro Tools SE, configure your computer before using Pro Tools SE hardware and software.
4 In the right pane, click the triangle
(Windows 7) or the plus (+) sign (Windows XP) next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
5 Double-click on an IDE Channel. 6 Click the Advanced Settings tab. 7 Under Device Properties, check the Enable
For Mac System Optimization, see Optimizing a Mac System for Pro Tools on page 20.
Before configuring your computer, make sure you are logged in as an Administrator for the account where you want to install Pro Tools. For details on Administrator privileges, see your Windows documentation.
DMA box (Windows 7), or under each listed Device, set the Transfer Mode to DMA if available (Windows XP).
8 Click OK. 9 Repeat for each IDE Channel.
Configuring Windows Power Management Settings
Pro Tools requires maximum CPU performance for optimal RTAS processing and disk streaming. For best performance, use the following recommended Windows Power Management settings. To configure Windows Power Management Settings (Windows 7):
1 Choose Start > Control Panel. 2 Click Hardware and Sound > Power Options. 3 In the Power Options control panel, click High
Recommended Optimizations
To ensure optimum performance with Pro Tools, configure the following settings before using Pro Tools hardware and software.
When you are finished changing Windows system settings, restart your computer.

Enabling DMA

Enabling your computer's DMA (Direct Memory Access) frees up CPU bandwidth so your computer can do other Pro Tools tasks. In most cases the DMA option will already be set correctly, as Windows detects and activates DMA mode by default. To enable DMA for any IDE hard drives (Windows 7, Windows XP):
1 Choose Start. 2 Right-click Computer (Windows 7) or My Com-

Performance.

4 Click Change plan settings. 5 Click Change advanced power settings to change additional settings. 6 Click Hard disk > Turn off hard disk after =
Never. You can make optional changes such as disabling sleep and disabling shutting down the monitor.
7 Click OK or click Save changes to save the
puter (Windows XP) and choose Manage.
3 In the left pane of Computer Management un-

changes.

8 Close the window.
der System Tools, click on Device Manager.
22 Pro Tools SE User Guide
To configure Windows Power Management Settings (Windows XP):
1 Choose Start > Control Panel. 2 Double-click Power Options. 3 Click the Power Schemes tab. 4 From the Power Schemes pop-up menu, select

Additional Optimizations

Pro Tools can also be affected by other software and hardware drivers installed on your computer. For best possible performance, it is recommended (but not required) that you do the following: Avoid running any unneeded programs at the same time as Pro Tools. Turn off any software utilities that run in the background, such as Windows Messenger, calendars, and disk maintenance programs. Turn off any non-essential USB devices while running Pro Tools. If your video display card supports it, enable Bus Mastering in the manufacturers Control Panel. See the manufacturers instructions for details.

Always On.

5 Verify that the following settings are set to
Never: Turn off hard disks System standby System hibernates

6 Click OK.

Disabling User Account Control

(Windows 7)

Some third-party applications that interface with Pro Tools may require UAC to be disabled for proper operation. To disable User Account Control (UAC):
1 Choose Start > Control Panel. 2 Click User Accounts and Family Safety. 3 In the User Accounts and Family Safety control panel, click User Accounts. 4 Click Change User Account Control settings

(Windows 7).

5 Move the User Account Control slider to Never

Notify (Windows 7).

6 Click OK. 7 Restart your computer.

appendix a

Hard Drive Configuration and Maintenance
Pro Tools SE software can be installed and used on your system drive. Session files and audio can then be created and recorded to your system drive. Session files are the documents you create for each song or project. Audio files refer to the files you record or import into each session. A 5400 RPM drive is the minimum system requirement. If you are using an older computer, if your computer has a slower drive (but otherwise meets all the specifications), we recommend either using the application with some reduced track count or using an external or secondary internal audio drive to store your Pro Tools SE sessions and audio. For example, if you plan to record and play back many tracks simultaneously, we recommend using a second hard drive dedicated to saving and recording your session and audio files. When creating new session files, save them to this second hard drive and then all audio files will also record and save to this hard drive.

Formatting an Audio Drive
Always back up any important data on your drive before formatting it, as formatting will erase all data on the drive.
Formatting Mac Audio Drives
For optimum performance, audio drives should be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). To format an audio drive:

2 Click the Erase tab.

Disk Utility (Mac OS X)
3 Select the drive you want to initialize in the
column on the left side of the window.
Hard Drive Configuration and Maintenance 25
4 Choose the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format.
3 If the volume is Healthy, do the following:
Do not choose the Case-Sensitive format option. Pro Tools will not operate properly with case-sensitive formatted drives.
5 Type a name for the new volume. 6 If you plan to connect the drive to a Mac OS 9
Healthy volumes are volumes that have previously been partitioned and formatted.
In the Disk Management window, rightclick the hard drive you will use for audio and choose Format. In the Format window, name the volume. Choose a file system. For optimum performance, audio drives should be formatted as NTFS. Select Perform a quick format. Make sure Enable file and folder compression is not selected. Set the Allocation unit size to Default. Click OK.
4 If the volume is Unallocated, do the following:
computer, select Install Mac OS 9 Drivers (Mac OS 9 options only appear in 10.5 or below).

7 Click Erase.

The drive appears on the Desktop with the new volume name.
Formatting Windows Audio Drives
For optimal performance, audio drives should be formatted as NTFS.
Pro Tools only supports Basic drive types. Do not convert the drive to a Dynamic type.
To format an audio drive (Windows 7 and Windows XP):
1 Right-click Computer (Windows 7) or My Com-
In the Disk Management window, Rightclick the hard drive you will use for audio and choose New Partition. In the New Partition Wizard window, click Next. When prompted, select the partition type.
2 Under Storage, choose Disk Management.
Avid recommends using Primary partitions, instead of Extended partitions.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select a partition size and other partition settings. When prompted, choose a file system. For optimum performance, audio drives should be formatted as NTFS. Select Perform a quick format. Make sure Enable file and folder compression is not selected. Set the Allocation unit size to Default. Click OK.
Disk Management window (Windows XP)

Partitioning Drives

Partitioning creates a logical volume or volumes on a physical drive, almost as if you were creating virtual hard drives. Partitions can then be formatted with the appropriate file system (NTFS for Windows, HFS+ for Mac).

Mac OS allows drives larger than 4096 MB to be seen as whole volumes. Drives must be initialized with a disk utility that recognizes the 2 terabyte limit. Single Pro Tools audio files cannot exceed 3.4 GB in size. Windows XP allows drives formatted with the NTFS file system to be seen as whole volumes. Single Pro Tools audio files cannot exceed 3.4 GB in size.
Seek Times on Partitioned Drives
Seek times are actually faster on partitioned drives (assuming that reads and writes are performed on a single partition), since the heads only have to seek within the partition boundaries, rather than the whole capacity of the drive. Smaller partitions perform faster than larger partitions, but this comes at the expense of contiguous storage space. When you partition a drive, you will need to find the compromise that best suits your performance and storage requirements.
Avoid distributing audio files within a session over different partitions on the same drive since this will adversely affect drive performance.

Hard Disk 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. Stereo audio tracks recorded with 16-bit resolution at 44.1 kHz (CD quality) require approximately 10 MB of hard disk space per minute. The same tracks recorded with 24-bit resolution require about 15 MB per minute. Table 2 lists the required disk space for certain track numbers and track lengths, to help you estimate your hard disk usage.
Table 2. Required hard drive space for audio tracks (44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sessions shown)
Number of Tracks and Length

16-bit at 44.1 kHz

5 MB 50 MB

16-bit at 48 kHz

5.5 MB 55 MB

24-bit at 44.1 kHz

7.5 MB 75 MB

24-bit at 48 kHz

8.2 MB 83 MB
1 mono track, 1 minute 1 stereo track (or two mono tracks), 5 minutes 1 stereo track (or two mono tracks), 60 minutes 24 mono tracks, 5 minutes 24 mono tracks, 60 minutes 32 mono tracks, 5 minutes 32 mono tracks, 60 minutes

600 MB

662 MB

900 MB

991 MB
600 MB 7 GB 800 MB 9.4 GB
662 MB 7.8 GB 883 MB 10.4 GB
900 MB 10.5 GB 1.2 GB 14 GB
991 MB 11.6 GB 1.3 GB 15.4 GB

appendix b

Resources
Whether you are new to Pro Tools or just starting out with your new system, we encourage you to read and utilize the many guides that Pro Tools provides. There are also useful online resources available, giving you everything from Pro Tools tips to Pro Tools answers.
Guides Accessible in Pro Tools
The main Pro Tools guides are accessible from the Pro Tools Help menu. (Choose Help, then select a guide.) These include: Pro Tools SE User Guide
About the Pro Tools Guides

In addition to any printed guides included with your system, PDF versions of the printed guides and many additional Pro Tools guides are installed automatically during Pro Tools installation (see Documentation Installed Automatically with Pro Tools SE on page 30).
Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide Hardware Guides KeyStudio User Guide Recording Studio User Guide Vocal Studio User Guide Interactive Projects Guide
You can download the guide for whatever interface you have. Go to: http://www.m-audio.com/manuals

User Guide

The User Guide for your system gives you detailed instructions for setting up and configuring software and hardware for optimum performance.
Printed Quick Setup Instructions
The printed Quick Setup instructions give you easy-to-follow steps for setting up your software and hardware.

Resources 29

Documentation Installed Automatically with Pro Tools SE
When you install Pro Tools SE, you can access the PDF versions of the same Pro Tools guides found in the Help Menu. This documentation can be found in the following locations: Mac Applications/Digidesign/Documentation Windows C:\Program Files\Digidesign\ Documentation
To view or print PDF guides, you can use Adobe Reader (recommended) or Apple Preview (Mac only).

Helpful Online Resources

Once you get going, here are some helpful online resources: For questions about installation, visit Avids online Knowledge Base. Go to: http://www.m-audio.com/ptsefaq Get useful information, help, and tips from the worldwide community of Pro Tools users at the online User Conference. Go to: http://duc.avid.com If you cant find your answer on the User Conference or the Knowledge Base, contact Avid email support. Go to: http://www.avid.com/support

customer success 3

removing Pro Tools Mac 10 Windows 15

Clean Uninstall (Mac) 10

Safe Uninstall (Mac) 6, 10 Software Update (Mac), turning off 20 Spotlight indexing (Mac), disabling 21 system recommended optimizations (Windows) 23, 22 shutting down 17 system optimization Mac 20 Windows 22
DMA option (Windows), enabling 22 drive formatting Mac 25 Windows 26
Energy Saver (Mac), turning off 20
hard drives formatting 25, 26, 25 partitioning 27 space requirements 28

technical support 3

uninstalling Pro Tools Mac 10 Windows 15 User Account Control (UAC) disabling 23
installing Pro Tools SE Mac 5 Windows 11
journaling (Mac), enabling 21
partitioning hard drives 27 Pro Tools capabilities 1 removing (Mac) 10, 15
2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA

Technical Support (USA)

Visit the Online Support Center at www.avid.com/support

Product Information

For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.com

Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide

Version 8.0.3

Legal Notices
This guide is copyrighted 2010 by Avid Technology, Inc., (hereafter Avid), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid. 003, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 888|24 I/O, 882|20 I/O, 1622 I/O, 24-Bit ADAT Bridge I/O, AudioSuite, Avid, Avid DNA, Avid Mojo, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid Xpress, AVoption, Axiom, Beat Detective, Bomb Factory, Bruno, C|24, Command|8, Control|24, D-Command, D-Control, D-Fi, D-fx, D-Show, D-Verb, DAE, Digi 002, DigiBase, DigiDelivery, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiDrive, DigiRack, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DINR, D-Show, DV Toolkit, EditPack, Eleven, HD Core, HD Process, Hybrid, Impact, Interplay, LoFi, M-Audio, MachineControl, Maxim, Mbox, MediaComposer, MIDI I/O, MIX, MultiShell, Nitris, OMF, OMF Interchange, PRE, ProControl, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, QuickPunch, Recti-Fi, Reel Tape, Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Sibelius, Smack!, SoundReplacer, Sound Designer II, Strike, Structure, SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Transfuser, Trillium Lane Labs, Vari-Fi Velvet, X-Form, and XMON are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. Xpand! is Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Guide Part Number 8420-30253-01 REV A 06/10

Documentation Feedback

At Avid, we are always looking for ways to improve our documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or suggestions regarding our documentation, email us at techpubs@avid.com.
(for Pro Tools SE on Mac and Windows)
For increased operational speed and ease of use, there are many Pro Tools SE keyboard and Right-click shortcuts to give you fast access to a wide variety of tasks. This guide lists a variety of keyboard shortcuts and Right-click shortcuts available in each window of Pro Tools, and are grouped by functional area for your added convenience and quick reference.
Menu commands that have a keyboard shortcut display their keyboard shortcut on-screen, to the right of the menu command.
Conventions Used in This Guide
Our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:

Convention

File > Save Session Command+N/Control+N

Action

Choose Save Session from the File menu. Hold down the Command (Apple) key (Mac) or the Control (Ctrl) key (Windows) and press the N key. Hold down the Option key and press the Plus (+) or Minus () key (on numeric keypad or QWERTY, as noted). Hold down the Command key and click the mouse button. Click with the right mouse button.
Option+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Command-click (Mac Only) Right-click
Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide 1

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts in the Main Pro Tools Window
The following shortcuts can be used in the main Pro Tools window for the features noted.

Fine Tune adjustment

Windows
Plug-in parameter editing fader movement automation data trimming Fine Tune (Fine Adjust mode) Command-click on applicable fader/pot/breakpoint function (applicable functions bulleted above) Ctrl-click on applicable fader/pot/breakpoint function (applicable functions bulleted above)

Multi-select

Tracks Regions Select multiple contiguous items (tracks, regions) Click to select first item, then Shift-click another to select all similar items between (applicable items bulleted above) Click to select first item, then Command-click another to select all similar items between (applicable items bulleted above) Click to select first item, then Shift-click another to select all similar items between (applicable items bulleted above) Click to select first item, then Ctrl-click another to select all similar items between (applicable items bulleted above)
Select multiple non-contiguous items (tracks, regions)

Playback

Start/stop playback Pause (pre-prime deck for instant playback and record) Spacebar Control+Spacebar, or Option-click, on Transport Play button Left/Right Arrow keys (when selection exceeds window view) Command+Shift+L, or Control-click on Transport Play button Shift+Spacebar Command+Spacebar, F12, or click Transport Record button Spacebar Start+Spacebar, or Alt-click on Transport Play button Left/Right Arrow keys (when selection exceeds window view) Ctrl+Shift+L, or Start-click on Transport Play button Shift+Spacebar Command+Spacebar, F12, or click Transport Record button
Center on selection start/end

Loop playback toggle

Half-speed playback Enter/Exit record during playback

Record

Start record Command+Spacebar, F12, or 3 (on numeric keypad)* Spacebar Option+L Ctrl+Spacebar, or F12, or 3 (on numeric keypad) Spacebar Alt+L
Stop record Loop record toggle
*Some Pro Tools recording shortcuts use the same key commands as some Mac OS X shortcuts. If you want to retain use of these key commands in Pro Tools, these Mac OS X shortcuts must be disabled. For more information, see the Avid Pro Tools SE User Guide.
2 Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide
Transport Mode using Numeric Keypad
Play/Stop Rewind Fast Forward Record Loop Playback mode on/off Loop Record mode on/off Click on/off Countoff on/off

Auditioning

Cue Transport to selection start/end Command+Left/Right Arrow keys Command+Left/Right Arrow keys

Edit Modes and Tools

Snap to Grid button on/off Zoomer tool F4, or Option+4 (on QWERTY keyboard) F5, or Command+1 (on QWERTY keyboard) F6, or Command+2 (on QWERTY keyboard) F7, or Command+3 (on QWERTY keyboard) F8, or Command+4 (on QWERTY keyboard) F10, or Command+6 (on QWERTY keyboard, if Mac OS X Expose is disabled) Escape (Esc) key Command+Option+Tab F4, or Ctrl+4 (on QWERTY keyboard) F5, or Ctrl+1 (on QWERTY keyboard)

Trimmer tool

F6, or Ctrl+2 (on QWERTY keyboard)

Selector tool

F7, or Ctrl+3 (on QWERTY keyboard)

Grabber tool

F8, or Ctrl+4 (on QWERTY keyboard)

Pencil tool

F10, or Ctrl+6 (on QWERTY keyboard)
Cycle through Edit tools Enable or disable Tab to Transients command
Escape (Esc) key, or Center-click Ctrl+Alt+Tab
Edit Selection, Definition, and Navigation
Locate cursor to next region-boundary Tab (if Tab to Transients button is disabled) Option+Tab (if Tab to Transients button is disabled) Control+Tab Control+Option+Tab Option+Return Shift+Return Option+Shift+Return Down/Up Arrow keys Double-click with Selector Tab (if Tab to Transients button is enabled) Ctrl+Tab (if Tab to Transients button is enabled) Start+Tab Start+Ctrl+Tab or Start+Ctrl Ctrl+Enter Shift+Enter Ctrl+Shift+Enter Down/Up Arrow keys Double-click with Selector tool
Locate cursor to previous region boundary
Go to and select next region Go to and select previous region Go to end of session Extend selection to Song Start Extend selection to end of session Set selection start/end during playback Select entire region in Edit window
Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide 3
Select entire track in Edit window
Triple-click with Selector, or single-click in track and press Command+A Return, then press Command+A Command+Control+Option+L Command+Control+Option+Shift+L Shift+R
Triple-click with Selector tool, or single-click in track and press Ctrl+A Enter, then press Ctrl+A Ctrl+Alt+Start+L Ctrl+Alt+Start+Shift+L Shift+R
Select all regions in all tracks in Edit window Move the selection backward by the selection amount Halve the length of the selection Record enable tracks that contain the Edit cursor or Edit selection Solo tracks that contain the Edit cursor or Edit selectio Mute tracks that contain the Edit cursor or Edit selection Move the insertion to the beginning of the Edit selection Move the insertion to the end of the Edit selection

Shift+S Shift+M Down arrow Down arrow
Shift+S Shift+M Up arrow Up arrow
Editing, Nudging, and Trimming
In the following shortcuts, the Plus/Minus (+/) key usage is on the numeric keypad only. Change Grid value Control+Option+Plus/Minus (+/) keys Command+Option+Plus/Minus (+/) keys Minus () key (on numeric keypad) Start+Alt+Plus/Minus (+/) keys

Change Nudge value

Ctrl+Alt+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Nudge back by next Nudge value (Nudge Edit selection and any regions entirely inside the Edit selection) Nudge forward by next Nudge value (Nudge Edit selection and any regions entirely inside the Edit selection) Nudge start/end data to right/left by Nudge value (keeps underlying audio and moves start/end) Nudge data within current region to right/left by Nudge value (keeps region start/end and moves underlying audio) Nudge left selection boundary right/left by Nudge value Nudge right selection boundary right/left by Nudge value Trim left edge of region to right/left by Nudge value Trim right edge of region to right/left by Nudge value Reverse Trimmer tool direction when trimming region Trim up to, but not over, adjacent regions Duplicate region(s) in Edit window
Minus () key (on numeric keypad)
Plus (+) key (on numeric keypad)
Shift+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Control+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Start+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Option+Shift+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Alt+Shift+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Command+Shift+Plus/Minus (+/) keys Option+Plus/Minus (+/) keys Command+Plus/Minus (+/) keys Option+Trimmer tool Hold down Control key while trimming Option-click selection and drag to destination Backspace or Delete (on QWERTY keyboard) Control-click to move audio region with Grabber tool Control-click new region with Grabber tool
Ctrl+Shift+Plus/Minus (+/) keys
Alt+Plus/Minus (+/) keys Ctrl+Plus/Minus (+/) keys Alt+Trimmer tool Hold down Start key while trimming Alt-click selection and drag to destination Backspace or Delete (on QWERTY keyboard) Start-click to move audio region with Grabber tool Start-click new region with Grabber tool

Delete selection

Constrain audio region to vertical movement
Snap region start to stationary playhead or Edit selection start
4 Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide
Snap region end to stationary playhead or Edit selection start
Command-Control-click new region with Grabber tool
Ctrl-Start-click new region with Grabber tool
Horizontal zoom in or out Zoom to show entire session horizontally Command+ ] or [ Command+Control+[ Ctrl+ ] or [ Ctrl+Start+[

File Menu Commands

The following are shortcuts of commands found in the File Menu New Session Open Session Open Recent Close session Save Session Export Audio Import Audio Import MIDI Import Movie Print Score from Pro Tools Session Command+N Command+O Command+Shift+O Command+Shift+W Command+S Command+Option+B Command+Shift+I Command+Option+l Option+Shift+Command+I Command+P Ctrl+N Ctrl+O Ctrl+Shift+O Ctrl+Shift+W Ctrl+S Ctrl+Alt+B Ctrl+Shift+I Ctrl+Alt+l Alt+Shift+Ctrl+I Ctrl+P

Edit Menu Commands

The following are shortcuts of commands found in the Edit Menu (some commands do not appear in the Edit Menu) Undo Redo Cut Copy Paste Select All Paste Special to Current Automation Type Duplicate Selection Insert Silence Trim Region to Selection Trim Region Start to Insertion Trim Region End to Insertion Separate Region at Selection Heal Separation Combine selection Command+Z Command+Shift+Z Command+X Command+C Command+V Command+A Command+Control+V Command+D Command+Shift+E Command+T Option+Shift+7 Option+Shift+8 Command+E Command+H Option+Shift+3 Ctrl+Z Ctrl+Shift+Z Ctrl+X Ctrl+C Ctrl+V Ctrl+A Ctrl+Start+V Ctrl+D Ctrl+Shift+E Ctrl+T Alt+Shift+7 Alt+Shift+8 Ctrl+E Ctrl+H Alt+Shift+3
Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide 5
Marker Location and Markers
Create Marker Location Delete Marker Location
Enter (on numeric keypad) Option-click on a Memory Location marker Period (.)+Memory Location number+Period (.)
Enter (on numeric keypad) Alt-click on a Memory Location marker
Recall a Marker Location using the numeric keypad
Period (.)+Memory Location number+Period (.)

Automation

Vertically constrain automation movement Press Shift and move automation with Grabber tool Press and hold Option+Shift while writing a breakpoint (by clicking with the Grabber tool in a tracks Automation lane) Press and hold Command+Option while writing a breakpoint (by clicking with the Grabber tool in a tracks Automation lane) Backspace Command+X Command+C Command+D Command+B Press Shift and move automation with Grabber tool Press and hold Alt+Shift while writing a breakpoint (by clicking with the Grabber tool in a tracks Automation lane)
Write new breakpoint to next automation value
Write new breakpoint to previous automation value
Press and hold Ctrl+Alt while writing a breakpoint (by clicking with the Grabber tool in a tracks Automation lane)
Delete* Cut* Copy* Duplicate* Clear* *Hold Down Control during the shortcut to affect all Automation parameters on the track

Backspace Ctrl+X Ctrl+C Ctrl+D Ctrl+B
Create Fades Command+F Ctrl+F

Track Menu Commands

The following are shortcuts of commands found in the Track Menu New Track Duplicate Tracks Command+Shift+N Option+Shift+D Ctrl+Shift+N Alt+Shift+D

Region Commands

The following are shortcuts for region operations Mute/Unmute Regions Bring to Front Send to Back Quantize Region to Nearest Grid Command+M Option+Shift+F Option+Shift+B Command+0 (zero) Ctrl+M Alt+Shift+F Alt+Shift+B Ctrl+0 (zero)
6 Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide

Elastic Audio

The following shortcuts apply to tracks in Elastic Time view Relocate a Warp marker (without applying warping)
With the Grabber or the Pencil tool, Control-click and drag a Warp marker to a new location Double-click a Warp marker, or with the Grabber or the Pencil tool, Option-click a Warp marker Press Delete or Backspace
With the Grabber or the Pencil tool, Start-click and drag a Warp marker to a new location Double-click a Warp marker, or with the Grabber or the Pencil tool, Alt-click a Warp marker Press Delete or Backspace

Delete a Warp marker

Delete all Warp markers in a selection

Preferences Dialog

The following shortcuts apply to the Preferences dialog Go to Audio tab Go to Control Surfaces tab Go to Sessions tab Command+1 Command+2 Command+3 Ctrl+1 Ctrl+2 Ctrl+3

Window Menu Commands

The following are shortcuts of commands found in the Window Menu Open Loops Open MIDI Editor Option+Semi-Colon (;) Option+Control+Equal (=) Alt+Semi-Colon (;) Alt+Start+Equal (=)

Mixing

The following shortcuts apply to the Mixer section of each track Reset a control to default value Clear peak or clip-hold from meter Bypass effect Clear all Clip indicators Option-click on control Click on indicator Command-click on effect name Option+C Alt-click on control Click on indicator Ctrl-click on effect name Alt+C

Numeric Entry

The following shortcuts apply to current Location Counter Edit Current Location and Big Counters Move sub-unit selection to the right Move sub-unit selection to the left/right Increment/decrement the current sub-unit Apply entered numeric value Clear entered numeric value and exit Time Entry mode Asterisk (*) (on numeric keypad) Period (.) Left/Right Arrow keys Up/Down Arrow keys Enter Esc (Escape) key Asterisk (*) (on numeric keypad) Period (.) Left/Right Arrow keys Up/Down Arrow keys Enter Esc (Escape) key

Text Entry

The following shortcuts apply to all dialogs containing text fields Move down or up rows Move to beginning or end of edit contents Move single letters at a time across a name label Select entire word Select entire line Tab or Shift+Tab Up/Down Arrow keys Left/Right Arrow keys Double-click on word Triple-click on a word in the line Tab or Shift+Tab Up/Down Arrow keys Left/Right Arrow keys Double-click on word Triple-click on a word in the line
Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide 7

Miscellaneous

Quit Pro Tools

Command+Q

Alt+F4

Scroll Wheel Commands

The following shortcuts apply to moving scrollbars on systems with a scroll wheel. Scroll horizontally Fine-tune scroll (Fine Adjust mode) Zoom in/out of timeline Shift+Scroll Wheel Shift+Command+Scroll Wheel Option+Scroll Wheel in timeline Shift+Scroll Wheel Shift+Ctrl+Scroll Wheel Alt+Scroll Wheel in timeline
8 Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide

Loops Window Shortcuts

The following shortcuts are available in the Loops window.
Start or stop loop audition

Spacebar

Delete or Duplicate
Delete selected loops from the Loops dialog/disk Create duplicates of any selected Loops Delete Command+D Delete Ctrl+D

Mouse Click

Select contiguous items Column Headers: Make a secondary sort order Shift-click Option-click Shift-click Alt-click
Loops dialog Find button: Cancel a search, and closes the Search pane Loops window Up button: Open menu for navigating up several levels Command-click Ctrl-click

Drag and Drop

From one folder to another folder on the same volume, create a copy of that item in the target location Import loop to Timeline and create a new track Option-drag and drop Alt-drag and drop

Shift-drag and drop

Navigation
Selection up Selection down Scroll Page up Scroll Page down Scroll to top of browser Scroll to bottom of browser Up one browser level (same as Up arrow icon) Enter/exit Name Edit field Revert to original text Open/close Search pane Up Arrow key Down Arrow key Page Up Page Down Home End Command+Up Arrow key Enter or Return Escape (Esc) key Command+F Up Arrow key Down Arrow key Page Up Page Down Home End Ctrl+Up Arrow key Enter Escape (Esc) key Ctrl+F
Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide 9

Right-Click Shortcuts

The following Right-click shortcuts apply to both Mac and Windows systems equipped with a two-button mouse. Right-clicking on the noted features allow you to perform commands and access menus (if applicable).

Feature

Edit Window
Region, region selection, or point in region (Waveform Track view)

Shortcut

Cut Copy Paste Select loop Record Take Duplicate Rename Separate Combine Conform to Tempo Snap to Next Snap to Previous Snap to Grid Transpose Export as loop Learn About Remove Warp Remove Transpose Transpose Learn About

Region, region selection, or point in region (Warp Track view)

MIDI Editor Window

Midi Editor window Cut Copy Paste Duplicate Separate Combine Snap to Grid Transpose Learn About
10 Pro Tools SE Shortcuts Guide
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