Pro Tools Recording Studio

English

User Guide
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Introduction
Pro Tools Recording Studio has what you need for a professional-quality recording setup on the go. With an XLR microphone input and a TRS line/instrument input, the included Fast Track USB audio interface gives you full 24-bit digital audio; and the included Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software is your introduction to the world-standard platform in music production software.

Whats in the Box

Your Pro Tools Recording Studio package contains the following: Fast Track USB Audio Interface Printed User Guide Pro Tools M-Powered Essential DVD Pro Tools M-Powered Essential Quick Setup USB cable
Fast Track USB Audio Interface Features
Balanced XLR mic-level input with high-quality mic preamp providing 50dB of gain Balanced 1/4" TRS line/instrument input with Line/Instrument level switch Signal and Peak LED input meters Two line-level RCA outputs USB powered (no power supply needed) Qualified audio interface for Pro Tools M-Powered and M-Powered Essential
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Installing Fast Track USB
To use M-Audio Fast Track USB with Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software, follow the steps in the printed Pro Tools M-Powered Essential Quick Setup instructions. These instructions include the basic steps for installing drivers for M-Audio Fast Track USB. Detailed information about installing M-Audio Fast Track USB drivers is also provided in the next section. To use M-Audio Fast Track USB with 3rd-party music recording software, you still need to install the Fast Track USB drivers. See the following installation steps. For best results, Fast Track USB drivers and hardware should be installed first, and your recording software second (unless recording software already exists on the computer).
Installation Instructions for Windows XP and Vista
PLEASE NOTE: Make sure Fast Track USB is not connected to your computer when beginning the installation. The following instructions will indicate when you should connect the interface to your computer. 1. Install the Fast Track USB drivers by doing one of the following: Download the latest Fast Track USB drivers from the Support > Drivers page at www.m-audio.com. Once you have saved the installer to your computer, double-click the file to start the installation process. - or If you do not have Internet access and are installing drivers from the included disc, the computer will automatically display the interactive install screen when the disc is inserted. If your computer fails to launch this application, you can manually start it by clicking on Start > My Computer* > Pro Tools MPowered Essential DVD > setup.exe. Next, click "Install Fast Track USB Driver." *If you are using Windows Vista, "My Computer" will be labeled "Computer" in this step.
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Pro Tools Recording Studio 2.

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Follow the driver installers on-screen instructions. At various points in this installation process, you may be notified that the driver being installed has not passed Windows Logo Testing, or asked whether the program you wish to run is a trusted application. Click "Continue Anyway" (Windows XP) or "Install" (Windows Vista) to proceed with the installation.
Once the installer has completed, click "Finish." Connect Fast Track USB to an available USB port on your computer. If you are using Windows Vista, your Fast Track USB installation is now complete. If you are using Windows XP, proceed with steps 5-7. Windows XP will identify the interface and ask if you want to search the Internet for a driver. Select "No, not this time" and press "Next." Windows XP will display a Found New Hardware Wizard dialog asking what you want the wizard to do. Choose "Install the software automatically" and click "Next."

Once the Wizard has completed, click "Finish." If you are presented with another Found New Hardware Wizard dialog, repeat steps 5-7.
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Installation Instructions for Mac OS X
PLEASE NOTE: Make sure Fast Track USB is not connected to your computer when beginning the installation. The following instructions will indicate when you should connect the interface to your computer. 1. Install the Fast Track USB drivers by doing one of the following: If you have Internet access, download the latest Fast Track USB drivers from the Support > Drivers page at www.m-audio.com. This is highly recommended as it provides you with the newest drivers available.The downloaded file should automatically mount and display its contents. If this file does not automatically mount after it has finished downloading, click on the file from the downloads stack in the dock to display its contents. Next, double-click the installer application. - or If you do not have Internet access and are installing drivers from the Pro Tools M-Powered Essential DVD, a DVD-ROM icon will appear on your desktop once the disc is inserted into your computer. Double-click this icon to view the contents of the disc. In the Drivers folder, double-click the driver installer (.dmg) file for FastTrack_OSX. 2. Follow the driver installers on-screen instructions. During installation, Mac OS X will ask you to enter your user name and password. Enter this information and click OK to confirm. If you have not configured a password for your computer, leave the password field blank and click OK. If you are not the computers owner, ask the owner or your Administrator for this information. When the installer has completed, click "Restart." Your computer will reboot automatically. After your computer has finished starting up, connect Fast Track USB to an available USB port on your computer. Fast Track USB is now installed and ready to be used. NOTE: 1. In order to hear the audio signal produced by Fast Track USB, you must either: Connect the two RCA outputs (located on the Fast Track USB rear panel) to powered monitors, an amplifier, or a mixer. - or 2. Connect headphones to the headphone output, located on the front panel of Fast Track USB.
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Fast Track USB Audio Interface

Front Panel Controls

1. 2. 3. 4.
Mic Input Level - Adjusts the gain level for the rear-panel XLR microphone input (14). Peak LED (Mic) - Indicates presence of peak input level from the XLR microphone input. Lights when input signal approaches -3dB before overload. Signal LED (Mic) - Indicates presence of input signal from the XLR microphone input. Lights when input signal level approaches -40dB. Input/Playback Mix Control - Controls the ratio of input signal to playback signal from your recording software. (When you record, you should mute the track in your audio software that you are recording on. Otherwise, you will hear the analog input signal AND latency-delayed recorded signal.) Input Monitor Button (Stereo/Mono) - When pressed, this button sums the input signals to mono for direct monitoring. Headphone Output - Standard 1/8" stereo headphone output. Output Level - Adjusts overall output volume level. This control affects both the rear panel Line Outputs (11) and the Headphone Output (6). Power LED - Illuminates when the unit is powered on.

5. 6. 7. 8.

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Rear Panel Controls

KensingtonTM Lock Connector - Connect a standard laptop-style cable locking device here to protect your Fast Track USB from theft or accidental breakage.
10. USB Connector - Connect the included USB cable here, and connect the other end to your computer's USB port. 11. Line Outputs - Left and Right stereo outputs. Connect these outputs to powered monitors such as the M-Audio AV 40s, or to the inputs of your stereo amplifier or receiver. 12. Input Level Button (Guitar/Line) - Input level selector for the 1/4" TRS input (13). When connecting a balanced or unbalanced line level input here, the button should be set to the Line position. When connecting an instrument, the button should be set to the Guitar position. 13. Guitar/Line Input - TRS 1/4" input for line/instrument level input sources. The input level is determined by the Input Level Button (12). 14. Mic Input - Balanced XLR input for connecting a dynamic microphone.

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The Software Control Panel
Windows XP/Vista users: A small M-Audio logo will be placed in the system tray, generally located at the bottom of your Windows desktop. Double-click this icon to open the Control Panel. Mac OS X users: The Fast Track Control Panel can be found in System Preferences, under "Other." NOTE: The Software Control Panel is available only after the Fast Track USB driver software has been installed. It will not appear if Fast Track USB is being used as a class compliant device (this means using the device with the drivers already built into the computers operating system). Also note that the Fast Track USB driver software must be installed and the device connected in order for Pro Tools M-Powered Essential to function.
Latency Tab (Windows XP and Vista)
Latency is defined as the time it takes for your input signal to pass through your audio software and appear at the outputs. This latency can result in a delay that is undesirable when overdubbing to existing tracks. The slider lets you select the size of the buffer in samples. Smaller buffer sizes result in lower latency, but may not function well with slower systems, causing clicks, pops and dropouts in the audio playback. The default buffer size is 256 samples. If you are experiencing clicks and pops in your audio, try increasing the buffer size. On Macintosh systems, the buffer size is normally adjusted within your audio recording software.
Sample Rate Tab (Windows Vista Only)
This page allows you to choose a sample rate of 44.1kHz (audio CD format) or 48kHz (used in video). This is provided in order for MME applications in Vista to have access to both of the supported sample rates. When using Pro Tools M-Powered Essential, as well as ASIO and WDM applications, the sample rate can be changed within the recording software, regardless of the setting on this tab.
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Performance Tab (Macintosh Only)
This page allows you to choose a sample bit depth of 16-bit or 24-bit. The high quality 24-bit sample bit depth is selected by default. On Windows systems, the sample bit depth is normally adjusted within your audio recording software.

About Tab (All Systems)

This page contains information on your hardware and current driver software versions. This information may be helpful should you ever have the occasion to call for technical support. Clicking the links on this page will take you to useful pages on the M-Audio website.
Audio Software Configuration
The included Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software automatically selects and configures M-Audio Fast Track USB for audio recording. If you are planning to use a 3rd party recording software, you will need to select M-Audio Fast Track USB as the audio input and output device for the software and its tracks. Please refer to the documentation for your recording software for more information on audio device configuration.
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Recording with Fast Track USB
Recording using the Microphone Input
1. 2. 3. Turn the Microphone Gain knob fully counter-clockwise. Connect a microphone to the Microphone Input on the rear panel using an XLR cable. While the sound source is playing at its loudest levels, slowly turn the Mic Gain knob clockwise until the red clip indicator begins to illuminate. Then, turn the knob counter-clockwise until the clip indicator no longer illuminates. At this point, you should be ready to record with the optimum gain setting. In your recording software, select the Fast Track USB Microphone Input as the input source for a mono track. You can select the Microphone Input in your recording software by selecting the first (left) input of Fast Track USB.
Recording using the Guitar/Line Input
1. 2. 3. Use a standard 1/4" instrument cable to connect an electric guitar, bass, or other instrument to the Guitar/Line Input on the rear panel. Make sure the rear panel Input Level Button is in the Guitar position (unless you are recording from a line-level source such as a synthesizer or audio mixer). In your recording software, select the Fast Track USB Guitar/Line Input as the input source for a mono track. You can select the Guitar/Line Input in your recording software by selecting the second (right) input of Fast Track USB. NOTE: If the Microphone Input is not being used, turn the Mic Input Level knob fully counterclockwise to maintain the best possible signal-to-noise ratio. The Mic Input Level knob does not affect the level of the Guitar/Line Input.

Adjusting the Output Level
Connect the Fast Track USB Line Outputs (on the back of the interface) to a mixing console, amplifier or powered monitors. The Line Outputs and the Headphone Output are both controlled by the front-panel Output knob. NOTE: When recording with a microphone, headphones should be used and speakers should be deactivated in order to prevent feedback.
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Using the Input/Playback Mix Control
Latency is the amount of time it takes for your microphone or instrument signals to pass through the computer (and your audio software) and become available at the Line and Headphone Outputs. This delay is usually quite small and is measured in milliseconds, but it may be large enough to distract a performer who wishes to record while monitoring through software. Fast Track USB provides a solution to this with latency-free input monitoring that is adjustable via the Input/Playback Mix Control. When the Input/Playback Mix Control knob is turned to the fully counter-clockwise position (labeled "input"), only the Microphone and Guitar/Line Inputs will be heard. When the knob is turned to the fully clockwise position (labeled "playback"), only the sound from your audio software will be heard. When the Input/Playback Mix Control knob is set to the center position (labeled "mix"), an equal mix of the Fast Track USB inputs and the software output will be heard. When monitoring your input using the Input/Playback Mix Control, make sure that your audio software is not outputting signal from the track you are currently recording. This would cause "double-monitoring," resulting in an undesired "phasing" or "slap-back" echo. Consult the documentation for your audio application regarding disabling software monitoring.
Using the Input Monitor Button
When the Input Monitor Button is in the Stereo position, sound from the Microphone Input will be heard in the left side of your headphones or monitors, and sound from the Guitar/Line Input will be heard in the right side. When the Input Monitor Button is in the Mono position, sound from the Microphone and Guitar/Line Inputs will be heard in the middle of the stereo image (mixed equally in the left and right channels). Note that the Input/Playback Mix Control and the Input Monitor Button only affect what you hear through your headphones or speakers and do not affect the inputs of your audio software in any way. Fast Track USB always sends separate microphone and instrument signals to your recording software without blending them, even though they may sound blended while monitoring.

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Additional Information and Support
Documentation for the included Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software can be accessed via the applications Help menu. Additional installation and setup instructions can also be found in the included Pro Tools M-Powered Essential Quick Setup.
Before Updating Your Mac or Windows System: Please check the M-Audio driver download page at www.m-audio.com/drivers for the availability of an updated driver before you decide to install Microsoft or Apple operating system updates. Before new M-Audio device drivers are released, they are tested for use with operating system versions that are available at that time. When updates for an operating system are released, all M-Audio device drivers have to be re-tested and possibly updated to ensure proper operation. M-Audio recommends refraining from installing operating system updates until a driver has been posted to the M-Audio website for that specific operating system. The M-Audio website (www.m-audio.com) contains the latest drivers and program updates as well as useful links to news stories, FAQs, and technical support. We recommend checking this site regularly to ensure you have the latest drivers and most up-to-date information about your M-Audio products.
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Warranty

Warranty Terms
M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for terms and limitations applying to your specific product.

Warranty Registration

Immediately registering your new M-Audio product entitles you to full warranty coverage and helps M-Audio develop and manufacture the finest quality products available. Register online at www.m-audio.com/register to receive FREE product updates and for the chance to win M-Audio giveaways.
Documentation Feedback At M-Audio, we are always looking for ways to improve our documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or suggestions regarding our documentation, email us at publications@m-audio.com.

Fast Track USB

Tested to comply with FCC standards FOR HOME OR STUDIO USE
WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. 2009 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, M-Audio, Pro Tools, M-Powered, AV40 and Fast Track USB are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

For a list of Digidesign-qualified M-Audio interfaces and computers, refer to the compatibility page of the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com/compato).
Chapter 1: Welcome to Pro Tools M-Powered
Pro Tools M-Powered Capabilities
Pro Tools M-Powered software provides the following capabilities: Playback of up to 32 mono digital audio tracks, or a combination of playing back and recording up to 32 mono digital audio tracks, depending on your M-Audio interface and computers capabilities Up to 128 audio tracks (with 32 voiceable tracks maximum), 128 Auxiliary Input tracks, 64 Master Fader tracks, 256 MIDI tracks, and 32 instrument tracks per session. 16-bit or 24-bit audio resolution, at sample rates up to the sample rates supported by your M-Audio interface Non-destructive, random-access editing and mix automation Audio processing with up to 5 RTAS plugins per track, depending on your computers capabilities Up to 5 inserts per track Up to 10 sends per track Up to 32 internal mix busses
How Pro Tools M-Powered Differs from Pro Tools LE
Pro Tools M-Powered does not support the following Pro Tools LE options: DigiTranslator DV Toolkit Digidesign Ethernet-based control surfaces (such as Control|24) Avid video peripherals Some Pro Tools M-Powered configuration dialogs differ from the Pro Tools LE configuration dialogs that are presented in the Pro Tools Reference Guide. For specific Pro Tools M-Powered configuration dialogs, see Chapter 2, Windows Configuration or Chapter 3, Macintosh Configuration.

System Requirements

Pro Tools M-Powered can be used with a Digidesign-qualified M-Audio interface, running on a Digidesign-qualified Windows or Macintosh computer. For complete system requirements, visit the compatibility page of the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com/compato).
Pro Tools M-Powered uses your computers CPU to mix and process audio tracks (host processing). Computers with faster clock speeds yield higher track counts and more plug-in processing.
Compatibility Information
Digidesign can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, refer to the latest compatibility information on the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com/compato).
Pro Tools M-Powered Getting Started

Pre-Authorized iLok

Printed copies of the Pro Tools Reference Guide and other guides in the Pro Tools guide set can be purchased separately from the DigiStore (www.digidesign.com).
Conventions Used in This Guide
Digidesign guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:

About www.digidesign.com

The Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com) is your best 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. Registration Register your purchase online. See the enclosed registration form for instructions. Support Contact Digidesign Technical Support or Customer Service; download software updates and the latest online manuals; browse the Compatibility documents for system requirements; search the online Answerbase; join the worldwide Pro Tools community on the Digidesign User Conference. Training and Education Become a certified Pro Tools Operator or Expert; 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 Digidesign products; download demo software; learn about our Development Partners and their plug-ins, applications, and hardware. News and Events Get the latest news from Digidesign; sign up for a Pro Tools demo. To learn more about these and other resources available from Digidesign, visit the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com).

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 (Windows)

The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your Pro Tools 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 other Digidesign guides.

4 Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
Installing Pro Tools M-Powered Software
To install Pro Tools M-Powered:
1 Start Windows, logging in with Administrator privileges. For details on Administrator privileges, refer to your Windows documentation. 2 Insert the Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD
for Windows in your CD-ROM drive. Locate and open the Pro Tools Installer folder, and doubleclick the Setup icon.
3 Click Next to begin installation. 4 Select the components you want to install and
If you get a warning dialog about the driver not passing Windows Logo testing, click Continue Anyway.
5 When installation is complete, shut down your computer. 6 If you are using an M-Audio FireWire inter-

click Next.

5 Wait for the installer to nish installing all software components, drivers, and PACE System les before proceeding to the next step. 6 When installation is complete, click Finish.
face, do the following: Once your computer has shut down completely, connect your FireWire interface and power it on.

7 Turn on your computer.

Installing QuickTime
QuickTime 6.5 or later is required for Pro Tools if you plan to include movie files, or import MP3 or MP4 (AAC) files in your sessions. QuickTime for Windows XP is available as a free download from the Apple Web site (www.apple.com). To install QuickTime:
1 Visit www.apple.com and go to the QuickTime page. 2 Download the QuickTime installer applica-
2 From your CD-ROM drive, locate and doubleclick the Pro Tools M-Powered Demo installer icon. 3 Set the install location to your audio drive and

click Install.

4 When installation is complete, click OK.

MacDrive

The MacDrive utility lets you mount Macintoshbased HFS+ drives on a Windows-based Pro Tools system and use them as Transfer drives.

tion to your computer.

3 Double-click the QuickTime installer applica-
tion and follow the on-screen installation instructions.

4 Restart your computer.

Transfer drives can be used for storage, but not for playback or recording. To use Macbased audio files on a Windows Pro Tools system, copy the files from the Mac-based HFS+ audio drive to a Windows-based NTFS audio drive.
To install the MacDrive demo included with Pro Tools:
1 Insert the Pro Tools Installer CD into your CDROM drive. 2 From your CD-ROM drive, locate and open
Optional Software on the Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD

2 Deselect Spotlight menu keyboard shortcut and Spotlight window keyboard shortcut.
Setting Processor Performance
(Macintosh G5 Computers Only)
To set the Processor Performance:
1 Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu and click Energy Saver. 2 Click Options and set Processor Performance to Highest.
Disabling the Dashboard Shortcut
The Mac OS X Dashboard feature uses the same key command Pro Tools uses to start recording (F12). If you want to retain use of this key command in Pro Tools, this shortcut must be disabled. To disable the Dashboard keyboard shortcut:
Disabling Spotlight Indexing
The Mac OS X Spotlight feature indexes files and folders in the background, affecting system performance. It is recommended that you disable Spotlight indexing before using Pro Tools. To disable Spotlight indexing:
1 Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu and click Spotlight. 2 In the Spotlight window, click Privacy. 3 To prevent indexing of a drive, drag its icon
menu and click Dashboard and Expos.
2 Set the Dashboard keyboard shortcut to to disable the shortcut.
from the desktop into the list.
It is recommended that you start with a newly initialized audio drive.
4 Choose the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for-
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
Always back up any important data on your drive before initializing it, as initializing will erase all data on the drive.
computer, select Install Mac OS 9 Drivers.

7 Click Erase.

Recording to your system drive is not recommended. Recording and playback on a system drive may result in lower track counts, fewer plug-ins, or drive errors.
The drive appears on the Desktop with the new volume name.
For optimum performance, audio drives should be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). To format an audio drive:
1 Launch the Disk Utility application, located in

Applications/Utilities.

The Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD-ROM includes M-Audio drivers for using Digidesignqualified M-Audio interfaces on Macintosh.

Disk Utility (Mac OS X)

2 Click the Erase tab. 3 Select the drive you want to initialize in the

2 Insert the Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD-
ROM for Macintosh in your CD-ROM drive.
column on the left side of the window.
Chapter 3: Macintosh Conguration 21
folder, and double-click the driver for your interface type, as follows: For M-Audio FireWire interfaces, doubleclick the le starting with FireWire_OSX For M-Audio PCI interfaces, double-click the le starting with Delta_OSX For M-Audio BlackBox, double-click the le starting with BlackBox_OSX For M-Audio Transit, double-click the le starting with Transit_OSX For M-Audio MobilePre, double-click the le starting with MobilPre_OSX For M-Audio FastTrack, double-click the le starting with FastTrack_OSX For M-Audio Ozone, double-click the le starting with Ozone_OSX
4 Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. 5 When installation is complete, shut down
After the Apple System software settings are configured and you have installed your M-Audio interface and drivers, you are ready to install Pro Tools M-Powered. To install Pro Tools M-Powered:
1 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, refer to your Apple Mac OS X documentation. 2 Insert the Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD
for Macintosh in your CD-ROM drive. Doubleclick Install Pro Tools M-Powered.
3 Enter your Administrator password and click
OK to authenticate the installation.
4 Follow the on-screen instructions to continue and accept installation. 5 In the Installer window, choose Custom In-

your computer.

6 If you are using an M-Audio FireWire interface, do the following:
stall from the pop-up menu, and click Install.
6 Follow the remaining on-screen instructions
Once your computer has shut down completely, connect your FireWire interface and power it on.

to install Pro Tools.

7 When installation is complete, click Restart.
In your M-Audio Control Panel, make sure that output channels 1 and 2 are not set to Infinity ().
Your Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD includes separate installers for the following optional items.
To use Pro Tools M-Powered with an M-Audio interface, you must always have an iLok with an authorization for Pro Tools M-Powered. One pre-authorized iLok is included with the M-Powered package. To authorize Pro Tools M-Powered software:
1 Insert the pre-authorized iLok into an avail-
The Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD includes a demo session that you can use to verify that your system is working. To install the demo session:
able USB port on your computer.
2 Click the Pro Tools M-Powered shortcut in
your Dock, (or the application in Applications\ Digidesign\Pro Tools).
in your CD-ROM drive. Locate and double-click the Pro Tools M-Powered Demo installer icon.

To switch between the Edit and Mix windows, press Control+Equals (=) (Windows) or Command+Equals (=) (Macintosh).

Edit tools

Main Counter
Edit Mode buttons Rulers Track List

Tracks Group List

Automation data Figure 1. Edit window

Audio region

MIDI notes

Plug-In Insert Inserts

Sends Send controls
Pan sliders Track controls

Volume fader

Level meter
Tracks Figure 2. Mix window
Transport Window Provides controls for Play, Stop, Rewind, Fast-Forward, Pause, and Record. The Transport window can also show Counter and MIDI Control displays.

Transport controls

MIDI controls
Counters Figure 3. Transport window

Rulers

Pro Tools M-Powered provides several different rulers to help navigate your session.

Setting a Tempo

You can set the tempo for your session by using the Song Start Marker, located in the Tempo ruler. To set the session tempo with the Song Start Marker:
1 In the Tempo ruler, double-click the Song Start

Timebase Rulers

Timebase rulers, displayed along the top of the Edit window, include Bars:Beats, Minutes:Seconds, and Samples. The current timebase determines the format of the Main counter, and provides the basis for the Edit window Grid. To select a Timebase Ruler:
Click the name of the ruler at the top left side of the Edit window.

Start Marker.

Song Start Marker
2 In the Tempo Change dialog, enter the BPM
Selecting a Timebase ruler
(beats per minute) value you will use for the session. The inserted tempo event replaces the default session tempo.

Conductor Rulers

The Conductor rulers, displayed just below the Timebase rulers, include Tempo, Meter, and Markers. The Meter and Tempo rulers indicate changes in meter and tempo within the session. The Markers ruler displays markers to important track locations.

Change Tempo dialog

3 To base the BPM value on a different note value (such as an eighth note rather than the default quarter note), select a note value from the Resolution pop-up menu. 4 Click OK.

Using the Click Plug-In

The Click plug-in creates an audio click during session playback. This works like a metronome that you can use as a tempo reference when performing and recording. The Click plug-in is synchronized to the tempo and meter of the Pro Tools session, and follows any changes in tempo and meter.
To use the Click plug-in:
1 Choose Options > Click to enable the Click
option. or Enable the Metronome Click button in the Transport window.

Metronome Click button

The Click plug-in is one of many plug-ins that can be inserted on a Pro Tools track. See Plug-Ins on page 55.
Click controls in the Transport window
2 Create a mono Auxiliary Input (Aux Input)

track.

3 Insert a Click plug-in on the Auxiliary Input
4 In the Click plug-in window, choose a click

Click plug-in

Click Parameters
MIDI In LED Illuminates each time the Click plug-in receives a click message from the Pro Tools application, indicating the tempo. Accented Controls the output level of the accent beat (beat 1 of each bar) of the audio click. Unaccented Controls the output level of the unaccented beats of the audio click.
sound from the Librarian pop-up menu (this menu displays factory default when you rst insert the plug-in).

Selecting a Click sound

5 Choose Setup > Click and set the Click and

Countoff options.

The Note, Velocity, Duration, and Output options in this dialog are for use with MIDI instrument-based clicks and do not affect the Click plug-in.
6 Click OK. 7 Begin playback. A click is generated according to the tempo and meter of the current session and the settings in the Click/Countoff Options dialog.
Using an External MIDI Click
Pro Tools also lets you use an external MIDI device to play the click. This feature can be turned on and off in the Transport window, and is configured from the Click/Countoff Options dialog. To congure and enable an external MIDI click:
1 Choose Setup > Click.
4 During recording or playback, you can turn
the Click on or off with the Metronome Click button in the MIDI Controls display of the Transport window.

Saving Sessions

As you build a session by adding tracks and changing session controls, you will want to save your work. Pro Tools provides three ways to save sessions. To save a session:
Choose File > Save, File > Save As, or File > Save Copy In.
Click/Countoff Options dialog

Choose Window > System Usage.
The Transport window can also display the following MIDI controls: Wait for Note, Click, Countoff, MIDI Merge, Conductor, Meter, and Tempo.
Metronome Click Wait for Note Countoff

Tracks

Pro Tools lets you create tracks for audio and MIDI recording, submixing, routing, automating, and editing. Pro Tools provides five types of tracks: audio tracks, Auxiliary Input tracks, Master Faders, MIDI tracks, and Instrument tracks. Audio tracks, Auxiliary Inputs, Instrument tracks, and Master Faders can be mono or stereo. Audio Tracks Record and play back audio to and from hard disk, monitor audio input when record-enabled, and edit audio regions Auxiliary Inputs Audio mixer channels, used for input, routing, and submixing Master Faders Provide master channel controls and options for any output or bus path MIDI Tracks Record, play back, and edit MIDI data Instrument Tracks Combine the functions of MIDI and Auxiliary Input tracks, letting you control and monitor instrument plug-ins or external MIDI devices in a single channel strip. To create a new track:

1 Choose Track > New.

MIDI Merge Meter and Tempo controls
Tempo Ruler Enable Transport window (MIDI Controls)
To start and stop playback:
1 Click Play in the Transport window to begin playback. 2 Click Stop in the Transport window to stop playback.
Press the Spacebar on your computer keyboard to start and stop playback. Pro Tools starts playing from the location of the cursor, or from the beginning of the current selection. The current setting of the Link Edit and Timeline Selections command in the Options menu also affects playback. See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for more information.

New Track dialog

2 Specify the number of tracks, track type, and
mono or stereo (for all types except MIDI).
To create multiple new track types in one step, click the + button in the New Tracks dialog. Specify the number of tracks, track type, and track format for each additional row of new tracks you want to create.

3 Click Create.

In the Edit window, tracks are displayed horizontally along the Timeline. The area in which audio appears for each track is the playlist.

Figure 5. MIDI track in the Mix window Figure 4. Stereo audio track in the Mix window

Instrument Tracks

Instrument tracks have many controls in common with audio tracks, and also have an additional Instruments View, which provides controls for MIDI input, output, mute, volume, and pan. Figure 6 shows the controls found in Instrument tracks.
MIDI Input selector MIDI Output selector MIDI Velocity meter MIDI Mute button

Region List

A region is a piece of audio or MIDI data that can also have associated automation data. For example, a region could be a loop, a guitar riff, a verse of a song, a sound effect, a piece of dialog, or an entire sound file. In Pro Tools, regions are created from audio or MIDI files, and can be arranged in audio, MIDI, and Instrument track playlists. All regions that are recorded, imported, or created by editing appear in the Region List. Regions can be dragged from the list to tracks and arranged in any order. Audio regions can also be auditioned from the Region List by Alt-clicking (Windows) or Option-clicking (Macintosh) the audio region name. The Region List pop-up menu provides features for managing regions and files (such as sorting, selecting, importing, or exporting files).
Drag border to resize width of Region List Click Regions button for pop-up menu

MIDI Volume MIDI Pan

Audio Output Path selector Pan sliders
Audio Input Path selector Automation Mode selector
Pan indicators Record Enable button Solo button Mute button Output Window button Volume fader Level meter
Patch Select Volume indicator
Group ID Track Type indicator Track name
Click to hide Region List Region List

Color bar

For more information on the Region List, see the Pro Tools Reference Guide.

Track comment area

Figure 6. Stereo Instrument track in the Mix window

Navigating in a Session

Pro Tools provides many ways to navigate in a session, including using the mouse or entering a memory location into one of the counters. To navigate to a location in the Edit window:
1 In the Options menu, make sure Link Time-
2 Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh).
Navigating with the Counter
line and Edit Selection is enabled.
2 Enable the Selector tool at the top of the Edit window by clicking it.
Press the * (asterisk) key on the numeric keypad as an alternative to clicking in the counter. (The cursor will always appear in the Transport windows Main Counter if it is displayed.)

To zoom in or out on any area of a track in the Edit window:
1 Click to select the Zoomer tool. 2 Click or drag with the Zoomer tool to zoom in

Zoom Toggle

The Zoom Toggle button lets you store a zoom state and toggle between it and the current zoom state. When Zoom Toggle is enabled, the Edit window displays the stored zoom state. When Zoom Toggle is disabled, the Edit window reverts to the last zoom state. To store a zoom state using Zoom Toggle:
1 Make an Edit selection. 2 Click the Zoom Toggle button so that it is
horizontally for a track or ruler. or Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) and click with the Zoomer tool to zoom out horizontally for a track or ruler. To zoom in or out incrementally:
Click the appropriate Zoom button: Zoom Out button (Left Arrow) Zoom In button (Right Arrow) Audio or MIDI Zoom buttons, to increase or decrease vertical zoom of the corresponding track type

highlighted.

Zoom Toggle button Zoom Toggle button in the Tool bar
To zoom in or out continuously:
1 Select the Zoom tool. 2 Hold the Start key (Windows) or Control (Macintosh) and drag in a track as follows:
3 Adjust Track Height, Vertical Zoom, Track
view, and the Grid setting.
4 Make any desired edits. 5 Click the lit Zoom Toggle button again to re-
Drag up to zoom in vertically Drag down to zoom out vertically Drag to the right to zoom in horizontally Drag to the left to zoom out horizontally
vert to the last zoom state.
6 Make another edit selection and click the
Zoom Toggle button to recall the stored zoom state, and continue editing.

Zoom Presets

Pro Tools provides five Zoom Preset buttons. You can use these to immediately return to established zoom levels. You can define the magnification level for each preset, on a session-bysession basis. To store a new Zoom preset denition:
1 Use the Zoom tool to establish a Zoom setting. 2 Click a Zoom Preset button (15) and choose
Importing Data into Pro Tools Sessions
Pro Tools lets you import audio, MIDI, and a wide range of Pro Tools session data into your current session.

Instrument Name

The Instrument Name field shows the user-definable instrument name for the currently selected instrument.
MIDI Studio Setup Properties section

Manufacturer

The Manufacturer pop-up menu provides a list of MIDI equipment manufacturers. This list is derived from the XML-based MIDI device files.
When a previously defined instrument is selected in the Instrument list, the Properties section changes to reflect the properties of the selected instrument.
For more information, see MIDI Patch Name Support on page 61.
The Model pop-up menu provides a list of MIDI devices, filtered by the manufacturer name. This list is derived from the XML-based MIDI device files provided with your Pro Tools installation.

MIDI Patch Name Support

Pro Tools supports XML (Extensible Markup Language) for storing and importing patch names for you external MIDI devices. Pro Tools installs MIDI patch name files (.midnam) for the factory default patch names of many common MIDI devices. These files reside in directories, sorted by manufacturer, in Program Files\ Common Files\Digidesign\MIDI Patch Names\ Digidesign. To import MIDI patch names into Pro Tools:
1 Verify the MIDI Device name in the MIDI Stu-

Input Port

The Input Port pop-up menu displays a list of available MIDI interface input ports. The MIDI interface port that is set and displayed here is the port through which MIDI data is sent from the external MIDI device specified in the Instrument Name field into your MIDI interface.
dio Setup window (see MIDI Studio Setup on page 59).
2 Verify the MIDI tracks output is correctly assigned to the MIDI device. 3 Click the MIDI tracks Patch Select button.
If you set the input port to None, the defined instrument will not appear as a choice in a MIDI Input selector.

Output Port

The Output Port pop-up menu displays a list of available MIDI interface output ports. The port set and displayed here is the port through which MIDI data is sent from your MIDI interface to the MIDI device specified in the Instrument Name field.
If you set the output port to None, the defined instrument will not appear as a choice in a MIDI Output selector.
Patch Select button, Edit window

Send Channels

The Send Channels grid sets the send channels for the MIDI device specified in the Instrument Name field.

Receive Channels

The Receive Channels grid sets the receive channels for the MIDI device specified in the Instrument Name field.
Patch Select button, Mix window
Appendix A: Conguring MIDI Studio Setup (Windows Only)
4 In the Patch Select dialog, click the Change button.

To clear patch names:

In the Patch Select dialog, click the Clear button, and click Done.
MIDI patch name files (.midnam) can be edited in any text editor, or you can use third party patch librarian and editor software to create your own custom patch names.
Change button Patch Select dialog
5 In the Open dialog, navigate to Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\MIDI Patch Names\Digidesign\<name of manufacturer>, and select the MIDI Patch Name file (.midnam) for the MIDI device. 6 Click Open.
The Patch Select dialog is populated with patch names and the Patch Name Bank pop-up menu appears in the upper left hand corner of the window.
Patch Select dialog with patch names
Once patch names have been imported into Pro Tools, they are available for that MIDI device in all sessions.

appendix b

Conguring AMS (Mac OS X Only)
2 Click the MIDI Devices tab. AMS scans your

Audio MIDI Setup

Pro Tools recognizes the ports on your MIDI interface as generic ports. With Mac OS X, you use Apples Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) utility to identify external MIDI devices connected to your MIDI interface and configure your MIDI studio for use with Pro Tools. To congure your MIDI studio in AMS:
1 Launch Audio MIDI Setup (located in Applica-
system for connected MIDI interfaces. If your MIDI interface is properly connected, it appears in the window with each of its ports numbered.
tions/Utilities). or In Pro Tools, choose Setup > MIDI > MIDI Studio Setup.
Audio MIDI Setup (MIDI Devices tab)
3 For any MIDI devices connected to the MIDI
interface, click Add Device. A new external device icon with the default MIDI keyboard image will appear.

4 Drag the new device icon to a convenient lo-
cation within the window.
Appendix B: Conguring AMS (Mac OS X Only)
5 Connect the MIDI device to the MIDI interface by clicking the arrow for the appropriate output port of the device and dragging a connection or cable to the input arrow of the corresponding port of the MIDI interface.
To congure an external MIDI device:
1 Select the external device icon and click Show
Info (or double-click the new device icon).

External Device Icon

2 Select a manufacturer and model for the new
Making MIDI input and output connections
6 Click the arrow for the appropriate input port of the device and drag a cable to the output arrow of the corresponding port of the MIDI interface.
device from the corresponding pop-up menus. (If the Manufacturer and Model pop-up menus do not provide a name for your particular device, you can type a name.)
To remove a connection, select the cable and press Delete. To delete all connections, click Clear Cables.
7 Repeat steps 36 for each MIDI device in your MIDI setup.

Naming a new MIDI device

For Manufacturer and Model names, AMS refers to one or more files with the suffix.middev in the directory Root/Library/ Audio/MIDI Devices. Pro Tools installs a file that contains information for many commercially available MIDI devices, named Digidesign Device List.middev. If the Manufacturer or Model names for any of your external MIDI devices is not available in the AMS Manufacturer and Model popup menus, you can add them by editing the.middev file in any text editor (such as TextEdit).
3 Click the More Properties arrow to expand the
4 Click the device image. The window expands
dialog, then enable the appropriate MIDI channels (116) for the Transmits and Receives options. (These determine which channels the device will use to send and receive MIDI.)
to show images for various MIDI devices (such as keyboards, modules, interfaces, and mixers). Select an icon for your device.
Selecting a device icon Enabling MIDI channels
To use your own custom icons, you can place TIFF image files in /Library/ Audio/MIDI Devices/Generic/Images, and they will appear as choices in the AMS device window.
The device names you enter appear as MIDI input and output choices in Pro Tools.
Pro Tools supports XML (Extensible Markup Language) for storing and importing patch names for you external MIDI devices. Pro Tools installs MIDI patch name files (.midnam) for the factory default patch names of many common MIDI devices. These files reside in directories, sorted by manufacturer, in /Library/Audio/MIDI Patch Names/Digidesign.