Recording with Pro Tools - Sound Effects Studio

Creating a Session in Pro Tools

1. Open the Pro Tools application
2. Select the Create tab.
3. Select the Create from Template option and name your Session
4. Select a template - SFX - Lab
5. Name the session
6. The template should automatically generate the sample-rate and bit-depth, but ensure it is set to Sample Rate: 48kHz and Bit Depth: 24.
7. Click Create
8. In the Save dialog click Desktop button on the left.
9. Name the session.
10. Click Save

Recording

Setting Up the MOTU M4

1. Turn down the Monitor knob on the MOTU M4.
2. Set up a microphone.
3. Plug your microphone) into the front of the MOTU M4 Input 1
4. Set the preamp levels with the Gain knob.
5. Pay close attention to the meters on the face of the MOTU M4.
6. Set the Gain knob so the meter is just turning yellow
7. Press the MON button on your input channel.
8. Set the Input Monitor Mix knob to 12:00.
9. Set the MOTU M4 headphone knob to 2:00.
10. Adjust the volumes knob on the headphone amp for each headphone that you are using.
    • If the input meters look good but it’s still hard to hear, try turning up the headphone level on the headphone amp.

Recording the First Track

1. Go to Options menu and make sure Low Latency Monitoring is selected.
2. Set the input of track 1 to Input 1 Mono
3. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 1.
4. Check record levels and headphone levels.
5. Click the Record Enable button.
6. Click the Play button to start recording.
7. Click the Stop button when done
8. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 1 to unarm the track.
9. Click Play to playback the recording.
   • Turn the Input Monitor Mix all the way to the right to only hear playback
   • Turn up the Monitor knob to listen on the speakers.

Recording a Second Track While Monitoring Track 1

1. Set the input of track 2 to Input 1 Mono
2. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 2.
3. Check record levels and headphone levels.
4. Click the Play button and adjust Input Monitor Mix to change the balance of the microphone and the Pro Tool playback.
5. Cue Pro Tools to where you want it to start.
6. Click the Record Enable button.
7. Click the Play button to start recording.
8. Click the Stop button when done
9. Click the Track Record Enable button on track 2 to unarm the track.
10. Click Play to playback the recording.
    • Turn the Input Monitor Mix all the way to the right to only hear playback
    • Turn up the Monitor knob to listen on the speakers.

End of Session

1. Remember to save your Session before closing the file.
2. Quit Pro Tools.
3. Back ups the entire folder to an external drive or OneDrive.
4. Turn all monitor knob down.
5. Shutdown the computer.
6. Clean up the space:
   1. Ensure all cables are coiled.
   2. Ensure all microphone stands are put away by loosening the joints and adjusting the pieces rather than forcing the pieces while the joints are still tightened.
7. Tidy up any toys, noise makers, etc. Notate any issues in the logbook.