Difference between revisions of "Recording with Pro Tools - Sound Effects Studio"

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=== Creating a Session in Pro Tools ===
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== Creating a Session in Pro Tools ==
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# Open the Pro Tools application and select the “Create” tab.  
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# Open the '''Pro Tools''' application  
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# Select the “Create from Template” option and name your Session  
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# Select the '''Create''' tab.  
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# Select the template that matches the name of the room or interface you’re using. Ex: Audio Lab 828. Note: The name of the templates will sometimes change if a new template is created in order to better support the needs of your class.
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# Select the '''Create from Template''' option and name your Session  
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# The template should automatically generate the sample-rate and bit-depth, but ensure it is set to sample rate: 48 and bit-depth: 24.  
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# Select a template - SFX - Lab  
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# At the bottom of the Pro Tools dashboard, you will see a “Location...” option. Select this and ensure you are saving the Session to either your Desktop or Documents. Sometimes the Session will automatically save your project to an obscure and difficult to find location if you do not do this. 
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# Name the session
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# Finally, click “Create” and begin your session!
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# The template should automatically generate the sample-rate and bit-depth, but ensure it is set to '''Sample Rate''': '''48kHz''' and '''Bit Depth''': '''24'''.  
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# Click '''Create'''
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# In the '''Save''' dialog click '''Desktop''' button on the left.  
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# Name the session.  
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# Click '''Save'''
  
  
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=== Creating a Session in Audition ===
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== Recording ==
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# Open the Audition application and sign in with your Evergreen ID.
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# Select File > New > Multitrack Session from the toolbar.
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# There should be a template for the SFX Lab when the dialogue box pops up, but if not, continue to the next step.
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# Select Multitrack > Tracks > Add Video Track from the toolbar.
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# Note: In the upper right corner of the screen are several window view options; Edit Audio to Video and Video on Second Display are the two you will be working with the most. Pick the view that best suits your needs. 
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# Note: You can mirror your display but clicking the small computer monitor icon in the top right of the screen (above where the view options are). This is best to do if you and your performer both need to see the video at the same time. 
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# Note: Right-click the “Levels” window at the bottom and select “metering.” When you record arm a channel, you will be able to see the overall levels from this window. 
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=== Setting Up the MOTU M4 ===
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# Turn down the '''Monitor''' knob on the '''MOTU M4'''. 
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# Set up a microphone. 
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# Plug your microphone) into the front of the '''MOTU M4''' '''Input 1''' 
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# Set the preamp levels with the '''Gain''' knob. 
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# Pay close attention to the meters on the face of the MOTU M4. 
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# Set the '''Gain''' knob so the meter is just turning yellow
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# Press the '''MON''' button on your input channel.
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# Set the '''Input Monitor Mix''' knob to 12:00.
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# Set the '''MOTU M4''' headphone knob to 2:00.
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# Adjust the volumes knob on the headphone amp for each headphone that you are using.
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#* If the input meters look good but it’s still hard to hear, try turning up the headphone level on the headphone amp.
  
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=== Recording in the Space ===
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=== Recording the First Track ===
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# Take some time to plan out what kinds of sounds you are trying to capture and lay out the materials you might need to use.
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# Go to Options menu and make sure '''Low Latency Monitoring''' is selected.  
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# Set up any microphones you will be using during your session on stands. 
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# Set the input of track 1 to '''Input 1 Mono''' 
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# Power on the equipment.
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# Click the '''Track Record Enable''' button on track 1.  
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# Flip the switch on the power strip located to the left edge of the desk. This should boot up the entire system.
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# Check record levels and headphone levels.  
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# Power on the computer. Note: The power for the computer is located on the back of the device. It is a small button flush with the body of the computer, so it is difficult to feel for some people. You can tell when you have successfully powered on the computer when the small white LED on the front of the computer comes on.  
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# Click the '''Record Enable''' button.  
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# Plug your microphone(s) into the front of the MOTU M4 and set the preamp levels. 
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# Click the '''Play''' button to start recording.  
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# Pay close attention to the meters on the face of the MOTU M4. This is your first indication as to whether your signal is healthy. 
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# Click the '''Stop''' button when done
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# In digital audio, a healthy gain level is around –6 dB
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# Click the '''Track Record Enable''' button on track 1 to unarm the track.  
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# Engage the “MON” button on your input channels and check the headphone level.  
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# Click '''Play''' to playback the recording.
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# Note: If the meters look good but it’s still hard to hear, try turning up the headphone level on the splitter rather than adjusting the preamp. 
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#* Turn the '''Input Monitor Mix''' all the way to the right to only hear playback
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# Create your Session in your desired DAW and import the video you will be working with. 
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#* Turn up the '''Monitor''' knob to listen on the speakers.  
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# Record arm the tracks you will be recording sound to and press the main record button in the DAW.  
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# LATENCY-FREE MONITORING: If your performer is listening to the sounds they create as it is recorded into Pro Tools or Audition, there will be a delay that will make it difficult to complete their performance. You must set your headphones to listen from where the sound enters the MOTU M4 in order to have latency-free monitoring.  
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# If you have no other sounds in the project that your performer needs to listen to, then turn the input/playback knob to input. They will not hear any of the sounds besides the microphone channels that have the “MON” button engaged.
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# If your talent is overdubbing and needs to hear other material in the project, first MUTE the track you are recording to in your DAW by pressing the “M” button.
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# Turn the “input/playback” knob to the center so they will be hearing a mix of their voice and the other pre-recorded materials.
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# Ensure their microphone channel has the “MON” button engaged.
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# The most important part to remember when doing this is muting the channel you are recording to in your DAW.
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# Listen back to your recording.  
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# Turn off the “MON” button, disarm any tracks in the DAW, and adjust the big knob to hear your recording from the main speakers.
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# Turn the “Input/Playback” knob fully to the playback side and disarm any tracks in the DAW to hear your recording from the headphones.
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# Remember to save your Session before closing the file, and preferably saving an additional copy of your session to a personal drive.
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Once everything is saved, shut everything down in reverse order from the power on procedure. 
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  Clean up the space:
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=== Recording a Second Track While Monitoring Track 1 ===
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# Set the input of track 2 to '''Input 1 Mono'''
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# Click the '''Track Record Enable''' button on track 2.
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# Check record levels and headphone levels.
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# Click the '''Play''' button and adjust '''Input Monitor Mix''' to change the balance of the microphone and the Pro Tool playback.
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# Cue Pro Tools to where you want it to start.
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# Click the '''Record Enable''' button.
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# Click the '''Play''' button to start recording.
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# Click the '''Stop''' button when done
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# Click the '''Track Record Enable''' button on track 2 to unarm the track.
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# Click '''Play''' to playback the recording.
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#* Turn the '''Input Monitor Mix''' all the way to the right to only hear playback
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#* Turn up the '''Monitor''' knob to listen on the speakers. 
  
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Ensure all cables are coiled.
 
  
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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.
 
  
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Place all microphones and clips back into their respective containers and note any missing or damaged gear.   
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== End of Session ==
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# Remember to save your Session before closing the file.
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# Quit '''Pro Tools'''.
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# Back ups the entire folder to an external drive or OneDrive.
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#Turn all monitor knob down. 
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#Shutdown the computer. 
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#Clean up the space:
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##Ensure all cables are coiled. 
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##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. 
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#Tidy up any toys, noise makers, etc.  Notate any issues in the logbook.   
  
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Tidy up any toys, noise makers, etc. 
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[[Category:Pro Tools]]
  
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Notate any issues in the logbook. 
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[[Category:Sound Effects Studio]]
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[[Category:Sound Effects Studio]]
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Latest revision as of 11:37, 23 January 2024

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.
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