Chapter 7: I/O Setup. Avid Technology Pro Tools HD 6.4, Pro Tools LE 6.4, PRO TOOLS MIX 51

Chapter 7: I/O Setup

The I/O Setup dialog provides tools to label, format, and map Pro Tools input, output, insert, or bus signal paths for each session.

A signal path is a logical grouping of multiple inputs, outputs or busses that has a single name and (channel) format. In Pro Tools, paths are similar to stems, known to the film and video in-

dustries (see “Stems and Stem Mixes” on page 69). The I/O Setup dialog lets you define

and name paths according to the needs of each project.

On HD-series systems, the I/O Setup Dialog provides a graphical representation of the signal routing for each connected audio interface, with controls to route physical ports to Pro Tools inputs and outputs. These controls mirror the routing controls found in the Hardware Setup dialog—changes made to physical routing in one dialog are always reflected in the other.

Each Pro Tools system can have a different

I/O Setup configuration, determined by:

• Whether it is a Pro Tools LE system or a

Pro Tools TDM system

• On TDM systems, whether it is an HD-series,

MIX-series, or Pro Tools|24 system

• On TDM systems, the number and types of audio interfaces

• On TDM systems, the mixer plug-in currently installed

Each Pro Tools session retains its path configurations as I/O Settings. The I/O Settings saved with the session are loaded automatically when the session is opened. Unavailable items (including hardware, paths, or required resources)

remain in the session as inactive items (see “Active and Inactive Paths” on page 78).

When you create a new session, you can specify a default I/O Setup configuration, including presets for stereo or multichannel mixing formats (multichannel mixing requires an HD-series or MIX-series system).

The I/O Setup dialog also lets you save and import I/O Settings files.

Paths in Sessions

In sessions, audio is routed using the track Input, Output, Insert, Plug-in, and Send Selectors.

These selectors let you assign tracks to hardware inputs and outputs, internal busses, and other

Pro Tools signal paths.

Chapter 7: I/O Setup 67

Paths comprise the lists of available signal routing choices in track input, output, insert and send selectors.

Paths and I/O Setup

The signal routing choices available in a session are defined in the I/O Setup dialog.

Track Input Selectors

I/O Setup dialog Output paths on a Digi 001 system

(Pro Tools 6.2)

Track Output Selectors

I/O Setup dialog Output paths on an HD system

(Pro Tools 6.4)

68 Pro Tools Reference Guide

Main Paths and Sub-Paths

Paths in the I/O Setup dialog include main paths and sub-paths.

Stereo main path mono sub-path mono sub-path

Main and sub-paths in the I/O Setup Channel Grid

Main Paths

Main paths are logical groupings of inputs, inserts, busses, or outputs. For example, a master stereo output path could be named Main Out.

Path names in a stereo path are often appended with “.L” and “.R” for left and right.

Sub-Paths

A sub-path represents a signal path within a main path. For example, a default stereo output path consists of two mono sub-paths, left and right. Mono tracks and sends can be routed to either mono sub-path of the stereo output path.

It is especially useful to define and name sub-paths for complex mixing setups, such as a 5.1 Surround mix.

Default I/O Settings

A default I/O Settings file is installed automatically by Pro Tools, so you have a set of default paths that will get you started, without the need to configure the I/O Setup dialog. You can then customize your I/O Setup configuration at any time, according to the needs of each project (see

“The I/O Setup Dialog” on page 70).

Default Settings Files

The default Stereo settings file is available on all

Pro Tools systems, and provides stereo main paths, each with its own mono sub-paths.

Multichannel settings files are available for

Pro Tools HD-series and MIX-series systems.

These settings provide specialized path defini-

tions for surround mixing. See “Configuring

Pro Tools for Multichannel Sessions” on page 508.

Default Path Names

Default names for input, output, and insert paths are based on the type of system (LE systems) or type and number of interfaces (TDM systems) you are using.

Stems and Stem Mixes

The use of stems and stem mixes originated in the post production industry as a method to organize and manage elements of a mix by type or content.

For example, a film mix often requires a stem mix for Foley, a stem mix for sound effects, a stem mix for dialog, and another for music. In this scenario, the dialog stem would contain all the dialog elements mixed relative to each other. The dialog stem can then be mixed with the other stems during the final mix of the scene or reel. The final mix is simplified by the ability to control the level of each stem, rather than the multitude of individual tracks that comprise a typical film mix.

In Pro Tools, you can work with main and subpaths as you would stem mixes. These can be assigned as needed, including the ability to assign multiple outputs to individual tracks and sends.

For more information, see “Multiple Output Assignments” on page 412.


The I/O Setup Dialog

The I/O Setup dialog defines Pro Tools input, output, insert, and bus paths. Routing I/O ports to

Pro Tools inputs and outputs can also be done here.

Path Type Tabs

Path Name column

Path Format Selector

Interface Label

Input and Output

Selectors

Expand/Collapse

Main and Sub-Paths

Active/Inactive

Status

Channel Grid

Options

Path Tools

Figure 5. I/O Setup dialog on a Pro Tools|HD system with a 96 I/O

To open the I/O Setup dialog:

1 Make sure your audio interfaces are enabled and configured properly in the Hardware Setup.

See “Configuring Pro Tools Hardware Settings” on page 41.

2 Choose Setups > I/O Setup.

Closing the I/O Setup Dialog

You can click Cancel at any time to close the

I/O Setup dialog. When you click OK, Pro Tools checks several settings for routing validity (to prevent feedback loops). If there are any overlapping or invalid settings, you will be required to correct them before the I/O Setup dialog will

close. For more information, see “Initializing

I/O Setup” on page 77.

To open the Input, Output, Insert, Bus, Mic

Preamps, or H/W Insert Delay page in the I/O

Setup dialog:

■

Click the corresponding tab at the top of the

I/O Setup dialog.


I/O Setup Dialog Controls

This section provides an overview of the controls in the I/O Setup dialog.

Path Type Tabs Select the type of I/O to configure. Choices are Inputs, Outputs, Inserts, or Busses.

Input and Output Selectors Select the physical ports on your audio interface to route to

Pro Tools inputs and outputs. Ports are selectable in channel pairs. Available ports for each displayed interface are based on Hardware Setup settings; for example, if the AES/EBU inputs and outputs of an interface are enabled in Hardware

Setup, they are available for routing in I/O

Setup. The functionality provided with the Input and Output Selector is the same as that provided on the Main page of the Hardware Setup dialog.

Path Name Column Shows paths that are available for selection, including the name of each defined path.

Expand/Collapse Shows or hides the sub-paths associated with a main path.

Active/Inactive Status Shows and changes the active/inactive status of each path.

Path Format Selector Shows and selects the type/format (such as Mono, Stereo, Quad, or

5.1) of each defined path.

Channel Grid Maps paths to specific interfaces and channels.

Compensation for Input and Output Delays Allows automatic compensation for input and output delays caused by Digidesign analog-todigital and digital-to-analog hardware.

Path Tools Customize the I/O Setup configuration. Buttons include: New Path, New Sub-Path,

Delete Path, and Default.

Show Original Setup Appears in the I/O Setup dialog in certain session transfer situations. For

details on this feature, see “Show Original Setup and Show Current Setup” on page 80.

Options Provide pop-up menus to set paths or orders for Meter, Audition (Regions List previewing), Default Output (for new tracks), and

Default Path Order. See “I/O Setup Options” on page 82.

Routing Hardware I/O to

Pro Tools I/O

The I/O Setup dialog lets you define which physical ports on your I/O peripheral are routed to available inputs and outputs in Pro Tools. Use the Input and Output Selectors in the I/O Setup dialog to serve as a patchbay to route any of the physical inputs or outputs to your Pro Tools mixer.

I/O Channel Selector pop-up menu


To configure I/O routing in I/O Setup:


2 Click the Input or Output tab to display the corresponding path type.

3 Click the Input or Output Selector for the first interface channel pair, located below the first audio interface icon.

4 From the pop-up menu, select a physical port pair (such as Analog 1–2), to route to a Pro Tools channel pair (such as A 1–2) in the Path Name column on the left.

5 Repeat the above step for additional channel pairs.

6 Click OK.

Routing a Pro Tools Output Pair to

Multiple Destinations

Pro Tools channel pairs can be routed to multiple outputs on an audio interface through the

I/O Setup dialog. For example, if you assign both

Analog 1–2 and Analog 3–4 interface outputs to

Pro Tools Output pair 1–2, when you send a signal to Pro Tools Outputs 1–2, that signal will be routed simultaneously to both pairs of output ports on your audio interface.

This lets you send the same signal (such as a stereo pair, a stem mix, or a multichannel mix) to multiple destinations (such as multiple mastering devices).

The only limit to output choices is the number of outputs available in your system.

0utput path assignments cannot overlap.

See “Valid Paths and Requirements” on page 77 for details.

Pro Tools outputs pairs can also be routed to multiple audio interface outputs in the Hardware Setup dialog. For more information, see

“Routing a Pro Tools Output Pair to Multiple

Destinations” on page 44.

To route a Pro Tools output channel pair to multiple audio interface output ports:


2 Click the Output tab.

3 Click the Output Selector for an interface channel pair, just below an audio interface icon.

4 From the pop-up menu, select a physical port pair (such as Analog 1–2) to route to the corresponding Pro Tools channel pair (such as A 1–2) in the Path Name column on the left.

5 Start-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) the same Output Selector and select an additional output pair from the same pop-up menu.

The output name updates with a plus sign (“+”) before it to indicate that multiple output ports are selected. In the pop-up menu, each physical port pair assigned to that Pro Tools output pair is indicated by a check mark.

6 Repeat the above steps to select additional output destinations.

7 Click OK.


Creating and Editing Paths

The I/O Setup dialog lets you create and customize signal path definitions.

Paths can be:

• Renamed, for easier identification after changing or renaming audio interfaces

• Remapped, to or from different sources or destinations

• Deactivated (or reactivated) to manage unavailable or unnecessary I/O resources

• Deleted

In addition, you can import and export your

I/O Setup configurations as I/O Settings files, as well as set default path parameters.

The following table lists the available path attributes for each path type.

Path Options by Type

Path Type Path Options (Attributes)

Input

Output

Names, formats, and source channel (analog or digital audio interface, or CPU input)

Names, formats, and destination

(audio interface output channel or internal send bus)

Insert

Bus

Names, formats and destination

(audio interface channels)

Names and formats

Creating a Default Main or Sub-Path

You can set an I/O Setup path type to its default path configuration at any time.

To restore default paths and pathnames:


2 Click the Input, Output, Insert, or Bus tab to display the corresponding path type.

3 Click Default.

Pro Tools creates all possible stereo main paths.

Mono sub-paths are also auto-created for every stereo main path. These default path names appear in a session’s track Input and Output Selectors.

Default stereo output paths

To optimize Pro Tools DSP resources, it is best to create mono sub-paths for Outputs and Busses, rather than mono main paths.

Creating New Paths

You can create new main path and sub-paths with custom names, format, and mapping. Custom path names appear in a session’s track Input, Output, Insert, and Bus Selectors.

To create a new path:


2 Click the Input, Output, Insert, or Bus tab to display the corresponding path type.

3 Click New Path, or press Control+N (Windows) or Command+N (Macintosh).

– or –

Select a main path and click New Sub-Path.


4 Double-click in the Name field and enter a name for the path.

5 Press Tab to set the new path name and move to the next path’s Name Field, or press Enter

(Windows) or Return (Macintosh) to set the new path name.

6 Choose a format from the Path Format Selector (mono, stereo, or multichannel).

Selecting and Arranging Paths

Individual and multiple paths can be selected in the I/O Setup dialog Path Name column. Selected paths and sub-paths can be moved higher or lower in the Path Name column to change their menu order in track Input, Output, Insert, and Bus Selectors. Paths can also be deleted.

Sub-paths follow their main paths when they are moved in the I/O Setup dialog.

To select a main path or sub-path:

■

Click the path name.

Path Format Selector

7 Repeat the previous steps to configure other path types (Input, Output, Insert, or Bus).

8 Click OK to close the I/O Setup dialog. If there are any overlapping or identically named paths, you will be instructed to correct them before the

I/O Setup dialog will close. For more informa-

tion, see “Initializing I/O Setup” on page 77.

Multichannel paths and mixing are ex-

plained in Chapter 31, “Pro Tools Setup for

Surround.”

Selecting paths in the I/O Setup dialog

To select multiple main paths or sub-paths:

■

Shift-click the path names.

When all paths are selected, Shift-clicking the path name, deselects it.

To select all paths and sub-paths:

■

Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Macintosh) any path name.

When all paths are selected, Alt-clicking (Windows) or Option-clicking (Macintosh) any path name, deselects all path names.

To rearrange paths:

■

Drag one or more path names up or down.


Resetting Paths

The Default button in the I/O Setup dialog provides two primary functions:

• Creates new, default paths up to the capacity of your system’s available audio interfaces and

resources. See “Creating a Default Main or

Sub-Path” on page 73.

• Resets selected path names to matching or corresponding paths in the current I/O Setup configuration. For example, if you change modes on Digi 001, or replace an audio interface on a Pro Tools HD-series or MIX-series system, you can use the Default switch to update your I/O Setup definitions with the new hardware configuration.

Interface names can be customized. See

“Changing Interface Names” on page 75.

To reset path names:

■

Click Default.

If there are matching paths available with the new system configuration, existing paths will be updated to include new audio interfaces (TDM systems), or I/O mode selection (Digi 001 only).

Resetting Mix Busses (TDM Only)

Pro Tools 5.1.3 and higher supports up to 64 mix busses for TDM systems. However, when you open a session created with Pro Tools 5.0.1 or lower, only 32 busses are initially available.

To make 64 busses available in sessions created with Pro Tools 5.0.1 or lower:

1 Open the I/O Setup dialog.

2 Click the Bus tab in the upper left.

3 Click Default.

Changing Interface Names

Audio interface names can be customized in the

I/O Setup dialog (Pro Tools TDM systems and

Pro Tools 6.1 on LE). On TDM systems only, the

I/O Setup dialog then bases default Input and

Output path names on the custom names.

To rename an audio interface in the I/O Setup dialog:

1 Double-click the label above an interface.

2 Enter a new interface name.

3 Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh).

Interface Name

Interface Names

Deleting Paths

Path definitions can be deleted from the current session to reflect changes to your hardware setup, or to clean up track selector menus by removing unwanted or unnecessary path definitions. After deleting a path, any tracks or send assignments to that path are reset to No Output.

To delete a main path or sub-path:

1 In the I/O Setup dialog, select the path you want to delete.

2 Click Delete Path.

To delete all paths:

1 Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Macintosh) any path name.

2 Click Delete Path.


Channel Mapping

Once a path has been created and formatted, it can be mapped to specific audio interface, or bus channels in the Grid.

To map channels:

1 Select a main or sub-path.

2 In the row for the selected path, click in the

Grid column under an audio interface and channel. Other channels for the path type, if any, fill to the right.

Channel Mapping and Surround Mixer

(Pro Tools HD-Series and MIX-Series Systems

Only)

When mapping multichannel paths, the left channel (L) is mapped first to the clicked Grid box, and remaining channels fill immediately to the right according to the default path order. Because some multichannel mixing formats use unique track layouts, Pro Tools lets you set the

default format in the I/O Setup dialog (see “I/O

Setup Options” on page 82).

Mapping channels

For example, when mapping a new stereo path, clicking in the path row under output channel 1 fills both channel 1 and 2 (left to 1, right to 2).

To remap channels in a path, see “Remapping

Channels” on page 76.

Customized Output paths for a 5.1 mix

Remapping Channels

You can move the individual assignments to different channels, to reorder the path’s definition

(for example, changing a multichannel map to

L-R-C-LF-LS-RS).

To remap channels in a path:

■

Drag the channel to the new location in the

Grid. Other channel assignments will move

(shuffle) to accommodate dragged channels.


Channel Shuffling

Moving a signal from right to left results in a shuffle of other signals after the new destination channel. Moving a signal from left to right shuffles any and all signals after the new destination channel and leaves the previous channel empty.

Changing a path’s format erases any current channel mapping.

Sub-Paths Follow Main Paths

When a main path is remapped, its sub-paths (if any) will remap automatically to maintain consistent routing. For example, remapping a stereo path to different hardware outputs results in any of its sub-paths moving with it.

Initializing I/O Setup

To set the current I/O Setup configuration:

■

Click OK in the I/O Setup dialog.

All paths must be valid before the I/O Setup configuration can be applied.

Valid Paths and Requirements

While configuring the I/O Setup window, certain rules apply for path definition and channel mapping.

Though it is possible to set up invalid mappings in the Channel Grid, Pro Tools will not accept an I/O Setup configuration unless all paths meet the path definition and channel mapping requirements, as follows:

Minimum Path Definitions All paths must have a name, be of a specific format, and have a valid

I/O mapping.

Overlapping Channels and Valid Paths Channel mapping follows certain rules regarding overlapping paths.

• There can be no partial or complete overlaps between any two main Output paths, any two Insert paths, or any two main Bus paths.

• A newly-created Output or Bus path must either be completely independent of other maps (not mapped to any other available

I/O interface/channels), or it must be a subpath completely contained within a larger path (for example, an LCR sub-path within a larger 5.1 path).

• Output and Insert paths can overlap in I/O

Setup, but only one or the other can be used at any given time in a session. (Inputs, however, can be routed to multiple tracks.)


Active and Inactive Paths

Pro Tools paths can be Active (on) or Inactive

(off, or unavailable). You can manually switch paths between Active or Inactive on a track-bytrack or session-wide basis. In addition,

Pro Tools sets paths to Inactive automatically when I/O is unavailable.

Track Path Assignments Track input, output, and bus path assignments can be switched to Inactive using the corresponding selector on the track. This leaves track playlists intact, while disconnecting that particular track from the output or bus path. Use this to remove a track from a signal path.

Session-Wide Path Assignments Paths can be globally activated or deactivated in the

I/O Setup window. Use this to turn off a signal path on any and all tracks currently assigned to it. Pro Tools also sets unavailable paths to inactive. Paths can be unavailable when hardware or other system resources are unavailable, such as when opening a session saved on a different system.

Track Path Assignments

(Mix and Edit Windows)

To toggle a track path assignment to be Active or

Inactive:

■

In the Mix or Edit window, Control-Start-click

(Windows) or Command-Control-click (Macintosh) the track’s Input, Output, Insert, or Send

Selector.

Inactive track path assignments are listed in italics and are unhighlighted.

Toggling All or All Selected

The Alt (Windows) and Option (Macintosh) modifiers apply the path toggle to all tracks. The

Alt+Shift (Windows) and Option+Shift (Macintosh) modifiers apply the path toggle to all selected tracks. However, Pro Tools will only apply the change to identical path assignments, if any, in the current track or tracks. Toggling multiple tracks only affects tracks that have the same path assignment as the one you are explicitly toggling.

Toggling Multiple Paths

If a track has only one main output assignment, you can Control-start-click (Windows) or Command-Control-click (Macintosh) the track’s

Output Selector to toggle the main output to inactive. When there are multiple assignments, the track selector will be displayed for you to specify the input, output, insert, or bus path.

If a Send (A–E) has multiple output assignments and one of those is toggled, then all of the output assignments for that Send (A–E) will be toggled.


Session-Wide Path Assignments

(I/O Setup Dialog)

Paths can be globally configured for Active or

Inactive status in the I/O Setup Dialog.

Display of Active and Inactive Status

Unhighlighted (Italics) Indicates the path is inactive.

Highlighted (Non-Italics) Indicates the path is active.

Highlighted (Italics) Indicates the path is active, but there are not enough system resources available.

Inactive paths are displayed in italics in the track path selectors.

Active

Inactive

Active and inactive path settings in I/O Setup

To globally activate or deactivate a path:


2 Select a path type using the tabs at the top of the window.

3 Set the Active/Inactive control for the path.

Any track path assignment can also be deactivated on a track-by-track basis. See

“Track Path Assignments” on page 78.

Active and inactive paths in a track Output Selector

Hardware Setup and Session

Transfer

Sessions created in Pro Tools 5.1 or higher store the type and order of audio interfaces connected and active when the session was last saved.

Unavailable I/O

When opening a session, Pro Tools checks to see if the hardware configuration has changed since the session was last saved. If the current hardware configuration differs from that saved in the session, paths associated with the unavailable

I/O are made inactive.

Remapping

Remapping occurs when a session’s original

I/O Setup does not match that of the current system and session paths are remapped to current hardware.

Systems of equivalent I/O capability are remapped directly. For example, a session tracked to a Pro Tools HD-series system through two 192 I/O audio interfaces would include 32 input paths spread across the two 16-channel interfaces. The session is taken to a second

Pro Tools system that has a 96 I/O audio inter-


face (a 16-channel I/O unit) and a 1622 I/O

(with its 16 analog inputs) connected to its Legacy Port. When the session is first opened on the second system, Pro Tools will map the 32 input paths to the inputs of the two interfaces.

When hardware is unavailable to a session being opened, assignments can either be replaced using the remap option, or opened as Inactive.

Any tracks left assigned to an unavailable path will not be audible. This can be beneficial, however, when you want to reassign tracks into your system’s mix one at a time.

See “Active and Inactive Paths” on page 78

for more information.

Show Original Setup and Show Current Setup

When a session is opened that contains path definitions for unavailable I/O interfaces, the

I/O Setup dialog lists those paths in italics.

The Show Original Setup button displays the audio interfaces used in the original session. This temporary display lets you check the original

I/O configuration for reference while configuring the session for your system.

Once a session has been opened with unavailable I/O retained, you can then reassign tracks to available I/O paths.

To redefine the paths, see “Creating and

Editing Paths” on page 73.

I/O Settings Files

I/O Settings can be managed when transferring sessions, and when developing I/O Setup configurations over the course of multiple sessions and projects.

Defaults, Settings Files, and Last

Used Settings for New Sessions

When creating new sessions, you can set the session’s I/O Setup configuration using the following options:

Default I/O Setups The Pro Tools Installer provides factory presets for stereo and surround I/O

Setups (surround mixing is only supported on

Pro Tools HD-series and MIX-series systems).

See “Factory I/O Settings Files” on page 82 for

more information.

Custom Presets You can store and recall custom presets using the export and import features of the I/O Setup dialog.

Last Used The most recent (or last used)

I/O Setup configuration is saved as a Last Used

settings file. See “Last Used I/O Settings” on page 81 for more information.

Default I/O Settings at First Launch

The first time you create a session, you can choose default Stereo Mix or Surround Mix settings, depending on your system and installa-

tion choices. See “Factory I/O Settings Files” on page 82.


Importing and Exporting I/O Settings

Files

You can export and import I/O Setup configurations as I/O Settings files. This lets you save settings for different projects, import settings for reconfiguring I/O Setup, and manage path definitions and signal routing setups.

Exporting I/O Settings

To export and save an I/O Setup configuration:

1 Click Export Settings.

2 Name and save the settings file.

To start sessions with a blank or empty

I/O Setup dialog, you can create and export an I/O Settings file in which all definitions have been deleted.

Importing I/O Settings

I/O Settings can be imported before you open a session, or you can import settings into a session

that is already open (see “Default I/O Settings at

First Launch” on page 80).

When you import I/O Settings in an existing session, you can choose to delete any unused path definitions before importing the new paths, or leave unused path definitions intact and add the new paths to the current I/O Setup configuration.

To import I/O Settings:

1 Click Import Settings in the I/O Setup dialog.

2 Select an I/O settings file in the Import Settings dialog and click Import.

3 A dialog appears asking whether you want to delete existing paths. Do one of the following:

• Click Yes to remove any unused paths and add the imported paths to the current I/O

Setup configuration. Any I/O assignments and automation data associated with the unused paths are also deleted.

• Click No to add the imported paths to the current I/O Setup configuration.

If the import results in overlapping paths, the new paths will appear in the I/O Setup dialog as

Inactive. (See “Active and Inactive Paths” on page 78.)

After importing I/O Settings, you can then reassign path routing definitions in the I/O Setup dialog by remapping, renaming, and deleting

paths. (See “Creating and Editing Paths” on page 73.)

Last Used I/O Settings

If any changes are made to the I/O Setup dialog during a session, these changes are saved to the

Last Used settings file when the I/O Setup dialog is closed (by clicking OK).

Changes to I/O Setup are saved along with the current session. User Presets files will not contain recent changes unless you export an updated settings file.

The Last Used settings are available as a choice when creating or opening sessions, in addition to the factory presets described below.


Factory I/O Settings Files

Pro Tools provides I/O Settings files for Stereo and Surround mixing. These files provide generic main and sub-path definitions for either mixing format.

Stereo Mix Settings File

The Stereo Mix preset consists of all possible stereo and mono paths for your session.

Using the “Stereo Mix” preset has the same effect as clicking Default for every individ-

ual tab in I/O Settings. See “Creating and

Editing Paths” on page 73 for details.

Specifically, the Stereo Mix preset will create the maximum number paths of each type, as determined by the available system’s I/O Setup and hardware configuration.

Surround Mix Settings File (TDM Systems Only)

The Surround Mix provides additional, sur-

round-specific Output and Bus presets. See “Surround Mix Settings Files” on page 509 for more

information.

About Direct Outputs Mode

Direct Outputs mode, as found in older versions of Pro Tools, has been replaced by the default mono sub-paths available through all valid I/O in the I/O Setup dialog.

The Default switch creates main Output paths with appropriate mono sub-paths. These subpaths provide discrete monophonic routing.

When a session is opened that was saved in Direct Outputs mode, Pro Tools maps all the output assignments to equivalent mono sub-paths

(as available). See “Hardware Setup and Session

Transfer” on page 79 for more information on

remapping.


To convert a session so that it emulates Direct

Outs mode, use the Auto Assign Ascending Outputs feature, as follows:

To auto assign track outputs for Direct Out:

1 Make sure that all tracks you want to assign are visible (hidden tracks will not be affected).

2 Select the tracks you want to assign by Shiftclicking their track names.

3 Control-Alt-click (Windows) or Command-

Option-click (Macintosh) the Output Selector of the leftmost track and assign it to the sub-path for Output #1. All visible tracks will be auto-assigned to unique mono sub-path outputs in ascending order.

I/O Setup Options

Pro Tools systems have additional I/O Setup features. These include default signal routing for metering and auditioning, and default track layout for multichannel mix formats.

Meter Path Selector

(ProControl Only)

The Meter Path Selector determines the path displayed across the ProControl Output meters.

See the latest ProControl documentation for more details.

Audition Path

The Audition path is the output path through which files and regions are previewed (listened to) in the Regions List.

Using the Default Audition Path

When you audition a file or region in the Regions List, Pro Tools routes the audio output through the Audition path. Pro Tools assigns a default Audition path to the first available main

Output path of the corresponding format. You can also select a different Audition Path in the

I/O Setup dialog.

On TDM systems with more than one audio interface, you can only select the first audio interface as an audition path.

Configuring Audition Paths

You can specify the monitoring outputs for Regions List auditioning using the Audition paths menu.

Audition Path Main Menu The main menu consists of all path format choices available on the current system (Mono and Stereo on all systems,

LCR and greater on HD-series and MIX-series systems).

Audition Path Submenus Each path format choice has a submenu listing Output paths of that given format. (The mono submenu lists

Output paths of any format.)

To configure Audition paths:

■

Select a path from the Audition path menu or submenus.

To audition regions in the Regions List:

■

Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Macintosh) the region in the list.

Auditioning Discrete Signals in Multichannel

Items

In the Audio Regions List, multichannel regions are auditioned through the current Audition path. Signals can be auditioned “in-place,” or through all outputs, as described below.

Audition In-Place

When auditioning a mono component of a multichannel region, that mono component will by default be auditioned in-place. That is, it will play from the corresponding speaker channel of its parent multichannel region.

To audition in-place:

1 In the Regions List, make sure the stereo or multichannel region is in expanded view (showing .L, .R, and other component channels).

2 Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Macintosh) the region for the channel you want to audition.

Audition to All Outputs

Mono regions can be routed equally to all outputs of the parent region’s Audition path.

To audition through all channels of the main audition path:

■

Shift-Alt-click (Windows) or Shift-Optionclick (Macintosh) on the signal in the Regions

List.

Selecting an Audition path


Default Path Order

(TDM Systems Only)

The Default Path Order Selector lets you select the default track layout you want Pro Tools to follow when creating and mapping 5.1-format main or sub-paths in the I/O Setup dialog.

This setting does not affect existing path definitions or metering—it only specifies channel mapping in new 5.1-format paths.

To choose a Default Path Order:

■

Select the channel mapping from the Default

Path Order menu.

H/W Insert Delay

Compensation

(TDM Systems Only)

You can specify the latency of outboard hardware (such as effects devices) in the H/W Insert

Delay page of the I/O Setup Dialog. You can enter hardware insert latency, in milliseconds, in a field that corresponds to every input/output pair. These times will be used by the Delay Compensation Engine to time align input paths when a hardware insert is used.

Default Path Order Selector

For more information about multichannel mix-

ing, see Chapter 31, “Pro Tools Setup for Surround.”

Default Output Path

You can specify the default Output path assignment for new tracks, in each available format.

To specify a default Output in the I/O Setup window:

■

Select a format and Output path from the Default Output Selector.

To set an insert delay offset:

■

Enter a value, in milliseconds, in the field corresponding with the input where the hardware insert is connected.

Insert delay offsets only have an effect when the I/O is used for hardware inserts.


No results