How to Import Time Based Loops Into ProTools

It's very common to incorporate time-based loops and samples into your sessions. If you are an electronic musician you probably use them almost exclusively.



I'll show you how to import your loops into ProTools and automatically conform the tempo to the session's tempo.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ProTools DAW System (either LE or HD)
• At least one time-based loop

1. Create either a mono or stereo track in ProTools. When creating a new track there will be an option to choose either "ticks" or "samples."
   
   Choose "ticks" because it allows you to import a loop and conform it to your session's tempo.

2. Now you can physically "click and drag" a loop that was created at say, 100 BPM, and bring it right into your session.
   
   Once you place the loop onto your track (in the edit window) it will automatically conform it to you session's tempo (the default is 120).

3. Ensure that the outputs of your track are set to Audio 1-2 and press play. You should now be able to hear the loop playing at the desired tempo.

Tips & Warnings

• If you forget for some reason to create tracks set up for "ticks," fear not, because you can easily change the option in the edit window. Just under the track name there will be an icon that looks like either a "green metronome" (ticks) or a "blue dot" (samples). I believe the default format is "samples." If you didn't set it up for "ticks" originally, then all you have to do is change it to the "green metronome" icon and you are good to go.