Pro Tools 7.3 for Windows Basics
Pro Tools is a popular computer software program that allows users to write, create and record music. It is essentially a digital music studio. The program is complex, though there are some basics that all Pro Tools users should know and understand. Version 7.3 was released in 2007, but there are more current versions available if you wish to upgrade to the latest version.
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Recording
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Recording is a basic but important function of Pro Tools 7.3 for Windows. First, check your input settings by clicking "Setups" and "Hardware." Make sure your input setting is set to "analog" if you're recording on analog equipment or microphones, or "digital" if you're recording using digital audio equipment. Set the Clock Source to "Internal," then set up your instrument to record and click "File, New Track." Name the track, such as "vocals" or "guitar," and click the "Record" button. Record a short amount of sound to test it, then click the "Stop Recording" button. A sound wave of what you've just recorded appears, and you can click the "Play" button to listen back.
Editing
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Editing allows you to cut up tracks into certain sections, delete unnecessary sections and splice other tracks together to play multiple tracks simultaneously. Click "Window, Edit" to open the Edit Window and see your recorded tracks. Use the "Trim" editing tool to cut out unwanted music, or use one of the other editing tools to move, copy, paste or separate tracks. Click to select the appropriate action, then select the track and place your cursor to designate where you want to cut or move music.
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Mixing
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Mixing tracks is when you control all the volume levels and sound effects on each track to make a finished piece of music. Mixing is important -- for example, if a guitar track is too loud, it can drown out the other tracks on the recording. Click the bar to the left of a track to set individual volume levels for each track. You may have to do this a few times until you get the levels right, making all tracks are audible and blend together to form a cohesive sound.
Updates in Version 7.3
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Compared with earlier versions, Pro Tools 7.3 for Windows includes some new features. For example, you can create a click track, which is an audible metronome that plays while recording or mixing music to ensure proper time is kept. Version 7.3 also allows you to designate specific key signatures, which is helpful for recording and transposing music in different keys. There are also several new interface features, such as zoom and toggle, real-time display of sound waves during recording, the ability to open recent sessions or files, and the ability to change mixer settings during recorded playback.
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