Pro Tools Session Prep Guidelines
INTRODUCTION
The intent of these
guidelines is to make the transfer of Pro Tools session files to the mix engineer
as seamless as possible.
THE
BASICS
·
.WAV is the recommended audio
file type for compatibility with all DAW systems.
.WAV
is the most universally accepted audio file format.
·
Enforcing Mac/PC
Compatibility is recommended to improve session interchange between all Pro
Tools systems.
·
Create Memory Location
markers of song's arrangement. This allows all operators after you to quickly
understand the structure of the song and easily move about.
Cleaning Up
·
Clean all edits and punches,
put in crossfades if necessary, and insure there are no clicks and pops. This
is simply considered good Pro Tools etiquette, and greatly appreciated by all
who follow you.
·
Consolidate tracks into solid
audio starting from the beginning of the session when you are completely
finished editing them. Consolidating tracks improves session playback, and
lessens the number of audio files and crossfades, which simplifies archiving
and restoration. Starting from the beginning of the session will allow tracks
to easily be used with other DAW's, and is a second way to confirm sync.
Definitely insure there are no clicks and pops before consolidation.
·
Delete all tracks that are no
longer needed in the session. This will also make the session more manageable.
Periodically delete redundant or unnecessary playlists.
·
Remove unused audio files
before closing the session. Doing this after doing the above two items will
really clean out all the files in the session you were no longer using. This
makes the session even more manageable, lessening the number of files for
archiving and restoration. (Caution: Do NOT Delete unused audio files. This is
something you should do ONLY when you fully understand the command after
reading the manual. This command will permanently ERASE files from your hard
drive and cannot be undone.)
Organization
·
Try to leave tracks organized
in an order that makes sense. (e.g. drums, bass, gtrs, vocals, etc.). When
tracks are grouped in this manner it makes the next operator's job much easier.
·
Keep the Aux Input returns of
submixed tracks (e.g. BG Vocals) adjacent to
the source tracks.
Along with labeling the busses, this makes it much easier to track the routing
of the audio.
·
Generally keep FX Returns
(Aux Inputs) and the Mix Bus (Master Fader) preferably to the right and bottom,
or optionally to the left and top of the session. This makes it much easier
than if they are scattered about the session.
·
Deactivate, mute, hide and
generally move to the bottom/far right all tracks
that are no longer
being used in the session.
Additional Items
·
Keep a recent rough mix
labeled with song title and date on a pair of tracks at the top of the session.
Very useful when anyone wants to see how something sounded previously.
·
Use Mute Regions instead of
muting with automation to mute audio tracks. This is preferred for a number of
reasons. First, it visually tells you what is being used and what's not, as
well as letting you see parts you may want to unmute later. Secondly, it is
more reliable because the automation can be turned off later and your mutes
will not be maintained.
·
Label Aux Inputs. Very useful
when recreating a setup from an earlier session
