NEEDMIX

Music:

Member Since: 10/9/2007
Band Website: www.myspace.com/facilitatormusic
Band Members:
Influences:
RECORD ONE - STUDIO B - (My Day Job)

Pro Tools Session Prep Guidelines:

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INTRODUCTION:

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The intent of these guidelines is to make the transfer of Pro Tools session files to the mix engineer as seamless as possible.:

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THE BASICS:

· : : .WAV is the recommended audio file type for compatibility with all DAW systems. :

.WAV is the most universally accepted audio file format.:

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· : : Enforcing Mac/PC Compatibility is recommended to improve session interchange between all Pro Tools systems.:

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· : : 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.:

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Cleaning Up :

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· : : 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. :

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· : : 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. :

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· : : 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. :

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· : : 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.) :

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Organization :

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· : : 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.:

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· : : 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.:

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· : : 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. :

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· : : Deactivate, mute, hide and generally move to the bottom/far right all tracks :

that are no longer being used in the session. :

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Additional Items :

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· : : 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. :

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· : : 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.:

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· : : Label Aux Inputs. Very useful when recreating a setup from an earlier session:

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