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Gear Tips
MATT COLE
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Pro Tools and Recording May 2008
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News and Tips
Pro Tools 7.4.1 has been updated for Mac OS 10.5 Leopard software. This is for HD users and has not updated for LE yet. There are not a lot of updates going on outside of the live sound area of Digi.
Instructional
A quick word on Pro Tools instructional DVD’s…if you are thinking about taking the plunge into the Pro Tools world, watch the instructional DVD that comes with your system. The DVD is excellent and will help you get started without feeling overwhelmed by the software. After you get going and have a basic understanding of the software, you can pick up some excellent advanced instructional DVD’s at your local Daddy’s. These DVD’s are from “Secrets of the Pro’s” and the DVD’s are paced well and really make sense. There are tons of useful tips and tricks as well. Highly recommended for anyone getting into Pro Tools!!!
Exchange Program
The biggest exchange program out there right now from Digidesign is the 3rd party exchange program. If you have Cakewalk Sonar, Cubase, Nuendo, and any hardware interface, you can trade it in toward a Pro Tools LE Digi 003 system at a cheaper price. We can do this order for you at any Daddy’s location, stop by our stores for more info on it and make the move toward Pro Tools! See Digidesign.com and click on the special offers section for a complete price list and more info. They are offering additional savings on the music production tool kit that includes some excellent plug ins like TL Space (Trillium lanes) reverb plug in. Very cool!
Tips
Take advantage of the grouping features in Pro Tools! On the left side of the mix and edit windows there is a track list, below that there is a group window. You can create groups of tracks by highlighting the track(s) and selecting “new group”. This can make editing duplicate or doubled tracks go much faster for you. Once you create the group you want to edit, you can select “show only tracks in group” in the edit window and enlarge the tracks you are editing for a nice easy accurate view for getting microscopic with your work like I do. Use the “tab to transient” feature when you need to get right on the top of a WAV file.
Grouping also comes in very handy for mixing. You can setup an AUX track along with your subgroup and route all the group tracks through the AUX track. Once you do this use a compressor or EQ across the AUX track for whole group buss compression-EQ. This works very well with guitars and vocals. I personally like to separate out the drum tracks more, usually into 2 groups for more control.
Quick Interview...
I am speaking with Nick McIntyre, the Assistant Manager of Daddy’s in Portland ME.
Nick recently finished up recording, mastering, and duplication of his latest CD release
“Apaxan Corma” which combines a variety of excellent fusion-groove ambient music.
What do you use to record?
I use a Mackie Onyx 1640 with the Firewire card and Traction software into an i-MAC.
I listened to the CD and really dug some of the bass and guitar tones, what were you using for instruments?
The bass was a Peavey Grind bass run direct into the Mackie board. The guitars were a Parker Nightfly and a Strat with lots of pedals run direct into the Mackie.
What plugins did you use for mastering?
We used the final mix presets in the traction software. Some editing was done on the plug in, but it sounded great from the beginning.
Matt Cole is a District Manager for Daddy's, and yes, he is a Pro Tools "addict!"
Not surprisingly, Matt is our in-house Pro Tools recording expert!
Along with his DM duties for Daddy's, Matt runs his own Pro Tools based studio.
He brings a vast amount of experience and product knowledge to Daddy's and loves
creating recording solutions for his customers.
Matt may be reached at 603.893.6635 - or stop by Daddy's Salem, NH store and visit Matt in person!
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