ProTools Tips and Notes

Timecode
Set start time: Setup / Session

Metronome / Click
To create: Track / Create Click Track
ON/OFF: “7" on the number pad

Markers
Place Marker: ENTER on NumPad
Place cursor in marker track, and TAB / OPT + TAB to move forwards/backwards

Grid

Playback
Toggle Loop selection: 4 on NumPad
Toggle Return on Stop ("Insertion follows playback"): "N" in KeyFocus
Fast-forward (Shuttle Lock Mode): “CTRL + NumPad (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Record
Arm: Cursor on track(s), then "SHIFT + R"
Record: "3" on NumPad
Toggle Loop Record: "5" on NumPad
Punch Record: "6" on NumPad

Preroll
To set pre-roll/post-roll, "ALT + Click" to the right and left of the punch region
Punch-In recording will record (but hide) audio in the pre- and post-roll regions.

Solo
Solo track containing edit cursor: Shift+S
Solo Safe: CMD+Click Solo button in Mixer

Volume vs. Trim Volume

Trim volume is like " Clip Gain": Happens pre-fader.

Zoom
Horizontal zoom in/out: "CMD + ]" or "CMD + [" (or R -- T )
Zoom out all the way: "CMD + CTRL + ["
Zoom in to selection: "CMD + CTRL + ]"

Waveform zoom in/out: "CMD + OPT + ]" or "CMD + OPT + ["

Track height (Vertical zoom): "CTRL + up/down arrow"

Selections
Move selection up/down a track: "p" / ";" (in Keyfocus)

Mute clip
Select clip, then CMD + M

Regions
Create Loop: Make a selection, then ALT + CMD + L
Split Clip: CMD + E

Nudge
+ / - on the numpad

Clip Gain
CTRL + SHIFT + up/down arrow

Automation
Show/Hide track volume automation: "-" sign
Show/Hide all volume automation: CTRL + OPT + ("-" sign)

Fades
Normal Fade: Make a selection, then CMD+F (or "F" for quick fade in keyboard focus)
Quick Fade-in / Out: Place cursor, then "d", "g"

Spot:

Groups
Create Edit/Mix Group: Highlight tracks, then "CMD + G”
Suspend Groups: Shift-CMD + G

Mix Window
Snap fader/pot to 0.0: "OPT + CLICK"
Metering Pre/Post-fader: Options / "Prefader Metering"
Fat Strips: ALT + CMD + M

Scrolling
To Set Scrolling during playback: Options / "Edit Window Scrolling"
Page Forward/Backward: ALT + PageUp/PageDown

Time Stretch
Under the Trimmer main-tool, select the TCE sub-tool

Renumber Bars / Measures

Event / Renumber Bars
MIDI
Quantize
"Opt + 0"

MIDI Merge on Record

“9” on the keypad (shows up in big transport)

Move MIDI to different track

1. Select MIDI Notes in MIDI editor or on main timeline (select “Notes” as view mode)
2. “Cut” to remove notes and place cursor at insertion point
3. “P” or “;” to move cursor up/down to appropriate track
4. “Paste"