70F ProTools 310M

Class Description

Avid Pro Tools Certified course completes skills needed to operate sophisticated Pro Tools systems in professional music production environments. Music production techniques, composing with MIDI, loop editing, sampling in Pro Tools, Beat Detective, drum replacement and augmentation, final mixing and mastering. Collaborate workflows between home studios and commercial recording facilities. Pro Tools keyboard shortcuts for increased efficiency. Practical examples and experience with exercise files from professional recording artists. Successful completion achieves Avid Pro Tools Operator Music Certification.

Overview

The Advanced Music Production Techniques (PT310M) course focuses on the advanced operation of a Pro Tools | Ultimate system with HD-series hardware in a professional music production environment. It offers technical insights into both Pro Tools | Ultimate software and Pro Tools | HD-series hardware.

This course uses a combination of instructor-led sessions and hands-on student activities. It builds on the concepts and skills learnt in the Pro Tools Fundamentals I and II and Pro Tools Production I and II courses and prepares candidates for the Avid Certified Expert: Pro Tools | Music certification exam. Candidates wishing to take this certification exam must have firstly passed both the Avid Certified User: Pro Tools and Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools | Music certification exams.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Configure and troubleshoot basic Pro Tools | Ultimate system components with HD-series hardware
• Work with Avid HD-series peripherals
• Correct common problems with Pro Tools settings and database files
• Monitor system resource usage and adjust settings as needed
• Use keyboard shortcuts and focus modes to quickly execute tasks and control Pro Tools operations
• Configure advanced settings for cloud collaboration
• Perform advanced audio importing and recording
• Perform advanced MIDI editing
• Use shortcuts for Nudge settings, Grid settings, and pre-and post-roll auditions
• Apply advanced Beat Detective operations using Collection mode
• Apply advanced Elastic Audio principles
• Understand synchronization concepts and Pro Tools | SYNC HD settings
• Configure and use Satellite Link for music production
• Use real-time cloud collaboration techniques
• Understand Pro Tools | Ultimate mixing concepts and principles
• Perform advanced mixing, apply mixing shortcuts, and recognize proper use of Master Faders and VCA Master tracks
• Use advanced automation techniques, including Latch Prime, static automation options, and Preview and Capture modes
• Prepare and export MIDI data for various transfer scenarios
• Deliver music using AAF and MXF export options
• Be ready to sit the Avid Certified Expert: Pro Tools | Music certification exam

Prerequisites

Successful completion of Pro Tools 210P: Pro Tools Production II (Post Production)is highly recommended.

Course Outline

1. Pro Tools Hardware
2. Troubleshooting
3. Keyboard Shortcuts
4. Media Interchange
5. Advanced Editing
6. Synchronization
7. HD Mixing Concepts
8. Advanced Mixing
9. Advanced Automation
10. Music Delivery
11. Final Exam
12. Extra Credit Independent Studies

Foothill Legacy Course Outline

Ch01 Pro Tools HD Hardware Configuration

• Setting Up a Pro Tools HD System
• Working With Avid Peripherals
• Audio Interface Calibration
• Installing Additional Pro Tools Software Options
• Non-Administrator (Standard) Accounts
• Pro Tools Session File Interchange
• Ex1 Pro Tools HD Hardware Configuration

Ch02 Troubleshooting a Pro Tools System

• Troubleshooting Operational Issues
• Deleting Pro Tools Settings and Database Files
• Understanding Voice Allocation
• Playback Engine Advanced Options
• Monitoring DSP Resources (Pro Tools | HDX Systems Only)
• Monitoring Native Resources (Recap)
• Advanced Pro Tools I/O Setup
• Ex2 Troubleshooting a Pro Tools System

Ch03 Keyboard-Based Control of Pro Tools

• Parts of the Keyboard
• Modifier Keys
• Focus Keys
• Function Keys
• Numeric Keypad Options
• Other Shortcut Operations
• Ex3 Tactile Control of Pro Tools

Ch04 Media Interchange and System Optimization

• Understanding Cloud Collaboration
• Working with AAF Sequences
• Working with MXF Audio
• Using Session Templates
• Using the Avid PRE with Pro Tools
• Grouped Playlist Synchronization
• Ex4 Importing/Exporting and Session Interchange

Ch05 Advanced Editing

• Advanced MIDI
• Nudge and Grid Shortcuts
• Pre- and Post-Roll Audition Techniques
• Advanced Multitrack Drum Editing
• Elastic Audio versus Beat Detective for Multi-Miked Drums
• Advanced Elastic Audio
• Elastic Audio Processors and Parameters
• Ex5 Advanced Drum Editing

Ch06 Synchronization and Collaboration

• Clock Versus Positional Reference
• Avid SYNC HD
• Selecting Clock Sources
• Timecode Formats in Music Production
• Using Longitudinal Time Code (LTC)
• Using MIDI Timecode
• Understanding Satellite Link
• Real-Time Cloud Collaboration
• Ex6 Synchronization and Collaboration

Ch07 Pro Tools HD Mixing Concepts

• Bit Depth, Dynamic Range, and Dither
• Comparing Pro Tools |HDX and Pro Tools |HD Native Mix Engines
• Fixed-Point Versus Floating-Point Processing
• DSP-Based Mixers and DSP Usage
• The Dither Process
• The Pro Tools HD Mixer
• The Audio Signal Path Through HDX
• Appropriate Use of Native Plug-ins
• Ex7 Mixer Experiments

Ch08 Advanced Mixing Techniques

• Common Mixing Preferences
• Understanding Advanced Delay Compensation
• Using Plug-In Preferences
• Mixing Techniques
• Master Faders versus VCA Masters
• VCA Master Automation
• Ex8 Advanced Mixing and Routing

Ch09 Advanced Automation Techniques

• Using Latch Prime
• Understanding Static Automation (Recap)
• Applying Static Automation
• Automation Command Usage Examples
• Using Preview Mode and Punch Preview
• Using Capture Mode and Punch Capture
• Using Join and AutoJoin
• Miscellaneous Automation Techniques
• Ex9 Advanced Automation

Ch10 Music Delivery

• Transferring MIDI Data
• Using AAF Export
• Using MXF Audio Export
• Archiving and Transferring Sessions
• Ex10 Exporting Multitrack Sessions

Required Textbook

• Pro Tools 310M: Advanced Music Production Techniques
• Author: Avid
• Publisher: Avid
• Only available at the Foothill Bookstore.

This book is only available at the Foothill Bookstore. Versions on Amazon.com might NOT be up-to-date. Electronic versions of the first few chapters will be provided to give students adequate time to purchase the textbook. Purchase of textbook also entitles students to take the Avid Pro Tools 310M Certification Exam.

Additional Requirements

• Pro Tools software.
  • Available in Foothill College computer labs.
• No other equipment or software required.