Getting Started with Mbox Version 6.1 for LE Systems on Windows XP and Mac OS X Version 5.3.3 for LE Systems on Windows XP Version 5.2.1 for LE Systems on Mac OS 9 Digidesign 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA tel: 650·731·6300 fax: 650·731·6399 Technical Support (USA) tel: 650·731·6100 fax: 650·731·6384 Product Information (USA) tel: 650·731·6102 tel: 800·333·2137 International Offices Visit the Digidesign Web site for contact information Web Site www.digidesign.
Copyright This guide is copyrighted ©2003 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign. DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All features and specifications subject to change without notice.
contents Chapter 1. Welcome to Mbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Mbox Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Pro Tools LE Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Making Signal Connections to Mbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Connecting a Recorder for Mixdowns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 MIDI Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Chapter 5. Working with Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Session Basics . . .
chapter 1 Welcome to Mbox Welcome to Mbox, Digidesign’s portable Pro Tools micro-studio, designed in collaboration with Focusrite. Mbox provides your USB-equipped computer with two channels of analog and digital audio input and output, employing professional-quality mic preamps and 24-bit analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters.
Pro Tools LE Capabilities Pro Tools LE software provides the following capabilities with Mbox: Pro Tools LE 6.1 • Play back up to 32 mono digital audio tracks, and play back up to 30 tracks while recording up to 2 tracks, depending on your computer’s capabilities • Sessions can include up to 128 audio tracks (with 32 voiceable tracks maximum), 256 MIDI tracks, 128 Auxiliary Input tracks, and 64 Master Fader tracks. Pro Tools LE 5.3.
System Requirements Mbox can be used with a Digidesign-qualified Windows or Macintosh computer running Pro Tools LE software. Digidesign can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For a list of Digidesignqualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, refer to the latest compatibility information on the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com/compato).
Digidesign Registration Make sure to complete and return the registration card included with your Pro Tools Mbox system. Registered users will receive periodic software update and upgrade notices. Refer to the registration card for information on technical support.
About www.digidesign.com The Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com) is your best source for information to help you get the most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features available.
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chapter 2 Windows Configuration Installation of the Mbox on a Windows computer includes the following steps: 1 Configuring Windows System Software set- tings. (See “Windows System Settings” on page 7.) 2 Connecting the Mbox unit to your computer. and installing Pro Tools LE software (See “Installing Pro Tools LE and Mbox” on page 10.) Recommended Settings These instructions should be followed to optimize your system’s capabilities, or to let older computers run Pro Tools LE.
Enable DMA for any IDE hard drives: 1 Right-click My Computer and choose Manage. 2 In Classic view, choose Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware. – or – Disable System Standby and Power Management When using Pro Tools, the Windows System Standby power scheme must be set to Always On. This helps prevent long record or playback passes from stopping due to system resources powering down. In Category view, choose Start > Control panel > Performance and Maintenance > System > Hardware.
5 Deselect “Use the following methods to smooth edges of screen fonts.” 6 Click OK to save your settings and close the Effects dialog. 7 Click OK. Completing Windows System Settings When finished updating required Windows system settings, power down your computer. Recommended Configuration Pro Tools LE can also be affected by other software and hardware drivers installed on your computer.
To use Disk Cleanup: Avoid Recording to System Drives 1 Choose Start > Control Panels. Although Pro Tools will let you record to your system drive, this is generally not recommended. Recording and playback on system hard drives results in lower track counts and fewer plug-ins. You should record to system drives only when necessary (for example, if your computer system has just one hard drive). 2 In Classic view, double-click Administrative Tools.
6 Click Next to begin installation. 7 Select the components you want to install and click Next. If you get a warning dialog about the driver not passing Windows Logo testing, click Continue Anyway. 8 Wait for the installer to finish installing all software components, drivers, and PACE System files before proceeding to the next step. 9 Click Quit when prompted to install Quick- Time (you will install QuickTime later). 10 Restart your computer.
5 Click Start to check the current firmware version on Mbox and begin the firmware upgrade process. 6 Follow the on-screen instructions: • Disconnect Mbox from the USB port of the computer. • Reconnect Mbox to the USB port of the computer. The new firmware will be uploaded to the Mbox. • Disconnect and reconnect Mbox. 7 Click OK. Installing Optional Software for Pro Tools LE Your Pro Tools Installer CD-ROM includes several software options (as available for your system).
To install and configure the MacOpener demo included with Pro Tools: 1 Insert the Pro Tools Installer CD into your CD- ROM drive. Removing Pro Tools LE If you need to remove Pro Tools LE from your computer use the Add or Remove Programs command. 2 Locate and double-click the MacOpener in- staller file in the MacOpener Demo folder located at D (CD-ROM drive):\Additional Files\MacOpener Demo Installer. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the MacOpener.
2 Enter the authorization code in the dialog when prompted (making sure to type it exactly as printed, and observing any spaces and capitalization) then click Validate. To change the Hardware Buffer Size: 1 Choose Setups > Playback Engine.
To change the CPU Usage Limit: 1 Choose Setups > Playback Engine. 2 From the CPU Usage Limit pop-up menu, se- lect the percentage of CPU processing you want to allocate to Pro Tools. 3 Click OK. DAE Playback Buffer Size The DAE Playback Buffer Size determines the amount of memory DAE uses to manage disk buffers, which affects system performance. Lower DAE Playback Buffer Size settings can improve playback and recording initiation speed.
Channel 1–2 Input Source 3 Click OK. The Pro Tools Hardware Setup dialog allows you to configure the two inputs on Mbox to receive analog or digital signals. Your digital input device must be connected and powered on for Pro Tools to synchronize to it. If your input device is not powered on, leave the Clock Source set to Internal. To select the Channel 1–2 input format for Mbox: 1 Choose Setups > Hardware Setup.
chapter 3 Macintosh Configuration Installation of the Mbox on a Macintosh includes the following steps: 1 Configuring Apple System Software settings (See “Apple System Settings” on page 17.) 2 Installing Pro Tools LE software (See “Install- ing Pro Tools LE” on page 19.) 3 Restarting your computer 4 Connecting the Mbox interface to your com- puter (See “Connecting Mbox to the Computer” on page 21.
4 Return to the System Preferences and click Software Update. 5 Deselect “Automatically check for updates when you have a network connection.” 5 In the Extensions Manager Control Panel, choose the “Mac OS 9.2.2 Base” set from the Selected Set pop-up menu. 6 Close the Software Update dialog box. 7 Proceed to “Installing Pro Tools on Mac OS X” on page 19.
Avoid Recording to System Drives Although Pro Tools will let you record to your system drive, this is generally not recommended. Recording and playback on system hard drives results in lower track counts and fewer plug-ins. You should record to system drives only when necessary—for example, if your computer system has just one hard drive. Installing Pro Tools LE After the Apple System software settings are configured, you’re ready to install Pro Tools LE. 5 When installation is complete, click Restart.
Installing Pro Tools on Mac OS 9 2 In the Installer window, choose Uninstall from the pop-up menu, and click Uninstall. To install Pro Tools LE on Mac OS 9: 3 Click Quit to close the Installer window. 1 Insert the Pro Tools LE 5.2.1 Installer CD- ROM in your CD-ROM drive. Double-click “Install Pro Tools LE 5.2.1.” 2 In the Installer window, select “Pro Tools LE 5.2.1 for Mbox,” and make sure the Install Location is on your startup drive.
Installing the Demo Session Launching Pro Tools LE (Optional) When launching Pro Tools LE the first time, you are prompted to enter an authorization code to validate your software. The Pro Tools LE Installer CD-ROM includes a demo session that you can use to verify that your system is working. To install the demo session: 1 Insert the Pro Tools LE Installer CD in your CD-ROM drive. Locate and double-click the demo session installer icon.
Configuring Pro Tools LE 3 Click OK. Pro Tools System Settings Pro Tools LE allows you to adjust the performance of your system by changing system settings that affect its capacity for processing, playback, and recording. In most cases, the default settings for your system provide optimum performance, but you may want to adjust them to accommodate large or processing-intensive Pro Tools sessions. Playback Engine dialog for Mbox (Pro Tools 6.
With Pro Tools 6.x, the maximum CPU Usage Limit is 85 percent for single-processor computers, and 99 percent for multi-processor computers. (The 99 percent setting dedicates one entire processor to Pro Tools.) 1 Launch DAE. If Pro Tools is already running, To change the CPU Usage Limit: 2 Choose File > Set Playback Buffer Size. ◆ To change the DAE Playback Buffer Size in Pro Tools 5.2.1: switch to the DAE application by choosing it from the Application menu. 1 Choose Setups > Playback Engine.
To change the default Sample Rate in Pro Tools 6.x: 1 Make sure that no Pro Tools session is open. 2 Choose Setups > Hardware Setup. 3 Choose the sample rate by clicking the corresponding Sample Rate button. 4 Click OK. Channel 1–2 Input Format The Pro Tools Hardware Setup dialog allows you to configure the two inputs on Mbox to receive either analog or digital signals. To select the Channel 1–2 input format for Mbox: 1 Choose Setups > Hardware Setup (Pro Tools 6.x) or Setups > Hardware (Pro Tools 5.1.1).
To select the Clock Source: To rename I/O paths in I/O Setup: 1 Choose Setups > Hardware Setup 1 Choose Setups > I/O Setups. (Pro Tools 6.x) or Setups > Hardware (Pro Tools 5.2.1). 2 Select a clock source (Pro Tools 6.x) or choose the clock source from the Sync Mode pop-up menu (Pro Tools 5.2.1). 3 Click OK. Your digital input device must be connected and powered on. If your input device is not powered on, leave the Clock Source set to Internal.
Disk Allocation Choose Setup > Disk Allocation to assign hard drives and volumes as the storage (recording) location for Pro Tools tracks. Tracks record data to their assigned volume as configured in the Disk Allocation dialog.
chapter 4 Connecting Your Studio This chapter explains how to connect your Mbox to a monitoring system, a digital recorder, and to audio sources for recording. Your studio setup will differ depending on the equipment in your studio. The following illustrations show two possible setups. monitor outputs mixer S/PDIF digital I/O powered speakers DAT or CD recorder microphone USB cable Mbox instrument FireWire drive headphones computer display Figure 1.
USB cable Mbox instrument FireWire drive p Laptop to lap headphones Figure 2.
Mbox Front Panel Features The Mbox front panel has the following features: 48V LED 48V LED Source Selector CH 1 Gain Peak LED Source Selector This LED, when lit, indicates that 48V phantom power is active on the Mic/Line inputs. These inputs provide phantom power for microphones that require it to operate. Phantom power is activated by the switch labeled 48V on the top of the rear panel of Mbox.
Gain Controls These knobs adjust the input gain levels of the Mic/Line inputs. Peak LEDs These LEDs are triggered just below analog clipping levels. In other words, if the Peak LEDs flicker occasionally, the signal is approaching clipping levels, but they do not necessarily indicate distortion or clipping. USB LED The USB LED indicates that the Mbox driver has initiated the unit for playback. Once the USB light is on, audio can pass in or out of the system.
Checking Phase Relationships Mbox Rear Panel Features The Mono switch can also be used for a quick check of the phase relationship between Channel 1 and Channel 2 inputs. When the two input signals are out of phase, pressing the Mono switch will result in a sudden “hollow” sound that is the result of phase cancellation. This quick test with the Mono switch can help to avoid phase problems later when mixing these tracks.
48V Switch Line Outputs This button activates phantom power on the Mic inputs for microphones that require it to operate. These outputs support balanced TRS, or unbalanced TS, 1/4-inch connections. To monitor your mix, these outputs can be connected to a mixing board, directly to a monitoring system such as a stereo power amp, or another stereo destination. Be sure to check the 48V LED on the front panel of Mbox before plugging in any microphones.
Making Signal Connections to Mbox Mbox can be used in a variety of audio setups. This section describes how to make basic connections for: 2 Adjust headphone volume with the Head- phone gain knob. The Mbox Headphone output can produce very loud output levels. Prolonged exposure can cause hearing damage. Adjust headphone volume carefully.
Connecting Audio Sources to Mbox for Recording Digital and analog audio sources can be connected directly to Mbox. Analog Audio Analog audio signals are output by microphones, synthesizers, mixers, and instruments with magnetic pickups. Of these sources, microphones and magnetic pickup instruments output the quietest signals, and generally require the most amplification. Keyboards, preamps, and mixers output “linelevel” audio, which varies with each device between the –10 dBV and +4 dBu standards.
Digital Audio Connecting an Analog Deck Mbox provides digital inputs and outputs for S/PDIF format digital audio. Connect your recorder (cassette deck or other analog device) to the Line Outputs on the back of Mbox. Line Outputs 1 and 2 should be routed to the left and right inputs, respectively, on your recorder. These outputs are TRS ports. You may need adapter cables if your mixdown deck has RCA inputs.
To connect MIDI devices to your system: 1 Connect the MIDI interface to your computer according to the MIDI interface’s documentation. 2 Install any MIDI driver software required by the MIDI interface. (Once you have installed your MIDI interface hardware and software, confirm that it is working properly using the procedure given in the interface’s documentation.) 3 Connect the MIDI OUT of your MIDI device or controller to the MIDI IN of your MIDI interface.
chapter 5 Working with Pro Tools LE This overview of Pro Tools LE software introduces its main windows and features, and also includes a step-by-step overview of audio recording (see “Basic Recording” on page 47). Starting a Session All features described in this chapter are explained fully in the Pro Tools Reference Guide. You can view an electronic PDF version of the Reference Guide by choosing it from the Pro Tools Application menu (Pro Tools 6) or the Pro Tools Help menu (Pro Tools 5).
Main Windows The Mix, Edit, and Transport windows are the main Pro Tools work areas. You can show any of these windows by choosing them from the Windows menu. Press Control+Equals (=) in Windows or Command+Equals (=) on Macintosh to switch between the Edit and Mix windows. Mix Window Displays the Pro Tools mixer, with its familiar fader strip controls for volume, pan, solo, mute, and signal routing.
Setting a Tempo Using the Click Plug-In You can set the tempo for your session using Tempo Events, or using the MIDI tempo controls in the expanded Transport window. (Pro Tools 6.x Only) To insert a tempo event: 1 Choose Windows > Show Tempo/Meter. 2 At the top of the Tempo/Meter Change win- dow, choose Tempo Change from the pop-up menu. The Click plug-in creates an audio click during session playback that you can use as a tempo reference when performing and recording.
4 Choose MIDI > Click Options and set the Click and Countoff options as desired. The Note, Velocity, Duration, and Output options in this dialog are for use with MIDI instrument-based clicks and do not affect the Click plug-in. 2 Configure the click parameters as needed for your MIDI sound source. 3 Select the desired MIDI sound source from the Output pop-up menu and click OK.
Save Session Copy In Saves copies of the session file and the files that you are using in the current session. This can be useful for creating a final copy of the session that does not include audio files or fades you are no longer using. Transport Controls The Transport window provides access to all Pro Tools LE transport commands. Different transport controls can be displayed or hidden in this window.
The Transport window can also display the following MIDI controls: Wait for Note, Click, Countoff, MIDI Merge, Conductor, Meter, and Tempo. Click Wait for Note Countoff MIDI Merge Navigating a Session Pro Tools LE provides many ways to navigate in a session, including using the mouse or entering a location into one of the counters. To navigate to a location in the Edit window: 1 In the Operations menu, make sure Link Edit and Timeline Selection is enabled.
2 Press Return. 2 In the Memory Locations window, click the name of the memory location. Viewing and Zooming Navigating with the Counter Press the * key on the numeric keypad as an alternative to clicking in the counter. Memory Locations When viewing tracks in the Edit window, you can adjust the height of tracks as well as zoom in vertically and horizontally using the Track Height selector and Zoom tools.
To Zoom in on any area of a track in the Edit window: 1 Click to select the Zoomer. 2 Click or drag with the Zoomer to zoom in horizontally for a track or Ruler. To zoom in or out incrementally: ■ Click the appropriate Zoom button: • Left Arrow (Horizontal Zoom Out) • Right Arrow (Horizontal Zoom In) • Waveform and MIDI buttons, to increase or decrease vertical zoom of the appropriate track type (audio or MIDI) Pro Tools also provides five Zoom preset buttons.
In the Mix window, audio tracks, Auxiliary Inputs, Master Faders, and MIDI tracks appear as vertical channel strips. Track type is indicated by the Track Type icons just below the faders. Audio tracks, Auxiliary Inputs, Master Faders, and MIDI tracks can be automated.
Sends Master Faders do not provide sends. To send an output to another destination, use an Auxiliary Input. MIDI Tracks Importing Audio MIDI tracks provide volume, solo, and mute, in addition to MIDI input, output, channel, and program (patch) controls. MIDI volume, mute, and pan can also be automated using Pro Tools automation features (see “Mix Automation” on page 57 for more information). Pro Tools LE lets you import existing audio files from disk.
The imported audio file appears in the Audio Regions List. From there you can drag the region to a track in your session. DigiBase provides additional importing options for Pro Tools LE version 6.x. See the DigiBase Guide for more information. To audition a track before you import it, use the Play and Stop buttons. Adjust playback volume with the vertical slider. To navigate to a particular location in the track, drag the horizontal slider. 7 When you are ready to import the audio, click OK.
3 In the Mix window, click the Input Selector on Recording an Audio Track the new track. To record an audio track: 1 Click the Record Enable button for a track, assign its input, and set the input levels appropriately. 2 Choose Windows > Show Transport to display Routing an input to a mono track From the pop-up menu, select the input you want to record. For example, select Mic/Line if your audio source is plugged into the Source 1 jack on the back of the Mbox.
2 Choose File > New Track and specify 1 MIDI Track, then click Create. 3 In the Mix window, click on the track’s MIDI Device/Channel Selector and choose the destination (assignment) for that MIDI track by choosing a MIDI interface port, a channel, or a device from the pop-up menu (choices vary depending on the operating system and Pro Tools version). To record onto a MIDI track: 1 Verify that the MIDI track you want to record to is record-enabled and receiving MIDI.
Monitoring MIDI Instruments Without a Mixer Audio and MIDI editing are typically used to: To monitor your MIDI instrument’s analog output, you can use an Auxiliary Input. Auxiliary Inputs function as inputs for both internally bussed signals and external audio sources. • Fix or replace mistakes To configure an Auxiliary Input for MIDI monitoring: • Create final tracks using selections from multiple takes (also known as comp tracks).
Edit Tools Trimming Regions Pro Tools LE has seven Edit tools: Zoomer, Trimmer, Selector, Grabber, Scrubber, Pencil, and Smart Tool. Select an Edit tool by clicking it in the Edit window. The Zoomer, Trimmer, Grabber, and Pencil tools have multiple modes, which you can select from a pop-up menu when you click the tool. After recording an audio track, you will have an audio region on that track.
6 Click at the end of the region and drag left to 6 Drag on the waveform with the Selector to shorten the region. make a one-bar selection. Note that the selection snaps to the specified grid. The trimmed region You can also extend a region using the Trimmer tool if there is audio data beyond the current boundaries of the region. If extending the region’s beginning, drag to the left; if extending the region’s end, drag to the right.
could separate beats or “hits” into individual regions and rearrange them in Grid or Shuffle mode as a way of coming up with new and interesting rhythms. Playlists and Nondestructive Editing Playlists let you create and retrieve multiple versions of track edits. A playlist can be a complete take, an overdub, or an arrangement of selections from multiple takes.
Basic Signal Routing Creating a Send Signal routing is accomplished by assigning track inputs and outputs. Audio track inputs can be from any hardware input or bus path. Once recorded, an audio track’s input is its audio file on disk. Auxiliary Inputs can be any hardware input or internal bus path. For all types of audio tracks, outputs can be routed to any hardware output or internal bus path. Pro Tools LE provides up to five sends per audio track.
Creating a Return Master Faders Auxiliary Inputs can be created to act as return channels for busses, as well as for inputs from hardware sources. Master Faders are used as output and bus masters, and can control any mono or stereo output or bus path in a session. You can then use the controls on the Master Fader to control the volume, solo and mute, or apply inserts to those paths.
To use a Master Fader as a master stereo volume control for all tracks in a session: 1 Choose File > New Track and specify 1 stereo Master Fader track, then click Create. 2 Set the outputs of all audio tracks in the session to outputs 1–2 and set the panning of each track. Real-time plug-ins are assigned to tracks from the Inserts view in the Mix or Edit windows. Once assigned to a track, plug-ins appear in the track’s Inserts view, and can be opened by clicking the Insert button.
Mix Automation Mix automation lets you record, or automate, changes to track and send levels, mutes, pan, and plug-in parameters. MIDI tracks provide volume, pan, and mute automation only. To write automation: 1 In the Automation Enable window (Windows > Show Automation Enable), enable an automation type (volume, pan, mute, send level, send pan, send mute, or any plug-in automation). Once written, automation can be re-written or displayed and edited graphically in the Edit window.
To Bounce to Disk: 1 Choose File > Bounce to Disk. 2 Select any mono or stereo output or bus path as the source for the bounce. 3 Select the File Type (such as WAV), Format (such as mono or stereo), Resolution (such as 16bit), and Sample Rate (such as 44.1 kHz). • To create a mixdown that can be written to an audio CD, be sure to select AIFF, stereo interleaved, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz. 4 Click Bounce.
appendix a Windows System Optimizations When installing Pro Tools on Windows XP, there are many system variables that affect performance. If you have followed all the Windows configuration instructions in Chapter 2, “Windows Configuration” and are still experiencing problems, try the following troubleshooting suggestions. Norton Ghost is highly recommended, as it lets you save your system in a working state and easily revert to that state should you accidentally disable anything that your computer needs.
Processor Scheduling Be very careful when disabling startup items, including (but not limited to) the following: To Adjust Processor Scheduling Performance: 1 Choose Start > Control Panel. • Portable media serial number (required for applications that utilize a copy protection key) 2 In Classic View, click System. • Plug and play – or – In Category View, click Performance and Maintenance, then click System. 3 Click the Advanced tab. 4 Under the Performance section, click the Settings button.
appendix b Configuring AMS (Mac OS X Only) Pro Tools recognizes the ports on your MIDI interface as generic ports. With Mac OS X, you use Apple’s Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) utility to identify external MIDI devices connected to your MIDI interface and configure your MIDI studio for use with Pro Tools. 3 For any MIDI devices connected to the MIDI To configure your MIDI studio in AMS: 5 Connect the MIDI device to the MIDI inter- 1 Launch Audio MIDI Setup (located in Applica- tions/Utilities).
6 Click the arrow for the appropriate input port of the device and drag a cable to the output arrow of the corresponding port of the MIDI interface. 2 Select a manufacturer and model for the new device from the corresponding pop-up menus. (If the Manufacturer and Model pop-up menus do not provide a name for your particular device, you can type a name.) To remove a connection, select the cable and press Delete. To delete all connections, click Clear Cables.
3 Click the More Properties arrow to expand the 4 Click the device image. The window expands dialog, then enable the appropriate MIDI channels (1–16) for the Transmits and Receives options. (These determine which channels the device will use to send and receive MIDI.) to show images for various MIDI devices (such as keyboards, modules, interfaces, and mixers). Select an icon for your device.
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appendix c Digidesign ASIO Driver Introduction Installing the ASIO Driver The Digidesign ASIO Driver is a multichannel, multimedia sound driver that allows third-party audio software that support the ASIO standard to record and play back through Mbox hardware. The ASIO Driver is installed by default when you install Pro Tools. Check the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com) for the latest thirdparty drivers for Pro Tools LE hardware, as well as current known issues.
Changing ASIO Driver Settings Changing ASIO Driver settings is done in your third party ASIO software. Refer to the documentation that came with that software. For example, with Propellerhead Reason, click on the ASIO Control Panel button. The Digidesign ASIO Driver Control Panel cannot be accessed under the following circumstances: • When Pro Tools is running. • When playing or recording with audio software that does not support the ASIO Driver.
In some third-party audio applications, performing certain tasks will interrupt the ASIO Driver and may result in clicks and pops during audio playback or recording. Choose a medium or large buffer (256, 512, or 1024) to avoid this problem. Changing the Buffer Size for the ASIO Driver does not affect the H/W Buffer Size settings in the Pro Tools Playback Engine dialog. Device The Device Type is always set to your installed Pro Tools hardware.
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appendix d Configuring OMS (Mac OS 9 Only) Pro Tools LE on Mac OS 9 requires Open Music System (OMS), which is included on the Pro Tools Installer CD. OMS has the following capabilities: • Keeps track of which MIDI devices you are using, how they are connected, and which patches they are using • Enables MIDI hardware to communicate with your music applications To configure a New Studio Setup in OMS: 1 Launch the OMS Setup application.
OMS Driver Setup OMS searches for and displays any detected MIDI devices. Some older instruments, as well as some newer ones, may not be recognized by the OMS auto-detection routines. MIDI Device Info 3 Select the Receiving Channel for the device. If it is capable of receiving multiple channels, select the option for “Is Multitimbral.
appendix e Digidesign Control Panel (Mac OS 9 Only) If you are running Mac OS 9 and plan to use your Digidesign hardware with Apple Sound Manager-compatible applications, you will need to install the Digidesign Control Panel. To install the Digidesign Control Panel: Run the Pro Tools LE Installer and select the Digidesign Control Panel option. (See “Installing Pro Tools LE” on page 19.) ■ To use your Digidesign hardware with Apple Sound Manager: 1 From the Apple menu, choose Control Panels > Sound.
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index Numerics C 32K clusters 9 channel strip controls Mute 53 Pan 53 Solo 53 Volume 53 click 40 Click plug-in Accented parameter 39 Unaccented parameter 39 Clock Source 16, 24 cluster size 9 CPU Usage Limit 22 A AMS (Audio MIDI Setup) 61 configuring MIDI devices in 62 Apple Sound Manager 71 ASIO driver 12, 65 audio analog 34 editing 50 importing 46, 47 monitoring 33 routing 47, 54 audio connections headphones 33 home stereo 33 self-powered monitors 33 Audio Regions List 46 audio tracks 44, 45 authoriz
Edit tools 51 Grabber 51 Pencil 51 Scrubber 51 Selector 51 Smart Tool 51 Trimmer 51 Zoomer 51 Edit window 38 editing 50 editing regions 51 F fade files 37 FAT32 9 firmware 11 G gain headphones 31 input 30 Grabber tool 51 Grid mode 50 I I/O Setup Macintosh configuration 16, 25 Windows configuration 16 importing audio 46, 47 indicators peak level 30 phantom power 29 S/PDIF input 30 USB connection 30 Input Format 24 input gain 30 setting 48 inputs analog 32 digital 32 inserts 32 analog on Mbox 34 plug-ins 5
mix automation 57 mix control 30 Mix window 38, 53 mixing 53 monitoring 33 audio 33 MIDI 50 when overdubbing 30 zero latency 30 mono switch 30 multi-processor 22 Mute button 53 Pro Tools authorizing 21 capabilities 2 installing 20 main windows 38 software configuration 22 validating 21 Windows configuration 14 Pro Tools LE installing, Windows 10 Q QuickTime 11 N NTFS 9 O OMS (Open Music System) 20 defining a MIDI device in 70 disabling Serial DMA 70 installing 20 outputs analog 32 digital 32 P Pan slid
Solo button 53 sources analog 32, 34 connecting 34, 35 instrument 29 line 29 microphone 29 selecting 29 Spot mode 50 submixing 54 system requirements MIDI 35 System settings for Windows 7 system settings 41 Clock Source 16, 24 CPU Usage Limit 22 DAE Playback Buffer Size 23 Hardware Buffer Size 22 I/O Setup 16, 25 Input Format 24 Sample Rate 15, 23 System Usage window 41 U USB 10 connection indicator 30 port 21 V validating Pro Tools 21 validating Pro Tools software Windows configuration 13 Volume fader 53