Pro Tools | Dock Guide and EuControl 3.
Legal Notices © 2016 Avid Technology, Inc., (“Avid”), all rights reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.
Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Additional Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the Dock with Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Track Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Adjusting Track Parameters with the Soft Knobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Wheel . . . . . . . .
Introduction Welcome to the Pro Tools® | Dock studio controller and iPad dock from Avid®. The Dock uses Avid’s high-speed EUCONTM (Extended User Control) control protocol to enable fully integrated control of Pro Tools and other EUCON-compatible audio and video applications via a 100 MB/s Ethernet connection. The Dock is designed to be used with Avid’s Pro Tools | Control app for iPad.
What’s Included • Pro Tools | Dock control surface • Power cable and power adapter • Cat5e (350 MHz) Ethernet crossover cable • Documentation pack, which includes the EuControl software Activation Card, Dock Welcome Card, Pro Tools | Dock Safety & Regulatory Guide, Health and Safety Guide, and a warranty card Additional Required Equipment • A supported Apple iPad with the most recent version of the Pro Tools | Control App from Avid.
Conventions Used in This Guide All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands: Convention Action File > Save Choose Save from the File menu Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button Right-click Click with the right mouse button The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
How to Use this PDF Guide These are some useful features of this PDF: • The Bookmarks on the left serve as a continuously visible table of contents. Click a + symbol to expand that heading to show subheadings. Click the – symbol to collapse a subheading. Click on a subject heading to jump to that page. • The Table of Contents provides active links to their pages. Select the hand cursor, allow it to hover over the heading until it turns into a finger. Then click to locate to that subject and page.
Installation and Setup This section shows how to get your Dock set up as a studio controller, and consists of the following steps: • Connecting the Dock • Installing EuControl Software • Updating Dock Firmware • Installing and Connecting Pro Tools | Control • Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools • Confirming EUCON Connecting the Dock Connecting the Dock involves the following steps.
Connecting Ethernet Depending on your configuration requirements, you can connect the Dock directly to your workstation computer (the computer running Pro Tools or other DAW), to a router or switch that is then connected to your workstation computer, or to an S3 that is connected to your workstation computer. Standard routers and switches can be used if you are using the Dock without a Pro Tools | S3, or with an S3 but only using the S3 as a control surface.
Installing EuControl Software Next, install EuControl software on your workstation computer. An Internet connection is required to download EuControl. To install EuControl software: 1 Visit www.avid.com/account and log into your Avid account. To create an account if you don’t already have one, follow the instructions on the included EuControl Activation card (visit www.avid.com/activationcard, click to select EuControl, then follow the on-screen instructions to create an account.
Updating Dock Firmware After installing EuControl, make sure your Dock and other Artist Series or S3 media controllers are running the latest firmware. The firmware is provided within EuControl, so an Internet connection is not required. To update firmware: 1 Click (Mac) or double-click (Windows) the EuControl icon and select EuControl Settings. 2 If necessary, click Surfaces to display the Surfaces tab. Surfaces tab 3 Click PT | Dock in the My Surfaces list so it is highlighted.
Installing and Connecting Pro Tools | Control Before proceeding, make sure your iPad is running the most recent version of the Pro Tools | Control app, and that it appears in the My Surfaces list in EuControl. See the Pro Tools Control Guide.pdf for instructions on downloading, installing, and connecting the app. After you have installed the Control app and connected it to your network, place your iPad in the stand built into the Dock.
Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools When you first connect your Dock, you must enable EUCON in Pro Tools, EUCON subsequently remains enabled in Pro Tools unless you disable it. To enable EUCON in other DAWs, see the documentation provided by the manufacturer. To enable EuControl in Pro Tools: 1 Launch Pro Tools. If the Dashboard dialog appears, close it. 2 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Ethernet Controllers tab. 3 Select Enable EUCON. Enable EUCON check box 4 Click OK.
Confirming EUCON To confirm installation and communication: 1 Make sure you have enabled EUCON. 2 Open a session if one is not already open. 3 Verify that the Tracks or Mixer view in the Control app shows the track names from the Pro Tools session. Pro Tools | Control Tracks view showing the first 16 tracks in a session • In the Pro Tools Mix window, verify that the names of the tracks currently banked to the channel strips on S3 are highlighted with blue-green borders.
Connecting a Second Workstation The Dock can control applications running on a second computer connected to the same network as the primary computer, referred to in this guide as a workstation. If EuControl is running on the same workstation as all your audio/video applications you can skip these instructions. To be able to control a second workstation: 1 Quit (Mac) or Exit (Windows) Pro Tools and any other EUCON applications running on any of your workstations.
Connecting a Footswitch The Dock has a 1/4-inch footswitch input on the back panel, which can be used to punch in and out of recording in your DAW. See Footswitch for more information on configuring the footswitch. Footswitch input on the back of the Dock Kensington Lock The Dock provides a Kensington Lock to secure your unit.
Optimizing EuControl After a Pro Tools Update If you have recently updated Pro Tools (for example, from Pro Tools to 11.3.1 to Pro Tools 12.x) and were using S3 or other Artist series devices with the previous version of Pro Tools, perform the tasks in this section to make sure you get the latest Appset functionality with Pro Tools.
Dock Surface Controls Overview This section provides an overview of the surface controls on the Dock when using it with the Control app and EUCON-compatible applications. The primary function of each switch is labeled directly on the switch. The secondary (SHIFT or ALT) function is labeled next to the switch. For audio workflows, see Using the Dock with Pro Tools.
iPad Stand Provides a stand for securely mounting an iPad (not included) running the Pro Tools | Control app. The included Mini-Riser increases the viewing angle for iPad Mini tablets, or it can be removed to fit larger iPad models in the stand. The Soft Knobs surrounding the iPad stand correspond to controls on-screen in the app, as do the Soft Keys below the stand.
Soft Keys These sixteen switches engage the corresponding Soft Key assignment in the Control app. Default (factory) Soft Key assignments are available automatically, and you can customize assignments using the Soft Key Editor in EuControl Settings. Soft Keys shown in Mixer view In the default Pro Tools appset, the two Soft Keys at the far left are assigned to the Fader and Soft Keys buttons.
Right Control and Vertical Touchstrip These twelve switches include controls for navigation (such as Bank and Nudge), Wheel modes (such as Jog, Shuttle, Zoom, and Scroll), and utility controls (such as OK, Cancel and the App/Workstation switch). The EUCON Show Me icon is shown between the Save and Cancel switches. Pressing Save + Cancel simultaneously shows Soft Key assignments in EuControl.
Transport These seven switches provide basic Transport commands RTZ (Return to Zero), Rewind, Fast Forward, Stop, Play, Record, and Loop on/off in their primary layer, and extended Transport commands in the SHIFT layer. BACK+ USER P/ P ROLL Rec Mode Loop Rec The following table lists all the primary and secondary functions of the Transport switches.
Channel Sel and Rec/A Switches The channel strip features channel Sel and Rec/A switches that operate as follows: Sel Selects that track in the application, and attentions it. . In Pro Tools and other applications, multiple tracks can be selected, but only one can be attentioned. In this case, the attentioned track is the last one selected. Rec/A Record-enables a track in the application.
Using the Dock with Pro Tools This section provides information on the latest Appset functionality when using the Dock and Control app with the latest version of Pro Tools. If you have updated from a previous version of Pro Tools, see Optimizing EuControl After a Pro Tools Update Track Basics This section shows how to select, bank and nudge tracks to assign them to the Dock channel strip to be able to adjust track volume, solo, mute, record enable, or select a track automation mode.
Banking You can use the Bank and Nudge switches to navigate through tracks shown in the Control app. By default, Bank and Nudge switches on the Dock only bank the Control app. To have tracks shown in the focused DAW follow, enable the App banks DAW option in the Control app local options (gear icon). On systems that include an S3 or other Artist Series media controller, the Bank and Nudge switches on those controllers affect all connected surfaces (but not the Control app).
Record Enabling Tracks You can record enable tracks from the Dock channel strip, and from Mixer or Tracks view in the Control app. A track must have a valid input to be record enabled. Solo To record enable a track from the Dock channel strip: Mute Press the channel Rec switch. The switch flashes red. You can swap the primary and SHIFT functions of the Rec/A switch in the General tab of EuControl Settings. For more information, see General.
Adjusting Track Parameters with the Soft Knobs The combination of the Control app and Dock provide a powerful and intuitive way to adjust most track parameters. • Channel view lets you quickly navigate among track parameters by selecting a parameter type such as Inserts, Input, or EQ in the Function scroller. • The Soft Knobs surrounding the iPad automatically map to whichever parameters you are viewing in the Control app.
Using Channel View to Adjust Plug-Ins, Dynamics, EQ, Sends, and Pan To use Channel view: 1 Tap a Function block. The lower area of the screen displays parameters for the chosen function. Channel view, EQ selected 2 To adjust a displayed parameter, rotate and/or press the corresponding knob on the Dock. • For example, to adjust Low-Mid Band Gain shown above, tap the EQ function block and then rotate the lower left Soft Knob on the Dock.
Assigning Track Input and Output, Inserts, Sends, and Group Membership You can route track I/O, work with track groups, and assign plug-ins and sends using the Dock and Channel view in Pro Tools | Control. The following example shows how to assign track input. The same basic steps apply for track output and group functions. Assigning Track Input To assign track input: 1 Attention a track (see Selecting Tracks to learn how to attention a track to the Dock).
6 Press a knob corresponding to the insert slot (a–j) where you want to add the plug-in. To navigate to other slots (such as i or j) tap their block in the center of the Function view. The next level of choices for Insert assignment appears in slots in the Function view. For plug-ins, the choices are noinsert, plug-in, i/o, and default plug-ins such as Pro Tools EQ3 and Dyn3Comp/Lim. 7 Do any of the following: • Press the knob for noinsert to leave the track unchanged.
Working with Automation This section shows many of the ways you can control automation. Selecting Track Automation Modes You can select the Automation Mode for the track currently assigned to the Dock channel strip using its REC/A switch. You can also assign track Automation Mode using the dedicated mode switches on the Dock and the track Sel switch, or by selecting tracks in the Control app.
Using the Advanced Automation Switches The Dock provides dedicated switches for many advanced automation features in its Left Control section. These include Preview, Punch Preview, Suspend Preview, Capture, Punch Capture, Auto Match, and many Write to... commands (All/Sel, Start, End, Punch, and Next). These switch functions can be accessed by engaging the ALT switch. Use these switches as you would their corresponding commands or keyboard shortcuts in Pro Tools.
Surround Panning Channel view in the Control app lets you access the surround panner. The Soft Knobs on the Dock map to the currently displayed pan parameters. Surround panner To pan in surround: 1 Select a track assigned to a multichannel output path. 2 In Channel view, tap the Pan function block. 3 Drag the green pan dot to pan, or use the sliders on either side of the panner. Tap a speaker icon to jump the pan dot to that location.
Soft Keys When using Pro Tools | Dock with Pro Tools and other selected DAWs, an Appset is installed providing default functionality for Dock surface controls. You can customize switches, the touchstrips, and the commands in the Soft Keys view of the Control app using the Soft Key Editor in EuControl software.
Section selector pop-up menu 5 To view switches assigned to the Shift layer (functions accessed by pressing either of the Dock SHIFT switches plus the relevant switch), click to enable the Shift checkbox next to the Section selector. The Shift checkbox is not available for the section Dock Left Edit, since this section provides the dedicated ALT switch for its secondary functions.
Using the Soft Key Editor The Soft Key Editor lets you reassign a switch from its default Soft Key assignment (if applicable), add a new command to an unassigned switch, revert (undo) all recent assignment, and restore to factory default assignments. You can also add a key command to a switch to invoke a keyboard shortcut. The following instructions are specific to S3, but the basic steps apply to any unit.
To add a new assignment: 1 Launch Pro Tools and confirm the EuControl is connected to the Dock, indicated by a lit EuControl icon in the Menu Bar (Mac) or the System Tray (Windows). 2 Press Show Me. 3 Click the Section selector and choose the section of switches containing the switch you want to assign. 4 On-screen. double-click the switch you want to assign. The Soft Key Command Editor window opens. 5 In the Command area, click Add and choose EUCON.
To revert (undo) all assignments since the last time you saved changes: Click the Revert button in the Soft Keys tab. To restore assignments to their factory defaults: Click the Restore button in the Soft Keys tab. Adding a Custom Key Command You can invoke a keyboard shortcut that has no predefined function in EuControl using the Soft Key Editor.
EuControl Software EuControl is launched automatically upon starting your computer and runs in the background. EuControl is responsible for finding, linking, and communicating with all Avid media controllers on the network. Accessing EuControl Settings To open the EuControl Settings window, do one of the following: • On Mac, click the EuControl icon on the taskbar and select EuControl Settings. • On Windows, double-click the EuControl icon in the system tray and select EuControl Settings.
Surfaces The Surfaces tab shows all EUCON controllers on your network and those connected to your instance of EuControl. Surfaces tab All Surfaces All Surfaces shows all Avid media controllers on the network. A device shown in light gray is already connected either to your own or another instance of EuControl running on a different workstation. In both cases, it is not selectable. My Surfaces My Surfaces shows the media controllers connected to your instance of EuControl.
Automatically Add The Automatically Add menu has two settings that control what happens to stored Surfaces between shutdown and startup. All Surfaces (Default) This setting is best used when you are the only person running EuControl in your home or studio. It provides an easy plug-and-play experience by automatically adding your All Surfaces list to your My Surfaces list so you never have to manually edit the My Surfaces list.
Workstations A media controller can control applications running on a second computer, referred to in this guide as a workstation. The Workstations tab establishes the list of workstations that the Workstation switch cycles through. Any workstation running EuControl software can be in this list. Workstations tab Enable External Workstations Enables communication with other workstations (other than the one currently running EuControl).
Attach/Detach Use the Attach/Detach buttons to switch between Workstations when using the Control app by itself, or any Artist Series media controller that does not provide an Application/Workstation switch. Select a workstation in the My Workstations list and click Attach. A check mark appears in the Attach column next to that workstation. This workstation is now communicating with the media controller(s) connected to your instance of EuControl.
Auto-bank to Selected Track When selected, Dock, S3, or Artist Series media controller bank to tracks when the tracks are selected on-screen. The surface will auto-bank such that the selected track appears on the leftmost fader of the surface as long as the selected track is not currently visible on the surface. Display Track Numbers on Surface When this is selected, S3 or Artist Series media controller shows track numbers as assigned by the current workstation (if supported) in the channel displays.
Preferences Preferences tab Artist Mix, Artist Transport, and Artist Control display dim time This setting lets you set the amount of idle time before displays on the supported units are dimmed. Footswitch You can connect a footswitch to S3, Dock, and other Artist Series media controllers for hands-free punch in/out. Connect a footswtich to the 1/4-inch footswitch input on the back panel.
S3 VCA Spill (Pro Tools | S3 Only) The options in the S3 VCA Spill section determine VCA Spill behavior on systems that include a Pro Tools | S3. Single-Master Mode (S3 + Dock) These choices determine whether a spilled VCA master is assigned to the Dock channel strip or to an S3 channel strip. Assign VCA Master to Dock When selected, spilling a VCA from S3 in Single-Master mode assigns the spilled VCA master to the Dock channel strip.
Assign The Assign tab manages how tracks are assigned to S3 channel strips, or to the Dock channel strip. By default, tracks are automatically assigned on S3 in banks of 16. Assign tab Display Application’s Track Numbers Enabling this option lets EuControl display track numbers as assigned by the currently selected (in focus) application (if that application supports track numbers). Clear All Assignments Clears all currently displayed assignments. Lock to Application This feature does not apply to S3.
Layouts (Pro Tools | S3, Artist Mix, and Artist Control Only) Use the Layouts tab to store and recall custom fader layouts. For example, you can use the Assign tab to assign tracks to specific S3 channel strips. You can then save those assignments as part of a fader layout on the Layouts tab, which you can then recall using the Bank A–F switches. For more information, see the Pro Tools | S3 Guide.pdf.
Appendix A: Specifications All specifications subject to change. Module: Pro Tools Dock Mechanical Pro Tools | Dock Mechanical Specifications Parameter Specification Dimensions (L x W x D) 14.1 x 13.87 x 5.4 inches (height at back) 359 x 352 x 138 mm Weight 4.17 lbs 1.89 kg Power Requirements 2.
Dimensions LQ PP LQ PP LQ PP LQ PP LQ PP LQ PP LQ PP Appendix A: Specifications 47
Appendix B: Avid S3 Dock Link Kit If you are using the Dock along with an S3, you can use the Avid S3 Dock Link kit (not included) to attach them to each other. The Link kit lets you attach the Dock to the left or right of S3 to keep them stable and aligned. You can install the Link Kit at any time. Installing the S3 Dock Link Kit The following sections explain each of the steps required to install the Link Kit.
3 Turn the S3 over and slowly set it face down on a padded surface, being careful not to let the unit drop (this could damage the encoders and faders). The following is recommended: • When turning the S3 over, orient it so that its back panel (with ports and connectors) is closest to you. If the front (with headphone level control) is closest to you, the left and right sides will be reversed relative to when the unit is facing up.
Attaching the Foot Bracket Next, attach the Foot Bracket to the front corner of the underside of the S3. The figures below show the Foot Bracket being installed to have the Dock to the right of the S3 (when turned right-side up for use). If you want the Dock to the left of the S3, the basic steps are the same. The Foot Bracket is reversible and can be attached to either side of the S3.
Installing the Link Plate The Link Plate is held magnetically to the underside of the S3. To install the Link Bracket: Orient the Link Plate and align its pins with the holes in S3 as shown below (1 in Figure 6), then place it against the underside of the S3 (2 in Figure 6). The bracket is magnetic and requires no fasteners to attach it. 1 2 Figure 6.
Appendix C: Compliance Information Model Name: Pro Tools | Dock Model #: 9100-65779 Environmental Compliance Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) Avid declares that this product complies with the following standards regulating emissions and immunity: • FCC Part 15 Class B • EN 55022 Class B • EN 55024 • AS/NZS CISPR 22 Class B • CISPR 22 Class B FCC Compliance for United States Radio and Television Interference Communication Statement NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Safety Compliance Safety Statement: (Model #: 9100-65779) This equipment has been tested to comply with USA, Canadian, EU and International safety certification standards: UL 60950-1 2nd edition, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07; 2nd edition, EN 60950-1:2006 /A11, /A1, /A12, /A2 and IEC 60950-1:2005/A1, /A2. Avid Technology Inc., has been authorized to apply the appropriate NRTL mark on its compliant equipment. Power Safety Input Rating Pro Tools | Dock: 12Vdc, 2.
This unit may be provided with a power supply cord set suitable for 120V AC input only (for U.S.A.and Canada). For other than U.S.A. and Canada, a qualified person must provide for use with this unit, an appropriate, approved power supply cord set which is in compliance with the end use country requirements and has a minimum cross-sectional area of 1.0mm2. 13) For products containing a lithium battery: Warning! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.
Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 280 N Bernardo Avenue Mountain View, CA 94043 USA Visit the Online Support Center at www.avid.com/support For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.