Pro tools - How does it work?

[Don]

Perry mentioned in his interview how he was working with pro tools. How do you use this program when you are recording an album? Are you able to replicate the sound when you tour or is it a studio only thing? Can someone enlighten me how this works?

[Playitloudforme]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Tools

"Pro Tools is a Digital Audio Workstation platform for Mac OS and Microsoft Windows operating systems, developed and manufactured by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, television and post production. Pro Tools has three levels of software; HD, LE, and M-powered. HD is the premier package and is an integration of hardware and software. The hardware includes an external A/D converter and internal PCI or PCIe audio cards with onboard DSP.
Fundamentally, Pro Tools is similar to a multitrack tape recorder and mixer, with additional features that can only be performed in the digital medium. The most highly specified version supports sample rates of up to 192 kHz and bit depths of 16 and 24 bit, opens WAV, AIFF, mp3 and SDII audio files and QuickTime video files, and features Time Code, tempo maps, automation and surround sound capabilities.
Most of Pro Tools' basic functions can be controlled within the Edit or Mix windows. The Edit window displays audio and MIDI tracks, and provides graphical representation of the information recorded or imported. Here, audio can be edited in a non-linear, non-destructive fashion to the level of individual samples. MIDI information can also be manipulated. The Mix window displays each track's fader channel and allows for the adjustment of a channel's volume and pan, as well as being the usual place to insert plug-in effects and route audio to and from different outputs and inputs.
Effects processing and virtual instruments in Pro Tools are achieved through the use of plug-ins, which are either processed by the DSP chips as TDM plug-ins, or the host computer as RTAS plug-ins."

There's more if you care to click on the link.

[Rick]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Tools

Where the hell have you been? I meant to say hi the other night when you were posting, but got distracted. Glad to see you around again.

[Playitloudforme]

Drowning in work, Camp freddy, and life in general. Hiya Rick.

[Don]

So what I get is that this is basically using your computer as a recording studio. It sounds a lot like an expensive version of Fruit Loops, which my son makes and records his music with. So I guess Perry is saying he can use this and record his own stuff comfortably in the privacy of his home. So even if we don't hear about him stepping into a studio he could actually be putting something together in his basement and we wouldn't know about it. Obviously I am reading way too much into this but we have never heard about him going into a studio by himself to record so maybe this is what he is talkng about when he says he has projects he has been working on.

[Playitloudforme]

I know quite a few people who use this in their studios (home). I would imagine it's a professional-enough program to use via your computer to record. Final version obviously in a full on studio, but it's a high quality even at home.

Now the real question is.. he is a Mac user... or Windows. I'm betting Mac.

[Don]

After seeing the Departure tour video with him wearing those green pants with that blue blouse, I'm thinking Mac also. Windows would be too conformist for him I'm sure.

[Playitloudforme]

LOL... I can't say it was his green pants that made me think of Mac... lol.

Mac is just better received in the 'artists' community. More programs written for the arts than Windows.

[texafana]

Pro Tools, Cakewalk, etc, are just the evolution of the 4 track tape cassette. They record sound from your computer and allow you to manipulate it on a track by track basis. Each track could be drums, bass, guitar, lead vox, keys, etc, etc. Since the data (audio) is in the digital domain you can apply all kinds of wonderful tricks after the fact like:

Pitch correction: Suttle or extreme like Cher's "Do You Believe"
Doubling: Make one voice sound like several. Instead of multiple takes (ala Journey in the 70's,80's) you can sing it one time and double,triple the voice automatically. Variations on the doubling make it sound like other voices. Very cool.

Add a "MIDI" device like keyboards, drum machines, etc, and you can record it once, and have the computer play back the devices instead of a human. All kinds of tricks are available then, in both live and studio settings.

With all this "digitial" goodness comes one problem, it's too perfect, so you have plug ins that make the data sound more warm etc, they add artifacts, "mistakes", etc, to make it sound similar to analog recordings.

[larryfromnextdoor]

protools for regular guys= having a little bedroom room or garage, that you call a "studio".. with 2 guitars ,, acoustic and electric, and amp or 2 and about 4 mics WITH your computer ..

you start/stop/edit your stuff .. add some drums ect...

when a guy with some dough does this,, like Perry..you go to a regular studio that is set up ..or hes got a dedicated portion of his house set up like a Guitar Center with guys coming over and it works kinda like the Old Days.. take after take ,, just using todays technology,, on a designated computer just for these takes..

ill betcha..

[Fire99]

the likes of Def Leppard use Pro Tools and infact probably a large number of bands who have members who live in the 4 corners of the globe..

As with anything there are different levels of the package, from a basic Cubase,Cakewalk package to a Hardware/Software package which starts at thousands of ££ (and $$)

Its a fantastic piece of kit and gives some pretty amazing results..

But you have to spend alot of money to get the full setup..

[Pelata]

So what I get is that this is basically using your computer as a recording studio.

Pretty much...but so much more. You can edit the timing on anything to snap it to a click track, add multiple effects per track, master, etc....unlimited number of tracks as well.

[JrnySuxBalls]

Think of it as an advanced "photoshop" for music recording.

Without it, an Ashlee Simpson album would be impossible to make.

[tammy]

I wasn't sure what Pro Tools was either - except when worded in a derogatory manner.
Also, SP said he uses both Mac & PC.

(oh, dear...watching Coldplay's new video Violet Hill...yikes, Chris Martin teeth thru a magnifying glass?! he will regret that in years to come) lol.

[AlteredDNA]

I wasn't sure what Pro Tools was either - except when worded in a derogatory manner.
Also, SP said he uses both Mac & PC.

(oh, dear...watching Coldplay's new video Violet Hill...yikes, Chris Martin teeth thru a magnifying glass?! he will regret that in years to come) lol.

I'm regretting it now...

[ProgRocker53]

I thought SP avoided computers like the plague.