Introduction

Welcome to the Pro Tools Guide for Screen Reader Users, written from the perspective of using Pro Tools through adaptive technology. This online guide features a series of articles consisting of documentation organized into chapters along with audio examples and sample session files. Audio demonstrations follow each of the topics covered.

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chapter 1 Pre-Flight Checklist

This chapter provides detailed instructions on how to configure Mac OS for Pro Tools and Pro Tools for use with VoiceOver plus recommended settings for use with Flo Tools.

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chapter 2 Getting Started

This chapter covers Pro Tools software activation, downloads and installation. We’ll take a look at Pace Antipiracy’s iLok License Manager and how to use it. We’ll cover the Pro Tools Dashboard, the Playback Engine dialog and the file and folder structure of a typical session. Finally, We’ll examine the menus and tour the main windows in Pro Tools and offer tips on navigation.

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chapter 3Basic Controls

This chapter introduces the Edit window, its toolbar and the various clusters of controls it contains. We’ll cover basic edit modes and look at some of the ways the Edit window’s views can be customized. We’ll also discuss basic timeline navigation using keyboard shortcuts.

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chapter 4 Creating a New Session

This chapter covers the process of creating a session file, adding new tracks and managing them. We’ll take a closer look at navigating tracks and the timeline as well as playback behavior. Finally, we’ll discuss how to save and reopen session files.

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chapter 7 Basic MIDI Recording

This chapter covers the basics of MIDI in Pro Tools. We’ll take a look at the types of MIDI tracks, how to create them and how to record and play back MIDI data.

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chapter 8 Selection and Navigation

In this chapter, we’ll take a closer look at timeline and edit selections and navigation of tracks and clips. We’ll also discuss memory locations and their use in navigation and editing within a session.

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chapter 9 Editing

In this chapter we’ll discuss edit modes and take a closer look at editing and trimming clips using keyboard shortcuts. We’ll examine the grid and nudge features and explain how to set and use them. We’ll cover the ways you can add fade-ins, fade-outs and crossfades. Finally, we’ll show how to undo multiple actions as well as restore your work from backups.

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chapter 10 Mixing and Bouncing Mixes

This chapter covers basic mixing techniques including simple signal routing, application of plug-in processing, setting levels, writing automation and creating a final stereo mix. We’ll also take a look at creating a backup copy and archive of your session.

For this chapter’s demonstrations, use any session file or refer to the “Chemical Reaction stem edits.ptx” session from the previous chapter and use the “save As…” command to create a new session file..

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chapter 11 Mixing and Bouncing Mixes

In this chapter, we’ll focus on working in sessions with higher track counts and more comprehensive routing setups. We’ll take a closer look at the I/O Setup window, hardware considerations and playback engine settings.

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chapter 12 Managing Session Data and Media Files

Pro Tools offers a few different ways to import media and other files. Some of the methods are fully accessible while others are more involved. In this chapter we’ll discuss the various ways that data can be imported and managed in Pro Tools.

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chapter 13 Recording MIDI and Audio

In this chapter we’ll look at the process of creating meter and tempo events as well as linear tempo changes. We’ll discuss using pre and post roll for recording. We’ll also cover loop recording both audio and MIDI and how they differ.

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chapter 15 Working with Elastic Audio

This chapter focuses on the Elastic Audio feature of Pro Tools. At the time of this publication, Elastic Audio is only somewhat accessible. Normally, one would rely heavily on what are known as event markers and warp markers to define and manipulate ranges of audio for stretching and compressing in order to alter timing. Since these markers are not yet accessible, the options available are limited but we will cover a few areas that are in part useable.

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chapter 20 Advanced Mixing Techniques and Creating Final Media

In this chapter, we’ll take a closer look at the “Apply to All” and “Apply to Selected” commands and where they can come in handy. We’ll look at Groups, Folder Tracks and submixes along with other methods of handling more comprehensive track routing. Finally, we’ll discuss final output for media and archiving.

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chapter 22 What's New in Pro Tools 2022.6

In this chapter, we’ll take a look at accessibility improvements and changes in Pro Tools 2022.6 including the following areas:

  • New Fade Shape Names
  • Preset Buttons Menu
  • Heat Master View Show/Hide Button
  • Heat Controls
  • Timeline Ruler Tables
  • Key Signature List
  • Chord change List Table
  • Clip effects Plug-In
  • MIDI Event List Insert
  • Scroll Selected Tracks Into View
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chapter 23 What's New in Pro Tools 2022.9

In this chapter, we’ll take a look at accessibility improvements and changes in Pro Tools 2022.9 including the following areas:

  • HEAT Controls show/Hide button
  • Quantize Cluster
  • Memory Locations
  • Aux I/O
  • Avid Audio Bridge
  • Clip Effects Tab
  • Melodyne ARA
  • Enhanced Controllers Preferences
  • Pro Tools Intro

The items covered here mostly regard features that impact accessibility. To learn more about everything that’s new in this new release, refer to the “What’s New in Pro Tools 2022.9” PDF found within the Pro Tools Documentation folder.

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