Intro to Pro Tools - Posted on 2013-09-30 by Tinamarie Linares

In 1995 Digidesign became a division of Avid Technology, Inc. 

Original introduction - 1989 as Sound Tools.

1984 - Peter Grotcher & Evan Brooks developed a company called Digidrums in their search to improve audio samples associated with early drum machines. Sale of drum chips for the EMU Emulator Sampling Keyboard funded the devlopment of Digidesign. 

Multitrack recording wasn't possible in a Digidesign system til the release of Pro Tools in 1991. 1 of the 1st albums to be recorded , edited, and mixed on Pro Tools is Summer in Paradise by The Beach Boys. Ricky Martin's Livin La Vida Loca (by Charles Dye & Desmond Child) is the first No1 single, Garbage's Version 2.0 is the first grammy nominated album of the year.  In 2000 Avid was recognized by the Academy  of TV Arts & Sciences w/ an Emmy award for its technical achievements.  In 2001 they were awarded a Grammy along with recording technology pioneer Les Paul for creative innovation contributions by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. In 2003 the  Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences honored Avid with a Technical Oscar.

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Supports 16bit, 24bit, & 32bit float audio at sample rates up to 192khz on special systems & can handle WAV, AIFF, AIFC, mp3, WMA, and SDII audio files and Quicktime video files. Features time code, tempo maps, elastic audio, automation, surround sound and much more.

Windows system requirements - Avid-qualified computer, 32 or 64bit windows 7 home premium, professional, or ultimate edition w/ windows service pack 1.  RAM - 2GBs minimum, 4GBs or more recommended.  

System preferences > disable energy saver.  

Be sure FileVault Protection is turned off (usually by default.)

Disable Finder Keyboard Shortcuts.

Up to date graphics and network adapter drivers.

Disable Turbo-Boost & C-State Transition (BIOS).

Adjust Power Options.

Disable startup progs.

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Pro Tools Session file .ptx

Rendered files folder - .aan

Clip groups folder - .cgrp

WaveCache  file - .wfm

Key commands

Change all parameters - Ctrl Alt

Change selected parameters - Ctrl Alt Shft

Automation, monitor, playlist, record, solo, mute, clear clip meter, plug ins, sends, volume indicator, extend edit or timeline, track  height

Create new session - Ctrl N

Create new track - Shft Ctrl N