Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Set Pre or Post Fader Metering

By TOM BOWSER

Pro Tools is set to use pre-fader metering by default. You know Pro Tools is set to pre-fader metering if you move a volume fader up or down and the level shown by the meter does not change.

To set either pre or post fader metering:

  1. Left click on "Options" on the Pro Tools menu bar.
  • If "Pre-Fader Metering" has a checkmark to the left then pre fader metering is being used in the session. See the image below.
  • If there is no checkmark then "Post-Fader Metering" is used in the session.

Pre (before) Fader Metering: The meter shows the level of the audio signal BEFORE it passes the volume fader. If you move the volume fader up or down the signal level the meter displays will remain the same.

Post Fader Metering: The meter shows the audio signal after it has passed through plug-ins inserted on the track and after the volume fader.

If you move the volume fader higher the signal level the meter displays will increase. If you move the volume fader lower the signal level the meter displays will decrease.

Typically, pre-fader metering is used during recording to set levels coming into your DAW and post fader metering is used when mixing.

Whether you use pre or post fader metering while mixing is a matter of preference. I like to view a new mix using pre-fader metering to verify that all track levels are where I expect them to be, no signal is too high or low.

Generally, once I begin to mix a session I switch to post fader metering for the rest of the time I spend mixing.

Monday, January 22, 2024

The Blind Shake

By TOM BOWSER

I was feeling kind of depressed this morning. What do I do when I'm feeling down? Listen to music of course! The following video of The Blind Shake, playing "I'm Not An Animal" helped pull me out of the darkness and into the light again. The Blind Shake is a Minneapolis, Minnesota based band. I hope they help start your day!

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Undo History Window - Faster, Less Mistakes

By TOM BOWSER

Use the Pro Tools Undo History window to increase your speed and make fewer mistakes when editing.

You can undo or redo multiple operations at one time. You can see what can be undone or redone and are less likely to accidently undo an edit you want to keep.

To open the Undo History window:

  • Left click on "Window" on the Pro Tools menu bar then "Undo History"
Undo History Window With Track
  • Undoable operations are shown in bold. All operations performed after the item you select are also undone. See the image above.
  • Redoable operations (operations already undone) are shown in italics.
  • Left click on a bolded operation to undo it.
  • Left click on an operation in italics to redo it.
Undo History Window Showing - Undo -Redo All

Left click on the "Options Selector" to:

  1. Show Creation Times
Show Creation Times In The Pro Tools Undo History Window
  1. Undo All (operations in the undo history)
Undo All In The Pro Tools Undo History Window
  1. Redo All (operations in the undo history)
Redo All In The Pro Tools Undo History Window
  1. Clear Undo Queue
Clear Undo Queue In The Pro Tools Undo History Window