Pro Tools is used for music creation and production, sound for picture (sound design, audio post-production and mixing) and, more generally, sound recording, editing, and mastering processes.

See the steps below to start a new session, setup and record, and how to check the Input and Output settings.

Create a new Pro Tools session

Pro Tools works in sessions. That means when you’re recording a song or working on a project, you’ll open its .ptx Pro Tools session file. When creating a new session, you’ll need to consider a few settings (e.g., sample rate, bit depth, file type). 44.1kHz, 24bit, and .WAV will work for many purposes and are commonly used. Learn more about how to create your first Pro Tools session.

• File Type (.WAV or .AIFF): Select the default audio file format for recorded tracks. Pro Tools can use both simultaneously, so don’t worry about starting in one format and then importing from the other. Learn more about .WAV and .AIFF.
• Bit Depth (16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit float): This is the dynamic resolution of recorded audio. We recommend 24-bit for most music production users. While all three will sound great, just remember that the larger the bit depths will always produce a larger file size. Learn more about bit depth.
• Sample Rate (44.1 – 192 kHz): The amount of times per second audio is digitally sampled/recorded. We recommend 44.1 kHz (for CD) or 44.8 kHz (for DVD) to most new music production users. Learn more about sample rates.
• I/O Settings (Last Used or Presets): These are the settings Pro Tools uses for labeling and routing signal in and out of your audio interface.

Audio: Setup and record

One of the first things to do once you create a new session is to start recording audio. To do that, you will first need to configure the audio settings. That means you will need to select your audio hardware, configure the DAW input and output settings, and then create and record some audio tracks.

Select audio hardware

Pro Tools, like most DAW’s, has its own audio settings. That means you’ll need to select your audio device inside the Playback Engine settings. If this is the first time connecting your audio interface, you’ll want first to install its driver software. Once done, the interface can be connected directly to the computer and then selected as the Playback Engine.

You’ll also need to select the H/W Buffer Size, which determines the amount of time your computer has to process audio before outputting to the speakers. When recording and input monitoring, you’ll use a lower value for less latency (less processing time). For mixing and producing or when you’re not recording, select a higher value for more buffer processing time (more latency, but more time for signal processing).

1. Go to the Setup menu and select Playback Engine.
2. Select your audio interface from the Playback Engine drop-down menu.
3. Select the H/W Buffer Size:
   • Lower for input monitoring while recording (less latency and processing)
   • Higher for mixing and producing (more latency and processing)

Other settings

• Ignore Errors During Playback/Record: OFF
• Dynamic Plug-in Processing: ON
• Video Engine: OFF

Configure DAW I/O settings

Once the audio interface is selected as the Playback Engine, its connections need to be configured within the Pro Tools Input and Output (I/O) Settings. That just means you’ll tell Pro Tools what to title each of your interface’s input and output channels. These settings don’t require customization but should be set to default when getting started for the first time. Within the I/O Settings are multiple routing tabs, but you only need to configure the Input, Output, and Bus tabs.

Default I/O settings

Click the Setup menu and select I/O…. For each of the Input, Output, and Bus tabs:

1. Select all the paths and click Delete Path.
2. Click Default.
3. Rename or reroute any paths.
4. Click Export Settings… and save the settings (e.g., Apollo Twin Input, AVB Outputs, or Mastering).

 

Saving I/O settings

If your system doesn’t involve much (just stereo out and virtual Pro Tools busses) then I/O settings aren’t a big deal. Systems with more channel counts or outboard gear have a lot more inputs and outputs, which means recreating the I/O settings for large setups can take a while. Since I/O settings are unique to the system, we recommend saving them to not only the default folder, but the session folder, too. If the I/O settings need reset; save your settings, save the session, and then default the I/O to the current Playback Engine.

• Inputs are the same inputs of your interface (e.g., mic preamps, line, ADAT or S/PDIF inputs) and are what you select on Pro Tools tracks to determine what audio gets recorded to them.
• Outputs just send signal to the speakers or outboard gear (e.g., monitor, ADAT or S/PDIF outputs). Most tracks will have their output assigned to the main speakers, but all other outputs can be customized to your liking.
• The Bus tab represents the internal mono or stereo busses (paths) that Pro Tools uses for sending audio to other tracks. You’ll also see that some of the busses also have selections in the Mapping to Outputs column. This is so you can send audio directly to one of your Playback Engine’s outputs. (e.g., to outboard gear or a headphone distribution system).

Please following this link to a more detailed guide.
Pro Tools Quick Guide

SuperCollider is a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition, used by musicians, artists, and researchers working with sound. 

 

This is an open source software, so if of interest to you, feel free to download and explore on your own device as well.

 

This video tutorial will walk you through how to being creating sounds in SuperCollider.

Max is a visual programming language for music and multimedia. This program can be used for an almost infinite amount of uses, with the granular customization and self building nature of the program, the user can create patches to accomplish almost any task.

 

This link is an Intro to audio in Max/MSP.

 

This link will take you to a tutorial page that gives outlines on any problem you might have in MAX.