Avid Technology Artist Series User manual

Artist Series and Pro Tools Guide
EuControl v2.5.6
®

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Contents iii
contents
Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 2. Software Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 3. Track and Session Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
EuControl Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Using the Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Banking Faders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Fader Strip Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Track Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 4. Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Select and Record Enable Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Loop Record, Quick Punch, and Other Record Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Additional Recording Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Chapter 5. Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Selecting Edit Tools and Edit Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Using the Jog/Shuttle Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Using Markers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Soft Keys for Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Track View for Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Chapter 6. Plug-ins and Sends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Working with Plug-in Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Working with Sends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Artist Series and Pro Toolsiv
Chapter 7. Automation and Mixing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Enabling and Suspending Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Track Automation Mode Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Shortcuts to Display Automation Playlists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Multichannel Panning for Surround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Chapter 1: Introduction 1
chapter 1
Introduction
Avid’s EUCONTM (Extended User Control) adapter enables fully integrated control of Pro Tools®from
EUCON-compatible control surfaces.
This guide explains how to enable Artist Series controllers and use them with Pro Tools 9.0 or higher.
System Requirements
The features described in this guide require the following:
• Artist Series control surface
• Pro Tools or Pro Tools HD version 9.0 or higher
• EuControl software version 2.5.6 or higher
For downloads and other Artist Series resources, visit:
www.avid.com/artistsupport
Avid can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and
approved. For complete system requirements and a list of qualified computers, operating systems,
hard drives, and third-party devices for Pro Tools, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility
For setup and configuration instructions for EUCON on Pro Series systems (such as MC Pro and
System 5) see the instructions that came with your hardware. For the latest software updates and in-
formation about these Avid control surfaces, visit www.avid.com/proseriessupport.

Artist Series and Pro Tools2
About This Guide
This guide explains how to enable EUCON and use Artist Series control surfaces with Pro Tools.
If you are installing an Artist Series controller for the first time, start with the following resources:
• For EuControl software and hardware installation, see the printed documentation that came
with your controller.
• For complete information on your unit, see the electronic PDF version of its User Guide.
• For EuControl software setup and configuration information, see the EUCON Application
Setup.pdf.
For instructions on connecting and configuring Pro Tools, see the software installation and hardware
user guides that came with your Avid system. For information about using Pro Tools software, see the
Pro Tools Reference Guide (in Pro Tools, choose Help > Pro Tools Reference Guide).

Chapter 1: Introduction 3
Conventions Used in This Guide
All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:
:
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
Hardware Keys on Artist Series Units
The names of keys on Artist Series hardware are in bold (such as SEL). The SHIFT key on Artist Series
hardware is indicated by bold text, in all-caps (SHIFT).
SHIFT and SHIFT Lock
The Shift key on Artist Series units is used in conjunction with other keys to access secondary func-
tions that are labeled in blue above the primary function. Two Shift keys are located at the bottom-
left and -right on both MC Control and MC Mix. MC Transport provides a single Shift key at the bot-
tom-right.
The following simplified terminology is used to describe Shift functions.
• “Press and hold the Shift key then press the AUX key”
is written as
•“PressSHIFT+AUX/GROUP”
The Shift key can be locked on like caps lock on a computer keyboard by pressing both Shift keys si-
multaneously. This is useful if you plan to access several Shift functions consecutively. Press either
Shift key to unlock.
Convention Action
File > Save Choose Save from the File menu
Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key
Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button
Right-click Click with the right mouse button
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
Important Notices include information that could affect your data or the performance of your system.
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in this and other Avid guides.

Artist Series and Pro Tools4
About www.avid.com
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best online source for information to help you get the most
out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features available.
Product Registration Register your purchase online.
Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer Success (technical support); download software up-
dates and the latest online manuals; browse the Compatibility documents for system requirements;
search the online Knowledge Base or join the worldwide Pro Tools community on the User Confer-
ence.
Training and Education Study on your own using courses available online or find out how you can
learn in a classroom setting at a certified Pro Tools training center.
Products and Developers Learn about Avid products; download demo software or learn about our De-
velopment Partners and their plug-ins, applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Avid or sign up for a Pro Tools demo.
For Artist Series support, visit www.avid.com/artistsupport. For Pro Series, visit
www.avid.com/proseriessupport.

Chapter 2: Software Configuration 5
chapter 2
Software Configuration
Before you proceed, make sure you have completed the following:
• Installed Pro Tools or Pro Tools HD version 9.0 or higher
• Installed the latest EuControl software and attached your Artist Series hardware
Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools
To enable EUCON control in Pro Tools:
1 Make sure EuControl software is running. Your desktop should have a green EUCON icon in the up-
per right corner.
If this icon is not lit, make sure your controllers are powered on and attached. If the icon remains un-
lit, see the installation instructions that came with your Artist Series hardware.
2 Launch Pro Tools.
3 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click to go to the Ethernet Controllers tab.
4 Click to select Enable EUCON.
EUCON icon
Enabling EUCON in Peripherals > Ethernet Controllers

Artist Series and Pro Tools6
5 Click OK. You do not need to configure any other Ethernet Controllers settings. These settings do
not apply to EUCON.
Pro Tools scans your system until it identifies attached EUCON-compatible hardware. When
Pro Tools finishes scanning your system, your controllers are ready to use with Pro Tools.
Using Multiple Units
Multiple Artist Series Units
Artist Series controllers can be combined to form larger, unified systems. For example, you can use
two MC Mix units and an MC Control simultaneously. Pro Tools will recognize all attached units au-
tomatically.
Other Units
When EUCON is enabled in Pro Tools, the use of additional control surfaces is subject to the follow-
ing conditions:
You can use the Surround Panner Options, as well as one USB/MIDI-based control surface at the
same time as EUCON. A MIDI control surface will mirror the first eight channels on your EUCON de-
vices.
You cannot use another Ethernet-based control surface (such as an ICON worksurface or C|24 con-
trol surface) at the same time as EUCON.
Using Artist Series controllers with lower versions of Pro Tools utilized the HUI (MIDI Controller) pro-
tocol. This is no longer necessary.
Use your EuControl software to arrange the layout of multiple units. For more information, see the
EUCON Application Setup.pdf.

Chapter 2: Software Configuration 7
Confirm Installation
To confirm installation and communication:
1 Make sure you have enabled EUCON as explained in “Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools” on page 5.
2 Open a session if one is not already open.
3 Verify the Mix window displays a blue-green border around Pro Tools tracks that are currently
banked to your controller.
4 Verify that the displays on your controllers show track names, location, or other session data, de-
pending on the unit. For example, the MC Transport shows the Main Counter (such as min:sec,
Bars|Beats, or other).
Color outlines in the Mix window showing currently banked tracks

Artist Series and Pro Tools8
Disable or Reassign Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Used by Pro Tools
You need to disable or reassign any conflicting Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts in the Apple System
Preferences.
To disable or reassign Mac keyboard shortcuts used by Pro Tools:
1 From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2 Click Keyboard.
3 Click the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.
4 Disable or reassign the following:
• Under “Dashboard & Dock”
•“TurnDockHidingOn/Off”
•“Dashboard”
• Under “Exposé and Spaces”
•“Allwindows”
• “Application windows”
•“Desktop”
• Under “Keyboard & Text Input”
• “Move focus to the window drawer”
• Under “Spotlight”
• “Show Spotlight search field”
• “Show Spotlight window”
• Under “Application Shortcuts”
• “Show Help menu”

Chapter 3: Track and Session Basics 9
chapter 3
Track and Session Basics
This chapter provides examples of the following:
EuControl Basics How to use EuControl software to view and customize mappings and hardware set-
tings (see “EuControl Basics” on page 10).
Using the Transport How to use the Transport controls to play, stop, cue, record arm, and more (see
“Using the Transport” on page 14).
Banking the Faders How to use Bank and Nudge to be able to view tracks on the fader strips (see
“Banking Faders” on page 16).
Fader Controls How to adjust track volume and pan, solo and mute tracks (see “Fader Strip Controls”
on page 17).
Track Basics How to select tracks, assign input and output routing, Show/Hide tracks, and use Groups
(see “Track Basics” on page 19).

Artist Series and Pro Tools10
EuControl Basics
EuControl software lets you see which controllers are communicating, configure their layout (fader
order), and customize Soft Keys and other controls. This section provides a few basic instructions to
cover common configuration questions. For complete information on using EuControl software, see
the EUCON Application Setup guide.
To jump directly to Pro Tools operation, go to “Using the Transport” on page 14.
Viewing EuControl Settings On-Screen
To view assignments on-screen:
1 Make sure EuControl is running, then launch Pro Tools.
2 Click the EUCON icon at the upper right of your screen and choose EuControl Settings.
The EuControl Settings window appears on-screen.
Viewing EuControl Settings on MC Transport
On MC Transport, you can use the SHOW key to view assignments on the unit display.
To view assignments on the controller display:
1 Press the SHOW key.
2 Press any Soft Key, Transport, or numeric key on that unit; its assignment is shown in the display.
EuControl Settings window

Chapter 3: Track and Session Basics 11
Customizing Controls in EuControl
EuControl software makes it very simple to remap any control to Pro Tools commands and options.
Here is a quick example of how to reconfigure one of the Transport keys on MC Transport to toggle
Dynamic Transport mode on/off. It shows the steps required to re-assign a single key.
To re-assign a Soft Key on MC Transport for Pro Tools:
1 Launch Pro Tools.
2 Press the SHOW key. The EuControl Settings window opens.
3 Click to go to the Soft Keys tab. The currently assigned Soft Keys are shown.
Soft Keys tab in EuControl Settings (MC Transport shown)
If the EuControl Settings window doesn’t look the same as the picture above, check the current setting
of the Section menu located in the upper left of the EuControl Settings window. If necessary, click it
and choose Softkeys.

Artist Series and Pro Tools12
4 Select the key you want to customize by clicking it on-screen, or pressing it on the controller. For
example, select Soft Key 5 Control Room.
5 Click the Clear button near the center of the window. The Soft Key label box clears, showing no cur-
rent assignment. This clears any previous assignments, making it easier to re-assign the control.
6 Click the Command button. The Soft Key Command Editor window opens.
7 Click the Add button in the Command menu and choose EuCon.
With a Command added to (or selected in) the Command List, choices appear in the Details area. In
our example, the Details area lists Key Commands, Project, and Transport.
8 Click Transport in the Details area. Choices for Transport appear in the next Details list.
A Soft Key selected in the EuControl Settings window
You can double-click a Soft Key to go immediately to the Command Editor.
Adding a EuCon command in the Soft Key Command Editor

Chapter 3: Track and Session Basics 13
9 Click to select Dynamic Transport. The Command List updates to show the new assignment.
10 Close the Soft Key Command Editor and return to the EuControl Settings window. Soft Key 5 now
shows Dynamic Transport for its assignment.
11 Repeat for any other controls on any other units in your system.
A Transport function assigned in the Soft Key Command Editor

Artist Series and Pro Tools14
Using the Transport
Transport controls are available on many Artist Series controllers, and provide standard Pro Tools
functions such as Play, Stop, Rewind/Fast-forward, Record, and others as available on each unit.
The following figure identifies the default controls on MC Transport and MC Control.
1 RTZ (Return to Zero) Returns the play cursor to the beginning of the session.
2 Rewind Moves the play cursor earlier.
3 Fast Forward Moves the play cursor later.
4 Stop Stops playback.
5 Play Starts playback.
6 Record Toggles the Pro Tools Transport (master) record state on (armed) or off.
7 Loop Toggles Loop Playback on/off.
Transport controls on MC Transport (upper left) and MC Control (lower right)
7
JOG
SHU TTLE
ZOOM HORIZ
ZOOM VERT
REC
REW
FF
STOP
PLAY
2
3
4
56
1
2
3
4
5
6

Chapter 3: Track and Session Basics 15
Using the Transport Controls
Playback
To play from the current location:
Press Play.
To stop playback:
Press Stop.
Transport Controls and Modifier Keys
You can use modifier keys on your computer keyboard in combination with EUCON hardware Trans-
port controls for additional playback modes (such as to enable Loop Playback).
To toggle Loop Playback on/off:
Press Control (Mac) + Play.
To toggle Pro Tools online or offline:
Press Option (Mac) + Play.
Session Time Navigation
To jump to the beginning of the session:
Press RTZ (return to zero).
To rewind or fast-forward:
Press Rew or FFW.
Recording
To record arm the Pro Tools Transport:
Press Record.
Pro Tools provides preference settings to optimize rewind and fast forward (such as Audio During Fast
Forward/Rewind, and Back/Forward Amount). For more information, see the Pro Tools Reference
Guide.
For additional recording features, see Chapter 4, “Recording.”

Artist Series and Pro Tools16
Banking Faders
To navigate to and display other tracks across the faders, use the Bank and Nudge keys. On
MC Control, these keys are in the Navigation section above the Transport controls.
On MC Mix, Bank and Nudge are to the right of the encoder row.
To bank the faders to other tracks:
1 Press BANK >. On MC Control, this brings the next four tracks to the faders; on MC Mix, the next
eight. In Pro Tools, “next” means to the right in the Mix window, and below in the Edit window.
2 Press < BANK to move to previous tracks (to the left in the Mix window, and above in the Edit win-
dow).
3 Press NUDGE > to move one track at a time. For example, if tracks 1–8 were previously assigned to
the faders on MC Mix, pressing Nudge > will bring tracks 2–9 to the faders.
4 Press < NUDGE to move back one track at a time.
If you nudge or bank beyond the first and last tracks, the display above unused track will be blank.
HOME and Track Banking
To reset faders to the default bank on MC Control or MC Mix:
Press and hold the SHIFT key, and press < BANK (Home).
Bank and Nudge controls on MC Control
Bank and Nudge controls on MC Mix
CFG
PAGE
BANK
HOME
NUDGE
MIXER
END
BANK
CLOSE
NUDGE
WORKSTATION
APPLICATION
TOP
BACK
JOG
SHUTTLE
ZOOMHORIZ
ZOOMVE RT
POWER
REC
REW
FF
STOP
PLA
Y
SOFT KEYS
HOME
END
MC CONTROL
MONITOR
CONTROLR OOM
PAGE
CFG
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
2
60
40
6
0
5
0
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
SOLOON SOLOON
END
BANK
HOME
BANK
CLOSE
NUDGE
MIXER
NUDGE
RECPLAYNEXT FF STOPPREVRTZ REW
SEL
ON
END
BANK
HOME
WORKSTATION
APPLICATION
INSER TS
INPUT
BANK
CLOSE
NUDGE
MIXER
NUDGE
POWER
CHAN
FLIP
EQ
DYN
AUX
GROUP
PAN
MIX
BACK
TOP
SEL
ON
SEL
ON
SEL
ON
SEL
ON
SEL
ON
SEL
ON
SEL
ON
MC MIX
CFG
PAGE
CFG
PAGE
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SEL Y
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SEL Y
AUTO
REC N
ASSIGN
SELY
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
12
60
40
6
0
5
10
20
30
8
SOLOON SOLOON SOLOON SOLOON SOLOON SOLOON SOLOON SOLOON
END
BANK
HOME
BANK
CLOSE
NUDGE
MIXER
NUDGE