M-Audio Pro Tools M-Powered 7 User manual

Getting Started
Pro Tools M-Powered™
Version 7.0

Copyright
© 2005 Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. All rights
reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part
without the express written consent of Digidesign.
Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, and Pro Tools are either trademarks
or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the US and
other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the
property of their respective owners.
Product features, specifications, system requirements and
availability are subject to change without notice.
PN 9320-17748-00 REV A 11/05

Contents iii
contents
Chapter 1. Welcome to Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Pro Tools M-Powered Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Pro Tools M-Powered Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
How Pro Tools M-Powered Differs from Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Digidesign Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About the Pro Tools Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About www.digidesign.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter 2. Windows Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Windows System Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Hard Drive Configuration and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Installing Your M-Audio Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installing M-Audio Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installing Pro Tools M-Powered Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Optional Software on the Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Launching Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Configuring Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Removing Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Pro Tools M-Powered Getting Started iv
Chapter 3. Macintosh Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Macintosh System Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Hard Drive Configuration and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Installing Your M-Audio Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Installing M-Audio Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Installing Pro Tools M-Powered Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Optional Software on the Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Launching Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Configuring Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Removing Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Chapter 4. Working with Pro Tools M-Powered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Session Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Transport Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Region List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Navigating in a Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Importing Data into Pro Tools Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Basic Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Mixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Plug-Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Mix Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Final Mixdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Appendix A. Configuring MIDI Studio Setup (Windows Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
MIDI Studio Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
MIDI Patch Name Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Appendix B. Configuring AMS (Mac OS X Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Audio MIDI Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
MIDI Patch Name Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Chapter 1: Welcome to Pro Tools M-Powered 1
chapter 1
Welcome to Pro Tools M-Powered
Welcome to Pro Tools M-Powered. This guide
documents how to install and configure
Pro Tools M-Powered software on
M-Powered systems.
The basic components of an M-Powered system
are as follows:
• Digidesign-qualified M-Audio interface
(not included)
• Digidesign-qualified Windows or Macin-
tosh computer (not included)
•Pro Tools M-Powered software (included)
Pro Tools M-Powered Package
The Pro Tools M-Powered software package in-
cludes the following:
•Pro Tools M-Powered Installer CD, which con-
tains Pro Tools M-Powered software, updated
M-Audio drivers, DigiRack RTAS (Real-Time
AudioSuite) and AudioSuite plug-ins, and
electronic PDF guides
• Pre-authorized iLok for running Pro Tools
M-Powered
• This
Pro Tools M-Powered Getting Started Guide ,
covering installation, configuration, and basic
tutorials for M-Powered systems
• The
M-Powered Basics Guide , designed to give
new users specific methods for accomplishing
common tasks (such as getting sound in and
out of your M-Audio interface, connecting a
microphone or instrument, and recording a
session)
• Digidesign registration card
For a list of Digidesign-qualified M-Audio
interfaces and computers, refer to the com-
patibility page of the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com/compato).

Pro Tools M-Powered Getting Started 2
Pro Tools M-Powered
Capabilities
Pro Tools M-Powered software provides the fol-
lowing capabilities:
•Playback of up to 32 mono digital audio
tracks, or a combination of playing back
and recording up to 32 mono digital audio
tracks, depending on your M-Audio inter-
face and computer’s capabilities
• Up to 128 audio tracks (with 32 voiceable
tracks maximum), 128 Auxiliary Input
tracks, 64 Master Fader tracks, 256 MIDI
tracks, and 32 instrument tracks per ses-
sion.
•16-bit or 24-bit audio resolution, at sample
rates up to the sample rates supported by
your M-Audio interface
•Non-destructive, random-access editing
and mix automation
• Audio processing with up to 5 RTAS plug-
ins per track, depending on your com-
puter’s capabilities
• Up to 5 inserts per track
• Up to 10 sends per track
• Up to 32 internal mix busses
How Pro Tools M-Powered
Differs from Pro Tools LE
Pro Tools M-Powered does not support the fol-
lowing Pro Tools LE options:
• DigiTranslator
• DV Toolkit
•Digidesign Ethernet-based control surfaces
(such as Control|24)
•Avid video peripherals
Some Pro Tools M-Powered configuration dia-
logs differ from the Pro Tools LE configuration
dialogs that are presented in the
Pro Tools Refer-
ence Guide
. For specific Pro Tools M-Powered
configuration dialogs, see Chapter 2, “Windows
Configuration” or Chapter 3, “Macintosh Con-
figuration.”
System Requirements
Pro Tools M-Powered can be used with a Digide-
sign-qualified M-Audio interface, running on a
Digidesign-qualified Windows or Macintosh
computer.
For complete system requirements, visit the
compatibility page of the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com/compato).
Compatibility Information
Digidesign can only assure compatibility and
provide support for hardware and software it
has tested and approved.
For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers, op-
erating systems, hard drives, and third-party de-
vices, refer to the latest compatibility informa-
tion on the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com/compato)
.
Pro Tools M-Powered uses your computer’s
CPU to mix and process audio tracks (host
processing). Computers with faster clock
speeds yield higher track counts and more
plug-in processing.

Chapter 1: Welcome to Pro Tools M-Powered 3
Pre-Authorized iLok
M-Powered software is authorized using the
iLok USB Smart Key (iLok) from PACE Anti-Pi-
racy.
The iLok is similar to a dongle, but unlike a don-
gle, it is designed to securely authorize multiple
software applications from a variety of software
developers.
This key can hold over 100 authorizations for all
of your iLok-enabled software. Once an iLok is
authorized for a given piece of software, you can
use the iLok to authorize that software on any
computer.
Pro Tools M-Powered includes one iLok, which
is pre-authorized for Pro Tools M-Powered soft-
ware.
MIDI Requirements
USB MIDI interfaces work effectively with
Pro Tools systems on Windows or Macintosh.
Serial MIDI interfaces are supported on Win-
dows systems only.
For a list of supported adapters, refer to the Digi-
design Web site (www.digidesign.com).
Hard Drive Requirements
For a list of Digidesign-qualified hard drives, see
our Web site (www.digidesign.com/compato).
If you are using an ATA/IDE or FireWire hard
drive, initialize your drive with Windows Disk
Management (Windows) or the Disk Utility ap-
plication included with Apple System software
(Macintosh).
Avoid Recording to the System Drive
Recording to your system drive is not recom-
mended. Recording and playback on a system
drive may result in lower track counts and fewer
plug-ins.
Pre-Authorized iLok
The M-Powered pre-authorized iLok must
be inserted in an available USB port on your
computer to run Pro Tools M-Powered.
For additional information about iLok tech-
nology and authorizations, see the elec-
tronic PDF of the iLok Usage Guide.
Only USB MIDI interfaces are compatible
with Pro Tools systems for Mac OS X.
Modem-to-serial port adapters and serial
MIDI devices are not supported.
Digidesign does not recommend recording
to the system drive. Record to a system drive
only when necessary.

Pro Tools M-Powered Getting Started 4
Hard Disk Storage Space
Mono audio tracks recorded with 16-bit resolution at 44.1 kHz (CD quality) require approximately
5 MB of hard disk space per minute. The same tracks recorded with 24-bit resolution require about
7.5 MB per minute.
Stereo audio tracks recorded with 16-bit resolution at 44.1 kHz (CD quality) require approximately
10 MB of hard disk space per minute. The same tracks recorded with 24-bit resolution require about
15 MB per minute.
Table 2 lists the required disk space for certain track numbers and track lengths, to help you estimate
your hard disk usage.
Table 2. Required hard drive space for audio tracks (44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sessions shown)
Number of tracks and length 16-bit at
44.1 kHz
16-bit at
48 kHz
24-bit at
44.1 kHz
24-bit at
48 kHz
1 mono track, 1 minute 5 MB 5.5 MB 7.5 MB 8.2 MB
1 stereo track (or two mono
tracks), 5 minutes
50 MB 55 MB 75 MB 83 MB
1 stereo track (or two mono
tracks), 60 minutes
600 MB 662 MB 900 MB 991 MB
24 mono tracks, 5 minutes 600 MB 662 MB 900 MB 991 MB
24 mono tracks, 60 minutes 7 GB 7.8 GB 10.5 GB 11.6 GB
32 mono tracks, 5 minutes 800 MB 883 MB 1.2 GB 1.3 GB
32 mono tracks, 60 minutes 9.4 GB 10.4 GB 14 GB 15.4 GB

Chapter 1: Welcome to Pro Tools M-Powered 5
Digidesign Registration
Review the enclosed registration information
card and follow the instructions on it to quickly
register your purchase online. Registering your
purchase is the only way you can be eligible to
receive complimentary technical support and
future upgrade offers. It is one of the most im-
portant steps you can take as a new user.
About the Pro Tools Guides
This Getting Started guide explains how to in-
stall Pro Tools M-Powered software, and use an
M-Audio interface to record, edit, and mix audio
and MIDI tracks in Pro Tools.
Online guides provided with Pro Tools M-Pow-
ered refer to Pro Tools|HD and LE systems. Ref-
erences to Pro Tools LE are usually interchange-
able with Pro Tools M-Powered, except as
documented differently in this guide, or on the
compatibility page of the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com/compato.
If you are new to working with digital worksta-
tions, it is recommended that you read the fol-
lowing:
•
M-Powered Basics Guide provides simple steps
getting sound in and out of your M-Audio
interface, connect a microphone or instru-
ment, record to a Pro Tools M-Powered ses-
sion, import audio from a CD, create an audio
CD from a Pro Tools M-Powered session, and
other topics.
For additional information, see the following
online (.pdf) guides:
•
Pro Tools Reference Guide explains Pro Tools
software in detail.
•
Pro Tools Menus Guide covers all the Pro Tools
on-screen menus.
•
DigiRack Plug-Ins Guide explains how to use
the RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins included
with Pro Tools.
•
Digidesign Plug-Ins Guide explains how to use
optional Digidesign plug-ins.
•
DigiBase Guide provides details on using
Pro Tools DigiBase databasing and browsers
for data and media management.
•
Pro Tools Keyboard Shortcuts lists keyboard
shortcuts for Pro Tools.
PDF versions of the Pro Tools guides are in-
stalled automatically with Pro Tools M-Pow-
ered, and are accessible from the Pro Tools Help
menu. To view or print the PDF guides, you can
use Acrobat Reader or Apple Preview.
Printed copies of the Pro Tools Reference
Guide and other guides in the Pro Tools
guide set can be purchased separately from
the DigiStore (www.digidesign.com).

Pro Tools M-Powered Getting Started 6
Conventions Used in This Guide
Digidesign guides use the following conven-
tions to indicate menu choices and key com-
mands:
:
The following symbols are used to highlight im-
portant information:
About www.digidesign.com
The Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com)
is your best 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 fea-
tures available.
Registration Register your purchase online. See
the enclosed registration form for instructions.
Support Contact Digidesign Technical Support
or Customer Service; download software up-
dates and the latest online manuals; browse the
Compatibility documents for system require-
ments; search the online Answerbase; join the
worldwide Pro Tools community on the Digi-
design User Conference.
Training and Education Become a certified
Pro Tools Operator or Expert; 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 Digidesign
products; download demo software; learn about
our Development Partners and their plug-ins,
applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Digi-
design; sign up for a Pro Tools demo.
To learn more about these and other resources
available from Digidesign, visit the Digidesign
Web site (www.digidesign.com).
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 (Windows) Click with the right mouse
button
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your Pro Tools 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
other Digidesign guides.