Pro Tools Editing Basics

Introduction

• Pro Tools offers a wide range of editing capabilities for audio and MIDI clips.
• Common tasks include separating, cutting, copying, pasting, clearing, duplicating, moving, and nudging audio clips.

Separating Audio Clips

• Separating: Cutting a clip into two or creating a separate clip.
  • Use the selector tool or smart tool.
  • In grid mode, editing aligns with musical bars, aiding precision in musical projects.
  • To separate a clip:
    • Place the cursor where desired.
    • Use the menu: Edit > Separate Clip > At Selection.
    • Shortcut: Command-E (Mac) or Control-E (Windows).
    • With commands focus enabled, press the B key.

Basic Editing Operations

• Cut, Copy, Paste, Clear:
  • Similar to other software, but applied to audio/MIDI.
  • Shortcuts:
    • Cut: Ctrl-X (Windows) or Command-X (Mac).
    • Copy: Ctrl-C (Windows) or Command-C (Mac).
    • Paste: Ctrl-V (Windows) or Command-V (Mac).
    • Clear: Ctrl-B (Windows) or Command-B (Mac).
  • With commands focus, use X, C, V keys directly.

Editing Views and Automation

• Master Views: Waveform and blocks (audio), blocks, clips, notes (MIDI).
• Automation follows edits by default.
  • Clearing a waveform clears associated volume automation.
  • Disable this via Options > Automation Follows Edit.
• Automation Editing:
  • Use the grabber tool to manipulate automation breakpoints.
  • Clear automation without affecting audio by adjusting settings.

Special Editing Commands

• Cut/Copy/Paste/Clear Special: Useful for automation/MIDI controller data.
  • Accessed via submenus under Edit menu.
  • Allows targeting specific data like clip gain or pan automation.

Moving and Nudging Clips

• Moving Clips: Use grabber tool or cut/copy and paste to new location.
• Nudging:
  • Adjusts clip timing by a set Nudge value.
  • Nudge value depends on timeline settings (musical or clock time).
  • Use numeric keypad (+/-) or, with commands focus, use Comma/Period.
  • Be cautious of over-editing which may affect musicality.

Conclusion

• Pro Tools editing is intuitive with practice.
• Functions may differ from other DAWs, but tasks remain universal.