 |
|
|
Memory Locations Part 2
In the last installment of the Pro Tools Corner we discussed the use of marker memory locations in Pro Tools, an invaluable resource for speedy navigation and organization of your sessions. This week I want to dive a little deeper into the topic of memory locations and share even more ways to speed up your workflow and cut down on editing time. If you missed the first half of this two-part article on memory locations be sure to check it out here before you proceed.
Selection Based Memory Locations
We first looked at “marker” based memory locations, which allow a user to mark and quickly recall a single point in the timeline (a bar|beat, timecode location, etc). Pro Tools also allows you to create memory locations based on an edit selection, including both an in and an out point, on a specific track or tracks. This is extremely useful when you have spent a significant amount of time making an accurate selection and wish to quickly recall that selection later on, as is the case when performing selection based overdubs, loop extraction, loop recording, etc.
To create a selection based memory location:
- Make an edit selection on a specific track or group of tracks.
- Hit the enter key on your numeric keypad to bring up the new memory locations window.
- Under time properties choose “selection,” along with the appropriate reference (bars|beats or absolute).
- Name the selection and assign a explicit memory location number if desired (remember you can use the number to quickly recall the memory location using the key command: . [period] # [the number] . [period] from your numeric keypad)
- Assign any other general properties (explained later in this article) and hit OK.
Note: A selection based memory location will not appear in the markers ruler of the edit window, you can view/recall them from the memory locations window (Window > Memory Locations) or recall them using the key command mentioned above.
Tips for using selection based memory locations:
- When performing loop record takes (see my previous pro tools corner article on that topic here), your takes list is based on a specific point in time and the looped regions length. It is wise to save your loop selection as a memory location so you can easily add more loop record passes after the fact and be able to retain the same region size as your previous loop, keeping your takes list pop-up menu running smoothly.
- If you are preparing for an overdub or ADR session, pre configure selection based memory locations for all the punch points so that during the session you can focus on performance issues rather then Pro Tools navigation. Pre-configure these selections with appropriate pre/post roll times, zoom, and track show/hide properties so all you have to do is call up the memory location and hit record to grab the take.
- Set your memory locations to “default to marker” if you mostly create marker based memory locations. To find this preference, click on the memory locations drop down menu and check “default to marker.” Otherwise Pro Tools will default to the last used time property.
Configuring memory location general properties:
Memory locations can also store a host of supplemental properties besides just time information. These extra properties allow you to store things like zoom settings, pre/post roll time, track show/hide, track heights, group enables, and even tie existing window locations to be recalled simultaneously (Window Configurations were covered in a previous Pro Tools corner, you can find it here). Memory locations can have a time property of “none,” allowing you to take advantage of the general properties a la carte, unchained to a time location or selection.
The trick to setting up additional general properties within your memory location is to first configure those properties how you want them to look on screen. For example, if you wanted to recall the track show/hide status of a set of tracks, you would first hide all the tracks you did not want to include in that memory location and then create the memory location with the track show/hide property ticked. Likewise, if you wanted to store group enables within a memory location first enable/disable the appropriate track groups before creating the new memory location.
Tips for using general properties:
- Create control surface “scenes” using the track show/hide option. When using a control surface with a limited number of faders, like the Digi 003 or the Command 8, often times it is hard to navigate a large session using the worksurface’s banking feature. Simply create track show/hide memory locations to quickly bank a set of specific tracks to your control surface. For example, you could create a track show/hide memory location of your 8 drum tracks that instantly pulls those 8 faders up on your control surface using a key command. Make sure to choose a time property of “none” when creating your memory location so that the control surface scene can be used during playback at any point in the session without moving the cursor. You can also use this trick to create edit/mixer scenes to quickly bring a group of tracks into focus.
- Create an “All” memory location that resets the session to a default view, zoom settings, track height, etc. Tie this to a window configuration that resets the edit window to your desired view settings.
- Use marker memory locations to make selections. Recall the first marker and then hold down the shift key while recalling the second marker.
- Use multiple memory locations in tandem for super fast navigation. For example, you might have a marker location that recalls the second chorus, and a general properties memory location that sets the track show/hide status, zoom, track height, etc. Recall these memory locations back to back to traverse time and space in a flash!
- Remember, memory locations can be recalled without stopping playback.
Pro Tools Tidbits:
- Digidesign has announced Pro Tools 7.4 (featuring elastic audio), Command 24 control surface, ICON D-Control ES, and Virtual Instrument Box set, all showcased at AES 2007 New York.
- Propellerhead’s Reason 4 is now shipping
- Ableton is previewing Live 7 at AES
If you have a Pro Tools related question that you would like me to take a shot at answering or have any feedback, please send it to brian@audioMIDI.com. I will do my best to select the questions that seem to stump the most people.
As always, stay tuned to the audioMIDI.com eNews for the latest reviews and new product info.
|
|
