Fader Presets?

[thahn1608]

I'm working with a church and we are still very new to Pro Tools. We currently do everything via keyboard and mouse. I would rather not spend the money for the motorized faders system since we rarely are making adjustments to the volume levels. All we do is basically mute and solo.

We use 8 channels (pulpit, choir, audience, piano, etc) for both recording and live streaming. When switching between congregational singing to a single speaker at the pulpit it requires a lot of fast acting clicking to mute and solo the different microphones.

Are there any QWERTY keyboard presets that can be used to automatically move the faders and adjustments to a preset standard? Something for 1. congregational singing, 2. instrumentals, 3. choral singing, etc. Like press "A" and all the faders adjust to the congregational setting, press "B" for only the pulpit, press "C" for the choral setting, etc.

Thanks in advance!

[YYR123]

You might want to read up on groups, in the reference manual.....that will let you mute several tracks at once, also raise and lower volume the tracks together ....

VCA's might work as well



What interface are you using?

[nigelpry]

An easy way to do what you want would be to set up markers, and have volume automation that changes to the volume you want just before those marker positions. With automation in read mode, your faders in pro tools will jump to the preset levels when you move to the marker position.

Unfortunately it is not as easy as A, B and C.

You hit '.' (Period) then the marker number 1, 2, 3, etc, then '.' (Period) again.

It'll do what you are wanting though, if I'm understanding you correctly. But those markers are spread along the timeline, so you might have to have marker positions further down the timeline for when you want to record or live stream, separate to the markers set up just to provide the correct fader levels during different parts of the service.

[JFreak]

I think he's talking about doing it live, in front of audience. Or at least streaming it live to net.

Groups are the way to go. Creating one or two proper mute groups might do the trick for the rest, and Solo button can be used on speech (audience mics can be solo-safed so they're always on for streaming).

And while you're reading the PT Reference Manual, also take a look at Solo Modes. By default, solos are additive so if you press two solo buttons the two channels are soloed and the rest non-solo-safed tracks are muted. But if you wish to change the solo from one track to another, that is also possible with a single click. Take a look, it's all there.

[Barry Johns]

My recommendation would be to buy a command 8. Used they could be had for around $300, considering your average session is eight tracks, it would be perfectly laid out on that controller. It also has a small footprint.

[JFreak]

C|8 would be great for the task, but the OP says they're tight on the budget and the money is better spent elsewhere, so let's just concentrate on software solution...

[thahn1608]

Ya'll are geniuses. I started working with this type of software way back with Sonar... Things have advanced faster than I - as a layman - can keep up with. I didn't know Protools had a groups setting. I'll check that out and see if we can make it work. I'll also look in to the Command 8 since it doesn't sound like it would blow the budget.

Thanks again for all your help. I don't know much, but I know enough to ask those who do.