Software Monitoring On/Off

[captainhook]

So, downloaded PT9, hooked up my RayDat PCIe card. Whammo - 36 inputs all showing up and working.

Now, I usually track with an external mixer and then in Logic or Cubase, I turn off the software monitoring and I am able to monitor the mic directly. (At a buffer of (256-512). The software plays back the audio great and when you are tracking it doesn't allow audio to pass back to your monitors.

However, in Pro Tools (including 9), it looks like there is no way to disable software monitoring.

This kind of blows, because this ends up being your workflow if you want to use an external mixer:

- Record enable a track. Mute it so you don't hear the audio mixed with the audio you are already hearing from your mixer.

- Press play, record your audio. Stop.

- Turn mute off, so you can hear what you recorded.

Obviously, the alternative is to record at a lower buffer (128) and just monitor through protools.

Or, get a digi device, like the Digi003, or the new MBoxes. (I do already own an 003 and I guess I am going back to that so that I can use low latency monitoring, even at high buffer levels.)

So, my post is to say - why did they leave out the option to turn off software monitoring, if they are releasing it to any audio interface out there??? Is this the new ADC? We want the ability to turn off software monitoring!

Maybe I am missing something, but I haven't been able to find a way to turn off software monitoring in ProTools 9.

Thanks for your input!

[wizprodux]

Does it allow you to lower the buffer size to 64 samples???

[captainhook]

Yes, in PT 9 with my RME Ray dat card, it shows: 64,128,256,512 and 1024.

I know I can go down to 64 samples, but I want to use my external mixer to monitor. I love having mics open without having to record enable, etc.

This would also affect people using interfaces like the RME Fireface, who use total mix. If they monitor through total mix, they would have to keep on muting and unmuting a track while they are recording to keep from 2 streams of audio coming out the speakers.

In Other DAWs, you just turn off software monitoring to solve this.

[GKinTN]

This is a deal breaker (to me) for PT9 if it's true. I run an RME FF800, and also have an M-Audio Fast Track Ultra for M-Powered. I also quickly discovered the nice DSP mixer in the Ultra was just about unusable with PT 8 unless you got really good at punching in while also hitting the mute button on the track. Not practical IMHO, and the option of monitoring through M-Powered was bad with the high buffer cap.

Perhaps folks will find a work around for PT9 for users of DSP monitoring. Folks picking up the new RME UFX will surely want this too.

All I would want is this aspect of PT to work like it easily can in Sonar or Reaper. Basically for the program to only pass audio that is already recorded, ala NO input monitoring period.

???

[captainhook]

I am hoping Avid will work out something for this. (If it's not already there and I am just missing it). But, I have searched all through the software and manuals and I am pretty sure there isn't a workaround.

Or, maybe the workaround is that you really do need to use an Avid Interface once you start switching your buffers up past 256....... So clooooosssse........

[guitardom]

not sure what you guys are having problems with. it is working w my fireface 800 just fine.

the buffer is set in the asio client (or core audio) (ff 800) if your buffer is set to 64 or so you are fine. you can send to any outputs you want to on the fireface (to ext mixer) w no issues, track and overdub.

[Rich Breen]

Originally Posted by captainhook

I am hoping Avid will work out something for this. (If it's not already there and I am just missing it). But, I have searched all through the software and manuals and I am pretty sure there isn't a workaround...

Yea, in that workflow it's problematic isn't it? Well, how about half a workaround? You could unlink record and playback faders in prefs-operation, then set the record fader to off - at least it'll mute any time the track is armed.

I know it's not quite what you're after, but maybe helpful?...

best,
rich

[JimmyTambourines]

+1 on this.

I use a console for monitoring and it's nice to for bands to be able to hear themselves (or to be able to talk) when I'm switching between sessions or setting up tracks.

I feel like it couldn't be too make it so tracks that are record enabled don't play new material.

Thank you so much for PT 9, I'm soooo excited!! I was earnestly beginning the process of jumping ship, now I'm here to stay!

[captainhook]

Interesting workaround for everyone on this: without needing soldering and electronics experience to mod a controller!

This is for if you would like to be able to use an external mixer or DSP mixer and have the ability not to have to press mute on the track you are recording.

I just downloaded a piece of software called "QuicKeys 4 for Mac". (Not sure what is out there for windows users)

https://store.startly.com/mac/quickeys/

It's $60.00 US.

I made a combination keyboard shortcut as follows: I have mapped it to a crazy key command Control/Option/Command with "C". Does anyone know of a an open keystroke in Protools that would work better????

Record ("3" on the numeric keypad) with shift M for Mute.

Now, when I go into Protools, I can either:

(1) Press the keystroke and it starts the transport recorded and mutes the track or tracks if they are all grouped. Beautiful! Then if I press it again, guess what? It punches out (if in quick punch mode) and then un-mutes it - awesome!

(2) If I am in quick punch mode, I can press play, then I hear the old recorded material, then I hit the key stroke, it punches it in and mutes the track pretty much simultaneously and I only hear monitoring through my Mixer. I hit the key command again and it punches out and un-mutes the track as if nothing has happened.

(3) If I wanted to make another key command I could make one that stops the transport and re-activates the mute key command, but I am happy just pressing punch in and out.

I haven't tried this tracking yet today, but I think this is a solid $60.00 workaround that will work quite well. (Other than having to learn a new key command and make sure it's installed no matter what studio you are in).

I will update if there is any snags in this workaround. The only snag to me would be that if you drop your cursor on another track after you hit record, it will mute that track instead.

Captainhook

[captainhook]

One little glitch is that if you use the method I suggested above of where it unmutes after you press punch out:

When the transport is stationary you will hear the performer through your external mixer AND through protools. Which is really no problem, because all you have to do is mute protools (or take off record enable), but then when you play back protools you need to unmute it it.

So, really, you just need to become aware of what your mute status is at all times and make a few key command combinations that accommodates your current state.

(In other words, this is really a pretty good workaround, but not a solution. It essentially gives you a really quick way to punch in or out and mute at the same time in one keystroke).

A little more promising than the alternative, while we wait for more users to realize this and vote on the idea scale here: (hint hint)

http://protools.ideascale.com/a/dtd/...OFF/27200-3779

Captainhook