New to protools, and I'm super confused about instruments???

[Qwoll]

So...

I just got the full version of protools. Now the last composing software I used was mixcraft, which, if you dont know it, is similar to garage band.

So when I opened protools, I was dumbfounded by the fact that I only had like 7 instruments, and that buying new ones, individually costs from like 20 to 300 dollars.

I'm super confused by this. How is this practical at all? I'm used to having all the instruments right at my fingertips from a built in library of sounds.

And what do I do to get instruments?

[Top Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Qwoll

So...

I just got the full version of protools. Now the last composing software I used was mixcraft, which, if you dont know it, is similar to garage band.

So when I opened protools, I was dumbfounded by the fact that I only had like 7 instruments, and that buying new ones, individually costs from like 20 to 300 dollars.

I'm super confused by this. How is this practical at all? I'm used to having all the instruments right at my fingertips from a built in library of sounds.

And what do I do to get instruments?

Xpand is a sampler with a decent fundamental library. You'll find many different instruments and sounds there. All the other included instruments are single purpose (piano, organ, synth, beats).

You can add 3rd party instruments as long as they are AAX format, not VST.



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[lesbrunn]

Originally Posted by Qwoll

So...

I just got the full version of protools. Now the last composing software I used was mixcraft, which, if you dont know it, is similar to garage band.

So when I opened protools, I was dumbfounded by the fact that I only had like 7 instruments, and that buying new ones, individually costs from like 20 to 300 dollars.

I'm super confused by this. How is this practical at all? I'm used to having all the instruments right at my fingertips from a built in library of sounds.

And what do I do to get instruments?

If you have other VST or AU instruments that you used in previous DAWs, you can host them in PT via Blue Cat Patchwork or Vienna Ensemble Pro. These two hosts work well in Pro Tools.

[The Weed]

Pro Tools is an audio editing/mixing program with some sequencing abilities, not a sequencing program. Yes, there are some instruments built in, but not many. However, as said, if you have some instruments in VST format, they can be used in PT with a "bridge". But there are a huge number of third party instruments you can purchase to use with PT, many that are superior to any supplied with a program. I'm sure the more instrument knowledgeable on the forum would be happy to list their favorites for you if you tell us what you're looking for and their use. There are many, many Pro Tools users who sequence in a different program and then import the resulting audio files into PT to mix down. As always, YMMV.

[Brian Hudson]

Originally Posted by The Weed

Pro Tools is an audio editing/mixing program with some sequencing abilities, not a sequencing program. Yes, there are some instruments built in, but not many. However, as said, if you have some instruments in VST format, they can be used in PT with a "bridge". But there are a huge number of third party instruments you can purchase to use with PT, many that are superior to any supplied with a program. I'm sure the more instrument knowledgeable on the forum would be happy to list their favorites for you if you tell us what you're looking for and their use. There are many, many Pro Tools users who sequence in a different program and then import the resulting audio files into PT to mix down. As always, YMMV.

Hybrid 3 is a lot of fun and also BioTek but it crashes ProTools with automation sometimes


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[musicman691]

Originally Posted by The Weed

Pro Tools is an audio editing/mixing program with some sequencing abilities, not a sequencing program. Yes, there are some instruments built in, but not many. However, as said, if you have some instruments in VST format, they can be used in PT with a "bridge". But there are a huge number of third party instruments you can purchase to use with PT, many that are superior to any supplied with a program. I'm sure the more instrument knowledgeable on the forum would be happy to list their favorites for you if you tell us what you're looking for and their use. There are many, many Pro Tools users who sequence in a different program and then import the resulting audio files into PT to mix down. As always, YMMV.

Started out doing my MIDI work in PT then brought Digital Performer into the equation because I listened to those who said the MIDI work in PT wasn't quite up to snuff. After about a year of that dual nonsense I'm now back to working pretty much exclusively in PT for everything. PT can do it all if one has the patience to work with it.

As far as my favorite vi's in no particular they are:
NI Kontakt 5 (sampler)
IKMM Sampletank 3 (sampler)
Air Velvet for Rhodes
Arturia Synclavier V
Arturia Moog Modular and MiniMoog

[bashville]

Originally Posted by Qwoll

So...

I just got the full version of protools. Now the last composing software I used was mixcraft, which, if you dont know it, is similar to garage band.

So when I opened protools, I was dumbfounded by the fact that I only had like 7 instruments, and that buying new ones, individually costs from like 20 to 300 dollars.

I'm super confused by this. How is this practical at all? I'm used to having all the instruments right at my fingertips from a built in library of sounds.

And what do I do to get instruments?

Other DAW's particularly Logic, Reason, and I think StudioOne probably have better instant gratification instruments supplied with them. ProTools has always been the pro editing and mixing app of choice but was a little late to the game with midi features and in-app VIs. I used to link Logic and PT together, but since PT8 have preferred to stay in ProTools after they seriously upped their midi game. Preferred 3rd party VIs include anything by Spectrasonics, drums from BFD and general sample library stuff from Native Instruments. Both Kontakt and Digi's own Structure will playback all the ancient Logic and Samplecell format libraries. Avid's Xpand works fine for most hit and run idea work.

[SigFriedChicken]

I think Avid offers a subscription to their plug-in bundle.

Most PT users already have third-party plugins that they use. No one buys PT for the plugins. Not that they are bad. It's just that PT is primarily used for recording, mixing, and post-production. If you want a DAW that comes with a ton of nice plugins, look at Logic.

[SigFriedChicken]

These are the included plugins, according to Avid's website:
http://www.avid.com/pro-tools/included-plug-ins


It was initially a bit confusing to me which ones were included and which ones require a separate subscription.

[jpmorgan]

ProTools contains Expand2, which has many virtual instruments, sounds and effects. Everyone has different preferences for different needs, but you might additionally consider purchasing Native Instruments' Kontakt 5.