Absolute Pro Tools Newbie with some questions...

[BIG_EFF]

I just got an MBOX 2 and upgraded to Pro Tools 7 (never used the program before). Now I want to know how I should set everything up. Here is a list of my set-up:

Apple IMAC G5 (250 GB HDD, 1.5 GB RAM)
Digidesign MBOX 2 with Pro Tools 7
Akai MPC 4000
M-Audio Oxygen 8 MIDI Controller

I want to start a beat off on the MPC and transfer it to Pro Tools on my computer to beef it up and ad the extras onto it. What is the best way of doing this? What hook-ups do I need to make (ex.: MPC - MIDI'd - MBOX 2 - USB - IMAC)? I don't have a mixer nor do I have the 8 outs, so I'm assuming I will have to record each track separately via the main outs. Am I right? If so how do I set that up? If not, how do I do it so that I can? Pardon all the questions, but I want to be asure. Thanks in advance!

[superpenguin79]

Welcome to the boards new user, one thing that might come in handy in setting up Pro Tools and explain a lot about how to use Pro Tools would be the "Pro Tools User Guide" I would suggest reading up on how PT functions for starters. With Mbox 2 you only have 2 I/O's and a Midi in and a Midi out, so you are either recording XLR or Midi for the most part. You are correct that you would want to track each track seperately in this scenerio, or if you are recording drums you can always setup a stereo track also which is explained in detail in the user guide and record everything that way. You just won't be able to adjust individual volumes of each part of the beat that way. Goodluck, and I might suggest the Mac thread for further assistance setting up your G5 with PT. peace

[superpenguin79]

Hi Pat, your e-mail address didn't work when I replied and I got a bounce back, so I am posting this here for you.

Yes, there are many great resources which will help you getting started
with Pro Tools. A couple that really helped me when I got started are
listed at:
http://secure.digidesign.com/index.c...2&start_row=11
I have read: Producing in the Home studio with Pro Tools, The
musicians guide to Pro Tools, and I happened to win a copy of Pro Tools
for Dummies in a recording contest once and read through it and it has a
lot of great entry level resources also.

For Click tracks: create a brand new mono audio track, go into your mix
window (the shortcut on the keyboard to get to this window and toggle
between your edit and mix window is Ctrl and your = key at the same time),
in the mix window on the top plugin inserts, click on the arrows to insert
a plugin and you will see one called Click. This will set to the BPM that
you have in your Transport window on your edit screen (the one with the
play, stop, fwd...etc.. buttons on it. With the click plug you can
also set different sounds with the plugin its self which is explained in
detail in most books and the Pro Tools 7 User Guide.

For Plugins: Its really a matter of what you will "need" for plugins so to
speak. Digi gives you a basic bundle of things like delay, reverb, and
various other RTAS/Audiosuite plugs when you first start out with PT. From
there, if you wish to expand your plugin library I might suggest checking
out a Sweetwater Pro catalog. Go to www.sweetwater.com and order a free
copy of their pro catalog which has just about any plug known to Digi
users. You will notice when looking at plugs that they can get very
expensive very fast which is why I suggest only getting the ones that you
really "need" for your studio.

Other than this, a few basic starting tips are that practice makes
perfect. The more sessions you engineer the better you will get at using
Pro Tools. Also, one thing I have learned in my career in the industry is
that no matter how much hype you hear about a specific piece of gear,
knowledge and experience are better than the latest and greatest toys they
throw on the market. I know engineers that could dial in better settings
with an old school PT Mix system than the newest MBox and plugins that
still use outboard analog gear, but it sounds like gold and they have
produced many records. Always trust your ears above everything and you'll
be in good shape!

Goodluck with your Pro Tooling and enjoy the new rig! peace