Solo/Solo-Safe dilemma

[xcevinx]

I have imported a 38-track session into Pro Tools 9 with the intent of comparing mixing functionality to Sonar 8.5. The solo mode in PT has me pulling my hair out to say the least...

A simple example - say I have these Drum tracks routed in the following order:

(6) Audio tracks (Kick, Tom1, Tom2, Snare Top, Snare Bottom & Hi-Hat)
(1) Aux Track (Drums Bus)
(1) Aux Track (Sub Master)
(1) Master Fader

If I want to solo only the Kick in the Drum Bus, how can one (easily) do that?

I have the (6) Drum Audio Tracks 'Solo-Safe' enabled (so the Drums Bus will Solo) but then I cannot Solo the individual Drum Audio Tracks. Is there a key command I am missing to be able to do this?

Thank you in advance!

[tghrs]

I did the same thing with 8.5.3 and PT9. I haven't figured out the key shortcuts yet, but if I recall, there is. Honestly the bus/aux routing in PT seems to be more intuitive than SONAR, but for the most part it is exactly the same.

[Craig F]

leave the audio tracks un-safe
safe the Aux'es
make a group for the drum audio tracks but only link the solos nothing else so when you want all the drums activate the group when you want just one track leave the group inactive

[xcevinx]

Originally Posted by Craig F

leave the audio tracks un-safe
safe the Aux'es
make a group for the drum audio tracks but only link the solos nothing else so when you want all the drums activate the group when you want just one track leave the group inactive

Thank you for the quick reply That did work.

PT has has the most obnoxious means of soloing!!! What is the benefit to having the solo routing configured this way (other than getting carpal tunnel syndrome from all the additional clicking)?

[daeron80]

Originally Posted by xcevinx

What is the benefit to having the solo routing configured this way (other than getting carpal tunnel syndrome from all the additional clicking)?

It mimics the way it's been done on analog boards for decades. How's it done in Sonar? I must admit, I wish there were a keyboard shortcut for
"Solo selected track(s)." And another for "Mute selected track(s)." And solo/mute would change tracks when you selected a different one. In combo with "Link Track and Edit Selection," you could run down through all your tracks with the arrow keys, soloing or muting them one at a time without touching that mortal bane of all thumbs, the mouse/trackball.

[Craig F]

Originally Posted by xcevinx

Thank you for the quick reply That did work.

PT has has the most obnoxious means of soloing!!! What is the benefit to having the solo routing configured this way (other than getting carpal tunnel syndrome from all the additional clicking)?

go HD or get CPTK for the VCAs

[denka]

Originally Posted by Craig F

go HD or get CPTK for the VCAs

+1

[tghrs]

In Sonar you can select a group and then hit SHIFT + CLICK the track you want to individually solo. OR you can CTRL + CLICK only the tracks you want to quick mute leaving the primary soloed. OR ...you get where I'm going here. There are probably about 15 different methods of grouping/soloing that it is almost overwhelming. That is one of the larget appeals with the SONAR platform. The workflow is SO customizable that it can be easily taylored to fit YOUR needs. If they had better sidechaining abilities, I would not have switched to PT9.

[daeron80]

It might just be a matter of learning the different paradigm and keyboard shortcuts. In PT you only have to click the Solo or Mute button of the track you want, no shift or control necessary, and without selecting any groups first. You can solo or mute any set of tracks you like with one modified click. You can unsolo or unmute everything at once with one modified click. It's actually about as convenient and intuitive as it could be.

[huzzam]

Originally Posted by daeron80

I must admit, I wish there were a keyboard shortcut for "Solo selected track(s)."

There is: shift-S, or opt-shift-click the solo button. (Mute: shift-M or opt-shift-click mute button.) As you mention, you have to have "Link Track & Edit Selection" turned on. Or am I misunderstanding what you're asking for?

~peter in oakland