Advice needed on setting up session templates

[Hollywood Koo]

Hi I'm new to the thread but jus want to know the effective way of setting up a session, I've been using presets but wanna get a little more in depth with session set up and plug in efficiency to make my own template. I'm using pro tools 12 with waves complete and UA plus ins! i mostly record as and artist find myself engineering everyone around me work

[albee1952]

Here is what I did. I took a completed mix of what I consider an "average" session(full session, full of plugins and 5 headphone mixes done with 5 AUX sends feeding outputs). I removed all the audio and stripped out all automation. Then I looked at Delay Compensation numbers and made plugins inactive if they added more than 7 samples(not that 7 was a target, its just that the next higher compensation number was 64). I then renamed every audio track in the following style(after deleting all except the main playlists):
Kick.01
Snare.01
Hat.01
ect.
The reason for the .01 for each AUDIO track is because, when I create a new playlist, PT will automatically rename each to the next number(so I know that "Egtr.03" is the third take). I also created several groups(Drums, Acoustic mic pair, etc).

[zedhed]

As usual, there are multiple ways to achieve the goal.

Albee has suggested one way, which is good and probably saves time. However I like to setup a template from scratch and by doing so I've gotten better at it.
When doing this it pays to have a preconceived idea on what one is trying to achieve. For instance,
Recording a single guitar with multiple VI's to jam along with?
Recording a live band?
Recording a mix of multiple instruments/Vocals (with or without VI's)?
Mastering an already recorded session?
Staying 'In the box' or using outboard gear?
Use discrete tracks from Drum VI or just one stereo track?
Use discrete Bus for Aux tracks with FX or Compressor, EQ, etc to route multiple tracks to?

There are many scenarios, the above few just being a small sample.

Once you know what you're trying to achieve, create a new blank session. Create all the tracks required (Instrument, Audio, Aux, Midi, Master). Route (bus) everything to where it's needed to go, create groups (and VCA masters) if required and name/color code everything, insert plugins (or not).

Once satisfied, 'Save As Template'.
I create a shortcut to desktop for each template so I can quickly open the one which best suits my needs for what I'm trying to achieve. Open the template, 'Save As'/Name current session to recording drive ( I've gotten into the habit of doing this before starting any work) then get to work.

Best thing you can do IMHO is make lots of templates with different scenarios in mind and use them to see where their shortcoming are and modify or create new one/s. Bear in mind you can just add or delete tracks whilst using current template and 'Save as Template' with a new name so the original one stays intact.

Think of a Template as a leaping off or mere starting point. Each session will likely stretch and morph the template into something barely recognizable in the end, which may or may not be saved as a new template (besides the session itself) which in essence is what Albee is doing.

Practice makes perfect.

[albee1952]

Indeed^^^ I only glossed over the basic path, but I also have at least 10 templates for full band, acoustic/vocal demo, piano/vocal demo, vocal to a track, etc. On top of that, I also have Track Presets for a full drum kit, electric guitars(4 audio tracks with 2 AUX mono reverb tracks), DI guitars with amp sim plugins, acoustic guitars(2 grouped pairs plus a reverb aux track), a preset for talkback(3 AUX tracks with Muto-matic and limiters).

Remember, the cool thing about digital is, there's 4 ways to do anything. The bad thing about digital is, there's 4 ways .......

[JFreak]

My preset is the "new track" command. Adding half a dozen empty tracks at the time does the trick. Oh, and better not forget creating master fader for the monitoring output.

Each track needs individual treatment anyway. How much time it takes to instantiate the plugin you need for that particular track you're processing?

I've found that whatever you record should sound nice without plugins and less is more.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by JFreak

My preset is the "new track" command. Adding half a dozen empty tracks at the time does the trick. Oh, and better not forget creating master fader for the monitoring output.

Each track needs individual treatment anyway. How much time it takes to instantiate the plugin you need for that particular track you're processing?

I've found that whatever you record should sound nice without plugins and less is more.

Agreed Probably 1/3rd of the plugins that are on my session and track templates are inactive until mixdown