Explanation of AFL/PFL and examples when to use

[PTGuy]

I have a HD system and D-Command and I really want to understand more AFL/PFL monitoring. Can someone with a good grasp on this give some scenarios of when you would want to use either and how to properly set it up?

Thanks

[crizdee]

I have a HD system and D-Command and I really want to understand more AFL/PFL monitoring. Can someone with a good grasp on this give some scenarios of when you would want to use either and how to properly set it up?

Thanks

Hi,

Here's a simple view...

AFL (after fade listen)
PFL (pre fade listen)

PFL monitors the signal coming into a channel (before any processing! just the raw audio signal)

AFL monitors the signal coming back from the channel (including any processing and the level that the fader is set at)

When you press either the PFL or AFL your normal monitor path will be muted and you will hear the AFL or PFL monitor path instead.

Mostly used on consoles and control surfaces: usually to monitor the incoming signal (PFL) during recording to check the signal path is clean and distortion free before it goes to the record track etc.

Chris

[dave t]

To set up with D-Command:

-Connect a pair of Pro Tools outputs to the the AFL inputs on XMON (TB/LB/UTIL D-Sub)
-Go to I/O Setup and choose Output tab
-Set up a new stereo path (called 'Solo' or something useful) which is sending to the interface outputs that are have just been connected
-At the bottom of the window set the AFL/PFL Path to be the Solo path that has just been set up
-Click OK
-Now if you select AFL or PFL solo mode from the monitor section of D-Command and solo a track then you will hear that signal pre- or post-fader as Chris describes

Dave

[mixer]

most used feature of pfl is to set up a seperate cue mix (just copy and paste setting to a send in pfl choose an output sent that to the cue system)..it allows you to solo the main faders and not the cue mix.you can repeat this to send many different mixes out to the studio also.

[Drew Mazurek]

most used feature of pfl is to set up a seperate cue mix (just copy and paste setting to a send in pfl choose an output sent that to the cue system)..it allows you to solo the main faders and not the cue mix.you can repeat this to send many different mixes out to the studio also.

I believe you're confusing a Pre Fader Send and PFL soloing.

[Drew Mazurek]

PFL monitors the signal coming into a channel (before any processing! just the raw audio signal)

not true Chris. PFL is pre fader but post inserts.

[mixer]

not true Chris. PFL is pre fader but post inserts.

exactly!

[Howardk]

I sure wish ProTools had a true solo mode that did not disrupt other monitoring so I could solo tracks while recording. . . you know like a normal console with solo in-place disengaged.

[Drew Mazurek]

I sure wish ProTools had a true solo mode that did not disrupt other monitoring so I could solo tracks while recording. . . you know like a normal console with solo in-place disengaged.

Uh? Use Pre Fader sends and solo safe your tracks and/or use the AFL/PFL soloing and PT behaves just like a console.

[crizdee]

[quote
not true Chris. PFL is pre fader but post inserts.

[/QUOTE]

What?? thats mad, surely PFL should be before any EQ or processing! so PFL comes after the insert stage? surely this should be called APL (after processing listen) post-processing monitoring of the signal!

Chris