Really dumb start-up questions about Pro Tools MP

[MK25toLife]

Ok first let me apologize if some of these questions are extremely newbie-ish, I just installed Pro Tools M-Powered and I'm having a difficult time getting it up and running.

I have a few questions you all might be able to help me out with.

1. How am I suppose to know how many tracks to create in Pro Tools? If I have 5 tracks in my MP, does that mean it's 5 tracks? How am I suppose to tell which tracks are Mono/Stereo?

2. How come I can only record two tracks in Pro Tools, track 1 and 2. When I go to record tracks 3, 4, etc... there is no audio signal. What do I have to do to be able to record on tracks 3, 4, etc...

3. When I am actually able to record, the levels are are too low, how do I change this other than turning up the volume on my mixer?

Thanks for your help in advance!

[spkguitar]

Welcome to the DUC.

1. How am I suppose to know how many tracks to create in Pro Tools?

It all depends on what you are recording. Are you recording one guitar? Then you need one track. You might want to add a master track as well, so that would be two tracks.

If I have 5 tracks in my MP, does that mean it's 5 tracks?

I'm not sure what you are talking about here? MP? Is that MPowered? Or another device/application?

How am I suppose to tell which tracks are Mono/Stereo?

THe source of the recording usually dictates whether it is mono or stereo; a microphone? That's one source, so it's mono. A synthesizer with L and R outputs? That's stereo.

2. How come I can only record two tracks in Pro Tools, track 1 and 2. When I go to record tracks 3, 4, etc... there is no audio signal. What do I have to do to be able to record on tracks 3, 4, etc...

This all depends on what hardware you are using. It sounds like you are using hardware that only has two inputs (but I couldn't say for sure, since you didn't mention it).

3. When I am actually able to record, the levels are are too low, how do I change this other than turning up the volume on my mixer?

This kind of depends on what you are using as the source (mic? line?), and also (again) what hardware you are using to input into Pro Tools.

Please don't be offended, but your questions are more about basic recording than they are Pro Tools, and I think the best suggestion for you would be to get a good book on the subject. Two good ones I can recommend are A Musician's Guide To Pro Tools by John Keane and Producing in the Home Studio by David Franz. I feel that either one would help you understand what you are trying to do.

Another good reference is free and at your fingertips in the Reference Guide which is available from the help menu within the program. It's a bit on the technical side, and is better for searching when you're looking to do something specific.

[MK25toLife]

Thanks for reply, I'm originally from the same area as you, haha, but anyways, I am using an MPC 1000. Hope that clears up things.