Can't MUTE a selected region of audio in an audio track?

[VanAudio65]

Hi guys,

New user here. I'm having a strangely difficult time simply trying to mute a small selected region of audio in an audio track. The 'mute' option is not enabled in the right click menu options? It's underneath 'Spot' and above 'Rename'?

I'm NOT trying to MUTE at the Track control level with the 'M' button. I use the 'select' tool to carefully select a region of audio and I see the MUTE option but it's not enabled. I can 'replace with silence' but I want to just non destructively mute. Please see picture. I'm sure it's something basic I'm missing? Thanks in advance. I'm using Pro Tools Intro version 2024.6

[albee1952]

I might be wrong but it appears you have not separated that clip

[Darryl Ramm]

Wrong hammer for that nail.

You have to separate that clip as Albee says if you want to do this.

The mute there is clip mute, for muting the entire clip. If you want to mute a specific part of audio you do that with mute automation. Make the mute automation lane visible for that track in the edit window and draw in mute automation, or put the automation lane in write mode and use the mute button in the UI, or use a control surface if you have one.

[The Weed]

As said, you have to separate the selection into a separate Clip if you don't want to use automation. Once separated, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command+M Mac and Control+M Windows to Mute or Unmute the Clip.

[VanAudio65]

Thanks for the clarification guys. I managed to separate the clip and apply mute successfully. I was able to undo it and to delete the clip so it seems fully reversible and non destructive.

I'm familiar with automation from other DAWs I'll dig into it with Pro Tools since volume and panning etc. are something I expect to make extensive use of.

Any thoughts as to which method is preferred? Automation vs clip separation?

Somehow the automation route seems better but I'd be curious to know your opinions. Thanks again for the help guys!

[VanAudio65]

Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it!

[cmbourget]

This makes me think that it would be interesting to see a new function which, with the selection tool used in this way, would separate the clip and mutate it.