more on Pro Tools 8 , new users

[Tony Prior]

Like me ..

I finally got around to looking at the included tutorial video's ..

I can't imagine a better tutorial anywhere. Instructor takes student from a blank session to a full song which includes using drum loops to build an entire song. I had purchased Drums on Demand Loops a year or so back but cold not never get Sonar to line them up properly without immense hassle. PT uses a Workspace page which allows auditioning each part before using them, then conforming each loop to the track meter, then place them into the track or the region bin , then use them as required. Also editing with repeats, copy, slide them around to various parts of the song etc .

One of the koolest features so far is the tempo window, drag the tempo up or down, the entire song each part, each loop , each track etc conform to the "on the fly" meter.. while listening back. Also it has tempo tap, tap the T key to the meter you want, PT recognizes the meter. Building a drum track has never been easier, find a clip you want to use, drag it into a blank portion of the track edit page, it builds the track , assigns all the INS and OUTS and places it where you want it..magic... I also use EZ drummer which, now, is not as EZ as using the Drums on Demand loops, once you move the loops into the region bin, you freely move them in and out of the song at will, even while the song is playing ! Edit the drum track on the fly with the entire song...

This was a 5 min portion of the included tutorial video which while building the drum track you learn to edit the smart tools...

so far so good... Maybe in a week I'll post a session track I am working on( learning on ) ...problem is I still have to play good music on the guitars ! PT can't really help me there...

t

[Scott Henderson]

Tony agree the tutorials are great. I use EZ Drmmer and it is exactly what I wanted plus I have total control over each drum part. It rocks. Plus I love the Midi Editor
Dont know why I didnt do this earlier.

[Tony Prior]

Additionally, two very fine books which are excellent resources along with the included PT 8 tutorial. Also do not forget UTube, there are some pretty savvy folks up there offering excellent FREE lessons.

Pro-Tools 8 101 and Pro-Tools 8 Ignite

Some of the features I am using now on a regular basis which has made life very simple compared to the previous DAW I was using...

Session Tempo changes
Loop recording / Punch / auto punch
Elastic stretch
the use of Aux tracks for effects
moving external "sound files" in and out
convert to wav from within the PT engine

I have read several articles and reviews where folks are thinking this is a difficult program to use, maybe it is for a novice or someone who is not really PC savvy...or for someone who has not taken the time to learn. If we are trying to load the package, any package, and use it's full power ,or even half power out of the gate, >>>>BUST<<<<.

Give it some time, learn the process, learn the basics and it will all turn out good. This is true for All DAW's not just PT's.

PT 8, maybe not for everyone , but for $249 ( M Powered) is a good package in my view. Complete, has everything included to do the whole session, soup to nuts...can you add more and spend more ? Sure...I think that may be true for all DAW's.

t

PS , I paid $179 from MF, they had a $50 instant rebate and I also negotiated another 10%..Comes with the ILOK key which must be registered before you can use the package. ILOK also comes with 3 free add-ons once you register. I am loaded on an XP machine, no issues as long as you follow the installation instructions ..EVERY WORD, in the order as written. Don't wing it....

[Tom Wolverton]

I probably didn't need to do this. But, I just bit the bullet and cross-graded to ProTools 9. Are you planning on making this move at some point?

[Tony Prior]

I probably didn't need to do this. But, I just bit the bullet and cross-graded to ProTools 9. Are you planning on making this move at some point?

For me personally I would have to see some exceptional added value to go to PT9, so far PT8 has been a success for me and I should not be considered anything more than an advanced novice user at this time. Working within the projects and editing has been "so far so good"... Maybe when PT10 comes out and the PT9 upgrade is $49..maybe then I'll upgrade !

t

[John Macy]

We are checking PT9 out right now...we did a dual boot system in our overdub suite with PT8 and 9...so far it seems pretty similar, though it was pretty exciting to plug in a RME 12x12 audio interface and it found it instantly--pretty amazing to see outside hardware running...

[Tom Wolverton]

Some folks are all excited about the "Automatic Delay Compensation" feature in the new ProTools 9. John, what do you think? Can you hear the difference?