Pro Tools 7 Work Flow Improvements - by Rich Tozzoli

I’ve been using Pro Tools since before it was… well, Pro Tools. The latest update, Version 7.2 for HD systems, has so many new features they should have called it Version 8. Let’s take a look at some of the coolest changes that can help your work flow.

In the Track View Selector, there are a few new choices. Volume trim lets you easily drop the volume of an entire track (except MIDI), or selected sections. The original volume level shows up in orange, with the trim show in yellow (when there is no region) or blue (a composite of both). Now, if the cymbals are too loud, just drop in and lower them with the volume trim. Piece of cake.

Also in the Track View Selector is level trim (providing a plug-in is active). This lets you trim the level of plug-in sends. If there’s too much reverb (or too little), just grab the level trim and fix it!

By control clicking on the Track Name, a new dropdown menu appears. Now you can quickly access Hide, Hide and Make Inactive, Scroll Into View, Rename, Duplicate, Split Into Mono (Stereo only) and Delete. I can’t tell you how much time this has saved me, as I do a lot of track hiding, duplicating and deletion. Also, by selecting Scroll Into View, the chosen track will appear on the first channel of your control surface. No more hunting down the right submenu up top for these functions.

By selecting Real-Time Properties on the Edit Window View Selector, you can quickly tweak Midi tracks. Now you have easy access to Quantize, Change Duration, Change Delay, Change Velocity and Transpose functions. I often delay midi tracks (especially orchestral elements and cymbals) to create a laid back feel. With Real-Time Properties, it’s easier than ever to get that feel ‘just right’.

Finally, more sends! We’ve got ten sends to work with now, so you can leave A-E for plug-ins and use F as a full headphone cue. Whatever suits your working style.

New VCA-master tracks let us have that old-style console approach on the desktop. Voltage controlled amplifier channels are used to control groups, but unlike console VCA’s, they do not pass audio. When creating a VCA Master track, you simply assign a Mix Group to it.

Now you’ve got a single master control track for Volume, Solo, Mute, Solo, Track Input and Record Enable. Unlike a grouped Bus Master, you can easily adjust individual track levels without disabling the group. You can set them to follow group behavior if you choose, simply by going to Setup > Preferences. Select the Mixing tab and deselect “Standard VCA Logic for Group Attributes”.

For maximum flexibility, I have included a Bus Master in a VCA group - in order to apply stereo processing, etc. (overall compression on a drum kit for example). Note that the level on the VCA does not show the group sum; it displays the highest level from any individual track.

As you might imagine, there are waaay too many new features to describe here. I’m still discovering new ones each time I open a session. Do yourself a favor and check out the 7.2 upgrade (especially you ICON owners). Whether you do music or post, you’ll be glad you did.