ProTools I/O Settings

No Audio From Microphone

If you are talking into the microphone and are not hearing anything, consider the following:

1. Anytime a microphone is on, the two Studio A speakers are automatically muted to prevent a feedback loop, therefore the only way to monitor the signal coming from the microphone is with headphones.

2. Microphone #1 is the one closest to the computer and the others go clockwise around the table from #2, just left of the mixer, to #4 across the table and to the right.

3. The appropriate microphone must be turned on, with the red button on that channel strip, and the fader must be brought up.

4. The channel(s) that you wish to use must also have the PGM 1 and PGM 2 buttons depressed (they will light up). These buttons are located at the tops of each channel strip.

5. The section on the right side of the mixer has two rows of buttons and four knobs. The buttons to the left are for selecting the monitor source for the speakers and your headphones, and the buttons to the right are for selecting the monitor source for the guest headphones. the buttons labeled PGM 1 and PGM 2 should be depressed and lit up on both columns of buttons.

6. The knobs are to adjust the volume of the cue, headphones, the speakers in studio A, and the performance studio monitor. The knobs marked Headphones and Control Room Monitor are the important ones. If these are turned down (to the left) all the way, you will not hear anything from that monitoring device.

Keep in mind that the guest headphones have their own separate volume controls, a black knob located on the table where the headphones are plugged in.

No Audio From Microphone Into ProTools

If you already have audio going into the mixer and you can hear it on the headphones but nothing is getting to ProTools consider the following:

1. Remember that the mics must be assigned to PGM 1 and PGM 2 to send to the recording devices, such as ProTools.

2. To the right of the computer is the Mbox.

This is the device that is needed to record into ProTools. Looking at it from the front, the first LED light is red and it says 48V next to it. This light should not be illuminated as it is phantom power and the microphones in Studio A do not require it. The next thing below that is a button the says ‘Source’ right below it. Next to this button is three LEDs marked mic, line, and inst respectively. The Mbox selects mic by default, but in order for the signal to reach ProTools in Studio A line must be selected. So if mic is selected, just press the source button once to select line. It is also a good idea to do this on the channel below, which is set up the same way.

3. Also on the Mbox are four knobs. The first two are the levels for inputs 1 and 2 respectively. These should be turned up so that they are at about 12 o’clock.

4. Now inside of ProTools take a look to see if your inputs and outputs are set up correctly. If you do not see the inputs/outputs you can click on the section just below the word SLIP in the top left-hand corner of the window, and click “I/O” to check it as in the picture below.

5. Now that you see the inputs/outputs, make sure that the input is set to Analog 1 or 2, and the output should read “A12S/PDIFLR” as in the picture above.

NOTE: before going to the next step make sure that the computer isn’t turned up on the mixer or you will get an earful of feedback.

6. Look at the track just below the name and there is a button with a red “R” on it. This is the record enable button, without clicking on this, no audio will make it onto your track. Once it is clicked it will allow audio to pass from the input, through the track and to the output. You will also be able to see the amount of audio coming in by looking at the green meter to the right.

7. Still no level getting into ProTools? Try restarting the computer. However, remember that the Mbox will default to mic and you will have to change it to line again.

Levels Too Low in ProTools

So, now you have level in ProTools, but it is either too low or you can’t hear it. DON’T PANIC, read this handy dandy guide.

NOTE: Before starting, refer to step #3 in the No Audio From Microphone into ProTools section. that might just solve it.

1. Make sure that you have the correct microphone on and turned up. Microphone #1 is the closest to the computer and microphones #2-4 go from just to the left of the mixer clockwise around the table. If you have the wrong microphone open, the sound will be low and you will sound far away.

2. Look at the meters on the mixer to see if the level is low there as well. You should be hitting anywhere between -3 and +1 on the mixer’s meters. If you are not, adjust the level by pushing the fader on the microphone’s channel strip.

3. If that doesn’t fix the problem, look in ProTools at the track. On the input/output section (refer to step #4 in No Audio From Microphone into ProTools to remember how to make this section visible) look at the black sections with green lettering. If the top one says , it will not affect the level of the recording, but you will not hear it during playback.