Recording with ProTools

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Setting Up A New Pro Tools Session

Open Pro Tools 11 by clicking the icon on the dock at the bottom of the screen.

Protools11dock.png
- Go to the Pro Tools menu bar at the top of the screen and click on File => New Session.

Session parameters

The session parameters should be as follows:

ProTools11recordingParametersBWF.png
NOTE: KDHX broadcast standard is 44.1 kHz, 16 Bit .WAV. This is CD quality.
- Click OK.

Naming the script

Generally, sessions should be titled using the date, guest's name and the topic for talk shows or interviews.

PSAs, Welcomes and other short form productions should be titled according to the script title and the script number.

In the script below, the Track Label will be the first part of the name and the ID Num will be added to the end.
The title of this session should be 4-23 Jimbo Mathus - 5233.

Script-info.png

Saving the script

Save to the Desktop choosing from the blue panel on the left. Your window should look like this before you click Save.

Saving-to-desktop.png

Adding Tracks

- Add a new track by going to the Pro Tools taskbar and clicking on Track => New.
- To set up a new track for a voice recording, select the following:
Protools11newtrack.png


- Hit the + button to add a Master Fader track. Change the Mono setting to Stereo.
Protools11addmasterfader.png


- Change the Audio Track to Master Fader.
Protools11addmasterfader2.png
- Click Create.

Recording

Before you begin recording, double-click the track name to change it from Audio 1 to the script number and the full name of the person being recorded. ex. 5233 Andy Coco

Track-naming.png


... will look like this => Name-on-track.png


Be sure that the channel on the board labeled Computer is OFF (channel #8 - labeled “MAC/DAT” at the bottom), otherwise you will create a feedback loop.

- Click on the red circle icon to put the track into record enable mode.
Both buttons record enabled.png

Settings levels

  1. Plug the headphones into the board and put them on, set the headphone volume fader to a comfortable level.
  2. Turn on the microphone channel for the mic(s) that you intend to use and listen closely. Position the microphone so that it captures the least amount of background noise possible.
  3. Check the input level by talking briefly into the mic at regular volume. The level should not peak over 3/4 of the meter in Pro Tools. It is best to think conservatively and record at a lower volume than to risk hitting the red area. Gain can be added to the recording later, but distortion cannot be easily fixed.
  4. When you are ready to record, click on the record button at the top right portion of the screen.

Things to consider

Some things to consider that could affect the quality of the recording:

  1. Double-check pronunciations. Some common examples are listed in the St. Louis Pronunciation Guide.
  2. Speak as clearly as possible, annunciating syllables.
  3. The general tone of any voice recording at KDHX should be warm, welcoming and casual.
  4. Watch your pace - do not speak too quickly. Remember that it’s okay to mess up and repeat phrases until the speaker is satisfied with the result, as any mistakes made can be edited out later.
  5. KDHX policy is to say dot O-R-G, as separate letters. Omit www's at the beginning of URLs.
  6. Hit the space bar and make sure that Pro Tools is recording before beginning to speak by checking for the pink area on the screen.
Markers.png

Markers

While recording, you can hit Enter twice on the number pad to create a timeline marker.

Use this while recording to mark notes, mistakes or places requiring edits later. The markers will show up as yellow diamonds above your tracks:

Markers.png
- Be sure to leave at least 5 seconds of silence after your speech has concluded for editing purposes.
- Hit the space bar to stop recording.
- To record another take without deleting or losing track of the first recording, click on the right arrow button To the end.png. This will take your curser to the end of the track.
- Click the record button at the top right portion of the screen again.

When you are finished recording you will need to Edit with ProTools.