Where To Learn Pro Tools

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 12 Mar 2004 12:26 pm

Where can a person learn how to use Pro Tools other than the schools that charge over $1,000.00 for a class? I just purchased a Digi 001 which comes with Pro Tools 5.3.1 for XP. It's quite a culture shock from Cool Edit Pro. I've figured out how to record just fine but editing, mixing and mastering ain't so easy yet. One of my good friends owns a studio and uses Pro Tools but I hate to intude on him since he's always busy as a set of jumper cables at a poor man's weddin'. Any ideas?

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David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 12 Mar 2004 3:52 pm

Give Digidesign a call, they usually are glad to connect you with other users.

The manuals usually have most of the info laid out pretty clearly, so your not helpless right now, just a bit intimidated.

I never had a teacher, I just taught myself.

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 13 Mar 2004 8:21 am

David,

Thanks for the reply. I'll probably wind up learning it myself as well with just a little help from a few friends. I failed to mention that no manual came with it other than a PDF file which is 582 pages long. I guess I'll wind up printing it all and putting it in a binder. I figure that'll take a lot of ink and I do better if I'm shown anyway. A classroom setting would be ideal for me because I learn better that way but it's just too dang expensive right now. I've been a player for well over 20 years but I never got into the sound reinforcement end of things so I know nothing about compression or EQ or any of that. I really dread that more than learning Pro Tools!

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Gaylon's Homepage
www.geocities.com/nashville/1064

Craig Collins & High Lonesome
www.craigcollinslive.com

[This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 13 March 2004 at 08:23 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 13 Mar 2004 3:50 pm

Gaylon, I suggest you have the PDF open and look though the table of contents as you run into a quation.

There should be something akin to exercises for familiarization in it.

And probabll 50% of the stuff you will never need unless your into film scoring etc.
Just dive in dude![This message was edited by David L. Donald on 13 March 2004 at 03:51 PM.]

Rich Weiss · Post by **Rich Weiss** » 13 Mar 2004 4:13 pm

I have a Digi 001 but I use it with a Mac. I have the 5.2.1 on OS9. I've been doing it for 2 years. I agree that you should print out the manual, but that is a cumbersome way to learn, at least for me it was. I can only say that there is no substitute for time and patience in the learning process. The best thing to do when starting out is to use it like you'd use a regular tape-recorder, then begin to experiment. It does take time to get it, so it's all second nature.
But you should check out Digi's website. they have something there called Digizine, where there is a lot info. Good luck[This message was edited by Rich Weiss on 13 March 2004 at 04:14 PM.]

Doug Garrick · Post by **Doug Garrick** » 14 Mar 2004 12:36 pm

You may want to check some of the community colleges in your area. A good friend of mine teaches a recording class with ProTools at Western Wyoming Community College. I think the class is part of the media arts department and he's made it sound like it's a pretty standard offering at community colleges around the country. The class he teaches is a six week course and the cost is very reasonable.

Doug Garrick[This message was edited by Doug Garrick on 14 March 2004 at 12:38 PM.]

Jay Kardong · Post by **Jay Kardong** » 15 Mar 2004 11:54 am

Hey Gaylon,

I purchased a Digi 002 last Fall and was in the same boat, feeling really overwhelmed with the learning curve. I’ve attended a couple training sessions at my local Guitar Center where I met and spoke with other Pro Tools users, and I purchased all the books I could find on Amazon that had to do with it.

The manual really hasn’t been near as helpful to me as the books I purchased, so not sure if it’s totally worth the effort to print the whole thing when you can get a great book for less than printing out a PDF. I can get the titles for you if you want, just let me know.

I really would suggest going to www.DigiDesign.com and go into the DUC (DigiDesign User Conference). I read there every day, and get lots and lots of great help. I print everything out and have a binder filled with tips and suggestions.

On the Digidesign site, there is also a link to “Training” that has tons of classes across the country. Most I’ve read about run around $500 - $700 for a 3 day intro class, but in my opinion, you can do it on your own with the aid of the books and the DUC.

On a side note, you might consider upgrading to version 6.1.1 (really 6.1 with a free upgrade to 6.1.1) if the 001 allows it. There have been a lot of improvements, and 90% of the classes and reference material is geared toward 6.1, so really might help you in the long run and you’d have the latest and greatest.

Anyway, hope this helps.

J Kardong
Seattle

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 16 Mar 2004 5:50 am

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm learning everyday. Believe it or not, I've had a bluegrass group in for the last 2 days and everything is turning out great....(I think?) Anyway, I have been to the digidesign website and have learned a lot from their user forums. I just bought a book at guitar center that is a big help. Also, a friend of mine who works in pro audio at the Atlanta guitar center says that I can use the 6.1 version on XP and 001. However, the Digidesign website says that 5.3.1 is the highest upgrade available for the 001. I'm a little hesitant to buy it until I know for sure.

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Gaylon's Homepage
www.geocities.com/nashville/1064

Craig Collins & High Lonesome
www.craigcollinslive.com

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 16 Mar 2004 6:40 am

Gaylon, good for you.
Once your over the initial hump it comes pretty quickly.

Don Walters · Post by **Don Walters** » 18 Mar 2004 3:57 pm

FWIW, re: pdf files ... I prefer to use them on my computer rather than a printed copy. The main reason is the ability to search for keywords, esp after I've been through the manual once (if ever!).