Destructive Record Mode
If you record over a region while in Destructive record mode, the new region will permanently replace the old audio region. This allows you to save space on your hard drive, but it also makes it really easy to accidentally record over good tracks. Be careful using this mode — in fact, I advise not using it unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Loop Record Mode
In Loop mode you can record multiple non-destructive takes over the same section of music while the section repeats. This is particularly useful if you want to stay in a creative moment and capture several takes in rapid succession. I use this mode for vocals on a regular basis as it creates a comfort level for the musician . . . the repetition allows the vocalist to really get into the flow of the part. It’s also useful to capture multiple takes on a jam or solo section.

Fig. 4.4. After recording multiple passes of a part using loop record, you can choose the “keeper” from the Takes list.

While in Loop record mode, simply highlight a section of time (must be over one second) in the ruler or on a track, then hit Record. (Note: Pre-roll will only be active on the first take and post-roll only on the last.) After you’ve finished recording, select the current take then .–click (Mac) or Control-click (Win) the track and choose which take you want from the Takes list popup menu (as in figure 4.4).

QuickPunch

“When recording, pre-roll is the amount of the track that’s played before it’s record-enabled, and post-roll is the amount that plays after actual recording has stopped.”

In this mode you can use the Spacebar (or a footswitch with the 001) to non-destructively punch in and out up to 100 times during a single run through a song. QuickPunch is instantaneous; the instant you click the Record button or press the Spacebar (or footswitch) during playback, Pro Tools immediately punches the track in or out without delay. (Note: Though you can click on the Record button to punch in and out, the Spacebar or footswitch is much easier.) To use QuickPunch just choose it as your record mode, play the track, and punch in and out to your heart’s content.

AUTOMATED PUNCHING
As previously mentioned, you can use a footswitch to punch in and out with your 001 (the procedure is outlined in the 001 Quick Start Guide). This technique requires good timing; unless you have a fair-sized margin for error around your punch point you may want to use another technique. A poorly placed punch can ruin a great take or create a noticeable change in the track that might be difficult to edit. This isn’t meant to discourage you from performing manual punches — some people love the feel of punching “on the fly” — but I’ve found that automated punching is simple to set up and less worrisome. Whatever method you choose, all punching can be undone . . . ah, the beauty of hard disk recording!

Good Punch Points

Fig. 4.5. An easy region to punch in and out. Notice the absence of signal on either side of the punch point.

To find a seamless punch point, select a spot where there’s little signal on the track or where the waveform crosses the x-axis (horizontal axis) and has no amplitude. Doing this will help make the crossfade around the punch point unnoticeable.

For more difficult punches you should zoom in (both vertically and horizontally) to accurately place the points.

Fig. 4.6. A more difficult region to place your punch points.

Keep the selected area highlighted. Now figure out how much pre-roll and post-roll you’d like. Choose the monitor mode you’d like to use from the Operations menu — Auto Input Monitoring or Input Only Monitoring (see the sidebar on monitoring modes) — and you’re ready to go.

MONITORING MODES — HEAR NO EVIL
You can monitor input signals using one of two options in Pro Tools: Auto Input Monitoring switches between the existing track and the new input signal while Input Only Monitoring (as its name suggests) monitors the input at all times. Auto Input Monitoring is very helpful for punching in and out of a track.

Monitor Modes in Pro Tools

Fig. 4.7. Automated punch record-ready with pre-roll and post-roll. If your monitor mode is set to Auto Input, you’ll be able to hear the original track right up to the punch-in, at which point you’ll hear what’s being recorded.

To proceed with your automated punch, record-enable the track(s) you’d like to punch and press the Record button. Your Transport window will look similar to figure 4.7. Press Play and the computer will do the punch automatically. It’s that simple!

Remember: When you record non-destructively like this the original track remains, and any newly recorded track can be erased or replaced. Also note that you can automate a punch-in like this in any recording mode (not just QuickPunch as indicated in the figure).