PLAYLISTS
A playlist is a list of files available on a track in the current session. If you don’t want to record over existing audio regions, you can non-destructively record a new file on a track’s playlist. This is even easier than dragging files from the Audio Regions list (as mentioned previously). For example, you can try another take of the guitar solo:

Fig. 4.8. Playlists allow you to easily choose the best take on any track.

Simply click on the Playlist button (the arrow) next to the name of the track you want to record on. In the example shown in figure 4.8 six takes of “Gtr Solo” are on the playlist. Once you’ve recorded multiple takes (on a new playlist each time) you can easily audition them using the dropdown menu. In the figure, “Gtr Solo-06” and “Gtr Solo-02” were the two best takes, so I played each back several times to see which one I wanted.

When you’re finished recording you can (a) choose the best take to play back and keep all of the alternate takes just in case, (b) choose the best and erase some/all of the rest, or (c) edit parts of one take with parts from others on the playlist to create a master take (i.e., combine all the best parts from each take into one — this is sometimes called “comping”).

Comping Using Playlists
I like to record multiple takes of an overdub (e.g., a vocal or guitar solo) on new playlists on the same track. That way I can compare the parts I like from each and easily create a master take. To me, copying and pasting among takes is the fastest way to comp together the finished product because (a) it’s not necessary to create or separate any regions (Pro Tools automatically creates them) and (b) the same selected audio or MIDI area stays selected when changing between playlists, making seamless comps a breeze.

Fig. 4.9. Click on the arrow next to a track name to select or create a new playlist, then name the playlist.

To create a playlist for a new take, choose New from the Playlist selector and name the file accordingly (as in figure 4.9). To copy and paste between takes, select and copy the audio or MIDI area that you want from one playlist, then choose the “target” (master take) playlist using the Playlist selector and perform a paste — Pro Tools automatically creates a new region for the pasted part.

If you need to create a crossfade between regions on a newly comped track, choose Fades then Create Fades from the Edit menu (more on fades and crossfades below).

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS FOR RECORDING
Instead of pressing Record then Play, you can begin recording by:
• Pressing F12.
• Pressing . + Spacebar (Mac) or Control + Spacebar (Win).
• Pressing 3 on the numeric keypad if the numeric keypad mode is set to Transport.

Sometimes I like to use Record Pause mode, which helps decrease the delay before beginning to record — particularly if you’re recording a large number of tracks, or playing back a large number of tracks while recording new ones. Simply press Option + . + Spacebar (Mac) or Alt + Control + Spacebar (Win) then get comfortable and press the Spacebar when everyone’s ready to roll.

FADES AND CROSSFADES

Fig. 4.10. The Fades window takes the pain out of creating seamless transitions between regions.

Pro Tools makes it easy to create your own fades and crossfades. For those who’ve edited analog tape, you know you’re basically limited to choosing different angles of tape cuts to create crossfades. But with Pro Tools you can actually draw your own crossfade curves and listen to how they sound or choose from Equal Power, Equal Gain, and any of a number of different curves as seen in figure 4.10. You can even apply dither to fades.

When you’re working with 24-bit files I recommend using dither on crossfades if levels are low, and that you always use dither on fade-ins and fade-outs. (Dither is fully explained in chapter 13.)

When using QuickPunch record mode, Pro Tools will create crossfades for you automatically. (You can set the default fade settings: Choose Preferences from the Setups menu and click on the Editing tab.) However, it’s easy to manually create crossfades by selecting the area where two regions are adjacent to each other, and choosing Fades then Create Fades from the Edit menu. The Fades window shown in figure 4.10 will open. While in this window you can audition the fade, but even after it has been created you can resize it with the Trimmer tool or delete it altogether. Consult the Pro Tools Reference Guide for more information on fades and crossfades.\