How do I connect an analog outboard effects unit and use it within Pro Tools LE.

This procedure is the same when using any Digidesign interface and any version of Pro Tools.

Physical Connections:

Connect either a stereo out or mono out from your effects unit to inputs on your Digidesign interface. This can be to any input on your Digi interface such as inputs 7&8 of the 002.

Next connect an output from your Digidesign interface to the effects units inputs. (be sure to remember the ports you are using). This process is the same if you are using digital ports to go in and out of Pro Tools.

Settings In Pro Tools:

In Pro Tools we need to route the audio out to and back from the corresponding ports in Pro Tools within the software.

1. In the Mix window, instantiate an insert on the audio track you want to send TO the effects unit. These are the light grey sends below where you instantiate the plug-ins.

2. In the Send menu, choose “Interface” and select the output port that you used to send the audio TO the interface. (ie ports 7 & 8 on the 002). (Do not choose BUS as this is for internal routing within Pro Tools).

3. Create an aux track or another audio track to recieve the audio back into Pro Tools. An auxilary track will work if you do not want to record the effected audio. If you do wish to record the newly effected audio simply create an audio track so you can rerecord the audio on it.

4. On the normal input section of the new audio or aux track choose the input port that you have the audio routed to from the outputs of the effects unit. This should complete your loop and you should now be able to hear audio on this channel. (If it is an audio track you may need to record enable this track)

You may also wish to disable the normal 1-2 stereo outputs for the channel that the audio is initally being sent from. Doing this will prevent the “dry” uneffected signal to be sent along with the new “wet” signal coming back into Pro Tools.

Knowledge Base