Tracking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lots of folks use playlists when tracking, because it\u2019s great to have multiple takes of an instrument or vocal. Record a take, then click on the drop-down menu on the left of the track name in the Edit window and select New<\/strong>. A window will pop up that allows you to name the new playlist whatever you want \u2014 or you can use the default naming scheme that adds a number to the track name (e.g., Guitar.01, Guitar.02, etc.). You can also select Duplicate<\/strong> so that the prior track is still visible, which is a handy way to work if you\u2019re simply fixing a few spots in the take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve grouped multiple tracks (like drums or guitars that are recorded with two or more mics), then when you duplicate one track, all the tracks in that group are duplicated as well, with all the new playlists renamed by using the added number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n View the Playlist menu by clicking the arrow to the right of a track name.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Once a track is recorded, you can make many editing decisions with the help of playlists. The obvious one is the practice of comping (short for compiling) different takes into a final version of the track. An easy way to comp (compile) tracks is to make all the playlists for a track visible by selecting Playlists<\/strong> from the Track Display menu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Create a new playlist (the Comp Playlist), select a playlist section, separate it (Command+E), and drag the separated section to the new Comp Playlist while holding the Control key. The main point here is to create a new playlist for the Comp track so that you can go back to the original playlists if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use Pro Tools Playlists to edit a comp track together.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Playlists are also handy during the mix stage. When mixing in Pro Tools, it\u2019s very common to create a stereo mix track and route the mix through a submix to that stereo track. Every version of the mix you print should be on its own playlist. You might have versions for artists listening that use loudness maximizers, versions for mastering (without bus processing), instrumental versions, and even other mixes for different applications \u2014 and that\u2019s in addition to any mix revisions you may need to do. By printing all mixes to separate playlists, you\u2019ll be able to find them later. And since they are all still time-aligned, it makes editing a composite version as easy as drag-and-drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you get used to using playlists, you\u2019ll find lots more things to make your life and work easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Editing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Even if you\u2019re editing a track without comping multiple takes together, start by duplicating the playlist so that you can always go back to the original performance. If you plan to use any AudioSuite plug-ins on your audio tracks, you should duplicate your playlist first. If you need to go back to the unaltered tracks at some point, it\u2019ll be much easier when you have the original playlist available. If vocal tuning is part of your editing process, make sure you duplicate your vocal track before starting to tune \u2014 whether you\u2019re using the AudioSuite version of Autotune, Melodyne, or another software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMixing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pro-Tools-Playlists-for-Mixing\"](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2018\/08\/Pro-Tools-Playlists-for-Mixing-1024x318.png\")
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