Lesson 7

  1. What does the term MIDI stand for? How is MIDI data different from the data stored in an audio file? (See “MIDI Basics” beginning on page 134.)
    • The term MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI data is different from data stored in an audio file in that MIDI data does not represent sound waves; instead, it represents information about a performance, such as the pitch, duration, and intensity of the notes used in the performance.
  2. How many channels of MIDI information can be sent over a single MIDI cable? (See “MIDI Basics” beginning on page 134.)
    • Up to 16 separate channels of MIDI information can be sent over a single MIDI cable.
  3. What two types of tracks does Pro Tools provide for working with MIDI data? What is the difference between the two track types? (See “MIDI in Pro Tools” beginning on page 135.)
    • MIDI tracks (MIDI and controller data only, can be used with an aux input) and Instruments tracks (provides sound as well, can be used with virtual instruments).
  4. How many ticks are in a quarter note in Pro Tools? (See “Tick-Based Operation” beginning on page 136.)
    • 960 ticks
  5. Describe three ways to set the Main Time Scale to Bars|Beats. (See “Setting the Timebase Ruler and Main Time Scale” beginning on page 137.)
    • To set the Timebase Ruler and Main Time Scale, do the following:
      1. Display the Bars|Beats Ruler by choosing VIEW > RULERS > BARS|BEATS.
      2. Set the Main Time Scale to Bars|Beats by doing one of the following:
        • Click on BARS|BEATS in the Ruler View area of the Edit window.
        • Select VIEW > MAIN COUNTER > BARS|BEATS.
        • Click on the MAIN COUNTER SELECTOR in either the Edit window or the Transport window and select BARS|BEATS from the pop-up menu.
  6. What is the default meter in Pro Tools? How would you go about changing the meter? (See “Setting the Base Meter” beginning on page 138.)
    • the default meter is 4/4. With the Meter Ruler displayed in the Edit window, click on the ADD METER CHANGE button. The Meter Change dialog box will open. You can also double-click on the CURRENT METER display in the Transport window to add a meter change. Enter the meter you will use for the session and enter 1|1|000 in the LOCATION field. (Optional) Choose a note value that corresponds to the desired click timing. This may be desirable for meters such as 6/8 to play a click based on something other than the default quarter-note value. Click OK to insert the new meter event at the beginning of the session, replacing the default meter.
  7. What is the default tempo in Pro Tools? (See “Setting the Base Tempo” beginning on page 139.)
    • 120 bpm
  8. What physical connections can you use to connect a MIDI controller to your system for recording on a MIDI or Instrument track? (See “Connecting a MIDI Device” beginning on page 141.)
    • MIDI and USB
  9. Give some examples of virtual instrument plug-ins that are installed as standard components of Pro Tools. On which track types are virtual instrument plug-ins typically placed? (See “Using Virtual Instruments” beginning on page 145.)
    • Xpand!2, Boom, and UVI Falcon. Virtual instrument plug-ins can be added to Aux Input tracks or Instrument tracks and can be triggered by MIDI events routed to them plug-ins are a few examples of virtual instruments that are included with Pro Tools.
  10. How many parts can be included in an Xpand!2 patch? How can each part be turned on/off? (See “Working with Xpand!2” beginning on page 146.)
    • 4, Each of Xpand!2’s sound parts can be turned on or off at any time by clicking on the power button above the part letter. (When toggled off, the power button turns a dimmed gray color.)
  11. What kind of virtual instrument is Boom? What does the Boom Matrix Display show? (See “Working with Boom” beginning on page 147.)
    • Boom is a virtual drum machine featuring a selection of percussion sounds. The Matrix Display on the left side of the plug-in window shows the current pattern in Boom’s sequencer. The Matrix lets you work with patterns and keep track of each step as Boom plays. The lit LEDs in the sequencer correspond to the kit pieces that are sequenced to play at that step.
  12. What track views are available for MIDI data in the Edit window? Which view allows you to scroll up or down to see notes at different pitches? (See “Viewing MIDI Data on MIDI-Compatible Tracks” beginning on page 151.)
    • The Edit window lets you select from several view formats, including Notes view, Clips view, and Velocity view. Alternatively, you can view and work with your MIDI data in a MIDI Editor window, where you can access many types of data at once. Notes view allows you to scroll up and down to see notes at different pitches.
  13. What track types can display data in MIDI Editor windows? (See “MIDI Editor Window Views” beginning on page 153.)
    • MIDI, Instrument and Aux Input tracks.
  14. What is the Notation Display Enable button used for in the MIDI Editor window? (See “MIDI Editor Window Views” beginning on page 153.)
    • Notation Display Enable button is used for toggling between Notes view and Notation view for the displayed MIDI and Instrument tracks.

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