The Mbox is connected to the computer via a USB cable.Ĭonnecting an Mbox to a Minidisc Recorder You then open and edit the audio using the ProTools software. The Mbox is a hardware device you use in conjunction with ProTools to download your audio from a minidisc recorder to your computer. This is the transport panel, and is designed like old analog equipment to allow you a familiar way to navigate through your audio piece.

You’ll also see a box on the screen with buttons like you’d find on a cassette deck. To the right is the audio bin, which is where ProTools stores the raw audio files you’ve imported from a minidisc recorder, a CD, etc. You can use the timeline to keep track of the overall length of your project or to know where you are at any given time in an audio piece.

With ProTools you can lay down many tracks, which you can then mix and fade between to produce your audio piece.Īt the top of the screen is a timeline. The open space in the middle of the screen is for laying audio tracks. The main ProTools screen is divided into several sections.

ProTools allows you to go back multiple steps and undo them. If you make a mistake, you can undo it by selecting Edit…Undo (or use the Apple shortcut for undoing – Cmd-Z). Then click on the Save button to save your work.Īnd keep saving regularly by clicking on File…Save (or use the Apple shortcut for saving – Cmd-S), so you don’t lose any of your work if the computer crashes. Sample Rate – 44.1 kHz (unless you’re planning to use the audio in a video clip, in which cae choose 48 kHz, which is the standard for audio used in video).Then select the following session options: Type in a name for your project and choose the location on your computer where you want to store your audio files (such as on a portable firewire drive). Create a new session by selecting in the menu at the top:Ī new dialog box will pop up that looks like this: This tutorial is written for the ProTools version used on Apple computers, but the Windows version of the software is very similar. ProTools has versions for both the Apple and Windows platforms. ProTools software comes paired with an Mbox, which is a separate hardware unit made by Digidesign that connects the source of your sound (like a minidisc player, microphone or DAT player) to your computer. Although it’s used by top-notch pros in the radio industry, ProTools has a fairly easy learning curve, making it just as good for beginners. ProTools is a professional audio engineering software program made by Digidesign.

Pro tools use