In this series of free video tutorials produced by Avid, you will learn how to get started with Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools. Before you start this series make sure you have downloaded and installed Pro Tools First and also have an audio interface connected.

In this 1st video, you learnt how to use templates to get you going quickly. Templates are common in a wide range of applications, including desktop publishing, web site design, and audio recording and production.

In the 2nd video, you learnt how to build a new Pro Tools session from scratch as well as understand the background of how Pro Tools works.

In the 3rd video, you learnt how to create an audio track to record an acoustic guitar part, how you can use Grid and Slip modes to move clips around the session, as well as how you can duplicate clips or use clip looping. 

In the 4th video, you learnt how to add new sounds by renting or buying them from the Avid Marketplace all from inside Pro Tools First. There is no need to leave Pro Tools and go to the Avid Store or other 3rd party stores.

Audio Editing

Pro Tools First also has the Elastic Audio in Pro Tools. Avid has designed to be able to manipulate audio and MIDI in a similar way. So in this example if you wanted to change the tempo of the song, changing the MIDI tracks is easy but what about the audio. This is where Elastic Audio comes. it is possible with Elastic Audio in Pro Tools and Pro Tools First to change the tempo of audio to suit the new tempo of the song.

In this video watch and learn how to use Elastic Audio using the different algorithms like Polyphonic to modify the temp of existing audio. In this example see how easy it is to change the song tempo from 125bpm to 145bpm and how Pro Tools modifies the audio and the MIDI to this new tempo.

Next, learn how to use the Workspace browser where you can preview and audition content and bring in content that isn't at the same tempo as the song. You can audition loops and other audio in the Workspace at the original temp or at the song tempo before bringing the selected audio into the session onto a track. 

Now learn how to use the editing tools in Pro Tools and Pro Tools First, the Trim tool, Selector Tool and the Grabber Tool as well as the Smart tool that enables you to use all 3 without having to come up to the menu bar to change tools.

Next learn about Automation, which is a feature in pro tools and Pro Tools First where you can change parameters of plug-ins and audio and have Pro Tools repeat those changes as you created them. See how you can change the cut-off frequency of a drum loop in Xpand2 over time, using a MIDI Controller and then edit the performance using the automation lanes in Pro Tools First.

Finally, see how to program automation of a plug-in parameter. 

Pro Tools First Features

• Record up to 16 audio tracks, either one at a time through your computer’s audio input, or up to four inputs simultaneously using a USB audio interface.
• Choose from a selection of session templates, which provide pre-loaded instrument tracks, and start creating a song in a variety of music genres, including EDM, rock, pop, jazz, and hip-hop.
• Comes with over 20 plug-ins including Xpand!2 music synthesizer, D-Verb & Mod Delay III
• Visit the new in-app Marketplace and discover a world of affordable plug-ins that make creating and enhancing sounds quick and easy—with prices starting at about a cup of frozen coffee.
• Pro Tools | First saves sessions in the cloud, enabling you to work on your music practically anywhere.
• Comes with an introductory amount of free cloud storage, enabling you to save and sync up to three projects at a time, so you can always pick up where you last left off—on any Mac or PC with Pro Tools First installed.

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