In this free video tutorial Pro Tools Expert team member Julian Rodgers demonstrates the new MIDI features introduced in Pro Tools 2018.  

Retrospective MIDI Record

Pro Tools 2018 now offers this feature. Any track which is record enabled is recording in the background and this recording can be accessed from the Event menu of using Shift+C.

Because Pro Tools allows Record Enable to be toggled during playback, it is possible to change tracks during playback. All MIDI will be captured to a single track.

On a track which contains MIDI data already, retrospectively captured MIDI will be merged with the MIDI already on the track.

Extract Chords From Selection

Pro Tools can analyse the notes in a selection, whether a MIDI clip or notes across tracks in the MIDI editor. Pro Tools adds Chord Symbol markers to the Chord Symbols ruler for all chords detected, using the library of chords found in the chord change dialogue box.

New MIDI Shortcuts

• To transpose selected notes up or down by semitones: Press the Up Arrow to transpose up or the Down Arrow to transpose down a semitone.
• To transpose selected notes up or down by an octave: Press Shift+Up Arrow to transpose up or Shift+Down Arrow to transpose down by an octave.
• To transpose notes in key according to Key markers in the Key ruler: Press Control+Up/Down Arrows (Mac) or Start+Up/Down Arrows (Windows).
• To duplicate and transpose selected notes up or down by semitone: Press Option+Up/Down Arrows (Mac) or Alt+Up/Down Arrows (Windows).
• To duplicate and transpose selected notes up or down by semitone: Press Option+Shift+Up/Down Arrows (Mac) or Alt+Shift+Up/Down Arrows (Windows).
• To duplicate notes when transposing in key (to create chords):

1. Press Control+Option+Up/Down Arrows (Mac) or Start+Alt+Up/Down Arrows (Windows) to duplicate the notes in key.
2. Then Press Control+Up/Down Arrows (Mac) or Start+Up/Down Arrows (Windows) to transpose the duplicate notes to the desired chord tone in the key.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to add more notes to the chord.

Trimming MIDI Notes with the Arrow Keys

To trim the note off value of selected notes...

• Press Option+Left Arrow (Mac) or Alt+LeftArrow (Windows) to shorten selected notes by current grid value.
• Press Option+Right Arrow (Mac) or Alt+RightArrow (Windows) to lengthen selected notes by current grid value.
• Press Option+Shift+Left Arrow (Mac) or Alt+Shift+LeftArrow (Windows) to shorten selected notes by next coarser grid value.
• Press Option+Shift+RightArrow (Mac) or Alt+Shift+RightArrow (Windows) to lengthen selected notes by next coarser grid value.

To trim the note on value of selected notes...

• Press Control+Left Arrow (Mac) or Start+Alt+Left Arrow (Windows) to lengthen selected notes by current grid value.
• Press Control+Option+Right Arrow (Mac) or Start+Alt+Right Arrow (Windows) to shorten selected notes by current grid value.
• Press Control+Shift+LeftArrow (Mac) or Start+Shift+Left Arrow (Windows) to shorten selected notes by next coarser grid value.
• Press Control+Shift+RightArrow (Mac) or Start+Shift+RightArrow (Windows) to lengthen selected notes by next coarser grid value.

Editing MIDI Note Velocities with the Arrow Keys

• To increase or decrease the velocities of selected notes in increments of 5: Press Command+Up/DownArrow (Mac) or Control+Up/Down Arrow (Windows).
• To increase or decrease the velocities of selected notes in increments of 15: Press Command+Shift+Up/Down Arrow (Mac) or Control+Shift+Up/Down Arrow (Windows).