The way I like to start new Pro Tools Sessions are, from what I call, "blank canvases" - see images below. Pro Tools is second nature to me, I don't find it a problem starting any new production from these bare grey windows, however, those new to Pro Tools who just want to get a song started may find these empty Edit and Mix windows a bit off-putting.

Since the beginning December 2017 I have been teaching my wife Georgie how to use Pro Tools so that she can record, edit and mix her own music. I started off by showing her how I start a Pro Tools Session, the "blank canvas" way, she didn't look too enthused.

For those new to Pro Tools this particular starting point could seem a little daunting. I was keen to get Georgie's confidence up quickly with recording and the Pro Tools application instead of baffling her with routing, track types and bus jargon so I thought in order to get her using Pro Tools quickly the best approach would be to assess her basic tracking requirements and build a custom Pro Tools Session Template that she could use as an easy starting point over the coming weeks and months whilst she got familiar and comfortable with Pro Tools.

Georgie's Custom Songwriter Pro Tools Session Template

This is the template that Georgie currently uses when she starts new sessions in Pro Tools. It includes everything she needs to get a song started quickly:

• x1 Stereo master track

• x1 mono aux track for click

• x3 effects channels (stereo Aux tracks) with effects plug-in loaded and enabled. x3 buses have also been loaded and labelled on each of the main audio track sends for quick and easy control.

  • Short ambience reverb

  • Longer plate reverb

  • Slap delay

• x1 stereo instrument track with EZ Drummer 2 enabled

• x2 mono audio tracks for percussion

• x1 mono audio track for bass guitar

• x2 mono audio tracks for acoustic guitars (panned for double tracking)

• x1 mono audio track for electric guitar with guitar amp plug-in

• x1 mono audio track for lead vocal

• x3 mono audio tracks for backing vocals

I have set all of the audio tracks and master track plug-ins to "inactive" as this saves on computer resources and will also help Georgie to hear exactly what she is recording. The plug-ins that are "inactive" but ready to go (by right clicking on a plug-in - "make active") are a selection of IK Multimedia's T-Racks plug-ins featuring easy to use but necessary EQ and compressor plug-ins. 

How To Create A Straightforward Pro Tools Session Template

1. Create a new Pro Tools session

2. Instantiate required Audio/MIDI/Instrument/Aux tracks

3. Include a mono Aux track click track and stereo master track

4. Colour code, name and arrange tracks

5. Instantiate plug-ins that you will commonly use within track inserts

6. Setup buses and aux tracks (effects sends and returns such as reverbs and delays)

7. Once the session is prepared go to File > Save As Template

8. Select a Catagory for the template to be saved in (this is called Template Group in Pro Tools Dashboard)

9. Give the template a name

10. Click OK

How To Start A Pro Tools Session From A Template

It's very easy to start a Pro Tools session from a custom template. Once you have saved your newly stored template click File > Create New. The main Dashboard will appear and present you with a handful of options. Click to tick the "Create From Template" box, select the Template Group (these are the session template categories) then scroll to find your custom template.

Changing & Developing A Pro Tools Session Template

After two or three Pro Tools Sessions Georgie wanted more from her custom template. She wanted some more backing vocal tracks and percussion tracks. It's very easy to change a template:

1. Load a blank Pro Tools session from the template you want to change

2. Make changes to template

3. Go to your operating system, Documents > Pro Tools > Session Templates > (open the category folder the template is saved to)

4. Trash the original session template file

5. Go back to Pro Tools: File > Save As Template

6. Select a Catagory for the template to be saved in (this is called Template Group in Pro Tools Dashboard)

7. Give the template a name

8. Click OK

What Makes A Good Pro Tools Session Template?

It is very easy to overdo a Pro Tools session template. Templates are very useful tools that save time in the early stages of music production so try to only include important components that you know you will use regularly such as:

• Lead Vocal

  • Create a mono audio track

  • Name it Lead Vocal

  • Colour code the track

  • Assign your common interface input (such as Input 1)

  • Load your "go to" Lead Vocal mixing plug-ins such as low cut filter and compressor

  • Set up and name buses and stereo Aux tracks for effect returns such as reverb and delay

• Virtual Instruments (such as EZ Drummer 2)

  • Create a stereo instrument track

  • Name it Drums

  • Load Instrument in the first insert of instrument track

  • Colour code the track

...and so on.

Prepare Your Ingredients

Session templates are great time-saving tools. A simple analogy: Well organised and prepared Pro Tools Session Templates are not too dissimilar to food preparation. Having all your ingredients ready to go and at hand when cooking a meal makes cooking an easier and less stressful experience.