How to set up a click track in Pro Tools First

This article will give you easy to follow, step by step instructions on managing the click track in Pro Tools First.

We’ll first cover how to set up a click track. Then we’ll look at specifying when the click track will be audible i.e. during recording and playback or just during recording.

We’ll also examine how to have the click track count you in to a take, which is especially helpful if you’re recording on your own, without a producer.

How to create a click track in Pro Tools First:

Creating a click track in Pro Tools First is really simple. Simply go to ‘Track’ in the top menu bar, and click on ‘Create Click Track’:

This creates an auxiliary channel with a click track plugin already inserted:

How to use the count off feature in ProTools First:

Using the count off feature means that the click will count a specific number of bars before recording (or playback) begins. By going to ‘Setup’ in the top menu and clicking ‘Click/Countoff’ you can control the count off:

Enter how many bars you would like the count off to last:

Then select whether or not you want the count off to happen only when you are recording, or also before playback as well:

You can control whether this feature is turned on or off by clicking on ‘count off’ here:

If ‘count off’ is illuminated in green, the count off will play before recording/play back begins. If it is not illuminated, the count off will not happen.

How to control when you can or cannot hear the click track in Pro Tools First:

By going to ‘Setup’ in the top menu and clicking ‘Click/Countoff’ you can control when the click is, and when the click is not audible. By selecting ‘During play and record’, the click will be audible whenever recording or playback is taking place:

If you select ‘Only during record’ the click will be audible whilst recording takes place. The click will not be heard during playback however. By selecting ‘Only during count off’ – the click will be heard only to count you in. After that, the click will be silenced when the recording or playback begins.

Setting up a click track, using a count off and only hearing the click track when you want to hear it, allows you to tailor the session’s time keeping to suit your exact needs. Use these three elements to make your recording process far more intuitive and easy to manage.

Follow this link to visit the Avid website and find out more about Pro Tools First.

To learn how and why to make use of the tap tempo feature in Pro Tools First, click here.

Click here to learn how to control the tempo and the meter of the click track in Pro Tools First.