How to create a new track in Pro Tools First (for audio, midi, aux etc.)

Today, let’s learn how to carry out a simple, but essential task… let’s learn how to create a new track in Pro Tools First. The process is really straight forward, and allows you to create audio tracks, instrument tracks, midi tracks, auxiliary tracks and more.

Your track can be either mono or stereo, and can use either ticks or samples as the timebase. We’ll learn about each of these options as we discover just how to add the exact tracks you need in Pro Tools First.

 

Adding a new track in Pro Tools First

To create a new track in Pro Tools First, click ‘Track’ and then ‘New’:

The ‘New Tracks Window’ will open where you are able to specify the kind of track that you would like to add to the session. By altering the number at the beginning of the window, you can specify how many of a particular type of track you would like to create:

Adding a new track in Pro Tools First – mono or stereo

By selecting different options from the drop down menus, you can tailor exactly what kind of tracks you are creating. The first drop down box allows you to choose between a mono or stereo track:

Adding a new track in Pro Tools First – track type (audio, aux, midi etc.)

The second drop down box allows you to choose the type of track(s) that you’re creating:

Track types:

Audio Track – A track which allows you to record an audio signal.

Aux Input – A track to control signals which are routed to it (such as a group bus or effects bus for example).

Master Fader – A post fade master fader to control the output of the entire session.

Midi Track – A midi track where you can add midi data, ready to be routed to a virtual software instrument.

Instrument Track – A track where you can write midi data and add your virtual software instrument to the track itself.

Adding a new track in Pro Tools First – samples or ticks

The final drop down box allows you to specify whether the track is in samples or ticks:

By selecting between samples and ticks, you are choosing which ‘Timebase’ Pro Tools First is using. The timebase defines where the track’s audio / midi data are placed on the session’s timeline.

Ticks – audio / midi data with a tick based timebase has a relative position on the session’s timeline. Its position is based on the tempo of the session. As such, if the session’s tempo is changed, the audio or midi data will adapt to stay in time with the new tempo.

Samples – audio / midi data with a sample based timebase has an absolute position on the session’s timeline. That means that altering the session’s tempo will not change the position of the audio or midi data. Its position will only alter if the region is moved.

Adding a new track in Pro Tools First – adding multiple tracks

You can hit the plus button at the end to add multiple types of track to the session:

Simply set your preferences for each type of track and tell Pro Tools First how many of that type of track you would like. Then click the plus button to add another kind of track.

Adding a new track in Pro Tools First – renaming tracks

Once your tracks are in the session, they will by default have names like ‘Audio 1’, ‘Audio 2’ etc. To rename the tracks, simply double click a tracks name in the mix or edit window:

You can use the ‘next’ and ‘previous’ buttons to toggle through the names and change them one after another:

As you can see, adding tracks is really straightforward. Having access to each of these types of tracks allows you to create the exact type of session that you need. What tracks do you work with most? Do you record guitars and vocals using audio tracks? Or do you work more with midi tracks and instrument tracks? Let me know in the comments section below.

Click here to download your free copy of Pro Tools First.