Pro Tools, what is Pro Tools?
What is a DAW?
Let’s think of Pro Tools in its simplest form. It is basically a tape recorder. You can record audio sounds and data into it and play those sounds back. There is no need to make it any harder than that. The misconception of what a DAW is is what confuses people and causes them to struggle with learning software programs.
Is it only a tape recorder? No, it’s more than that!
Let’s start with this point:
- Pro Tools is a basic tape recorder that allows you to record and playback audio and data.
- It also has the unique ability to move, shift, rearrange, and mangle, the recorded elements. This is a step further than any conventional tape recorder.
In the earlier days of tape, if a guitar was recorded in the wrong section of a song or the timing was off, the only solution was to record that part again. No problem, it was done all the time. With a DAW there is no need to re-record parts unless of course the part was badly played. The DAW provides the flexibility to change the timing, the placement, the pitch, and even allows you to experiment with the audio.
Experiment
Why do we need to do that? Well as people, we are creatures of habit. We are repetitive in the ways we think, and in the things we do. We have a unique mind designed to be creative, but we don’t always use it. Habit has become the norm. I know for myself, that if I pick up a guitar, out of habit I play an A minor chord and then play an A minor blues lick. I had to stop, take a good look at myself and say "When you pick up your guitar, from now on, step into creativity. You are never to automatically play an A minor chord again". Every second of the day, train yourself to be creative, "YOU ARE NOT A MACHINE!" That was one of the best things I ever did for myself, for my life, and for my music.
Experimenting
What else is in Pro Tools?
Well, basically everything. That’s what makes it a little confusing. Your DAW is a complete recording studio. Every piece of hardware equipment in a traditional recording studio can be found within your DAW. If you take it slow, and learn the program, “Clarity” will come to you. We are dedicated to helping you navigate through this songwriting/recording journey.
Well, what is everything in my DAW?
Back in the analog days, every tool was a separate piece of hardware equipment. But with a DAW, it's all in the box.
On the recording side, there was:
- The mixing console
- Multi-track tape recorder
- Patchbays
- Pre Amps
- Equalizers
- Compressors
- Limiters
- Noise gates
- Reverbs
- Delays
- And many more effects
On the performance side, there were:
- Drums
- Percussion
- Guitars
- Bass Guitars
- Amplifiers
- Pianos
- Electric Pianos
- Synthesizers
- And many more musical instruments
Then there's foot pedals/stomp boxes:
- Distortions
- Fuzz
- Harmonizers
- Overdrives
- Wah-Wah's
- Volume
- Tremolo
- Leslie effects
- Compressors l Sustainers
- Loopers
- And the list goes on and on and...
This all may sound like a lot, but don’t get overwhelmed about it. Don't say "I can’t handle all that," but you should begin to celebrate!!! Celebrate loudly!!! Because you can do it at a cost that fits your budget (unlike the analog days).
In a traditional recording studio, hardware equipment costs were pretty expensive. With a DAW, $1,000,000 worth of recording equipment exists for under $1,000. This places you on the same level as professionals. It makes you a competitive force. All you need is your own creativity, the education, and time.
And Music Clarity was designed to assist with it all.
In the analog days renting a recording studio was between $200 and $2,000 per day. In a DAW, you get all that power for one price. And you own it, it's yours, hours of continued recording, for one price.
Enough said. It’s time to start and bring your vision into reality.