The Digidesign® Training and Education program offers a full curriculum to help you become proficient using Pro Tools® systems. Select individual courses to build particular skills or brush up on your Pro Tools skills. Work toward certification as a Pro Tools Operator or Pro Tools Expert to master Pro Tools systems and land your next gig. Whatever you choose, you’ll gain valuable skills while connecting with peers who share similar interests and abilities.
The Digidesign Training and Education Program offers 100-, 200-, and 300-level courses to help you become proficient with Pro Tools systems.
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 Pro Tools 101 |
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The Pro Tools 101:Introduction to Pro Tools covers basic Pro Tools principles, giving you everything you need to complete a Pro Tools project, from initial set up to final mixdown. This course focuses on Pro Tools 8 software and covers a multitude of new functions and feature enhancements. Whether your project involves recording of live instruments, MIDI sequencing of software synthesizers, or audio editing or region looping, this course will give you the basic skills to succeed. |
Topics
- Background information and introduction to Pro Tools
- Getting inside Pro Tools
- Creating your first session
- Making your first audio recording
- Importing media into your session
- Making your first MIDI recording
- Selecting and navigating
- Basic editing techniques
- Basic mixing techniques
- Finishing your work
- Music hands-on project
- Post hands-on project
- Course Completion, exam, and certificate options
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools HD™ 8, Pro Tools LE™ 8, or Pro Tools M-Powered™ 8
- EQ III
- Dynamics III
- Xpand!
- Boom
- Eleven Free
- Structure Free
- Maxim
System Configurations
- MBox® 2 Family
- 003 Family
- Legacy LE Interfaces (Mbox, Digi 002)
- Compatible M-Audio® Hardware
- Pro Tools|HD®
Course Length
While Pro Tools 101 can be completed through self study, Digidesign recommends obtaining hands-on experience through an instructor-led class offered by one of our official training partners. 16 to 24 course hours.
Prerequisites
Basic computer skills and some audio recording knowledge, such as a basic understanding of recording techniques, processes, and equipment. |
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| Pro Tools 110 |
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Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools provides a more detailed look at the Pro Tools system. This course covers all the key concepts and skills needed to operate a Pro Tools LE system. The course provides the foundation for the later 200-series Pro Tools Music Production and Post Production courses. |
Topics
- Getting started — Configuring your studio and session
- Controlling Pro Tools — Understanding and using external controllers
- Managing session data and media files
- Recording MIDI and audio — Loop recording and advanced techniques
- Working with timescales and virtual instruments
- Working with Elastic Audio
- Editing & quantizing MIDI and audio
- Audio editing and file management techniques
- Additional editing techniques — Region looping, using Beat Detective
- Automation — Enabling, playing, viewing, and editing automation data
- Mixing — Using sends, returns, plug-ins, Master Faders, and groups
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools LE 8
- DigiRack EQ III, Dynamics III, and DVerb
- Digidesign D-Fi
- Xpand!
- Hybrid
- Structure LE
- Eleven LE
- Smack LE
- TL Space - Native Edition
- MP3 Option
- DINR LE
- DigiTranslator 2
- X-Form
- Torq LE
- Music Production Toolkit 2
- DV Toolkit™ 2
System Configurations
- MBox 2 Family
- 003 Family
- Legacy LE Interfaces (Mbox, Digi 002)
- Pro Tools|HD
- M-Audio Trigger Finger™ or Axiom Pro keyboard controller recommended
Course Length
24–30 course hours.
Prerequisites
Basic computer skills, some audio recording knowledge, and basic Pro Tools familiarity. Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools is intended as a prerequisite for taking the 110 course. Passing the 101 exam is required before taking the 110 exam. |
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| Pro Tools 201 |
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Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production Essentials covers the core concepts and skills needed to operate a Digidesign Pro Tools|HD system in a professional studio environment. |
Topics
- Introducing Pro Tools|HD — Component parts of an HD system, HD technology, the 48-bit mixer
- Customizing Pro Tools — Optimizing the system, I/O setup, preferences
- Session configuration and navigation — voice allocation, disk allocation, auto scrolling to tracks
- Session management — DigiBase browsers, locating and relinking missing files
- Selection techniques — Creating timeline and edit selections, nudging and shifting, auditioning
- Editing — Alternate tools, auto fades, advanced nudging techniques
- Automation — HD automation modes, using AutoMatch, automating plug-ins
- Mixing with Pro Tools|HD — Solo modes, VCA Master tracks, in-depth plug-in usage, DSP-induced delays
- Finishing the session — Creating a final mixdown, using PhaseScope
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools HD 8
- EQ III
- Dynamics III
- Time Adjuster
- D-Fi™
- ReVibe™
- Reverb One™
- Smack!™
- Maxim™
- SignalTools PhaseScope
- Reel Tape Suite
- MP3 Option
System Configurations
- Pro Tools|HD 2 Accel
- 192 I/O™, 96 I/O™, 96i I/O™
- Digidesign PRE
Course Length
16–20 course hours.
Prerequisites
- Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools
This course continues to build on the fundamental concepts and topics covered in the Pro Tools 100-series courses. Access to the 201 exam requires passing all previous exams.
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| Pro Tools 205 |
The Pro Tools 205: Worksurface Guide. This series of courseware covers techniques for mixing, routing, and monitoring through a C|24, D-Control, or D-Command control surface (separate courses are available for each control surface). |
Topics
- Control surface basics — Configuring the control surface, track display control, dedicated controls for Pro Tools functions
- Track basics — Track elements and controls, Digidesign PRE and the control surface
- Displays/scribble strips, encoders, pans, sends, and inserts — Pan controls; assigning inserts, sends, and I/Os; send control
- Controlling plug-ins — Viewing and editing plug-ins, plug-in mapping
- Automation — Enabling automation modes with the control surface, writing automation with the control surface
- Advanced operation and editing — Creating and adjusting selections with the control surface, edit functions, soft keys
- Groups and VCAs — Grouping tracks, VCA control, VCA Master Track attributes
- Custom Faders (D-Command and D-Control only) — Custom Fader Groups mode, Mix/Edit Groups mode, Masters (Tracks) mode
- Advanced automation techniques — Preview and Capture modes
- Monitor controls — Inputs and outputs, cue section, monitor control switches and indicators, talkback section
Software Configuration
System Configurations
- Pro Tools|HD 2 Accel
- C|24, D-Command, or D-Control
- 192 I/O, 96 I/O, or 96i I/O
- Digidesign PRE
- XMON (D-Command and D-Control only)
Course Length
16–24 course hours.
Prerequisites
- Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production Essentials
- Access to certification exams require that previous exams have been passed.
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| Pro Tools 210M |
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Pro Tools 210M: Music Production Techniques covers techniques for working with Pro Tools systems in a professional music production environment. Concepts and skills learned in 101, 110, and 201 are reinforced with practical music-specific examples. |
Topics
- Preparing a session — Matching session tempo to audio, using external MIDI devices, MIDI Beat Clock
- Tracking and overdubbing — Using Dynamic Transport, QuickPunch and TrackPunch, monitor modes, comping multiple takes
- Virtual instruments — Controlling VIs with control surfaces & MIDI controllers, routing multiple outputs from plug-ins
- Advanced MIDI production — MIDI Editor, MIDI real-time properties, Score Editor and score setup
- Professional editing techniques
- Sampling in Pro Tools — Using software samplers
- Professional audio editing techniques — Editing with Dynamic Transport, custom fades, Beat Detective for multitrack drums
- Key and tempo — Advanced tempo editing, graphic tempo editor, changing linearity display mode, working with key changes
- Arranging and producing — Window Configurations, replacing regions, playlist editing, song arrangement
- Mixing and automation — Delay compensation, MIDI offsets, Snapshot automation (aka, static mixer automation), Trim automation
- Printing your mix — MP3/WMA export, mirrored outputs, synchronizing with an external recorder
- Synchronization concepts (appendix)
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools HD 8
- EQ III
- Dynamics III
- Maxim
- Hybrid
- Strike
- Velvet
- Structure
- Eleven
- Transfuser
- AIR Dynamic Delay
- SoundReplacer
- TL Drum Rehab
- Pro Tools MP3 Option
System Configuration
- Pro Tools|HD 2 Accel
- SYNC I/O or SYNC HD
- MIDI I/O or similar multi-port MIDI interface
- C|24, D-Command, or D-Control
- 192 I/O, 96 I/O, or 96i I/O
- MIDI keyboard controller
Course Length
24 to 30 course hours.
Prerequisites
- Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production Essentials
- Access to certification exams require that previous exams have been passed.
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| Pro Tools 210P |
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Pro Tools 210P: Post Production Techniques covers techniques for working with Pro Tools in a professional post production environment. Concepts and skills learned in 101, 110, and 201 are reinforced with practical post-specific examples. |
Topics
- Synchronizing Pro Tools for audio post — Digidesign SYNC peripherals, loop sync, clock vs. positional reference, setting frame rates
- Linear video in Pro Tools — 9-pin control of Pro Tools, Spot mode in post production, timestamps, replacing regions
- Non-linear video in Pro Tools — QuickTime video, Blackmagic card, Avid DNA, digital video in Pro Tools, spotting with non-linear video
- Importing digital media into the Pro Tools timeline — QuickTime video, Avid-compatible media, OMF/AAF (with DigiTranslator 2.0), MXF media
- Working with the Video track — Video track features, Video window options, editing options, Video Universe window
- Recording dialog in Pro Tools — Dialog and ADR workflow, track compositing, playlist display options
- Dialog editing techniques — The role of a dialog editor, dialog and ADR editing workflow, syncing dialog, adding room tone, cleaning up dialog
- Organizing your session — Working with Digibase catalogs, organizing sessions for mixing, creating sub-groups, importing session data attributes
- Mixing to picture — Mixing terminology, large-scale mixing, session signal flow, using plug-ins for post production, writing static (snapshot) automation, trim automation
- Layback options — Linear layback workflow, non-linear layback (export options), export for web delivery or final evaluation
- Synchronization concepts (appendix)
- Mixing and DSP usage (appendix)
- Advanced Authoring Format and Media Exchange Format (appendix)
- Analog and digital television standards (appendix)
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools HD 8
- EQ III
- Dynamics III
- MachineControl
- DigiTranslator™ 2.0
- DINR™
- Synchro Arts VocALign (optional)
- X-Form
- Sonic NoNOISE
- Maxim
- SignalTools PhaseScope
- Pro Tools MP3 Option
System Configurations
- Pro Tools|HD 2 Accel
- 192 I/O, 96 I/O, or 96i I/O
- SYNC I/O or SYNC HD
- MIDI I/O or similar multi-port MIDI interface
- C|24, D-Command, or D-Control
- Avid Mojo SDI, Avid Mojo, or AVoption|V10
Course Length
24 to 30 course hours.
Prerequisites
- Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production Essentials
- Access to certification exam only when previous exams have been passed.
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| Pro Tools 220 |
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Pro Tools 220: Operator Certification Update covers changes that have been incorporated into the 100- and 200-level curriculum for Pro Tools 8, allowing Pro Tools users to update their certification from Pro Tools 7 Operator to Pro Tools 8 Operator through a single course. |
Topics
- Pro Tools 101 updates:
- Background information — Music Production Toolkit 2, DV Toolkit 2, Complete Production Toolkit, MIDI Editor and Score Editor windows, Snap to Grid
- Working with sessions — Quick Start dialog box, Xpand!2, Structure Free, Universe View, Restore Last Selection
- Pro Tools 110 updates:
- Getting started with MIDI & audio — Track view options, region groups, the matching criteria window for loop record takes, Transfuser, Hybrid, Structure LE
o Working with Elastic Audio — Elastic Audio plug-ins, Elastic Audio analysis, Elastic Audio markers, Analysis view and Warp view, Elastic Audio pitch transposition
- Mixing and Editing MIDI & audio — MIDI track Velocity view/controller lane, MIDI Thru vs. the Default Thru Instrument, Grid quantize vs. Groove quantize, region looping, Beat Detective
- Pro Tools 201 updates:
- Configuration and navigation — Playback Engine options for Pro Tools HD, voice allocation, auto scrolling to track, applying opacity levels to colors
- Session management and editing — Opening sessions with missing files, relinking, Find Links vs. Find All Candidates, Strip Silence, region alignment
- Automation — Pro Tools HD automation modes, viewing multiple automation playlist graphs, automating plug-ins, editing automation
- Mixing with Pro Tools|HD — common mixing preferences, VCA Master tracks, group attributes, voice usage for RTAS plug-ins
- Pro Tools 210M and 210P updates (common topics):
- Recording concepts — Monitor modes and TrackInput, QuickPunch and TrackPunch, track compositing, playlist display options
- Automation concepts — Writing static mixer settings (snapshot automation), workflows for writing static mixer settings, automation capture with ICON snapshots
- Session organization — Window Configurations, replacing regions
- Additional Pro Tools 210M updates:
- Tracking & overdubbing — Meter and click, working in Dynamic Transport mode, editing with Dynamic Transport mode
- Virtual instruments — Strike, Velvet, routing multiple outputs from plug-ins
- Advanced MIDI production — Using the MIDI Editor window and Score Editor window, Editing notes in the Score Editor
- Professional audio editing techniques — Beat Detective for multitrack drums, drum editing workflow
- Key and tempo — Tempo events vs. Bar|Beat markers, changing the Linearity Display mode, working with key changes
- Printing your mix — Exporting MP3 files, exporting WMA files
- Additional Pro Tools 210P updates:
- Synchronizing & linear video in Pro Tools — Clock vs. positional reference, secondary time code ruler, 9-pin control of Pro Tools
- Non-linear video in Pro Tools — Avid Mojo SDI, Backmagic card, selecting the main video track, video track online button
- Importing digital media into Pro Tools — Importing QuickTime video, importing OMF/AAF sequences, using DigiTranslator 2.0
- Working with the Video track — Video track features, locking video tracks, Video Window options, video editing options, Video Universe window
- Recording & editing dialog — Recording ADR, the role of a dialog editor, syncing dialog with TCE and Elastic Audio, cleaning up dialog
- Organizing sessions and mixing to picture — Digibase catalogs, input and output shortcuts, SignalTools, band-pass mode, using Touch/Latch automation
- Layback options — Edit preview mode for Machine Control track arming, exporting regions as files, bouncing to a QuickTime movie, bouncing to WMA
- Pro Tools version history (appendix)
- DigiRack plug-ins (appendix)
- Creative Collection plug-ins (appendix)
- Session compatibility (appendix)
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools HD 8
- EQ III
- Dynamics III
- Hybrid
- Strike
- Velvet
- Structure
- Eleven
- Transfuser
- AIR Dynamic Delay
- SoundReplacer
- TL Drum Rehab
- MachineControl
- DigiTranslator™ 2.0
- DINR™
- Synchro Arts VocALign (optional)
- X-Form
- Sonic NoNOISE
- Maxim
- SignalTools PhaseScope
- Pro Tools MP3 Option
System Configurations
- Pro Tools|HD 2 Accel
- 192 I/O, 96 I/O, 96i I/O
- SYNC I/O or SYNC HD
- MIDI keyboard controller
- MIDI I/O or similar multi-port MIDI interface
- C|24, D-Command, D-Control
- Avid Mojo SDI, Avid Mojo, or AVoption|V10
Course Length
16 to 24 course hours.
Prerequisites
- All courses and exams though Pro Tools 210M or Pro Tools 210P under software version 7.x
- Updates for 6.x and 5.x certification are available at select training locations.
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| Pro Tools 310M |
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Pro Tools 310M: Advanced Music Production Techniques focuses on the advanced operation of Pro Tools in a professional music production environment. This course offers technical insights into both Pro Tools hardware and software. |
Topics
- Configuration and troubleshooting — Setting up and installing a Pro Tools system, configuring Ethernet controllers, calibrating interfaces, resources for troubleshooting
- Tactile control of Pro Tools — Modifier keys, Focus keys, Commands Focus, Function keys, keypad modes
- Advanced audio importing and recording — Importing AAF and OMF tracks, importing MXF audio, updating I/O setup, creating and managing template files, using and connecting PRE, connecting Pro Tools to VENUE
- Advanced editing — Advanced MIDI, advanced multi-track drum editing, Elastic Audio vs. Beat Detective, advanced Elastic Audio concepts
- Synchronization — SYNC HD services and configuration, selecting clock sources, timecode formats in music production, using LTC and MTC, 9-Pin machine control, Satellite Link
- Pro Tools|HD mixing concepts — Double-precision processing, headroom and footroom, dithered vs. non-dithered mixers, fixed point vs. floating point processing, jitter, the TDM mixer and DSP usage, plug-ins and the TDM mixer
- Advanced mixing — Measuring and compensating for hardware insert latency, creating plug-in favorites, advanced sub-mixing and stem mixing, using Master Faders and VCA Masters, Join and AutoJoin, Latch Prime, Capture and Punch Capture
- Music delivery — Exporting MIDI, exporting to Sibelius, OMF/AFF export, MXF audio export, archiving and transferring sessions, using DigiDelivery
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools HD 8
- EQ III
- Dynamics III
- Lo-Fi
- ReVibe
- Maxim
- DigiRack Click
- DigiRack Signal Generator
- Eleven
System Configuration
- Pro Tools|HD 3 Accel
- SYNC I/O or SYNC HD
- MIDI I/O or similar multi-port MIDI interface
- C|24, D-Command, or D-Control
- 192 I/O, 96 I/O, or 96i I/O
- PRE or other PRE-compatible microphone preamp
Course Length
24 to 30 course hours.
Prerequisites
- Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production Essentials
- Pro Tools 210M: Pro Tools Music Production Techniques
- Prior to taking the Pro Tools Music Expert certification exam, students must have successfully completed the above 200-series courses and acquired Pro Tools Music Operator certification.
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| Pro Tools 310P |
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Pro Tools 310P: Advanced Post Production Techniques focuses on the advanced operation of Pro Tools in a professional post production environment. This course offers technical insights into both Pro Tools hardware and software. |
Topics
- Pro Tools configuration — Setting up a Pro Tools system and hardware, configuring peripherals, system optimization, generating a timecode window burn
- Troubleshooting a Pro Tools system — Resources for troubleshooting, updating firmware, using the Tech Support utility, optimizing voice count settings, advanced I/O setup, audio and video pull options
- Tactile control of Pro Tools — Modifier keys, Focus keys, Commands Focus, Function keys, keypad modes, using keyboard shortcuts
- Post production recording techniques — Using a PRE-compatible mic preamp, recording foley using a worksurface, recording foley using MIDI
- Network and collaboration workflows — Avid Unity ISIS, Avid Interplay, Avid Unity MediaNetwork, Pro Tools and Avid Unity workflows, transferring between LAN and local storage
- Using Pro Tools with a Video Satellite — Using Media Composer as a Video Satellite, opening sequences for playback on a Video Satellite system, matching settings in a Video Satellite system, enabling Pro Tools LE as a Video Satellite LE, configuring a Satellite Link network
- Editing workflows — Post production workflows, searching and managing sound libraries, sound effects creation and design, expert editing shortcuts
- Field recorder workflows and conforming — Using Pro Tools with a field recorder, field recorder workflows, conforming linear and non-linear media
- Advanced routing and mixing — Double-precision processing, headroom and footroom, dithered vs. non-dithered mixers, fixed point vs. floating point processing, jitter, the TDM mixer and DSP usage, plug-ins and the TDM mixer
- Mixing techniques in post production — audio subgroups and stems, Master Faders, AutoJoin, AutoMatch, Latch Prime, Capture and Punch Capture, Glide automation
- Mixing using Satellite Link — Large-scale mixing techniques, worksurface support for Satellite Link, Satellite Link preferences
- Advanced layback — Project offset options, speed corrections, creating print master stems using 9-pin deck emulation, creating a machine track arming profile, using Satellite Link with Machine Control
Software Configuration
- Pro Tools HD 8
- DigiTest
- PhaseScope
- SurroundScope
- DigiRack D-Verb
- Structure
- DigiRack Signal Generator
- Eleven
- D-FI Bundle (Lo-Fi, Sci-Fi, Recti-Fi, and Vari-Fi)
- Bruno/Reso
- X-Form
- ReVibe
- EQ III
- Normalize
- Impact
- Maxim
System Configuration
- Pro Tools|HD 3 Accel
- SYNC I/O or SYNC HD
- MIDI I/O or other multi-port MIDI interface
- C|24, D-Command, or D-Control
- 192 I/O, 96 I/O, 96i I/O
- PRE or other PRE-compatible microphone preamp
- MIDI keyboard or other MIDI controller
- Satellite Link option
- Mojo/Mojo SDI
- Video Satellite with Media Composer 3.5 (or higher)
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Video Satellite LE with a Pro Tools LE system
Course Length
3 days. 24 to 30 course hours.
Prerequisites
- Pro Tools 101: Introduction to Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 110: Essentials of Pro Tools
- Pro Tools 201: Pro Tools Production Essentials
- Pro Tools 210P: Pro Tools Post Production Techniques
Prior to taking the Pro Tools Post Expert certification exam, students must have successfully completed the above 200-series courses and acquired Pro Tools Post Operator certification.
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| Pro Tools 310I |
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Pro Tools 310I: Advanced ICON Mixing Techniques focuses on advanced ICON mixing techniques in both music and post-production environments. This course provides comprehensive, hands-on D-Control training, and is offered in several different training options, including expert-level certification. To attain expert-level ICON Mixer certification, you must complete the 3-day ICON training course and pass the optional hands-on certification exam offered at Digidesign headquarter locations and Digidesign Training Partner schools. |
Topics
- Worksurface basics — ICON system components, D-Control configurations and connections, D-Control monitor basics and XMON configuration
- Navigating tracks on the console — Track display and banking, transport and playback controls, window controls, focusing channels to the center section
- Session navigation, zooming, and editing techniques — Using the soft key section, using the zoom/navigate section, making selections with D-Control, Edit tools and modes, session management
- Channel Strip Basics — Channel strip fader controls, channel strip mode controls, global channel strip mode controls
- Making assignments and controlling pan and sends — Using standard assign mode, using the D-Control assign matrix, display of I/O assignments, interrogating bus and I/O assignments, send control
- Controlling plug-ins — Assigning and controlling plug-in parameters on a track, Custom Fader plug-in mode, encoder and fader plug-in mapping
- Tracking with D-Control — Configuring tracks, using remote-controlled mic preamps, inline console mode, using the cue system, AFL/PFL section
- Custom faders — Custom fader groups mode, Mix/Edit groups mode, Tracks mode, Other custom fader options
- Mixing and automation basics — Groups and VCA control, enabling automation modes with D-Control, advanced automation workflows
- Advanced mixing and automation — Trim automation, Preview and Capture modes, snapshots, AutoJoin, mute extend
- Surround panning — I/O setup and surround outputs, surround panning with encoders, surround panning with the panner option, troubleshooting the panner
Software Configuration
System Configuration
- ICON D-Control (certification) or D-Command (course completion)
- D-Control Surround Panner or Surround Panner option for Pro Tools (D Command)
- Pro Tools|HD® 3 Accel
Course Options
On-Site Training
- 1-Day ICON Overview
- 2-Day Advanced ICON Training
- 3-Day Comprehensive ICON Training Package
- Optional ½-Day “Hands-On” Certification Exam
Avid Locations (Daly City, CA, USA; Pinewood, UK)
- 1-Day ICON Overview
- 2-Day Advanced ICON Training
- 3-Day Comprehensive ICON Training Package
- Optional ½-Day “Hands-On” Certification Exam
Official Training Partner School Programs (Certification prerequisite: Pro Tools Operator certification)
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