Adjust Clip Gain With Mouse Scroll Wheel - Pro Tools

By TOM BOWSER

Use your mouse scroll wheel to make changes in Clip Gain level that are difficult to make by dragging the Clip Gain line.

1. Show the "Clip Gain Line" if it is not visible.
• Press and hold down the START+SHIFT then Hyphen (-) keys on your keyboard. The "START" key is also referred to as the "Windows" key. It has the Windows logo on it.

The Clip Gain Line is visible in both clips below. It is the black line across the width of the clip.

2. Select a clip or section within a clip to adjust its clip gain.

3. Press and hold down the Windows START and SHIFT keys.
4. Roll your mouse scroll wheel:
• forward to increase the clip gain level
• backward to decrease clip gain level

I've increased the Clip Gain level of the top clip relative to the bottom clip. See image above. Notice the size of the top clip has increased vertically to illustrate an increase in Clip Gain level.

TIPS:

1. In the above example, I show a section of two vocal tracks. I demonstrate using clip gain to increase the gain level of the top track to better balance the relative levels of both tracks. You can use Clip Gain to adjust and balance the level of sections or entire tracks prior to or perhaps without using compression.

2. To select a clip:
• Left click on the lower half of the clip (below the Clip Gain line).

3. To select a section within a clip:
• Left click within the track where you want to begin your selection.
• Press and hold down your left mouse button.
• Drag your mouse in the direction you want to make your selection.
• Release your left mouse button once you've completed your selection.

4. LISTEN to any clip gain changes you make. Do NOT rely solely on what the clip looks like to assess the result of Clip Gain changes.

Color Code a Track's Channel Strip - Pro Tools

By TOM BOWSER

Color coding a track's channel strip is one way to keep a Pro Tools session organized. If the session is organized you will be able to work more quickly with less stress. You will have more time and mental energy available to express your creativity.

To color code a track's channel strip:

1. Left click on the "Name Button" of the track channel strip you want to color code. The background behind the track name will turn white. See the image in step two below.

2. Double left click on a track's color bar to open the Color Palette. Color bars are located above and below each track channel strip in the Mix Window. Color Bars are located to the left of each track in the Edit Window.

   The track color bar in the image below is the blue vertical bar to the left of the track. This is as it appears in the Edit Window.