Add Plugins To The Favorites List

By TOM BOWSER

I create a "favorites" list for the plugins I routinely use. I find it helps me work faster, more efficiently and with less distraction. It reduces the time spent looking for plugins.

Your favorite plugins will show at the top of the Plug-In selector pop-up menu. Favorites will appear bold and colored yellow when seen in plug-in menus.

To create a plugin favorites list:

1. Press and hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard.
2. Left click on an insert of a track. An insert looks like a blank rectangular space with a black dot on the left hand side. I've drawn a red line around an insert in the image below.

3. Hover your mouse cursor over the word "plug-in" on the menu that appears.

4. Left click on a plugin you want to add to your favorites list. Remember, you need to hold down the CTRL key.

The "TENS (mono)" reverb plug-in was added as a favorite to the top of my plugins list. (see image below)

Rearrange Controls and Displays On The Edit Window Toolbar

By TOM BOWSER

The Edit Window Toolbar is located across the top of the Edit window.

Understanding how to rearrange the controls and displays on the Edit Window toolbar can be useful if you find yourself working with Pro Tools outside your usual environment for example, at a friend's house or in a different studio.

Having the Edit Window Toolbar arranged as you are used to makes working in a new environment less stressful.

To move a control or display:

1. Press and hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard.
2. Move your mouse cursor to the edge of a control or display you want to move. When your mouse cursor turns into a hand (grabber) then…

3. Left click and hold down your left mouse button. Drag the control or display horizontally to a new location on the Edit Window Toolbar. As you drag the control or display a yellow vertical bar will appear to mark the new position.
4. Release your left mouse button at the position you want to move the control or display.

NOTE: Changes you make to the Edit Window Toolbar are saved on a per session basis. Each new session begins with the Pro Tools default layout.

Change How Plug-ins Are Listed in Pro Tools

By TOM BOWSER

Left click on:

• Setup then Preferences on the Pro Tools menu bar
• the Display tab
• on the dropdown arrow next to Organize Plug-In Menu By:

• Select either Flat List, Category, Manufacturer, or Category & Manufacturer.

I prefer to organize my plug-ins by Category & Manufacturer (see image below). This setting gives you the most information in the least amount of space. The alphabetically arranged "Flat List" can get very long.