Assigning Input and Output

In Pro Tools, setting up the I/O (Input/Output) for each track is fundamental to recording. The Input Selector determines the audio source for a track—such as a microphone or instrument connected to your audio interface—ensuring Pro Tools captures the right signal during recording. Meanwhile, the Output Selector determines where the audio signal is routed after recording, typically to your main output for monitoring or a designated bus for mixing. Here’s how to assign inputs and outputs on your tracks:

1. Check the Playback Engine

Before you assign inputs and outputs, it’s important to make sure your Playback Engine is set to the correct audio interface.

1. Go to Setup > Playback Engine.

2. In the Playback Engine dropdown menu, select your audio interface. This ensures that Pro Tools recognizes the inputs and outputs from your connected hardware.

2. Assign Input

Once your Playback Engine is set, you can assign the Input for each track.

1. Open the Mix Window: Use Command = on Mac or Control = on Windows to toggle to the Mix Window.

2. Locate the I/O Section: The I/O Section appears beneath the Inserts and Sends on each track strip.

3. Set the Input: In the Input Selector within the I/O Section, select the input that corresponds to the channel where your audio source (for example, a microphone or an instrument) is connected on your audio interface. For instance, if your microphone is plugged into Input 1 on the interface, select Input 1 for that track.

This ensures that the track receives audio from the specified channel on your interface, ensuring the correct audio source is captured.

3. Assign Output

Now, assign the Output for each track.

1. In the Mix Window, locate the Output Selector within the I/O Section, just below the Input Selector.

2. Set the Output:

By default, the output is typically set to the Master Bus or Main Output (often labeled "Out 1-2" for stereo output), which routes audio to your main monitoring source.
You can change this if you want to send the track’s audio to a bus, routing folder, or an aux track.

Tip: Make sure to create the destination first. For example, if you plan to route to a Master Bus, Routing Folder for instrument groups, or Aux Track, ensure that this destination is already created in your session. This setup ensures that Pro Tools properly directs the audio where you want, providing organized routing and seamless session management.

The Output Selector provides the ability to direct each track’s audio to different destinations, making it easier to handle complex mixes and advanced routing configurations in Pro Tools.

Next page >