12 Weeks
Level 2
3-Credit Tuition
$1,545Non-Credit Tuition
$1,290In this course, which constitutes the second stage of Avid's Pro Tools certification program, you will build upon the foundational skills taught in Pro Tools 101, learning a broader range of tools and Berklee production techniques that will help you tackle more complex projects using Pro Tools. Pro Tools 110 focuses on working with expanded hardware and software configurations, developing versatile tools for manipulating and editing both audio and MIDI data, and implementing various techniques to facilitate larger and more sophisticated mixing scenarios. As in Pro Tools 101, this course will provide you with real-world examples and frequent hands-on assignments that will enhance your capabilities in all aspects of Pro Tools production. Although this course is designed to build on the information presented in Pro Tools 101, it is also an appropriate starting point for individuals who have previously acquired basic Pro Tools functionality on their own (see prerequisites).
For those students who have successfully completed the Pro Tools 101 Exam, you will have an opportunity to take the Avid Pro Tools 110 Exam online, at the end of the course.
By the end of this course, you will:
- Learn to record, edit, work with both audio and MIDI and automation
- Configure your Pro Tools sessions and interface with any external hardware
- Utilize AvidBase browser features to manage sessions
- Import a range of audio file formats and data from other sessions
- Use additional audio and MIDI recording techniques such as selections-based punch-ins and loop recording/auditioning
- Work with both sample- and tick-based timescales
- Utilize plug-in virtual instruments and standalone applications streamed to Pro Tools via ReWire
- Employ various MIDI track views and editing techniques
- Apply Elastic Audio processing to tracks and quantize detected events to the grid
- Explore additional options for creating fades
- Process regions using AudioSuite plug-ins
- Create tempo maps and quantize audio with Beat Detective
- Integrate additional mix techniques in your sessions, including track grouping, sends and returns, submixes, and Master faders
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Getting Up to Speed
- One Platform, Many Faces
- Getting Help
- The Big Pro Tools Review Session
- Edit and Mix Display Options
- Assignment 1: Configuring Sessions
Lesson 2: Interfacing with External Hardware
- I/O Setup
- MIDI Configuration
- Control Surfaces
- Digidesign Control Surface Options
- Assignment 2: Exercise 1 (Getting Started)
Lesson 3: Enhancing Your Software and Managing Data
- Turbocharging Your Pro Tools Software
- Plug-in Tour
- DigiBase and DigiBase Pro
- Importing Audio and Other Media
- Importing Session Data
- An Introduction to Region Groups
- Assignment 3: Exercise 2/3 (Managing Session Data and Media Files – Music/Post)
Lesson 4: Recording MIDI & Audio
- Basic Audio Recording Review
- Optimizing System Performance
- Recording With and Without a Time Reference
- Techniques for Recording and Overdubbing Audio
- Assignment 4: Exercise 4 (Recording)
Lesson 5: Working with Timebases. Elastic Audio, and Virtual Instruments
- Understanding Track Timebases
- Elastic Audio Basics
- Plug-in Virtual Instruments
- Using Virtual Instrument Plug-ins
- Streaming Audio into Pro Tools
- Using Standalone Virtual Instruments
- Assignment 5: Exercise 5 (Virtual Instruments)
Lesson 6: Editing and Time-Adjusting MIDI and Audio
- Configuring Sessions for MIDI Editing
- MIDI Editing Techniques
- Working with MIDI Regions
- Warping Audio with Elastic Audio
- Quantizing Existing Material
- Assignment 6: MIDI Editing Exercise
Lesson 7: Editing Audio
- Working with Fades
- Using AudioSuite Plug-Ins
- An Introduction to Beat Detective
- Working with the Region List
- Assignment 7: AudioSuite Exercise
Lesson 8: Automation
- The Case for Automation
- Basic Pro Tools Automation Capabilities (101 Review)
- Getting Deeper into Automation
- Real-Time Automation
- Creating and Editing Automation Graphically
- Assignment 8: Exercise 6 (Audio & MIDI Editing)
Lesson 9: Mixing (Part 1)
- Mixing in Pro Tools: Myths and Realities
- Setting Up for Mixing
- Grouping
- Exploring Inserts and Real-Time Plug-Ins
- Assignment 9: Automation Exercise
Lesson 10: Mixing (Part 2)
- Thinking about Mixing
- Sends and Returns
- Master Faders, Submasters, and Subgrouping
- Printing the Mix
- Mastering in Pro Tools
- Assignment 10: Exercise 7 (Automation & Mixing)
Lesson 11: Music Project
- Considerations Prior to Starting Music Projects
- Timeline and Tempo
- Comping and Editing
- Tighten Up Tracks with Elastic Audio and Beat Detective
- Vocal Editing
- AudioSuite Processing
- Mix it Up!
- Assignment 11
Lesson 12: Audio Postproduction for Video Project
- First Steps
- Map Out the Commercial
- Recording and Editing MIDI Loops
- Score the Commercial
- Record the Voiceover
- Mix the Project
- Assignment 12
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
Pro Tools 110 requires either successful completion of Pro Tools 101, or knowledge of Pro Tools fundamentals gained via self-study and experience:
- Understanding of Pro Tools session file structure
- Opening, navigating, and saving sessions
- Creating new tracks
- Assigning inputs and outputs in the Edit and Mix windows
- Using Mix window controls including volume, mute, solo, and pan
- Using the Zoomer, Selector, and Grabber Edit tools
- Using Slip and Shuffle Edit modes
- Using Transport window controls to play and record audio and MIDI
This course also requires a basic understanding of computers and their operations: - Identifying the general components of a computer
- Using the mouse, standard menus, and keyboard commands
- Locating, moving, and renaming files and folders
- Opening, saving, and closing files
- Powering up/down and restarting
A basic understanding of digital audio, recording, and MIDI concepts is assumed: - Disk-based random access audio recording
- Multitrack audio systems
- Basic mixing and signal routing
- Digital audio concepts (sample rate, bit depth, etc.)
- Basic MIDI systems
Textbook(s)
Software
- Pro Tools 2023.6 (Studio or Ultimate) or higher. Please note:
- Pro Tools First, Intro, and Artist are not sufficient.
- The Avid workbook currently used in this course is based on Pro Tools 2023.6. However, versions 2020.12 or higher are acceptable.
- Pro Tools software is not included with the course purchase.
Hardware
- MIDI keyboard controller
- Audio interface
- At least one XLR microphone or electric musical instrument, such as guitar or keyboard, as well as necessary cables
- One of the following studio monitoring options (both recommended):
- Studio monitors (pair), such as JBL 305Ps or better, as well as necessary cables
- Over-ear studio headphones, such as Sennheiser HD 600, Sony MDR-7506, Philips SHP9500, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, etc.
- iLok USB required to use Pro Tools offline. iLok Cloud (free) may be used instead, but requires a continuous internet connection while using Pro Tools.
- Recommended: Dedicated internal or external audio storage drive: SSD (recommended) or 7200 RPM HDD
Important Technical/System Considerations
- Students are responsible for ensuring their version of Pro Tools will run on their current system. Click here for a full compatibility chart.
Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact support@online.berklee.edu with any questions.
General Course Requirements
Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course.
Mac Users
PC Users
All Users
- Latest version of Google Chrome
- Zoom meeting software
- Webcam
- Speakers or headphones
- External or internal microphone
- Broadband Internet connection
Instructors
Author
Andy Edelstein has been an educator, author, record producer, engineer, and multimedia developer. He served as an Associate Professor of Music Production and Engineering at Berklee College of Music and was also the Assistant Chair of the Music Production and Engineering Department during his 44-year tenure at the College.
Andy has produced, recorded, and mixed a wide range of albums spanning genres such as jazz, rock, folk, Celtic, and blues. His work includes the genre-bending Wayfaring Strangers' critically acclaimed Rounder Records releases, the SpinART debut by indie rockers Apollo Sunshine, and a live album by the renowned bluegrass band Dry Branch Fire Squad. His recording facility, Rapid Eye Music, was featured in Mix Magazine's “Class of 2015” article on the year’s best acoustically designed studios.
In addition, Andy is the Principal of Rapid Eye Media, a multimedia production company. His design and production work is showcased in award-winning interactive exhibits at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, MO, and the Longyear Museum in Brookline, MA. His consulting clients have included the Grammy Foundation in Santa Monica, CA. Andy holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Read Less
Instructor
Mehdi Hassine is a certified Pro Tools instructor with 10 years of experience in audio engineering, video editing, and motion graphics. His body of work includes trailer mixing and sound editing on Heima, a documentary about the band Sigur Rós. He is an active editor and mixer on national television commercials and is also a seasoned video editor, having produced all the video and audio content on many independent music videos and music DVDs for Hal Leonard. Hassine holds a master’s degree in electro-optical engineering from Orsay University and a master’s degree in business administration from Pantheon-Sorbonne University in France. He is currently producing a variety of independent artists in the Los Angeles area, and his recording engineering credits include Stanley Clarke, Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, Gary Willis, and more. He has a parallel career as a performing and recording bass player.
Instructor
Mark Cross is an award-winning producer, composer, mixer, educator, and author with an extensive discography in both film and television that spans over two decades.
As an engineer and mixer, Mark has worked on numerous projects, including the Grammy -winning Shelby Lynne album I Am Shelby Lynne, Randy Newman's Oscar-nominated and Grammy-winning soundtrack for the Disney-Pixar film Cars, the Meet the Parents original film score and soundtracks, and hundreds of episodes of the NBC prime time series ER. Mark’s additional film credits include Alien: Resurrection, Seabiscuit, and Beavis and Butthead Do America.
As a composer, Mark has created over a thousand registered tracks for use in hundreds of films and television shows worldwide. He was the lead composer for the NBC prime time series Last Comic Standing and has contributed additional music for American Idol, Curb Your Enthusiasm, the CBS Evening News, HBO’s Getting On, and Comedy Central’s Key and Peele. Mark has created musical themes for Nickelodeon's Wow Wow Wubbzy, the Seinfeld Season 8 DVD, as well as producing and performing with Grammy winner John Legend on HBO's: Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Mark holds a Master of Fine Arts in Music Education from Boston University as well as a dual Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Engineering and Music Education from Berklee College of Music. He currently teaches Music Technology and Composition for Visual Media at Berklee College of Music, California State University Northridge, and Los Angeles College of Music. Mark authored the book Audio Post Production for Film and Television, published by Hal Leonard and Berklee Press. Read Less
What's Next?
When taken for credit, Pro Tools 110 can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:
Related Certificate Programs
Related Degree Majors
Related Music Career Roles
Employers look for skills learned in this course, when hiring for the following music career roles:
Questions?
Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at advisors@online.berklee.edu.
