DigiDesign Digidesign Pro Tools 8.0, Reference Manual

Page: 79 / 1112

Chapter 6: I/O Setup 61
Paths in Session Tracks
In sessions, audio is routed using the track In-
put, Output, Insert, Plug-in, and Send selectors.
These selectors let you assign tracks to hardware
inputs and outputs, internal busses, and other
Pro Tools signal paths. Paths comprise the lists
of available signal routing choices in track In-
put, Output, Insert and Send selectors (see “As-
signing Audio Inputs and Outputs to Tracks” on
page 179).
Paths in the I/O Setup Dialog
The signal routing path choices available in a
session are defined in the I/O Setup dialog. For
more information, see “I/O Setup Dialog Tabs
and Controls” on page 62.
Path Configurations and I/O
Settings
Each Pro Tools session retains its path configu-
rations as I/O Settings.
Each Pro Tools system can have a different path
configuration, determined by:
• Whether it is a Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE,
or Pro Tools M-Powered system
• On Pro Tools|HD systems, the number and
types of audio interfaces
• On Pro Tools|HD systems and Pro Tools LE
with Complete Production Toolkit, the in-
stalled Mixer plug-in (Stereo or Surround)
The I/O Settings saved with the session are
loaded automatically when the session is
opened. Unavailable items (including hardware,
paths, or required resources) remain in the ses-
sion as inactive items (see “Making Paths Active
or Inactive” on page 69).
When you create a new session, you can specify
which I/O Settings to use (for example, the “Last
Used” settings, or one of any custom I/O Set-
tings files).
Default I/O Settings
A default I/O Settings file is installed automati-
cally by Pro Tools, so you have a set of default
paths that will get you started, without the need
to configure the I/O Setup dialog. These paths
are available in session tracks and are reflected
in the I/O Setup dialog. You can customize your
I/O Setup configuration at any time, according
to the needs of each project (see “I/O Setup Dia-
log Tabs and Controls” on page 62).
Main and sub-paths in I/O Setup
Stereo main path
Mono sub-paths
You can save and import I/O Settings files
in the I/O Setup dialog (see “Importing and
Exporting I/O Settings Files” on page 72).