DigiDesign Pro Tools, Reference Manual

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Pro Tools Reference Guide 342
Draw Waveforms Rectified Preference
When the Display preference for Draw Wave-
forms Rectified is selected (in the Display Prefer-
ences page), audio waveforms are displayed so
that their positive and negative waveform ex-
cursions are summed together and viewed as a
single positive-value signal. However, even
when this preference is enabled, zooming in be-
yond a certain point will cause the waveforms to
be displayed normally.
Rectified mode displays more detailed wave-
forms when using track heights of Medium or
Small, and can be particularly useful when edit-
ing volume automation data, since it depicts
waveform “levels” as starting at the bottom of
the track.
Guidelines for Editing Waveforms
With the Selector tool in the Edit window, you
can select portions of audio waveforms and di-
vide them into segments called
regions , so that
you can rearrange and manipulate them in
tracks.
While editing, try to create regions that let you
maintain a consistent beat. If you always define
regions so that they contain a whole number of
beats, you will be able to string the regions to-
gether and maintain a smooth, steady rhythm.
It is sometimes useful to have a steady, well-de-
fined waveform (such as a drum track) as a guide
when selecting and defining other regions. If
you have played in time with the beat, it should
be easier to create rhythmically accurate regions
by referring to the drum waveform.
Some important rules to keep in mind when de-
fining regions:
◆
Whenever possible, begin a region precisely
before a volume peak, and end it immediately
before another volume peak.
◆
Whenever possible, make sure a region starts
and ends on exactly the same part of a beat.
◆
Use the following Pro Tools features to help
you edit rhythmic material or audio with clear
transients into precise regions:
• Tab to Transients (see “Tabbing to Tran-
sients” on page 407 . )
• Editing to a Grid (see “Grid” on page 365)
• Beat Detective (see Chapter 24, “Beat De-
tective”)
Audio displayed in Rectified mode
Audio displayed in Normal mode