Pro Tools template questions

[knorr]

I have used a template before and would like to set one up again, however I always use mac and have been able to set it up with the stationary pad feature. However, for my next session that I'm working on soon, I am using Pro Tools on a windows computer and was wondering how I can set up a template and not have it just save the name of the new session, but not bring along all of the audio files and data with it. So if anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

[pingu]

Originally Posted by knorr

I have used a template before and would like to set one up again, however I always use mac and have been able to set it up with the stationary pad feature. However, for my next session that I'm working on soon, I am using Pro Tools on a windows computer and was wondering how I can set up a template and not have it just save the name of the new session, but not bring along all of the audio files and data with it. So if anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

Save session copy in will do this and dont check the save audio files option.

[knorr]

so then all of those audio files will be saved along with session in the different location?

[5down1up]

i dont get what you are asking for

saving just a template ? without the audio ?

[knorr]

what i'm asking exactly is that in Mac when you save a pro tools session as a stationary pad it becomes basically your template....every time you open up that file it will automatically ask you where you want to save the new files and all the audio from that session as well. In Windows you can't do anything like a stationary pad and if you just open up your template and do a save as or a save a copy then it will save a new session somewhere else, but the audio will not go along with that and it will stay in the folder of the template....which is a hastle....so i'm wondering how to work a template in windows basically so that I can open it up and save it under a different name and have everything come along with it to a new folder.

hope that clarifies but if not i'll try again.

[brian_delizza]

Just make your template, save it, and then use import session data. I don't think there is anything like the stationary pad on windows.

[Joseph Hanna]

There is an alternative method to "templates" that works equally well in Mac or PC format

1) create a new session as if you were actually going to record to it. Obviously point Pro Tools to the drive you'll eventually intend to record to. Create template..just like you would in a Mac stationary pad senario.

Close the session. Go to that session folder and remove the session icon only. Pitch the accompaning folders ie: audio folder, fade folder ect so that the only thing left is the Pro Tools session icon (the meta data). Keep that icon handy on your drive...you can make as many as you like. In others words, a "Midi session icon" and a "live band session icon" ect ect. Of course it can also be nested in it's own folder called Mster Templates ect.

2) Here where things are slightly different. When it's time for a new session you must FIRST create your own new folder and name it. Let's say the new song is called "Hey Jude" So now you have an empty folder called Hey Jude. Copy your new session icon (template) into your new folder called Hey Jude and copy the folder name to the session icon. Hey Jude folder to Hey Jude icon.

3) That's it...double click on the newly renamed Hey Jude icon in the Hey Jude folder and up will come you template under the session name. No re-routing, saving, save copy session as or imprting needed.

This is MUCH easier than it may sound at first. In fact I find it more streamline than the stationary pad method.

Hope that helps

JH

[CustomDigi]

Originally Posted by Joseph Hanna

There is an alternative method to "templates" that works equally well in Mac or PC format

1) create a new session as if you were actually going to record to it. Obviously point Pro Tools to the drive you'll eventually intend to record to. Create template..just like you would in a Mac stationary pad senario.

Close the session. Go to that session folder and remove the session icon only. Pitch the accompaning folders ie: audio folder, fade folder ect so that the only thing left is the Pro Tools session icon (the meta data). Keep that icon handy on your drive...you can make as many as you like. In others words, a "Midi session icon" and a "live band session icon" ect ect. Of course it can also be nested in it's own folder called Mster Templates ect.

2) Here where things are slightly different. When it's time for a new session you must FIRST create your own new folder and name it. Let's say the new song is called "Hey Jude" So now you have an empty folder called Hey Jude. Copy your new session icon (template) into your new folder called Hey Jude and copy the folder name to the session icon. Hey Jude folder to Hey Jude icon.

3) That's it...double click on the newly renamed Hey Jude icon in the Hey Jude folder and up will come you template under the session name. No re-routing, saving, save copy session as or imprting needed.

This is MUCH easier than it may sound at first. In fact I find it more streamline than the stationary pad method.

Hope that helps

JH

Great post, Joseph. Thanks for the info. I think you just hit the nail on the head regarding this question (I just tried it!) Works great!

-Matt

[knorr]

Yes you did! Thanks so much for the info. I also just tried it and it worked perfectly.

[nikki-k]

Hi!
Most of the Mac AND Windows folks I know use the "Import Session Data" feature.

Basically, create a new folder, and call it something like "Templates."
Next, create a new session, and save it immediately to the Templates folder you made, but name it accoridng to the template type you are going to create. For instance, if you were creating a template for recording a band using X tracks for drums, 2 subs for drums, and then 2 tracks for guitars, 2 for bass, and then 4 for vox and backing...then name it something like "basic band" and save it into the Templates folder. Create all the tracks you want for it, set 'em up in the order you want, etc, etc. Save

Create other templates as well if you want. Templates dont have to be big either. You could, for instance, create a very simple "trick" like a "self feeding, ever deteriorating delay" thing (2 Aux Ins, each with a send feeding the other, delay on each, and then feed the audio you want buggered into the first track), and save it named how you will recognize it.

When you do a new session, the first thing you do is simply preplan. Then, start importing from those templates as needed. Only caveat is being careful to not overwrite anything with an Import option.

A starting template UPON session creation is nice (most DAW apps allow this...except PT <sigh>)...HOWEVER...I found that by being sorta forced into doing the template and Import thing, I have found that the Import feature allows WAYYYY more possibilities.