Inserting Silence

The Insert Silence command is a simple and convenient way to insert silence on audio, MIDI, and Instrument tracks. This command lets you make a selection on a track (or tracks) and insert precisely that amount of silence.

The Insert Silence command also affects markers in any selected Conductor Rulers (such as the Tempo or Meter rulers).

In Shuffle mode, all data on the track is shuffled later in the track by an amount equal to the selection.

In Grid mode, the Insert Silence command works just like the Clear command.

Shuffle Mode

When inserting silence on multiple tracks in Shuffle mode, the following conditions apply:

If any track is displayed as audio or MIDI data, the selected duration of silence is inserted into the audio or MIDI data and all underlying automation data on all selected tracks. All subsequent clips are shuffled by the amount of silence inserted. On MIDI tracks, only notes that are selected from the beginning are affected, so if you have selected the tail of a note and you Insert Silence, the note will remain unchanged.

If all selected tracks are displayed as automation data, the selected range is cleared of automation data only of the type visible on each track. Clips are not shuffled. Instead, a blank gap appears equal to the length of the selection.

If all selected tracks are displayed as automation data, press the Start key (Windows) or Control (Mac) while choosing the Insert Silence command to inserts silence on all automation playlists for all selected tracks. Clips are not shuffled.

Slip Mode

When inserting silence on multiple tracks in Slip mode, the following conditions apply:

If any track is displayed as audio or MIDI data, the selected range is cleared of audio or MIDI data and all underlying automation data on all selected tracks.

If all selected tracks are displayed as automation data, silence is inserted only into the automation type visible on each track.

If all selected tracks are displayed as automation data, press the Start key (Windows) or Control (Mac) while choosing the Insert Silence command to insert silence on all automation playlists for all selected tracks.

To insert silence into a track:

1 Make a selection in a track or tracks. The length of the selection determines the duration of the silence inserted.

2 Choose Edit > Insert Silence.

In Shuffle mode, Pro Tools inserts the selected amount of silence. In the process, it splits the clips at the beginning of the insertion point, and moves the new clips later in the track by an amount equal to the length of the selection.