Path Configurations and I/O Settings

Each Pro Tools system can have a different path configuration, determined by:

On Pro Tools systems, the type of audio interface or other physical I/O (including built-in hardware)

On Avid HDX, Pro Tools|HD, and HD Native systems, the number and types of audio interfaces

Path configurations in Pro Tools are saved as I/O settings.

I/O Settings are saved with both the session and with the system. You can choose whether or not the IO settings saved with the session overwrite the IO settings saved with the system (see Sessions Overwrite Current I/O Setup When Opened).

Unavailable items (including hardware, paths, or required resources) remain in the session as inactive items (see Making Paths Active or Inactive).

When you create a new session, you can specify which I/O Settings to use. For example, you can use the factory installed default settings, the “Last Used” setting, or one of any available custom I/O settings files.

See Factory I/O Settings and I/O Settings Files for more information.

Default I/O Settings

Pro Tools comes with default I/O Setup settings to get you started (see Factory I/O Settings). You should only need to open the I/O Setup if you want to customize I/O paths or if you change your system hardware (for example, adding an expansion card to HD I/O, or adding or removing an audio interface).

You can always return to the default settings for an I/O Settings page by clicking the Default button. These paths are available in session tracks and are reflected in the I/O Setup.

You can customize your I/O Setup configuration at any time, according to the needs of each project (see Customizing I/O Settings).