Using Hardware Inserts

For more information, see the following topics:

Assigning Hardware Inserts

Bypassing Hardware Inserts

Connecting and Integrating External Devices

Connecting Effects Units Digitally

Using External Clock Sources (for Recording and Monitoring)

You can connect external devices, such as reverb or effects processors, to your Pro Tools system and use them as hardware inserts on individual tracks or on submixes.

Pro Tools inserts utilize corresponding hardware input and output channels to send and return the audio. Inserts can be defined, and their channels mapped to audio interface channels on the Insert page in the I/O Setup dialog.

If you plan to use a device as an insert, be sure to connect the device to matching inputs and outputs on your system. For example, a hardware insert being supplied by outputs 7–8 needs to be returned to hardware inputs 7–8.

Delay Compensation can be applied to Hardware Inserts. See H/W Insert Delay (Compensation) Page.

To define a hardware insert:

1 Choose Setup > I/O, then click the Insert tab.

2 Select an insert path, or click New Path to create a new Insert path.

3 Double-click the Path Name to enter a custom path name for the insert.

4 Make sure the insert path is set to the correct format (mono, stereo, or other).

5 Map inserts in the Channel Grid as needed. Insert and Output paths have special rules regarding channel mapping (see Valid Paths and Requirements).