Using Dither on an Output Mix

Pro Tools includes real-time dither plug-ins that improve 16-, 18-, or 20-bit performance and reduce quantization artifacts when reducing the bit depth of an output mix.

To use a dither plug-in on an output mix:

1 Choose Track > New and create a (stereo) Master Fader track.

2 Set the output of the Master Fader to the output or bus path you want to bounce.

3 Assign the outputs of all audio tracks in the session to the same path you selected in step 2. The Master Fader now controls the output levels of all tracks routed to it.

4 On the Master Fader, insert a dither plug-in as the last processor in the signal chain.

5 In the dither plug-in window, choose an output Bit Resolution and Noise Shaping setting.

6 Do one of the following:

Play back the session to record (or “layback”) Pro Tools output to lower bit-rate media (such as a DAT).

– or – 

Choose File > Bounce To > Disk. In the Bounce to Disk dialog, select the appropriate bit depth (such as 16-bit for CD audio). Before being converted by the Bounce to Disk command, the signal is processed according to the resolution and noise shaping settings in the dither plug-in inserted on the Master Fader.

For information about dither plug-ins, see the Audio Plug-Ins Guide.