Dynamic Transport Mode

Dynamic Transport mode lets you decouple the playback location from the Timeline selection. This means that you can start playback from anywhere on the Timeline without losing your Timeline or Edit selections. For example, you can use Dynamic Transport mode in conjunction with Loop Playback mode to quickly audition loop transitions.

When Dynamic Transport mode is enabled, the Main Timebase ruler expands to double-height and reveals the new Play Start Marker. The Play Start Marker determines where playback starts when the Transport is engaged. You can position the Play Start Marker independently of the Timeline Selection. The Play Start Marker can be repositioned during playback and playback continues from the new location.

To enable or disable Dynamic Transport mode, do one of the following:

Select or deselect Options > Dynamic Transport.

Right-click the Play button in the Transport window and select Dynamic Transport from the pop-up menu.

Press Command+Control+P (Mac) or Control+Start+P (Windows) to toggle Dynamic Transport mode on or off.

Enabling Dynamic Transport mode automatically disables Link Timeline and Edit Selection, and automatically enables Loop Playback mode.

Center Playhead Scrolling (Pro Tools HD only) and Dynamic Transport mode cannot be used at the same time. Selecting Center Playhead Scrolling disables Dynamic Transport mode (if it is enabled). Likewise, enabling Dynamic Transport mode when Center Playhead Scrolling is selected automatically changes the Scrolling option to No Scrolling.

To reposition the Play Start Marker, do one of the following:

With any Edit tool selected, click in the Play Start Marker strip in the Main Timebase ruler.

With any Edit tool selected, drag the Play Start Marker to a new location.

Click Fast Forward or Rewind in the Transport to relocate the Play Start Marker forward or backward by the standard Fast Forward and Rewind increment amount.

Double-click anywhere in the Play Start Marker strip in the Main Timebase ruler to move the Play Start Marker to that location and start playback.

To change the Timeline Selection Start or End Markers:

1 Make a Timeline selection with the Selector tool by dragging in the Main Timebase ruler. If the Link Timeline and Edit Selection option is enabled, you can make an Edit selection with the Selector or any of the Grabber tools.

2 With any Edit tool selected, drag either the Timeline Selection Start or End Markers left or right, extending or constricting the Timeline selection.

Changes to the Timeline selection during playback temporarily interrupt playback. To minimize this interruption, reduce the DAE Playback Buffer size in the Playback Engine dialog.

To move the Timeline selection:

With any Edit tool selected, drag the selection on the Main Timeline ruler to another location.

 

Dynamic Transport mode, moving the Edit selection

When the Link Timeline and Edit Selection option is disabled, Option-drag (Mac) or Alt-drag (Windows) the Timeline selection to snap the Edit selection to the Timeline selection and move both in tandem.

Play Start Marker Follows Timeline Selection

When enabled, the Play Start Marker snaps to the Timeline Selection In Point when you move the Timeline Selection, draw a new Timeline Selection, or adjust the Timeline Selection Start. When disabled, the Play Start Marker doesn’t move with the Timeline selection.

To have the Play Start Marker always snap to the Timeline Selection In Point:

1 Choose Setup > Preferences.

2 Click the Operation tab.

3 Select Play Start Marker Follows Timeline Selection.

4 Click OK.

Timeline Insertion/Play Start Marker Follows Playback

When enabled, the Play Start Marker moves to the point in the Timeline when playback stops. When disabled, the Play Start Marker does not follow playback.

When not in Dynamic Transport mode, the Timeline Insertion follows playback.

To have the Timeline Insertion and the Play Start Marker follow playback:

1 Choose Setup > Preferences.

2 Click the Operation tab.

3 Select Timeline Insertion/Play Start Marker Follows Playback.

4 Click OK.

Press Control+N (Mac) or Start+N (Windows) to toggle the Timeline Insertion/Play Start Marker Follows Playback preference on and off.