You can set Pro Tools to automatically
punch record over a specific range in an audio track (for example, to replace a portion of a recorded track). The range’s start (
punch in) and end (
punch out) points must be specified before recording.
Though there are several ways to set record and play ranges (see
Setting Punch and Loop Points), perhaps the easiest is to select within the track’s playlist the range for recording.
During the recording process, playback begins at the pre-roll time (if enabled) and proceeds to the start time (the punch-in point), where recording begins. When the end time (the punch-out point) is reached, Pro Tools automatically switches out of Record mode and continues playing through the specified amount of post-roll. This automated punch-in/out feature is a powerful and precise way of recording or re-recording on a track.
Pro Tools starts recording from the punch-in (start) point. If there is any pre-roll, recording starts when the punch-in (start) point is reached. Recording continues until the punch-out (end) point is reached (unless you manually stop recording first). If post-roll is enabled, playback continues for the specified post-roll amount.
If recording nondestructively, a new audio file is written to your hard drive and a new audio clip appears both in the track and the Clip List.
If recording in Destructive Record mode, the new audio overwrites the previous material in the existing audio file and clip.
Pro Tools provides two monitoring modes for recording: Auto Input monitoring and Input Only monitoring (see
Selecting a Record Input Monitoring Mode).