This guide will explain how to playback tracks recorded in Pro Tools through the monitors using Mix A on the SSL XL desk.
Pro Tools:
1. In Pro Tools, check that the outputs on the track correlates to the channel number on the XL desks e.g. output 1 from Pro Tools will come through on channel 1.
2. On the Transport section of Pro Tools, press the ‘Play’ button.
3. The button will turn green when Pro Tools is playing audio.
Patching from the MOTU to the SSL XL Desk:
1. On the bantam patchbay, the outputs from the audio interface are by default connected straight through to the DAW inputs on the desk i.e. output 1 is connected to the DAW input on channel 1. Therefore no action is needed if this is suitable.
2. To route an output from the audio interface to a different numbered channel on the desk, insert a bantam cable into the MOTU output socket to break the normalled connection and route into whichever SSL DAW input number (e.g. DAW input 9) to allow for the audio to appear on the corresponding channel number (Channel 9).
Setting the Channel Input and Level on the Desk:
1. On the SSL XL Desk, find the channels that the audio from Pro Tools is being sent to.
2. In the ‘TRIM’ section on the channel strip, press the ‘DAW’ button in. This changes the input of the channel from mic/line to DAW.
3. If the green LED on the bottom right of the ‘TRIM’ dial turns red, the audio on the channel is clipping. Turn the ‘TRIM’ dial anti clockwise to turn the audio down until the LED stays green and the channel is no longer clipping.
Routing to Bus A:
1. Press in the ‘A’ button above the fader on the chosen channel(s) to send the channel to Mix Bus A.
2. Push up the fader on the channel sent to Mix A.
3. Push up the ‘MIX A’ fader in the mastering section on the right hand side of the desk.
4. The level going to Mix A can be monitored on the ‘MIX A’ bar graph in the metering section on the top right of the desk.
5. Turn up the ‘MONITOR LEVEL’ dial slowly to a safe listening level.
