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Array
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    [0] => <h2>1. Cascading Inputs, Outputs and Busses</h2>
<p>This is especially effective when recording a band.
    [1] => 
<p>Hold down shift+ option +command while changing the input, output or send and they will cascade.
    [2] => 
<p>Make sure to click on the track where you want the cascade to start.
    [3] => 
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26086" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1.png" alt="5 Essential Timesaving Pro Tools Shortcuts" width="229" height="508" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1.png 229w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1-90x200.png 90w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1-135x300.png 135w" sizes="(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px" /> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26087" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1a.png" alt="fig 1a" width="227" height="508" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1a.png 227w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1a-89x200.png 89w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-1a-134x300.png 134w" sizes="(max-width: 227px) 100vw, 227px" />
    [4] => 
<h2>2. Aligning Clips Using Control Click</h2>
<p>I use this a lot for time-aligning drum samples, but there are many instances in which I find this effective.
    [5] => 
<p>Click on either the timeline or highlight a particular audio clip, and then while holding down control, click on the second clip you want to be aligned with the playhead/first.
    [6] => 
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26088" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-2.png" alt="Fig 2" width="312" height="200" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-2.png 312w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-2-200x128.png 200w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-2-300x192.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px" /><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26089" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-2a.png" alt="fig 2a" width="214" height="206" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-2a.png 214w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-2a-200x193.png 200w" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" />
    [7] => 
<h2>3. Changing Default Send Level</h2>
<p>In some sessions I create roughly 30 sends (reverb, delay, side-chain) so it takes a lot of extra time to bring up the send level.
    [8] => <div class="ad content-ad"><span>ADVERTISEMENT</span><div id="div-gpt-ad-1516673860578-0" style="width:300px; height:250px;"></div><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1516673860578-0'); });</script></div>
<p>Go into the preferences and “uncheck sends default to –INF” and your send level will default to 0.
    [9] => 
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26090" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3.png" alt="fig 3" width="393" height="189" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3.png 393w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3-200x96.png 200w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3-300x144.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px" /> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26091" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3a.png" alt="fig 3a" width="401" height="189" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3a.png 401w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3a-200x94.png 200w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3a-300x141.png 300w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3a-400x189.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px" />
    [10] => 
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26092" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3b.png" alt="fig 3b" width="181" height="444" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3b.png 181w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3b-82x200.png 82w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fig-3b-122x300.png 122w" sizes="(max-width: 181px) 100vw, 181px" />
    [11] => 
<h2>4. Batch Fades</h2>
<p>It always surprises me the amount of young engineers that don’t know that batch fades are possible. Remove pops at the beginning and ends, and create smooth fades for multiple clips by selecting them and then hitting “F” or command + F if you want to edit the fade parameters.
    [12] => 
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26093" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4.png" alt="Fig 4" width="670" height="492" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4.png 670w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4-200x147.png 200w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4-300x220.png 300w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4-400x294.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26094" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4a.png" alt="Fig 4a" width="561" height="301" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4a.png 561w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4a-200x107.png 200w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4a-300x161.png 300w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-4a-400x215.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px" />
    [13] => 
<h2>5. Copying Volume Automation</h2>
<p>Sure, you can group tracks before creating automation, but in case you forget and want one track&#8217;s automation to be applied to another, simply copy with command + C and paste with command + V.
    [14] => 
<p>If you want to toggle up and down tracks in pro tools as to not lose your exact place on the timeline, use “P” to toggle up and “;” to toggle down.
    [15] => 
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<p>You can also copy automation and place it on the same track further down the timeline (if you created automation on a guitar in one chorus and want to apply it to other choruses.)
    [16] => 
<p>Get comfortable using grid mode for the most effective results.
    [17] => 
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26095" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-5.png" alt="Fig 5" width="266" height="295" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-5.png 266w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-5-180x200.png 180w" sizes="(max-width: 266px) 100vw, 266px" /><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-26096" src="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-5a.png" alt="Fig 5a" width="254" height="297" srcset="https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-5a.png 254w, https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fig-5a-171x200.png 171w" sizes="(max-width: 254px) 100vw, 254px" />
    [18] => 
<h2>Mastering in the Box Course</h2>
<p>If you&#8217;re interested in expanding your knowledge and learning effective techniques for getting great sounding masters 100% in the box, check out my debut course: <strong><a href="https://theproaudiofiles.com/mastering-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mastering in the Box</a></strong>
    [19] => 
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Mastering in the Box with Ian Vargo<br />
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<p>You can also copy automation and place it on the same track further down the timeline (if you created automation on a guitar in one chorus and want to apply it to other choruses.)</p>

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1. Cascading Inputs, Outputs and Busses

This is especially effective when recording a band.

Hold down shift+ option +command while changing the input, output or send and they will cascade.

Make sure to click on the track where you want the cascade to start.

2. Aligning Clips Using Control Click

I use this a lot for time-aligning drum samples, but there are many instances in which I find this effective.

Click on either the timeline or highlight a particular audio clip, and then while holding down control, click on the second clip you want to be aligned with the playhead/first.

3. Changing Default Send Level

In some sessions I create roughly 30 sends (reverb, delay, side-chain) so it takes a lot of extra time to bring up the send level.

Go into the preferences and “uncheck sends default to –INF” and your send level will default to 0.

4. Batch Fades

It always surprises me the amount of young engineers that don’t know that batch fades are possible. Remove pops at the beginning and ends, and create smooth fades for multiple clips by selecting them and then hitting “F” or command + F if you want to edit the fade parameters.

5. Copying Volume Automation

Sure, you can group tracks before creating automation, but in case you forget and want one track’s automation to be applied to another, simply copy with command + C and paste with command + V.

If you want to toggle up and down tracks in pro tools as to not lose your exact place on the timeline, use “P” to toggle up and “;” to toggle down.

You can also copy automation and place it on the same track further down the timeline (if you created automation on a guitar in one chorus and want to apply it to other choruses.)

Get comfortable using grid mode for the most effective results.

Mastering in the Box Course

If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge and learning effective techniques for getting great sounding masters 100% in the box, check out my debut course: Mastering in the Box

Mastering in the Box with Ian Vargo

Ian Vargo

Ian Vargo is a Producer, Mixer and Audio Professor based in Los Angeles. He has worked on numerous major label and independent records. Get in touch on his website or learn more from him in Mastering in the Box and Mixing Pop.