Using the Extract Chords feature in Pro Tools allows you to instantly notate the chords structures being played / recorded by the keyboardist or other MIDI instrument.. Whether played live by a musician, or imported from another MIDI sequencer, this feature is extremely useful in Music Production and Composition.

Have you even been recording a session, sequencing drums, or ramping up production on a new song; your keyboard player lays down those amazing parts. As you are getting ready to record the bass parts, you realize you need the chord progressions of the song to follow the keyboard parts.  "What Are Those Chords?" you think to yourself.  So you need to either tediously figure them out yourself, have someone notate it for you, or now at the touch of a button have PRO TOOLS tell you what they are.....

This is a no-brainer. Of course! Have PRO TOOLS tell you what those chords are!   Right now these functions taught in this tutorial are limited to MIDI instruments and MIDI data only.  However, we will teach you how to do this with AUDIO files as well in an upcoming tutorial (stay tuned for that one)!  

This is another hidden gem in Pro Tools that saves a lot of time, that few people realize is there....  And at www.protoolstraining.com, it is our mission to teach you the most current and efficient methods of using Pro Tools whether you are a beginner or an advanced hit-mixing audio engineer. 

Follow the steps below...... and see how easy this is.

1. Select the chords you want to identify

2. Go To: Event Menu, select "Extract Chords from Selection

3. Pro Tools figures out the Chords and places a corresponding marker in the Chords Ruler. Pro Tools also identifies which inversion of the Chord is being played. An Inversion describes the relationship between the lowest notes of a chord to the rest of the notes. It is when the lowest note of a chord being played is not the Root note of the chord. In the example below, the F Chord, and the D-minor Chord, are being played with the A note on the bottom of the chord. The chord changes also show up in the MIDI Editor, as well as the Score Editor.

When viewing the Score Editor the display also shows you the Guitar Tabs, which you can print to give to your musicians.

Mihai BoloniCreative Director & Avid Expert Pro Tools instructor

Mihai has made it his life's work to help others in the audio industry. Mihai gained experience as an audio engineering Full Sail Instructor in early 2000's and joined ProMedia in 2002. Since then, he has become one of Avid's Top Leading and most experienced, in-demand Instructor and Pro Tools technical consultant. Corporate clients include MTV, PBS, NBC, Telemundo, The Voice's Chief Engineer Mike Bernard, Atlanta Public School System, countless professors from leading Universities, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and the top producers, artists, and engineers in leading studios and record labels. For over 20 years, Mihai has continued to work as an Audio Engineer, Record Producer, Songwriter (ASCAP), Dog Lover, and Expert Level AVID Certified Pro Tools Instructor.