For several generations of Pro Tools, there have been new features introduced to help you with your workflow. One of these features is Track Bounce, which allows you to export audio stems of individual outputs from your session. At first glance this may appear to copy existing features already available in Pro Tools, however this features allows you options not found in other export options. Let's take a look at how you can use Track Bounce in Pro Tools.
One common example is needing to bounce each track out of Pro Tools for use in another DAW. In the past before, Track Bounce, this would require some time, even with the offline option (faster than real-time). In Pro Tools Standard for instance, there is only one Bounce Source per Bounce To Disk. Over the years, engineers have developed their own methods, and work-arounds in Pro Tools, for example: Consolidate Clips then exporting Clips as Files, Committing all tracks, etc.. But now there is a more efficient way- Track Bounce.
Track Bounce give you the ability to create an export ready audio file from individual outputs, with or without track changes such as volume and pan. For example, if you are using Aux Tracks to sub-mix your session, you can Track Bounce from each Aux to create stems of each source. This feature is used in Music and Post Production mixing, especially during collaborative sessions and workflow.
Using Track Bounce
Step 1- Select all the tracks that need to be exported (track names will be highlighted).
Step 2- Make your timeline selection to insure the start point and endpoint of the material you would like included from all of your tracks. This will insure synchronicity with all of your tracks.
There are different techniques with music vs post production, but the theory remains the same. In my example, it refers to a short song, so my selection includes the lead-in and goes slightly beyond the ending. If the music was recorded on a tempo-related Grid, then use Grid mode to make the selection. This way, these stems of the individual tracks can be lined up in sync on the next DAW timeline. (see picture below)
Step 3- Right-click on any track nameplate and you will see the dropdown menu options beneath.: Freeze, Commit, or Bounce. Please choose Bounce (as in Track Bounce) and another menu will come up (see below):
You have several options to choose from when using this feature. Aside from the technical setting such as audio file type, bit-depth, sample rate, you also have the option of whether of not to render any Volume and Pan Automation on the tracks. This is a super handy feature for working professionals. Working on large projects such as Albums, or Films, you have several Audio Engineers working on different aspects of each session, and information needs to be transferred from one session into another which is where final mixing and balances will happen. You might choose to not render any of your Volume or Pan changes as they are not in final context with the rest of the session. Conversely, you might need to bounce each of your final mix elements to individual stems, such as Drums, Vocal, Backing Vocal, GTR, etc..., that need to have all the mixing elements applied so the final audio files are the sound of the mix, with all changes and processing. The possibilities are endless in ways to allow you a more streamlined workflow.
These tracks will bounce to new audio files, and are placed by default in the Bounced Files Folder of your session (this can be changed if you wish).
All of the new audio files are the same format, as well as the same length, making it super easy to transfer these to the next person in line that needs to work with them.
I hope you can see how this feature can help you same time, as well as help with your workflow as session become larger. We will explore more uses for Track Bounce in an upcoming article.
Joe Sears
Author: Joe Sears
Avid Expert Certified Pro Tools Instructor
www.protoolstraining.com
888-277-0457