How to: 5 EASY Steps to Recording Drums (Pro Tools)

[@jimmyrhodes8086]

Tim, you nailed it in this video. I'm a drummer and have been at a complete loss since I just downloaded pro tools. You kickstarted me in the right direction. Well explained. Thank you! Jimmy

[@TimBuell]

So glad to hear it Jimmy!

[@JimmyJam-ds8vv]

Chur bro yeah covered all the bases alright now i know why my comp tracks were fused and not lining up cause i didn't group them at the begging . Shot Tim. nice

[@josephallenphotography3480]

I just picked up the Roland TD-27KV kit and just installed the free trial of Pro Tools and I found this the most helpful video on the net to get going. I couldn't have done it without your video, thanks so much!

[@FBDrums]

Tim, you are amazing. These are really esay steps to follow. I just started using pro tools first today. I use a focusrite scarlett 18i20, but pro tools told me, that i just can use 4 of my 8 line inputs. Now i know, that i have to enable the other 4 inputs to use my full set up of mics. Thank you for being out there. Rock on buddy \m/.

[@brenttauromusic]

Thanks a lot for this tutorial. Ableton user here heading to track my first drum session. The studio PC has a copy of Pro Tools. Fingers crossed. 🤞🏻

[@britthardy4013]

Tim THANKS SO MUCH for this video! I’m not the most sophisticated mind when it comes to tech stuff and I recently bought Pro Tools to use in conjunction with My Apollo X8P interface and finally someone explained the basics of how to set up and start to really track! So many people talk using all the language & key phrases (don’t take into consideration some of us don’t know all the vernacular haha) it’s just luke with anything else you got to crawl before you run! Thanks to you, now I not only have the setup process that makes more sense, but it also solved a lot of my workflow setup issues! So a BIG thanks!

[@TimBuell]

Hey Britt - SO GLAD this video helped. I remember getting started feeling the SAME way as you. People using phrases I "should know" because they've forgotten just how little you know when you are actually just first starting haha (it is easy to do). Glad this helped - if you ever have questions or need help just reach out via my website! I'll help with whatever I can.

[@snoupofficial9564]

You make everything much easier thank you

[@SangbumaMusic]

very helpful, thanks!

[@TimBuell]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@NedKellyIreland]

excellent Tim You've saved me from a lot of hair pulling and and Grief Happy 2021 to you

[@TimBuell]

So glad to hear it!

[@1086Guitarwanker]

Someone actually Recording Live Real Drums Bravo 👏😃

[@TimBuell]

ha! Thanks. I'm doing what I can.

[@Hamptainment]

This is the greatest tutorial Ive ever seen. Thank you

[@TimBuell]

Hahaha. I appreciate that! Glad it helped.

[@KennyomarGarcia]

Bro, amazing video for beginners like me. I had no idea what to do. Thanks so much!

[@TimBuell]

Glad it helped!

[@ryancox5097]

Your name sounds familiar. Are you by chance the guy who does extremely difficult transcriptions of Vinnie Colaiuta solos, etc? If so, much respect to you and your hard work!

[@TimBuell]

That would be me haha. I appreciate the kind words!

[@MattLaugdrums]

Hey Tim! Great Video! Thank you so much for posting!

[@TimBuell]

Hey Matt! Glad ya dig it.

[@xavierlx]

I am able to record in pro tools have done a couple of songs but still a beginner. It looked to me that you recorded an acoustic set. What I would really like to see is a video on recording an electronic drum set with midi using pro tools. been looking for that video on KZbin and so far have not come across anything any good.

[@johnlaspina1275]

This was super helpful! Great job!

[@TimBuell]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching.

[@GJDrum]

I think it is super COOOOOLLLLLL Video!! its view deserves over 100,000+ Thanks mate 🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@TimBuell]

Appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@withinthesoundstudios]

Such a helpful video, after countless hours trying to figure out my new system (Scarlett 18i20, Protools First), I have finally come to some conclusions and a bit of comfortability. Thanks man! Although it seems that the Protools First version is a bit limiting with the I/O options that you have set up. Therefore, definitely upgrading :)

[@cobyutterback]

dude!!!! its like I'm exactly you with the exact problem with the same scarlett! what do you do to get around the I/O not being in setup? This has been a nightmare!

[@withinthesoundstudios]

Coby Utterback I had to upgrade my man! Works like a charm now. Protools first had some limitations

[@BretWaltonDrums]

Great Video!

[@TimBuell]

Thanks Bret!

[@steve_matin]

Great video thanks!

[@TimBuell]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@tonyvalenti6614]

Thanks for this video. Just found you. I’m a drummer that just got in to audio. Bought Avid’s Pro Tools MBOX Studio with one year of Pro Tools included. Now that they have announced perpetual licensing, I’ll likely stick with them. My question is, this video is 4 years old, is what you shared still useful in version 2023.9? Thanks! 👍🏻

[@TimBuell]

Great question! I think it is. Just posted an updated DAW comparison on my channel recently comparing different recording programs

[@tonyvalenti6614]

@@TimBuell Ah! I will look for it! Thank you! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@tomyr1029]

Tim! Thank you a lot for your video and the PDF, so important information! I wanted to know about the monitoring. How do I set up the monitors, lets say for the headphones in the room that the drummer is using. Thank you again!

[@TimBuell]

Hey Tomy! This really depends on what interface you have and if you have a monitor control like the Makie Big Knob. I love the Makie Big knob and it makes running different monitors, headphones, and input sources really easy.

[@tomyr1029]

Tim Buell thanks Tun for your reply! I guess that makes sense. I have a digi 02, that old but useful console from avid. I suppose that you just build up an aux send, route the right output to the headphones amplifier input and just works as a regular sound board...isn’t that correct?

[@dollarsaurus01]

New to Pro Tools- can you explain how you managed to record yourself playing so that you ended up with each element on its own track? How does Pro Tools know to separate your kicks, snares, hats, etc. according to the tracks you've created?

[@kierondurrant6320]

Cheers dude this helped so much !! As i want to create drum covers how to i upload music to the protools ?? Cheers

[@TimBuell]

You'll need microphones and an interface to start to record audio into Pro Tools.

[@DrGray_Drummer]

Thanks for making this vid for us beginners. Maybe you can answer a couple?'s. If I wanted to make a drum cover, where would I import a drumless track to? Also if i wanted to mix the drum track for a "KZbin" video...well, would you have a vid for that?

[@mrnickderaiche]

Great channel! Which “level” of Pro Tools do you use? Do you think a drummer who wants to live record needs the top package?

[@Melissa05121992]

Hi diagram 3.30 minute are those like hihat, bass, cymbal u set them separately? I used band lab before this I notice my cymbal choke does not work on it. What to do if I am going through the same thing? I play direct from the edrum kit itself the choke is working. Thanks

[@TimBuell]

Hey Melissa! That diagram is actually the I/O for Pro Tools. It is where you can assign inputs and outputs settings for your interface and pro tools.

[@lorneould2788]

My Drummer is using Logic then remotely sending me his tracks, I am using protools, the levels are never at -18, almost always at near 0. Thx Lorne.

[@elyonsheirsassembly765]

Hi ... this is a very beginner level question.. 😊 .. can I use pro tools for live music just using an audio interface as the input source to receive inputs from a drum set and keyboard

[@TimBuell]

Any live use I would use Ableton live. It’s a bit more stable for real-time stuff.

[@elyonsheirsassembly765]

@@TimBuell thanks will try that out

[@bubinga_basher]

This was super helpful, as I’m just about to enter the world of DAW. What interface are you using? I’ve started recording using the Yamaha ead10. It’s a single stereo mic mounted on the bass drum. It served its purpose, but there’s no editing anything besides volume. I’m basically just going to start by doing drum covers. I have a bunch of questions. Hopefully you can answer a couple. How would I import a drumless track? If I want to play everything back at once, and not have separate tracks, what’s the command, and would I still be able to mix each track(drum, or OH)? I’ll be using a Focusrite 18i20, and Pro Tools first, as I want to check out a few before I purchase my DAW. Hopefully you’ll have a min to help me out. Thanks

[@TTM1755]

This was super helpful, subscribing👍 Question, is it necessary to have a preamp?

[@TimBuell]

Great question - if you want your microphone to be heard - you'll need a preamp. Many interfaces have mic preamps built in, so you don't always need a "standalone" hardware preamp.

[@TTM1755]

@@TimBuell Thank you for the info!

[@robertjackson9040]

Tim , how could I record drums into protools using mini

[@alexmuntoni8175]

Great video Tim 👍 Just a little question, what PT version are you using?

[@TimBuell]

Pro Tools 12 and 2018, depending on which computer I'm working on.

[@kiddynamite3931]

Studio One Pro isn't in the conversation at all? I'm liking GarageBand far better lol. Perhaps cause I'm a newb to recording. I should have went with Logic. I get the feeling Pro Tools is more along the line of S1 Pro

[@alloneword154]

Hi. Could I use a multi track tascam as an interface for drums?

[@TimBuell]

Unfortunately - not really. It would be limited to how many outputs the Tascam had, and at that point - you would still need an interface to get those outputs into your DAW.

[@alloneword154]

Tim Buell. It has eight inputs. It’s a 24 track recorder. Also has a midi out. Tascam dp 24 is the model. Thanks.

[@robertjackson9040]

How do you record midi drum into protools

[@SteveStockmalMusic]

1:21 “I’m not gonna go into SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER detail”. We ask... But why why why why why why not not not not not not dude dude dude dude dude dude dude dude ?????? 😳🤪😳🤪😳🤪😳🤪

[@lamontpeoples]

Hello, what version of pro tools are you using? Thx

[@TimBuell]

In this I believe it is Pro Tools 2018 but I now use 2020 and it is great.

[@lamontpeoples]

Tim Buell Do you have any tutorials on tracking a kit using protools first?

[@TimBuell]

Lamont Peoples I don’t! Sorry about that. I just use Pro Tools 2020 or 2018.

[@PeterSolod0]

Very helpful, Tim, I have a question: what is the difference between interface and mixer? Can I get a decent recording from a mixer? Thanks:)

[@TimBuell]

A few things - if you are using a mixer, you will still need a set of converters to get the audio from your external mixer into your computer. As well, mixers are sometimes limited on outputs. Also, mixers (unless they are top dollar) don't usually have terrific mic pres (again depends on what you have). So I would say you will likely want to get an audio interface as they have converters built in, pres are usually a bit quieter/cleaner, and interfaces are exactly designed for studio situations (where mixers are usually designed and built for live audio situations).

[@alonsoudry8406]

Hi do you do online session ?

[@TimBuell]

Just got your email!

[@SawBriceLwinOo]

Hi Tim Why did you make the switch from Logic?

[@jessejafrnd]

Need a widows version.

[@TimBuell]

Pro Tools works on Mac and PC

[@sleepmeditationyoutube]

why did you choose Sample instead of the alternative ?

[@sleepmeditationyoutube]

when creating the new audio tracks ?

[@sleepmeditationyoutube]

also why didn't you create a click track? I would have thought that would be one of the main things

[@donaldpudas3533]

How many steps?

[@AlexGordonMusic]

Talk about inserts