Pro Tools Guide - How to Insert

Native Instruments Plug-ins

In a software Host such as Pro Tools, audio plug-ins can be inserted either as
Instruments or Effects. Some Native Instruments applications can only be used as
Instruments (e.g. KONTAKT 5) while others are Effects only (e.g. GUITAR RIG 5).
Some of our applications can be used as both Instruments AND Effects (e.g.
REAKTOR 5, ABSYNTH 5).

INSERT AN INSTRUMENT IN PRO TOOLS

Load the plug-in

In order to load an Instrument plug-in in Pro Tools, first create an Instrument track
using the Track > New dialog.

After creating a new track click in the Inserts area of the track to select the Instrument
you want to load. If you do not see the insert column, choose View > Edit Window
Shows > Inserts from the top menus in Pro Tools. In the Inserts pop-up menu, go to the
category "Instruments" to view all available Instrument plug-ins.
The Instrument track will also appear in the Pro Tools Mixer.

Multiple MIDI tracks to the same plug-in

In the case of KONTAKT 5 it is possible to load multiple instruments into one instance
and trigger them via different MIDI channels. In some cases you may want to send
different MIDI tracks via different MIDI channels to the same plug-in.
Example

Let us assume you have a Violin and a Flute loaded into one instance of KONTAKT
and you want to sent different MIDI patterns to each two instruments.

1. First assign different MIDI inputs to each instrument within KONTAKT 5.

2. In this example we assign MIDI channel 1 to the Violin and assign MIDI
Channel 2 to the Flute. Make sure the I/O panel is displayed in the edit window. To
 enable it, go to View > Edit Window > I/O

3. Next, add two MIDI tracks to Pro Tools. Configure each track to send its MIDI
events on MIDI channel 1 and 2 respectively. This is visible in the above image.
4. Now, the MIDI events of each track will trigger the two instruments within
KONTAKT 5 individually.

INSERT AN EFFECT
There are different ways to use an effect - e.g. as insert effect or send effect. We will
demonstrate how to set up insert effects in this example. For further information about
effects routing in Pro Tools please refer to the Pro Tools manual.
Load the plug-in
1. Create an audio track in your session.

2. In the audio track, panel Insert slots are available at the top. Click on a slot to
bring up the Insert Effects list. Select the effect you want from that list. In this
 example we have chosen GUITAR RIG 5.

3. Once the effect has been inserted, clicking its slot in the mixer or edit windows
will bring up the GUITAR RIG 5 interface so you can edit the parameters of the
effect.

Important Note: Please note that you will hear no sound when recording through an
RTAS insert plug-in in Pro Tools. The plug-in will be bypassed in the mixer. This is due
to the fact that Digidesign has implemented RTAS plug-ins in Pro Tools TDM, please
contact them directly for more information. An easy workaround is to insert a TDM
 plug-in (such as a 1-band EQ) in the signal chain before the RTAS plug-in(s) you are
using.

RELATED ARTICLES:
 Pro Tools Guide - Automation
 Pro Tools Guide - How to Insert Native Instruments Plug-ins
 Pro Tools Guide - Multiple Outputs