How to Set Up a Session in Pro Tools

To set up a session in Pro Tools, create a new session with the right sample rate and bit depth, point the playback engine at your interface, set your tempo and time signature, add the tracks you need, and save. Getting these basics right at the start avoids problems later in the project.

This guide to how to set up a session in Pro Tools walks through each setting in order so you start with a clean, correctly configured project.

Create the session and choose its format

Choose File > Create New (or New Session) and you will be asked for a sample rate, bit depth and file type:

• Sample rate: 44.1 kHz is standard for music; 48 kHz is common for video work. Decide based on the project’s deliverable.
• Bit depth: 24-bit gives plenty of headroom for recording and is the sensible default.
• File type: WAV (BWF) is the safe, compatible choice.

If you are unsure which numbers to pick, our explainer on sample rate and bit depth breaks down the trade-offs. Save the session into its own dedicated folder so all audio files stay together.

Set the playback engine

Open Setup > Playback Engine and select your audio interface. Set the hardware buffer size small while recording (for example 128 or 256 samples) for low monitoring latency, and raise it later when mixing with many plugins. If your interface needs configuring first, see how to set up an audio interface.

Set tempo and time signature

Use the transport’s tempo and meter controls (or the Conductor track) to set your project tempo and time signature before you record. This makes the grid meaningful for editing and for any click track. Enable the metronome/click from the transport so performers can play in time — the general approach is in our click track guide.

Add and label your tracks

Choose Track > New and add the tracks you need:

1. Mono audio tracks for single mics (vocals, single instruments).
2. Stereo audio tracks for stereo sources.
3. Auxiliary input tracks for effects buses and submixes.
4. A master fader to control the overall output level.

Name and colour every track straight away. A few minutes of project organisation now saves confusion when the session grows.

Save a template for next time

Once your routing, tracks and tempo are set the way you like, save the session as a template so future projects start pre-configured. This is one of the biggest time-savers in any DAW — see creating a template in your DAW for what to include.

With the session ready you can move to tracking — for example our recording vocals in Pro Tools walkthrough picks up from here.

Frequently asked questions

What sample rate should I use for a Pro Tools session?

44.1 kHz for music-only projects and 48 kHz when the audio will sync to video. You cannot easily change it after recording, so set it before you start.

Can I change the sample rate after creating a session?

Not without consequences — existing audio would need converting. Decide the sample rate when you create the session. If you must change deliverable formats later, convert on export rather than mid-project.

How do I save a Pro Tools session as a template?

Set up your preferred tracks, routing and tempo, then save the session as a template from the File menu. New projects can then start from that template with everything in place.