You might be aware that SoundCloud has quickly become one of the most popular ways to share audio via the Internet. And you probably know that, despite the other amazing DAWs available to recording artists and engineers, Pro Tools remains to be the industry standard for audio production software. But, did you know that you can now use them together?
Since 2011, Pro Tools has featured a function that will let users connect their Soundcloud profile to their session. As a result users can easily upload audio to their SoundCloud account, and even edit the track’s metadata, without having to leave the Pro Tools interface.
Here are three reasons why you should check out this feature:
Collaboration / File Sharing
When exporting to Soundcloud, you can choose to make the sound public or only available to a list of users you select. This latter private feature hides the sound from regular Soundcloud users. You can also enable the track to downloaded.
Say you’re laying down a cello track for a composer on the other side of the country. You can upload that track to your SoundCloud account and exclusively share it with him. He’ll be able to quickly review the track and download it (in the original quality) on his end to drop into his mix. The file will remain there and you won’t have to set up an FTP transfer or use an email large file transfer service.
Speed
By linking directly to Soundcloud and Pro Tools you’re cutting back on the “middle men” servers that go with sharing large audio files. You’re directly connected to Soundcloud’s server and, as a result, can send files faster. While it may only be five minutes you save, that can add up to a lot of time if you’re regularly sharing audio. It bypasses your email or other file transfer servers and stores everything in one place, where it can be quickly reviewed.
Say that same composer needs you make a simple edit to your cello track. He can call you up, have you make the change and upload it in a matter of minutes. Once the track is uploaded, he can listen to an MP3 version directly in SoundCloud to determine if the new track fits his needs. He’s able to preview the track without downloading it, which saves time in the event that the new version needs more changes.
Backup / File Management
Using the bounce to Soundcloud feature in Pro Tools makes it very easy to make a backup of your audio files. As we mentioned, they can be kept private and with Soundcloud’s easy and intuitive interface they can be easily organized and navigated. It’s a great way to quickly make a cloud-based copy of your tracks, all without leaving your Pro Tools window.
The integration of Soundcloud and Pro Tools is one of the cooler advancements in the industry's more popular professional DAW, making it easy and fast to store and share music. As technology enables music makers to be more mobile and to interact with artists all across the globe, we expect this feature in Pro Tools to only gain in popularity.
Make Pro Songs
There are 8 unique value-points inside the Sage Audio membership, so let’s go over each one so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
1. 50 Free Mastered Songs Per Year
- 50 free mastered songs per year with your own dedicated professional mastering engineer so you can get all your mixes sounding like professional songs.
- You’ll get your own dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer to create custom masters that are specific to you and sound exactly how you want.
- Unlimited revisions with your dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer. As a standard of our service, we are not happy until you are happy with the sound of your masters.
- All masters are delivered as commercial, industry-standard high-resolution 24-bit HD WAV masters so they will sound clean and clear on every platform.
Get Access
2. 1-on-1 Mentorship
- The Sage Audio 1:1 Mentorship gives you direct access to us to answer all your questions and receive unlimited advanced mixing feedback directly from us.
- Unlimited direct access to us for in-depth discussions to help you improve your mixes and masters.
- Unlimited advanced mixing feedback with detailed suggestions for improvement.
- Fast communication to answer all your questions and get tailored guidance that’s specific to your needs.
Get Access
3. Unlimited Mixing Feedback
- Unlimited mixing feedback so you can improve your mixes quickly.
- This is highly valuable - giving you access to a thriving community of mixing engineers who can provide feedback about what you can improve before sending your mix to be professionally mastered.
Get Access
4. Sage Audio University™ (SAU) — (Mixing and Mastering Education Platform)
- SAU is a modern audio engineering education platform that includes in-depth mixing and mastering course curriculums that match the new music industry.
- SAU is designed for every experience level, ranging from first-time mixing engineers to advanced engineers. The techniques and concepts taught can be applied to any DAW to create industry-leading mixes without expensive software or plugins - and free plugin alternatives are suggested throughout every course curriculum.
- SAU course curriculums include Start-to-Finish session walkthrough lessons for multiple genres so you can follow along with your preferred genre.
- SAU Certification Document, which can be downloaded and showcased on your website, social channels, and portfolio for as long as you remain a member.
- Get first access to all future SAU course curriculums to continually build and refine your mixing and mastering skills as the industry evolves.
Get Access
5. Mixing and Mastering Competitions
- Compete in Mixing Competitions and Mastering Competitions to win prizes and connect with friends and colleagues.
- This is a great collaborative way to improve your skills alongside both aspiring engineers and seasoned industry professionals.
Get Access
6. Community
- The Sage Audio community is a tight-knit community of passionate audio engineers who can provide you with real-world mixing feedback, meaningful discussions, networking, collaborations, and more.
Get Access
7. 70+ GB of Curated Sage Audio Downloadable Content, Including:
- 36 multitrack sessions spanning multiple genres for mixing practice.
- 57 un-mastered mixes spanning multiple genres for mastering practice.
- 62 Recommended Free Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 39 Recommended Paid Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 58 Sage Audio custom plugin presets to improve your mixes and masters.
- Sage Audio Membership Badge to showcase on your website, social channels, and portfolio.
Get Access
8. 700+ Video Catalog
- Access 700+ in-depth Sage Audio mixing and mastering videos - curated and organized into playlists so you can take a deep dive into all aspects of audio engineering with thousands of hours of concise, expertly crafted Sage Audio videos to continually improve your mixing and mastering skills at your own pace.
Get Access
