In this article, we will explore the enhanced functionalities of Markers, including the introduction of Track Markers and Folder Markers. These additions offer Pro Tools users more flexibility and efficiency when working on their projects. Let's dive in!
A New Way of Using Markers
In the past, users were limited to Markers of a single colour on a single Marker Ruler. However, with the latest update, two new types of Markers are introduced: Track Markers and Folder Markers. These Markers now reside on the timeline within the session itself, expanding the options for organising and navigating your project.
The Difference Between Track Markers and Folder Markers
Track Markers and Folder Markers differ in that Folder Markers feature a line that extends across the member tracks of that Folder Track. This is similar to the lines which extend down across all tracks in the session from Markers in the Markers Ruler. Track Markers only pertain to a single track and, therefore, lack a line.
UI Changes
To ensure easy access and visibility, Track Markers now reside in a dedicated Track Marker lane, located below the main playlist. Additionally, Pro Tools offers a dedicated Markers view.
Pro Tools 2023.6 introduces three new buttons in the track header: An add Marker button, the target button, similar to that found in plugin and send windows, allowing users to direct actions to specific locations in the UI and a button which prioritises Comments over clip names, which is useful fo displaying lyrics or notes directly on the timeline. There is also a new button in the toolbar which toggles Markers Follow Edits, a new behaviour which works in the same way as Automation Follows Edits.
Colour Customisation
Pro Tools 2023.6 introduces the ability to assign colours to markers, enabling users to categorise and organise markers based on their meaning or purpose. The option to sort Markers by colour in the updated Memory Locations window, which also features a new Track Name column, makes these colours a useful tool for managing Markers.
The 16 available colours which are now available for Pro Tools Markers are shared with Avid’s Media Composer. Markers created in Media Composer can be shared with Pro Tools allowing greater interoperability between these two Applications.
Creating Markers
The Pro Tools 2023.6 update introduces convenient navigation options. The Target button enables users to Target tracks but the Option ‘Marker Target Follows First Selected Track’ speeds things up considerably. Adding ‘Link Track and Edit Selection’ enables the new Command+Enter shortcut to create a Track Marker just by clicking with the Selector Tool at the point you wish to create the Track Marker.
The keyboard shortcut, Shift + Square Brackets, allows the Targeted track to be shifted up and down irrespective of these Option if preferred. Markers can be navigated up and down the timeline using Tab and visibility of the Track Marker lanes can be toggled using Shift+U.
Find Out More
To find out more about the new Marker functionality in Pro Tools 2023.6 and to see them in action check out the accompanying video brought to you with the kind support of Avid.