Inspectors

When working on a project, you will frequently need to access track and clip parameters and mix controls. The Track Inspector and Properties Inspector provide easy access to relevant settings for the selected track(s) or clip(s).

Figure 139. Use the Track Inspector and Properties Inspector to configure track and clip settings.

A. Properties Inspector B. Track Inspector

The Inspector pane appears to the left of the Track view, but can also be moved to the right side. There are two separate inspectors:

Track Inspector. The Track Inspector shows mix settings for the current track, bus, or main, and is essentially identical to a channel strip in the Console view. Advanced MIDI settings are also available for MIDI tracks and Instrument tracks. For details, see Track Inspector overview.

Properties Inspector. The Properties Inspector shows properties for the selected clip(s), track(s), or bus(es). For details, see Properties Inspector overview. The Properties Inspector has several modes:

Clip. The Clip Properties Inspector displays settings for the currently selected clip(s). For details, see Properties Inspector - Clip Properties.

Track. The Track Properties Inspector lets you type a track name, specify the default clip colors, and enter a text description. For details, see Properties Inspector - Track Properties.

Bus. The Bus Properties Inspector lets you type a bus name, specify the automation time base, and enter a text description. For details, see Properties Inspector - Bus Properties.

Note: Settings in the inspectors are non-destructive, and therefore do not destructively process data in any way. Feel free to experiment with different settings without worrying that changes are permanent.

Figure 140. The Track Inspector extends the full height of the Inspector pane, while the Properties Inspector is shown in the top half when visible.

A. Dock/undock Inspector B. Show/hide Clip Properties Inspector C. Show/hide Track Properties Inspector D. Display area for Properties Inspector E. Display area for Track Inspectors F. Show/hide/configure Track Inspector modules G. Section header bars (click to show controls) H. Show audio output or MIDI settings (Instrument tracks only)

Note: By default, the Track Inspector is shown in narrow mode, which is the width of a single channel strip. To make the Track Inspector wider, drag the vertical splitter bar to the right. The Track Inspector will also temporarily increase in width, if necessary, if you click the Clip or Track buttons to show the Clip Properties or Track Properties inspectors.

To show/hide the Inspector pane

Do one of the following:

On the Views menu, click Inspector.

Press I on your computer keyboard.

Click the Docking Options button in the top right corner of the Inspector pane and select Collapse.

To expand/collapse the Inspector pane

When the Inspector is docked, do one of the following:

Click the Expand/Collapse button at the top of the Inspector pane.

Press I on your computer keyboard.

Figure 141. Use the Expand/collapse button to expand/collapse the Inspector.

A. Expand/Collapse

To dock/undock the Inspector

Do one of the following:

To dock the Inspector on the right side. Click the Docking Options button and select Dock Right.

To dock the Inspector on the left side. Click the Docking Options button and select Dock Left.

To undock the Inspector. Click the Docking Options button and select Undock, or click to the left of the Dock/Undock button and drag the Inspector to the desired location.

Tip: You can click any blank space at the top of the Inspector pane and drag the Inspector to the desired position.

Figure 142. Use the Dock/Undock and Docking Options controls to change the position of the Inspector.

A. Dock/Undock B. Docking Options

To enter values in inspectors

Do one of the following:

Type a value in the text box and press ENTER.

Drag the slider or use the mouse wheel.

Select/clear the check box.

Click the arrow buttons in the inspector to increase or decrease the value.

Click the text box and then use the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys to increase or decrease the value.

Select a value from the drop-down menu associated with the text box.

Put focus on a slider or knob, press F2, then a value in the text box and press ENTER.

To edit multiple tracks/clips simultaneously

You can use the Track Properties and Clip Properties inspectors to modify multiple selected tracks or clips simultaneously. The following rules apply when modifying multiple tracks/clips:

If the selected tracks or clips share the same value for a parameter, that parameter will display normally.

If the selected tracks or clips have different values for a parameter, that parameter will display as (Multi).

If the selected Tracks or Clips are of a different type and it would not be appropriate or possible to modify a parameter, that parameter will be unavailable.

 

See:

Track Inspector overview

Properties Inspector overview:

Properties Inspector - Clip Properties

Properties Inspector - Track Properties

Properties Inspector - Bus Properties