Quickstart: Checklist for Source-Connect Pro with Pro Tools

Quickstart: Checklist for Source-Connect Pro and Pro Tools

The following checklist is provided to help you troubleshoot your sessions or quickly verify beforehand that everything you need is correctly setup. This checklist only applies to Source-Connect Pro using Pro Tools.

See Other Checklists

Checklist

This checklist assumes you have Source-Connect Pro installed and have a valid iLok license on your iLok dongle.

This document provides a guide to:

• Pro Tools
• Remote Transport Sync
• QManager (Auto-Restore/Replace)
• Network configuration
• VPN mode

Pro Tools HD checklist

• Your Pro Tools session sample-rate is 44.1k or 48k
• Delay compensation is disabled

Older systems:

• Your Pro Tools Setup->Playback engine is set to:
• HW buffer of 512 or 1024
• 1 AAX processor (IMPORTANT)
• The lowest number of DSP voices possible for your session (this provides more processing power to the AAX engine)
• Source-Connect is instantiated on an Aux track

Remote Transport Sync Checklist

• You have the "Se ReWire" (AAX->Instruments) plug-in on an aux or audio track. You do not need to assign the output for this ReWire plug-in, but it is recommended that you assign a valid input and output in the I/O for this track.
• You and your connection partner have exactly the same session settings:
  • Sample rate (44.1khz or 48khz)
  • Session start time
  • Framerate

We highly recommend that one side creates the session and sends it to the other side to ensure your setup is the same.

• You and the remote side have a bitrate of at least 64kbps mono/128kbps stereo
• You are using the correct mode:
  • (a) You are controlling and wish to record the remote talent: You are in SEND, they are in RECEIVE. Use ADR/Overdub mode (only use the Play button in the Source-Connect RTS window or see the keyboard shortcuts in the manual).
  • (b) You are controlling and the other side is recording or monitoring: You are in SEND, they are in RECEIVE. Use Mix/Review mode (only use the Pro Tools transport for playback).
  • (c) The other side is controlling and you are the talent: They are in SEND, you are in RECEIVE. The other side uses ADR/Overdub mode (only use the Play button in the Source-Connect RTS window or see the keyboard shortcuts in the manual).
  • (d) The other side are controlling and you are recording or monitoring: They are in SEND, you are in RECEIVE. The other side uses Mix/Review mode (only use the Pro Tools transport for playback). This is a Pro only option, the other side must have Pro.

QManager (Auto-Restore / Replace)

• You and the remote side have the QManager open (it is available via the macOS menu bar or Window system tray) and correctly logged in.
• You and the remote side have the same session sample rate (44.1khz or 48khz).
• You and the remote side have a bitrate of at least 64kbps mono/128kbps stereo.
• The side that is recording has Restore or Replace checked in Source-Connect settings.
• The side that is recording has the correct Audio Files folder selected in the QManager setup for where Pro Tools is recording audio into. You can also set this from the Menubar or System Tray QManager menu.
• The side that is recording has valid FTP settings in the QManager Advanced panel (this is used as a backup transport option if P2P fails or is not available).
• The side that is recording has correctly routed the Source-Connect receive signal to a Pro Tools record track, using a bus (mono if Source-Connect is mono, stereo if stereo) that has no other input source. We recommend creating a new bus in your I/O and naming it 'Source-Connect' so you do not use this bus for other purposes.
• The side that is recording has the volume of the Source-Connect and record track set to 0db. The side that is recording has no other plug-ins or sends in between the Source-Connect receive signal and the record track.
• When the connection is established you have a Q icon next to your sending or receiving meter. If the Q icon has a red slash through it or is not visible verify the first four requirements.

Source-Connect Pro Network Checklist

• Your 'Connection test' (Source-Connect Settings panel) returns 'successful'. If it is 'port not mapped' your connection is not guaranteed to work. If it is 'failed' you will probably not be able to recieve a connection.
• When establishing a connection you have blinking send and receive lights.
• You have disabled or allowed Source-Connect traffic in your Firewall.
• Your router is configured for PMP or you have port-mapped the required UDP ports correctly.
• Your computer is configured with the same static internal IP that your router is sending the forward ports to.

For details on your network configuration see: Network Guide

• You have sufficient bandwidth Use an online tool such as Speedtest to determine your up/down speed is at least 300kbps for a medium quality connection.
• If you are sharing your network make sure there are no FTP or large file uploads/downloads while you are connected.

VPN Mode Checklist

• If you are using the QManager you must have the VPN mode checked in the Settings panel of the QManager.
• You have selected the correct IP address in the Settings panel ('this address' menu).
• You have entered the correct IP address in the Settings panel for the remote side.
• You have entered the correct port in both the Receive and Send settings.
• You should be able to 'ping' your remote side using any ping tool.