Some basics about volume/gain and clipping I don't understand in Pro Tools

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virgo_and_leo

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I have Pro Tools 7 and I know very little about recording. Because Pro Tools is a graphic interface, I find myself expecting to SEE my edits as well as hear them. After all, I change the volume and I fade and pan by drawing lines, so I already am thinking visually.

But as I've got it set up, the waveform always represents the original file, and so I'm confused about how to measure volume and clipping, except by listening. There must be some basic display I am not aware of.

In the volume setting, I see that we start at 0. I take this to be an arbitrary measurement that simply states where we are beginning (i.e, no change). I also see that, as I raise and lower the volume, Pro Tools tells me how much I am raising and lowering. But how do I know what the resulting level is? How close to clipping I am? I see the rulers on the side in various audio programs but I don't understand them. I see that there are levels on the faders, but I get confused, there, too, between the original file and the resulting level changes from my editing. I'm missing something really basic and unfortunately lack the knowledge and vocabulary to even describe my problem very well.
 
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Hi there,
You're correct. The waveform always represents the data file, regardless of any editing that you've done.

For volume reference, you'd need to look at the channel meters (beside the faders in the mix windows)
The meters are post fades/automation/plugins etc, so they will reflect the final output of any given track.

Automating the volume line in the edit window is the same as moving the fader up and down.
Pos or neg numbers are increases in gain, or attenuation in dB.
 
Thank you! When I get home I'll hook everything up and do some experimenting to get used to it.

I tend to do better when I really understand the meanings of words. From looking at some references, should I understand that we use the term "Automation" because the panning and fading, etc., happen "automatically" via our settings instead of us physically moving sliders by hand?
 
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