Placing markers in Pro Tools helps you navigate your session easily by marking significant points like verses, choruses, bridges, or specific edits.
You can put a marker in Pro Tools quickly using a simple keyboard shortcut after selecting a location on your timeline.
Easy Steps to Add Markers
The fundamental way to create a marker involves pinpointing where you want it in your session and using a keyboard command.
Here's a breakdown based on the provided reference and common Pro Tools workflows:
- Navigate to the desired location: Click directly on the timeline (e.g., in the Bars|Beats ruler) where you want the marker to appear. For instance, you might click on bar five.
- Open the Memory Location window: Press the Enter key on your numeric keypad. This will open the New Memory Location dialog box.
- Create the marker: With the dialog open (and typically set to create a "Marker"), press Enter again. This places the marker at your selected location.
- Name the marker: The dialog box allows you to name the marker immediately. As seen in the reference, you can name a marker at bar five "verse" and a marker at bar nine "hook".
This process creates a "Marker" type Memory Location, which is visible in the Rulers area at the top of your Pro Tools window and also listed in the Memory Locations window (Window > Memory Locations).
Quick Reference Table
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Set Location | Click on the timeline (e.g., Bar 5 or 9). | Use the Bars |
| 2. Open Dialog | Press Enter (numeric keypad). |
Opens the New Memory Location window. |
| 3. Create Marker | Press Enter (numeric keypad) again. |
Places the marker at the chosen spot. |
| 4. Name Marker (Optional) | Type the desired name (e.g., "verse"). | Essential for identifying sections. |
Using descriptive names like "Intro", "Verse 1", "Chorus", "Bridge", "Outro", or "Guitar Solo" makes navigating large sessions much more efficient.
