How To Use Trigger 2 in Pro Tools

This article will go over three different workflows for using Trigger 2 in Pro Tools: 

1. Inserting Trigger directly on the source track and using the mix knob
2. Duplicating the source track and inserting Trigger
3. Using MIDI

1. Inserting Trigger directly on the source track and using the mix knob

The simplest workflow for using Trigger in Pro Tools, is to insert Trigger 2 directly on the track with the audio you wish to trigger samples from.

Users can then use the Mix knob in the Trigger plug-in to control the blend between the source audio, and the Trigger samples. 

2. Duplicating the source track and inserting Trigger

Select your source audio track. Then in Menu Bar, go to Track → Duplicate. Then insert Trigger 2 on the duplicate track.

With this method, users can process their added samples, separately from the source audio. Users will want to make sure the Mix knob in the Trigger plug-in is set to 100%, with this method.

3. Using MIDI

Users can also use Trigger 2 with MIDI data. Go to Track → New. Then from the "New Tracks" menu, make sure to choose a "Stereo" and  "Instrument Track". 

Next, click on the Window View Selector, and make sure "Instruments is checked. 

Users will notice a new section appear on their Instrument track. Click on the first insert on your instrument track. Then locate and select Trigger 2.

Next, go back to the "Instrument" Section on your Instrument track. Click where it says "None", then select "Inst - Trigger 2" and "Channel 1". 

Go to the Track View Selector and make sure "notes" is selected. Now users can write MIDI data for Trigger 2. 

Open your Trigger 2 plug-in, and go to the "Settings" tab. Make sure "MIDI In" is checked. Then select the note that you wish to use to write MIDI data. And select "Channel 1" for the MIDI channel. 

NOTE: Using AUX sends to Trigger is not recommended as this can cause discrepancy in the triggers if the aux is not pre-fader.  Also, having only an Aux send removes a lot of possibilities for editing, such as cutting out a drum fill or a loud crash cymbal that may be falsely triggering a snare or kick in Trigger 2.

By instead duplicating the source track and inserting Trigger (Method 2), this opens up a lot more dynamic options.

For example, with this method, users can clip gain up a low level snare hit that may not have made it through the trigger threshold.

Or, you can cut out an entire piece of audio that is not supposed to be triggered.