Pro Tools for Video, Film and Multimedia Second Edition

Pro Tools for Video, Film, and Multimedia offers comprehensive coverage of the extensive multimedia features of Pro Tools, giving you the skills you need to take any multimedia soundtrack project from concept to completion. It covers a wide range of audio topics, including the equipment you need to use Pro Tools with video, tips for efficient trimming and timing of audio, and processing outside the mixing environment. You'll also get in-depth coverage of film mixing file formats as you prepare to wrap up your project and deliver the master recordings. The author's thorough coverage of the amazing features of Pro Tools breaks down complex tasks, allowing you to create professional-quality audio you can be proud of!

User review
I guess it's ok for beginners
I had to buy this book for my Audio Production class. I can see why some people like this book. It's very basic and is probably an easy read for beginners. However, I'm a film student with prior knowledge of the subject area. I find this book very frustrating. It's definitely not a reference book for the software; it's more like an introduction to audio in general. Sometimes I just need to figure out how to use certain features of Pro Tools and every time I've turned to this book for help, I'm always disappointed. I end up using the pdf files that came with the software instead. This book talks about all the great things that Pro Tools can do but doesn't really teach you how to do it. I've also used A LOT of reference books for software before, so I have high expectations. I thought it would be like the Visual Quickstart guide for Flash or like `Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects` book by Trish and Chris Meyer. Now THOSE are great books that give you detailed instructions on how to make use of the software. If you're looking for a reference book on Pro Tools, this isn't it.

User review
Good but OUTDATED - please save your money
This book was written in 2003, and whereas it gives a pretty solid THEORETICAL overview of using ProTools in film, video and multimedia settings, and some historical background on audio/video synchronization, it is not at all useful for hands-on modern day applications. Personally, I have resorted to online / streaming instruction (or interactive DVD instruction) at any number of places on the web (search for pro tools tutorials).

User review
Fantastic
This book was highly recommended to me by a Supervising Sound Editor and Mixer working in North Hollywood as the best book on Pro Tools. I would have to agree.
From the very, very basic, to the extremely detailed, it will cover just about anything you need.
I am a student currently studying Sound Editing, and I have recommended it to not only my peers, but also my instructors.
Stop thinking considering other books, buy this one.

I also highly recommend The Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound, by David Lewis Yewdall M.P.S.E.

User review
A practical and `user-friendly` introduction to Pro Tools
A practical and `user-friendly` introduction to Pro Tools, whether by itself or in conjunction with compatible softwares such as QuickTime, Pro Tools For Video, Film, And Multimedia by Ashley Shepherd is an excellent and very nicely organized guide to the features of Pro Tools software, including how to make optimal use of it when working on the phases of a multimedia soundtrack project. Meticulous and down-to-earth examples and suggestions make Pro Tools For Video, Film, And Multimedia a first-rate and highly recommended guide for music engineers making the transition into multimedia, as well as independent filmmakers doing their post-production in-house; web designers adding audio content to their web pages; musicians composing for film, TV, or the Internet.

User review
A must-have for budding recordists!
This is a terrific guide that covers all the basics of how to set up a ProTools audio system to for syncing and mixing to picture. Whether you're doing a soundtrack for a low-budget film, amateur DV video, or a big-budget TV show or feature film, there's a lot of information covered here. And it's much more thorough than the Digidesign manuals, and deals with `real world` situations that come up on a daily basis for anybody in the business.

The book is not intended for a ProTools novice -- you'll need to already have a reasonable grasp of all the basics before you dive into Shepherd's book -- but the information covered there is concise, to the point, and best of all, it's very current (at least as of Summer 2003).

I'd consider this book to be a must-have for anyone considering doing any mixing of sound effects, dialog, and/or music to video or film. Along with David Yewdall's excellent `Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound` (which covers a much broader scope of information), both books should be on the shelves of anybody in the movie/TV sound business. Highly recommended.