Pro Tools is nearly unmatched in its extensive list of tools and features that allow nearly anyone with the time and knowledge to create professional-grade audio mixes. However, there lies the rub for many people.
Pro Tools is a massive platform and allows for nearly endless customizations, which can lead to an exhausting amount of trial and error when you’re attempting to recreate that perfect mix that inspired you.
That’s where Pro Tools templates come in. Templates are a great way to streamline your mixing and mastering workflow and help you get from point A to point B faster than ever. They’re also a fantastic resource for new audio producers who are looking to hone their skills without having to start from absolute scratch.
In this guide, we’ll highlight our top ten favorite Pro Tools templates that will help you speed up your Pro Tools workflow and capture the iconic stereo sounds you’re looking for.
What Are Pro Tools Templates?
Pro Tools templates are effectively just presets that you can create or download, so that you don’t have to start from scratch setting up your recording or editing session. What makes Pro Tools so versatile is that it functions as a blank canvas that can be configured according to your needs.
However, as you start using it more frequently, you may find that you end up having to create the same tracks and adjust the same settings over and over again, which can be incredibly time-consuming. Using templates allows you to quickly set up a session just how you like it, so you can get to work faster in your next Pro Tools recording session.
You can also use templates to replicate certain sounds and tones for vocals, guitars, keyboards and a whole host of other instruments, getting the EQ just right. Want to quickly alter your vocals to sound like Kanye? There’s a template for that.
Our Top 10 Picks for the Best Pro Tools Templates
From templates that speed up mixing board setup to ones that seamlessly rework vocal tracks, these are our top 10 picks for the best Pro Tools templates.
#1: Wavy Wayne Vocal Templates
Wavy Wayne audio has put a ton of effort into their impressive lineup of vocal templates for Pro Tools so that you can recreate the iconic sounds and mixes of some of the most popular rap, hip hop, and R&B stars.
This is a fantastic plugin for indie vocalists and producers who want to get a head start on creating an iconic vocal mix.
Price: $25-$100
#2: Advanced Recording + Mixing + Mastering Template by Mad Rez Studios
This is an amazing template for any solo artist who wants to get the sound of a professional mix without shelling out big bucks for a professional producer.
It’s so versatile it can be used with nearly any genre and includes their full FX Rack preset bundle (reverb, delay, and modulation) as well as a beat processing chain preset and mastering chain preset. Seriously, this thing has it all. If you’re looking for a great template to use as a baseline for pretty much any project, this is worth checking out.
Price: $100
#3: Rocket Yard’s Pro Tools Mixing Template
This is another great starter template because not only do you get to download the full template for free, you also get access to a step-by-step tutorial on how to use it courtesy of Rocket Yard’s Pro Tools expert Josh Sularski. This tutorial will show you how to download, install, and tweak your mixing template to work with almost any project. Josh himself says he uses this template as in input for over 90% of his projects.
Price: free
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#4: Studio Mix Pro Templates
Looking for Pro Tools session templates that are genre-specific for your next new track? Studio Mix has templates for rock, metal, hip hop, pop-rock, and more that allow you to get those iconic sounds in a snap.
Price: $39.99-$49.99 for individual templates, bundles starting at $99
#5: Mixing Template Pro by Phil Blackbourn
Designed by the mixer who has worked as a professional engineer for groups like Hillsong and many others, this mixing template is designed to get you clean, professional mixes straight “out of the box.”
It not only works for Pro Tools, but Ableton and Logic Pro, and includes a tutorial video showing you exactly how to set up and use the template, and even includes drum samples to get you started with mixing percussion tracks.
Price: $199
#6: Break It Down Pro Tools Template
Fans of the “Respect the Engineer” podcast went crazy when these guys finally released an exact replica of the template that they use to start almost all of their sessions.
What is particularly beneficial about this template is that it includes two versions: one for users who own the Waves presets they use in their proper template and another that uses only included Pro Tools presets. This is great for beginners who are just diving into audio engineering as they won’t have to purchase additional presets to get great results.
Price: $74.99
#7: Puremix Andrew Scheps Mixing Template
Another great template for beginners, this package includes an hour and a half long tutorial that walks you through installing and using the template step by step.
Andrew Scheps is a multi-platinum mixing engineer, and his template is designed to use only stock plug-ins for Pro Tools and 4 other DAWs. So not only do you not need to purchase additional plugins, it’s also one of the most affordably priced mixing templates we’ve found, a win-win for budding engineers on a budget.
Price: $35
#8: Pro Tools Stock Hip Hop Template
This template is designed to replicate some of the iconic beats and sounds of Hip Hop and R&B legends using only included or free Pro Tools plugins.
Getting access to these sounds without downloading expensive plugin sets can be difficult, so this is a great option for anyone who wants to start creating those smooth, polished tracks without breaking the bank.
Price: $15 for individual templates, $145 for complete bundle with courses
#9: Trap Godz Pro Tools Preset
This is one of the priciest on the list, but trap is one of the most difficult genres to replicate, so if you’re chasing that specific sound, it may be worth the splurge.
It’s designed so that people with effectively no mixing/mastering knowledge can start creating radio-ready trap songs virtually out of the box. It does require additional presets to work fully, so expect to spend more on top of the template price.
Price: $349.99
#10: Drake Vocal Preset by Jordan Rys
Because who doesn’t love Drake, right? Okay, maybe it’s not for everyone, but if you ARE a fan of Drake’s signature sound, this template gets you as close as possible to replicating it. Based on the mix heard on his hit single “Work,” it uses nearly the same plugins and settings used by Drake’s audio engineers.
Price: $49.99
Final thoughts
Templates are a great way to save money on mixing and mastering services plus help you replicate iconic sounds without all the guesswork. Once you’ve gotten the hang of them, you can also create your own templates from your favorite mixes and use them to get the same tonal feel every time.
And if you’re looking for a better way to bring your remote audio production team closer together and collaborate more efficiently from a distance, check out Evercast. Evercast allows you to stream your Pro Tools edit sessions in HD while video chatting and exchanging notes with your team, all under one platform. Because we believe collaboration is the magic behind the music, and you shouldn’t be slowed down no matter where your team is working in the world.
