DigiDesign Pro Tools Reference Manual page 204

TrackPunch
(Pro Tools HD Only)
TrackPunch lets individual tracks be punched
in, punched out, and taken out of record enable
without interrupting online recording and play-
back.
TrackPunch is a non-destructive recording
mode. When a track is TrackPunch-enabled,
Pro Tools begins recording a new file when play-
back begins. During playback, you may record
arm or disarm, or punch in or out a combina-
tion of any or all TrackPunch enabled tracks.
TrackPunch automatically creates regions in
that file at each punch-in and punch-out point.
These regions appear in the track's playlist, and
the complete audio file appears in the Region
List along with the TrackPunch created regions.
Up to 200 of these "running punches" can be
performed in a single pass.
For more information on TrackPunch, see
"TrackPunch Audio Recording" on
page 236.
DestructivePunch
(Pro Tools HD Only)
Destructive Punch is a destructive recording
mode that lets you instantaneously punch in
(start recording) and punch out (stop recording)
on individual audio tracks during playback,
while preserving a contiguous audio file on each
punched track.
For more information on DestructivePunch,
see "DestructivePunch Audio Recording" on
page 245.
192 Pro Tools Reference Guide
Record Modes and MIDI
In addition to the various record modes, there is
also a MIDI Merge button in the Transport win-
dow that determines how MIDI is recorded.
When enabled (Merge mode), recording over ex-
isting MIDI regions results in the new data being
merged with the old. When the MIDI Merge
button is disabled (Replace mode), the new ma-
terial replaces the old.
MIDI Merge enabled
MIDI recording works the same whether using
Nondestructive or Destructive Record mode. In
addition, neither QuickPunch nor TrackPunch
need to be enabled to punch on-the-fly with
MIDI—this capability is available in Nonde-
structive and Destructive Record modes.
Unlike audio loop recording, the state of the
MIDI Merge toggle determines whether existing
material is replaced or merged.
Unless MIDI Merge is enabled, MIDI recording is
destructive (though you can undo a MIDI record
pass), either overwriting or adding to region ma-
terial. One exception to this rule is when Loop
Record mode is enabled; in this mode, existing
track regions are replaced with new regions
when new material is recorded. The old regions
remain intact and available from the Region
List, and from the Matches pop-up menu. In
Loop Record mode, MIDI Merge has no effect, so
its button is dimmed.
MIDI Merge button