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Transport Control on Pro Tools

By Max Bobo @Max_Bobo
    2022-02-11 10:45:29.441Z

    Hi everyone,

    I've been looking for a way to move precisely the playhead of Pro Tools with soundflow.

    I have tried macro / script to set a text value in the text field of the Main Counter:

    sf.ui.proTools.mainWindow.groups.whoseTitle.is("Counter Display Cluster").first.textFields.whoseTitle.is("Main Counter").first.elementSetTextFieldWithAreaValue({
    value: "10:00.000",
});

    But this doesn't work:

    11.02.2022 10:50:04.71 <info> [Backend]: !! Command Error: Macro1 [user:ckzfcz12w00001i10xq76fhdd:ckzi8a8bs000g1i10yhq161ri]:
Could not set text area value (Macro1: Line 2)

    And after checking the elements with the accessibility API, this "AXTextField" is not settable.

    Does anyone have a script or know a way to move the playhead to a precise position with soundflow ?

    That would be of great help, and if it is not possible, it is good to know also.

    Thank you very much in advance,
    Best

    Maxime

    Reply
    • 6 replies
    1. M
      Max Bobo @Max_Bobo
        2022-02-11 15:49:38.926Z

        Hey back,

        I found how to do this, by clicking the element and entering a text:

        //Activate Pro Tools Main Window
sf.ui.proTools.appActivateMainWindow();

//Click on New Meter's first field. 
sf.ui.proTools.mainWindow.groups.whoseTitle.is("Counter Display Cluster").first.textFields.whoseTitle.is("Main Counter").first.elementClick();

//Type text
sf.keyboard.type({
    text: "999",
});

        My question is, how to format the text for it to actually work, because at the moment it just writes some dummy 999 at the end of the "Min:Secs" timestamp ?

        I'm thinking of maybe simulating a enter key at the end for the playhead to move..

        Thx
        Maxime

        Reply
        1. In reply toMax_Bobo⬆:
          Raphael Sepulveda @raphaelsepulveda2022-02-11 22:36:06.866Z

          @Max_Bobo Ah yes, these types of text fields are a bit tricky.

          Here's one way to set the Main Counter to a specific value in Min:Secs:

          /** @param {{ newValue: string }} arg - "00:00.000" format */
function setMainCounterMinSecs({ newValue }) {
    sf.ui.proTools.appActivateMainWindow();
    
    sf.ui.proTools.mainCounterDoWithValue({
        targetValue: "Min:Secs",
        action: () => {
            const values = newValue.match(/^(\d+):(\d+).(\d+)$/);

            if (!values) throw 'Please enter Main Counter New Value in "00:00.000" format';

            const mainCounter = sf.ui.proTools.mainWindow.counterDisplay.textFields.whoseTitle.is("Main Counter").first;

            mainCounter.elementClick();

            values.reverse().forEach((value, i, arr) => {
                if (i === arr.length - 1) return;
                sf.keyboard.press({ keys: "left" });
                sf.keyboard.type({ text: value });
            });
            sf.keyboard.press({ keys: "return" });
        }
    });
}

setMainCounterMinSecs({
    newValue: "10:00.000"
});
          Reply
          1. AAndreas Altmann @Andreas_Altmann
              2023-02-07 03:37:44.617Z

              Great! Is there a way to make it that I can enter the specific time or bar?
              Thanks a bunch!

              Reply
              1. Raphael Sepulveda @raphaelsepulveda2023-02-07 04:24:30.733Z

                @Andreas_Altmann, here it is for Bars|Beats:

                // /** @param {{ newValue: string }} arg - "1|1|000" format */
function setMainCounterBarsBeats({ newValue }) {
    sf.ui.proTools.appActivateMainWindow();

    sf.ui.proTools.mainCounterDoWithValue({
        targetValue: "Bars|Beats",
        action: () => {
            const mainCounter = sf.ui.proTools.mainWindow
                .counterDisplay.textFields.whoseTitle.is("Main Counter").first;
            const values = newValue.match(/^(\d+)\|(\d)\|(\d+)$/);

            if (!values) throw 'Please enter Main Counter New Value in "1|1|000" format';

            mainCounter.elementClick();

            values.slice(1).reverse().forEach((value) => {
                sf.keyboard.press({ keys: "left" });
                sf.keyboard.type({ text: value });
            });

            sf.keyboard.press({ keys: "return" });
        }
    });
}

setMainCounterBarsBeats({
    newValue: "5|1|000" // Enter value here
});
                Reply
            • A
              In reply toMax_Bobo⬆:
              Andreas Altmann @Andreas_Altmann
                2023-02-07 04:45:22.716Z

                Sorry, I'm looking for it to run like this: I press a stream deck button and I enter the time or bar number. I can change the scribt for the bar/time option, but I have problems writing script for the flexibility of entering the bar/time.
                Example: My clients usually give me mixing notes with Min:Sec so I'd like to enter that manually.
                I apologize and should have been more clearer...
                Thanks

                Reply
                1. Chris Shaw @Chris_Shaw2023-02-07 18:02:54.836Z

                  You should get the Scheps Offset counter in the store. It's made for exactly what you are trying to do
                  https://soundflow.org/store/pkg/counter-offset

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