The controls available in the Transport Window are also available in the toolbar but I have never taken to using those controls. The convenience of a floating window, which can be shown or hidden using the CMD+1 shortcut (Ctrl+1 on a PC) suits me far better. I usually display all of the available sections apart from the Synchronisation section. The sections can be shown or hidden from the drop down menu which has been improved by the addition of a new style checkbox menu. I rarely change the visible elements but I recently came across a useful behaviour of the green maximise or ‘full screen’ button in the top left of the Transport Window.

Above is the standard extended Transport Window, omitting the synchronisation section. The red button closes the window and the amber button minimises it to the Dock.

Above is the same transport window after the green button has been clicked. A half depth window, not something I use as too many useful elements aren’t displayed.

Above is the same transport window after the green button has been CMD clicked. The counters are still displayed, the MIDI controls are hidden. Substitute Control on a PC.

Above is the same transport window after the green button has been Control clicked. The MIDI controls are still displayed, the counters are hidden. Substitute Start on a PC.

What About Shift And Alt?

Shift doesn’t do anything, the behaviour is the same as if no modifier was being held. Alt hides both the MIDI controls and the counters but doesn’t restore them. CMD and Ctrl can’t be used in combination to show or hide the counters and MIDI controls at the same time. I’m really surprised I wasn’t aware of these keystrokes but it’s good to find new things in Pro Tools. Did you know this?