Using Edit modes correctly

I think understanding the Edit modes and how they function correctly is one of the big barriers to starting out in Pro Tools. Attempting to move and shift clips around can be frustrating if you are in the wrong mode, and the fact that the Edit modes are bound to the first four function keys (F1-F4) means you might accidentally engage in one of the modes by accident. Let’s explore the different modes and what they can be used for:

Figure 3.14: Edit modes

Shuffle (F1)

Shuffle mode can be thought of as clips functioning as magnets, or like there is always a force pushing them to the left. If you take a clip in any place on any track and attempt to move it to an empty track, it will move to the beginning of the session. If there is another clip placed somewhere in that track and you drag it to somewhere after that clip, the start of the clip will jump and line up with the end of the existing clip in the track. This can...