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Stereo/Mono
Most of you Probably already know what stereo and mono when referring to audio is. Let me clarify just in case:
Stereo - 2 Audio signals = 1 for the Left speaker and one for the right speaker
Mono - 1 Audio signal = Same audio signal fed to both speakers
Simple right? ...right!
In Pro Tools all track types are available in Mono and in Stereo. To pick the track type, simple choose from the drop-down menu in "New Track" dialogue. This setting can't be changed once the track is made. To change it you will need to delete the track and create a new one if needed.
Stereo - 2 Audio signals = 1 for the Left speaker and one for the right speaker
Mono - 1 Audio signal = Same audio signal fed to both speakers
Simple right? ...right!
In Pro Tools all track types are available in Mono and in Stereo. To pick the track type, simple choose from the drop-down menu in "New Track" dialogue. This setting can't be changed once the track is made. To change it you will need to delete the track and create a new one if needed.
Audio Tracks
Chances are, the audio track will be the most used type of track. It (lets take a shot in the dark here...) holds audio.
You can record audio directly onto this track by selecting an input from your audio interface. However, you don't have to record onto this track. You can drag audio onto this track from other tracks, or drag audio files from elsewhere on your computer onto these tracks (If you can't drag an audio file from your computer onto this track, the audio may need converted to the session specifications).
You can record audio directly onto this track by selecting an input from your audio interface. However, you don't have to record onto this track. You can drag audio onto this track from other tracks, or drag audio files from elsewhere on your computer onto these tracks (If you can't drag an audio file from your computer onto this track, the audio may need converted to the session specifications).
Instrument Tracks
You may be thinking "I should use this track if I want to record an instrument", but this is not the case. Instrument tracks hold Midi Data, and this midi data is fed to a virtual instrument software on the track. For example, recorded audio on an audio track tell the speaker what to play. Midi data tells the virtual instrument what note to play, as well as other things.
You can write and edit midi data right in Pro Tools, or you can record it by connecting a midi keyboard, and selecting it on the input of the channel.
You can write and edit midi data right in Pro Tools, or you can record it by connecting a midi keyboard, and selecting it on the input of the channel.
AUX Tracks
Aux tracks (abbreviation for Auxiliary tracks) are simply tracks that you can run audio through, it stores no audio data. Commonly, the audio comes from a BUS, which is a virtual "roadway" inside of Pro Tools that can travels on (you can run tracks to a BUS by selecting that BUS in the output in the output section of that track, or as a send on that track). On the Aux track, select the input you want from the input menu in the I/O selector.
These tracks have so many great uses, the common one are:
1. Grouping many audio track together (by sending all those audio track to the same BUSS, and selecting that BUSS on the Aux's input selector). By doing this all the tracks are routing through one track. You can still control each track indiviually, as well as all the track as a whole on the Aux track.
2. Reverbs/Delays. You can setup a reverb or delay BUSS, and use sends to send to an Aux track with a reverb or delay on it. This way you can have 1 reverb that you can control instead of many reverbs for each track.
Alternate terminology you may here: BUSS tracks
These tracks have so many great uses, the common one are:
1. Grouping many audio track together (by sending all those audio track to the same BUSS, and selecting that BUSS on the Aux's input selector). By doing this all the tracks are routing through one track. You can still control each track indiviually, as well as all the track as a whole on the Aux track.
2. Reverbs/Delays. You can setup a reverb or delay BUSS, and use sends to send to an Aux track with a reverb or delay on it. This way you can have 1 reverb that you can control instead of many reverbs for each track.
Alternate terminology you may here: BUSS tracks
Master TRacks
These tracks are the prime rulers of... well whatever you tell them to be.
A master track simply is the master of your choice of a BUSS, an Output on your Audio Interface, or an Input from your Audio Interface. These are like AUX tracks, however you do not rout audio through them, you rout audio through a BUSS or to an output, and set the master to that BUSS or Output. This was your not really routing everything to the master like you are the AUX it is just controlling it.
Master Tracks do have some different characteristics, however.
1. They do not have a "Sends" section. Unfortunately there is no sends section on a Master Track like there is on most other tracks.
2. There is not an "Input" and an "Output" selector on the channel. There is just one, this is where you select what you want it to control.
Alternate terminology you may hear: Master Fader
A master track simply is the master of your choice of a BUSS, an Output on your Audio Interface, or an Input from your Audio Interface. These are like AUX tracks, however you do not rout audio through them, you rout audio through a BUSS or to an output, and set the master to that BUSS or Output. This was your not really routing everything to the master like you are the AUX it is just controlling it.
Master Tracks do have some different characteristics, however.
1. They do not have a "Sends" section. Unfortunately there is no sends section on a Master Track like there is on most other tracks.
2. There is not an "Input" and an "Output" selector on the channel. There is just one, this is where you select what you want it to control.
Alternate terminology you may hear: Master Fader