How to Create and Use Aux Tracks in Pro Tools

Auxiliary (Aux) tracks in Pro Tools are powerful tools used for routing audio, applying effects across multiple tracks, creating submixes, and more. While their applications are diverse, the fundamental first step in using them is creating the track itself.

Creating an Aux Input Track

Based on the provided reference, here are the steps to create a new Aux Input track in your Pro Tools session:

1. Create or open an existing Pro Tools session. You need a session open to add tracks.

2. From the top menu, click on: Track > New. This opens the "New Tracks" window.

3. In the "New Tracks" window, configure the settings for your aux track. While specific configurations depend on your needs, a typical setup for an effects return or submix might look like this:

   Setting	Typical Value	Description
   Quantity	1 (or more)	How many new aux tracks you want to create.
   Type	Aux Input	Select this for routing and processing.
   Channel Width	Stereo (or Mono)	Matches the source or intended use (e.g., stereo reverb).
   Samples/Ticks	Samples	Standard setting for audio tracks.
   Track Color	Default (or choice)	For visual organization.
   Name	Aux 1 (or custom)	Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Reverb Return," "Drum Submix").

   Note: The reference specifically highlights applying configurations to the "New Tracks" window.

4. Press "Create". Your new Aux Input track(s) will appear in your session.

5. Open the mix window by clicking on the top menu bar: Window > Mix. This view is crucial for configuring the inputs and outputs of your new aux track and the sends from other tracks.

Configuring and Using Aux Tracks

Once created, Aux Input tracks don't process audio on their own; they receive audio from other tracks via busses or sends and then process or route that audio further.

Common ways to use Aux Input tracks include:

• Effects Sends and Returns: Send audio from multiple tracks (e.g., vocals, drums) to a single Aux Input track via a Send. Insert a time-based effect plugin (like reverb or delay) on the Aux track. The aux track acts as a "return" for the effect, allowing you to control the overall wet signal level and apply the same effect to multiple sources economically.
• Submixing: Route the outputs of a group of related tracks (e.g., all drum tracks, all background vocals) to a single Aux Input track via a Bus. This aux track becomes a "submix fader," allowing you to control the combined level of that group, apply processing (like compression or EQ) to the entire group, or send the entire group to another destination.
• Monitoring: In some setups, Aux Input tracks are used to route live input signals for monitoring purposes with low latency.

To use the created aux track, you will typically:

1. Set its input to a specific bus (e.g., Bus 1-2).
2. On the tracks you want to send to this aux, create a Send and set its output to the same bus (e.g., Bus 1-2).
3. Insert plugins onto the aux track for processing (e.g., reverb, compressor).
4. Set the aux track's output to your main stereo output (e.g., Out 1-2) or another bus for further routing.

By following the creation steps and understanding the routing principles, you can effectively incorporate Aux Input tracks into your Pro Tools workflow for enhanced mixing flexibility and processing efficiency.