How Do I Create a Subgroup in Pro Tools?

Creating a subgroup in Pro Tools is typically done by routing the output of multiple tracks to the input of a single Aux Input track. This allows you to control the collective level, processing, and routing of those tracks from one place.

Steps to Create a Subgroup Using an Aux Track

Based on common Pro Tools workflows, including methods shown in tutorials, here's how you create a subgroup:

1. Create a New Aux Input Track: You need a dedicated track to serve as the subgroup master.

   • Go to the menu bar and select Track > New.
   • Choose Aux Input.
   • Select the desired format (e.g., Stereo is common for instrument or drum subgroups).
   • Specify the number of tracks (usually 1 for the subgroup master).
   • Click Create.

2. Name the Aux Track: Give your new Aux Input track a descriptive name so you know what group it controls.

   • As seen in the reference, you might name a stereo Aux track something like "instruments" if it's meant to group instrument tracks.

3. Route Tracks to the Aux Input: Now, change the output of the individual tracks you want to subgroup so they feed into this new Aux Input track.

   • Select all three of those tracks (as indicated in the reference, referring to the tracks you want to group).
   • Find the Output assignment on the selected tracks in the Edit or Mix window.
   • Click on the Output assignment.
   • Select a Bus (e.g., Bus 1-2, Bus 3-4, etc.) that is currently unused. This bus will become the internal pathway for your subgroup.
   • Go to your newly created Aux Input track.
   • Find the Input assignment on the Aux track.
   • Click on the Input assignment and select the same Bus that you assigned as the output for your grouped tracks (e.g., Bus 1-2 if that's what you chose).

4. Configure the Aux Track Output: Assign the output of your Aux Input track to your main output (e.g., Analog 1-2, Stereo Out, etc.) or another destination like a master fader.

Summary Table

Step	Action	Purpose
Create New Track	Add an Aux Input track (e.g., Stereo).	Acts as the subgroup master.
Name Track	Give it a descriptive name (e.g., instruments).	Easy identification.
Select Tracks	Choose the tracks to be grouped (e.g., select all three of those tracks).	Target tracks for routing.
Route Track Outputs	Assign outputs of selected tracks to an unused Bus.	Sends audio from tracks to the internal bus.
Route Aux Track Input	Assign input of Aux track to the same Bus.	Receives audio from the bus.
Route Aux Track Output	Assign output of Aux track to master output or another destination.	Sends subgroup audio to the main mix.

Once set up, the Aux Input track's fader controls the combined level of all tracks routed into it. You can also insert plugins on the Aux track to process the entire subgroup collectively.