110: 11: Basic Mixing and Signal Flow

Question 1

How many inserts are available on a track in pro tools? Why is it important to consider the order in which inserts are arranged on a track?

Answer 1

10

Because they are processed in series.

Question 2

Are inserts pre fader or post fader on audio, instrument, and aux input tracks? Are inserts any different on master fader tracks? Explain.

Answer 2

Pre fader on all

Post fader on master

Question 3

How many sends are available on a track in pro tools?

Answer 3

10

Question 4

Are send pre fader or post fader on audio, instrument, and aux input tracks? Are sends any different on master fader tracks? Explain.

Answer 4

Pre or post. Masters do not have sends.

Question 5

What is the difference between single send fader mode and send assignments display mode? What keyboard modifier can you use to toggle between the display modes by clicking a send selector?

Answer 5

View all sends on a track or a single send with fader, etc.

Cmd click on a send selector.

Question 6

What is the difference between and output (interface) send and a bus send?

Answer 6

Output for monitoring or external effects, bus for internal mixing and effects.

Question 7

What level does a send default to when first created? How can you change this default?

Answer 7

-inf

Set>preferences> deselect “sends default to -inf”

Question 8

What is the effect of enabling the FMP button in a send window? What is the effect of enabling the pre button?

Answer 8

Follows main pan

Send level is independent of tracks output fader position

Question 9

How can you prevent a return track from soft muting when one of the source tracks is soloed?

Answer 9

Enable solo-safe by cmd clicking on solo button

Question 10

Discuss the differences between processing a signal with a send and return versus processing with an insert.

Answer 10

Inserts are generally used for gain-based effects as these are applied 100% wet. Sends and returns are used for time-based as these are mixed with dry signals (and are often shared, conserving processing power).

Question 11

Which type of plugin effects are generally used on inserts; which are generally used with sends? Why?

Answer 11

.

Question 12

Describe the track icons used for each type of track (audio, aux input, midi, instrument, and master fader).

Answer 12

Audio - waveform
Aux - down arrow
Midi - midi connector
Instr. - keyboard
Master - sum (capital sigma)