8,720
edits
Changes
m
''<u>Inserts'' </u> are basically in-line routing of the track to algorithms (virtually always called ''<u>plugins''</u>) that process a track's audio or MIDI events. For instance, you can apply a reverb plugin as an insert on audio track to add reverb to it. The insert functions indpendently inserts function independently of the track events, and the input for the track is recorded before the signal reaches the inserts. For exampleIn other words, it does not matter if you can change have inserts on the track at record time - the reverb settings later without affecting track is only recording the raw audio events in or MIDI data. Inserts only affect the playback/monitoring of the track, or you and can edit be changed or replace the audio events without affecting the reverb settingsremoved later on. Each track is usually capable of having numerous inserts, which process in a serial order. Some inserts process before certain standard track controls, such as the volume/level or EQ settings, while others process after.
→Tracks
* Adjustment Tracks
Tracks typically have a control panel with the features below, closely resembling a [[Mixing Boards/Consoles|mixing board]]. Some DAW's display limited control panels for every track to the left of the workspace. Others require highlighting or double-clicking the desired track to make the control panel appear. Depending on the level of zoom and the screen space given to the control panel portions of the tracks, certain features may be hidden.
=== Record Arm ===
The most basic feature of a track is to ''<u>record arm'' </u> the track. This tells the DAW to record audio or MIDI input into the track when you press the record button on the timeline controller. Tracks that are not record armed will simply playback whatever audio or MIDI data they already contain instead of recording whatever data is flowing in through their specified input. You can record arm multiple tracks to simultaneously record them, even if they use different input sources.
=== Solo/Mute ===
The ''<u>solo'' </u> button essentially mutes all other tracks. This allows you to focus on that single track, so you can notice imperfections or edit it without the distractions of all the other tracks playing back. You can solo multiple tracks simultaneously. You can still record on any track while one or more tracks are being solo'ed.
The ''<u>mute'' </u> button, as expected, simply mutes playback of the track. A track can still be recorded while muted. Also, see [[Mixing Boards/Consoles#Solo]] and [[Mixing Boards/Consoles#Mute|#Mute]].
=== Input Monitoring ===
There is often an ''<u>input monitor'' </u> button per track. This sends the input stream from the audio track to the software output ''when the track is record armed''. Essentially, what you hear before you press record is exactly what will be recorded.
Hardware interfaces generally provide a ''software mixer'' to control the hardware. This determines where each hardware input is routed in software. It also usually includes an option to enable ''direct'' or ''hardware monitoring'' of any of its inputs. This routes the audio going into that input directly to the output without having to be routed through the computer's operating system and other software. '''The advantage of direct monitoring is that there is minimal latency.''' For non-acoustic instruments that use heavy audio processing like electric guitar, this is a very good thing. Trying to play guitar but not hearing your playing until a 10th of a second or more throws off the feel and timing of the player.
''NOTE: Modern DAW software is equipped to know what the audio latency from your input source is and time-shift the resulting recording so that you never know it existed.'' When recording, you should play in-time with the click track and/or other tracks.
For more, see [[Interface Setup]].
=== Input/Output or Send/Receive ===
Each track allows input/output selection, also called ''<u>send'' </u> (output) and ''<u>receive'' </u> (input)to normalize the terminology with [[Mixing Boards/Consoles|mixing boards]]. Possible inputs/outputs are set up in your DAW settings and should correspond to your physical input/output connections on your hardware audio interface. This includes audio and MIDI I/O's. Mono tracks will allow stereo inputs (such as S/PDIF) to specify either the left or right field. Inputs/outputs can be set to other tracks or ''busses''. For instance, most Most tracks by default are set to output to the master output [[Mixing Boards/Consoles#buses|bus]] by default. If you look at the master However, tracks do not necessarily have to output to output buses - they can also output bus trackto input buses, its output is and multiple input buses can be set up to capture the same physical outputinputs. It's a good idea to set up several additional input buses with no physical input attached, designed for routing multiple tracks into. This would allow For example, you may have several tracks with percussion instruments and want to route them all to add an effect a single track where you can apply a uniform reverb or compression preset. Output buses on the master bus such other hand are routed out of the DAW and to the interface ([[Interface Setup#Inputs/Mixer|as reverb that would affect software return inputs]]), where the final mix of all interface will handle which physical outputs the trackssignal is actually sent.
=== Inserts ===
== Audio ==