Creating a Sub Group in Pro Tools 9
Man! This took me forever to figure out! I think it was a google and video that made it clear but let me post it here just in case anyone else out there is having as much trouble as I had.
Pro Tools is a little confusing on the “groups” thing. Of course, like most things it’s very simple once you understand it. “Groups” allow for you to group several tracks such as your drums so that you can raise or lower the level in the “mix” window and/or edit as a group in the “edit” window with additional options as well. In the analog audio world this is very similar to the VCA group on a mixing console and works the same way in the “mix” window. However this is not a “subgroup.” A “subgroup” wll allow you to control level and muting as a group as well as the ability to add plugins such as compression and EQ. This can come in very handy for drums, horn and string sections, etc.
There are several ways to add a “subgroup,” I’ll discuss only one way. And if there are any advanced Pro Tools users reading this and would like to offer a better explanation and/or insight, please feel free to submit an article.
Steps to Creating a Subgroup in Pro Tools 9 (Windows 7):
- In the “Mix” Window, left-click on an empty slot in the Sends Section on any track.
- Left-Click on “new track…”
- Select Width: Stereo or Mono (this depends on what you’re doing. For a drum submix, Stereo might work best)
- Select Type: Aux Input
- Select Time Base: Samples
- Name: Add whatever name you would like, ie, “DRUMS”
- De-select “Create next to the current track”
- Click “Create”
After you complete Steps 1-8 you will now have a new track in your mix window and a new Send in your Sends section. Both will have the same name and both will be highlighted. Next…
- Delte the Highlighted new Send in the Send Section
- Individually select the tracks you would like to send to the subgroup and change Output to the new “buss” you created.
Now you’re done and you can now add compression, etc. to the Subgroup. But there is one more thing you need to do.
In order for you to now be able to Solo each track in the group you will have to do the following:
- Alt and left-click the Solo button on the new Sub Group track.
Thats’ it.
