The path is Mixer Tracks ->Main Out AND Mixer Tracks -> AUX -> Main out

The AUX is ADDED to the mixer track out (into the main out), which is why John said don't use compression in AUX. This way if a reverb is used in an AUX slot the effected signal (with reverb) is added to the dry signal from the track. For this reason one good tip is to set any effect in an AUX slot to 100% wet (or processed) so you aren't adding more dry signal along with the processed signal. In most reverb FX you'll see a wet/dry ratio which should be all wet when used in the AUX position. Using a compressor in AUX means the compressed signal is added to the dry, which (in theory) is not what you are after usually.

The many AUX's are there for various effects. One may want a reverb in AUX1 and then send the varying amount of track signal to it to get the desired amount of reverb. Then possibly AUX2 may contain an enhancer or exciter that can also have a varying amount of signal desired. Then in AUX3 maybe a second reverb or delay for certain tracks you want a special effect for, etc.

The subgroups have to be enabled in Audio options (which eliminates multiple outs by the way). Then you can use these like the submix on a mixer; for instance you can set the levels and effects of all the different drums in a drum set (if available) in the mixer so the drumset is balanced with itself. Then send all the drum tracks to SubGroup 2 so you can boost/cut the volume of the whole set with one slider (or add effects to that subgroup also all at once). These subgroups also get routed to the main out in the long run.

Using multiple outputs can be handy for certain monitoring applications when recording. Here I have one output that sends to a headphone distribution amp, another that sends to one set of monitors, another to a different set.. it makes changing the listening options convenient; no switching cords or changing switches as a couple clicks gets me what I want. Record a track using the headphones, then listen back with monitors quickly. Note that you need multiple output ports to use this. It can be two separate devices or a device with multiple audio outputs.

Last edited by rharv; 11/11/11 10:39 AM.
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