Groups, returns, and sends

Route through a group#

In Routing, send a track to stereo output or a group. Use a group for related material such as dialogue or music so its combined level and processing can be adjusted together. Groups feed stereo output.

Group solo includes member tracks. Track and group mute/solo states affect export as well as playback, so clear temporary solos before delivering the full mix.

Share an effect with a return#

Create a return and add a send from a track. New returns start with wet-only reverb; change the processing for delay or another shared effect. Adjust the send level to determine how much of the track enters it.

Pre-fader sends are taken before the track fader; post-fader sends follow its level. Choose according to whether the shared effect should change when you rebalance that source. Muting the source suppresses its sends.

Routing constraints#

Groups and returns feed stereo output to keep the graph free of feedback cycles. Native Audio Unit inserts are available on source tracks and stereo output, not group or return buses. Built-in processing can be used on buses.

Stems and shared processing#

Stems include track/group effects, sends, and original sidechain inputs, but omit master processing. Shared nonlinear processing can make recombined wet stems differ from the original complete mix. Deliver the stereo mix alongside stems when the final balance is important.