Welcome back to the Routing Series! In this episode, we’ll dive into my go-to setup for managing audio routing in Pro Tools, featuring the 2-Track Summing Bus, 2-Recording Buses, and the Listen Bus.
🔑 𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦 of Routing Series #3 – Summing Bus (in Pro Tools)
The Purpose of Each Bus: Discover my reasons for using a 2-Track Summing Bus, a pair of Recording Buses, and a dedicated Listen Bus to streamline your mixing and mastering workflow.
2-Track Summing Bus Uses
Explore how I utilize the 2-Track Summing Bus for:
- Applying inserts (EQ, compression, and tape emulation) for the final stereo mix.
- Incorporating hardware inserts, such as stereo compressors, for enhanced sound quality.
- Integrating mastering plugins directly in the mixing session for quick turnaround on one or two-song projects.
Recording Bus Option
Understand the routing flexibility of the 2-Recording Buses:
- Recording POST Summing Bus Inserts to capture the final mix with hardware compression.
- Recording PRE 2-Track Summing Bus Inserts for a clean stereo mix, allowing for separate mastering later.
Utilizing the Listen Bus
Learn how to set up a Listen Bus for efficient monitoring through your interface outputs or headphones, complete with specialized monitoring plugins.
Bounce Bus for Dithering
I’ll explain how to use a Bounce Bus for checking your mixes and reducing bit depth from 48kHz/24-bit to 44.1kHz/16-bit without affecting other summing or monitoring settings.
This simple yet effective setup allows you to “set it and forget it,” ensuring you’re always prepared for recording, bouncing, and mastering tasks. With this approach, you’ll save time and eliminate stress during your sessions, making your workflow more efficient. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on the latest tips and tricks in the Routing Series! Let’s get started on optimizing your audio routing in Pro Tools!
