Use auxiliary channel strips in Logic Pro for iPad

Auxiliary (aux) channel strips can be used as effects returns, to create subgroups, to submix, and to route a signal to multiple output destinations. You can create aux channel strips as needed in the Mixer.

Create mix subgroups

You can route the signal from multiple channel strips via a single bus to an aux channel strip, which provides you with one set of controls over the entire group.

For example, say your mix contains multiple drum tracks that you want to manage using a single set of channel strip controls, or you want to use a compressor across the whole drum kit. You can do so using sends to route the signal from each of the drum tracks to the same bus with the same aux channel strip as the destination. You could route your vocal tracks to a second aux channel strip, providing a separate way to control those channel strips as a group. Finally, you could output both subgroups (drums and vocals) to the same destination or to separate destinations.

Creating a mix subgroup using an aux channel strip is similar to using a summing stack. The main difference is that you can add channel strips to an aux channel strip subgroup without their being part of a track stack.

There are also some similarities between using aux channel strips as subgroups and working with Mixer groups. You can control the group/subgroup properties from one set of channel strip controls. However, Mixer groups are typically used to control channel strip group properties, and not the signal flow.

Route signals to multiple output destinations

You can route a signal to several different output destinations using aux channel strips.

For example, you might have a main signal with the output destination set to external speakers. At the same time, you want to hear the signal as a separate headphone mix, at a different level or with some additional effects. To do this, you would set up two separate output destinations for your signal, with the aux channel strips controlling the headphone mix.

Create an aux channel strip

When you make a send assignment from a channel strip using a bus not already in use as an input source on another channel strip, an aux channel strip is created automatically.

Show a track for an aux channel strip in the Tracks area

In Logic Pro, with the Mixer in Mix mode, tap the bottom of a channel strip, then tap Create Track.

Create a subgroup using an aux channel strip

In Logic Pro, select multiple channel strips in the Mixer.
Tap the Output slot of a selected channel strip, then choose a bus from the pop-up menu.
The Output slots of all selected channel strips reflect the chosen bus. A new aux channel strip is created, except when the chosen bus is already in use as an input source on another channel strip. Its Input slot contains the channel strip signal flow coming via the chosen bus.
Tap the Output slot of the aux channel strip, then choose the output destination for the main mix.
Use the aux channel strip controls to process the submix—adding inserts, setting volume and pan, and so on.

Route a channel strip to two output destinations

In Logic Pro, tap the Output slot of the channel strip, then choose the main output destination for the mix.
Tap the channel strip’s Send slot, then choose the bus to route part of the signal to.
An aux channel strip is created, with the bus in its Input slot.
Tap the Output slot of the aux channel strip, then choose an additional output destination for the mix, such as headphones.
The signal is now routed to two separate output destinations. The main signal flow is routed through the channel strip to the speakers. The second signal flow is routed via a bus to the aux channel strip, and output to the headphones. The relative level of the signal can be adjusted using the Send Level knob.

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Logic Pro User Guide for iPad